WYTONIA DARDEN
Greenville,NC
Summary
I am an Experienced, knowledgeable professional that is ready to positively contribute to a Care Manager position, Extensive work experience in the Mental Health field and a breadth of understanding in the related fields, including substance abuse and developmental/intellectual disabilities. Knowledgeable of substance abuse and addiction conditions and co-occurring mental illnesses, Recognized for planning abilities and clear, direct communication style.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Health Specialist
Eastpointe/Trillium (2/1/24)
11.2023 - Current
- Provided compassionate support during times of crisis or acute distress while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive mental health services and support for patients.
- Developed rapport with diverse patient populations, fostering trust and open communication during therapy sessions.
- Supported ongoing recovery efforts by connecting patients with community resources and support networks upon discharge.
- Promoted client self-advocacy by assisting them in understanding their rights within the mental health system.
- Maintained detailed records of clinical interventions, progress notes, treatment plans, and other documentation required for regulatory compliance.
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Serve as liaison between patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers to promote effective communication and coordinated care.
- Reduced patient readmission rates by providing effective crisis intervention and stabilization strategies.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners, enhancing access to additional resources and support services for patients.
- Implemented evidence-based practices to ensure the highest quality of care for all clients served.
- Encouraged clients to express feelings and discuss what was happening in day-to-day life in order to help each person develop insight into personal experiences and relationships
- Evaluated patients and implemented comprehensive treatment plans to enhance mental health.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
- Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
- Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
- Attended trainings to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards.
- Encouraged patients to discuss experiences in group and individual settings.
- Assessed mental health needs to determine nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral or mental health issues.
- Supported clients by representing needs and advocating for patient rights in healthcare, legal and community-based settings.
- Provided referrals to connect clients with other community resources to support mental health and well-being.
- Supervised busy caseload, managing clients, balancing workload and prioritizing client needs.
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Carolina Outreach
02.2022 - 11.2023
- Built relationships with others based upon trust and honesty by using active listening and dynamic communication skills.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of recovery and wellness principles and shared this information with others struggling during recovery.
- Provided ongoing assessment, problem-solving and skill teaching to assist individuals with activities of daily living.
- Increased awareness of and supported participation in self-help and advocacy organizations.
- Fostered relationships with partner agencies and other interested parties to build pipeline of supportive services.
- Assisted individuals in identifying and re-engaging with family, friends and other natural supports to build support system..
- Communicated with individuals' family members, offering information and insight into support services available at community level.
- Participated in clinical staffing meetings and coordinated with clinical staff to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Transported individuals to medical appointments and support meetings whenever needed.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Assessed patient behavior, moods and other responses to determine correct diagnosis and devise treatment plans.
- Helped patients to deal with realities of MH/SU/DD diagnoses and develop coping skills.
- Organized clinical interventions and treatment plans for patients suffering from chronic pain disorders.
Transition Coordinator
Freewill Baptist Children’s Home
10.2021 - 01.2022
- Asked appropriate open-ended questions to discover individual needs and requirements.
- Educated individuals on available educational materials, videos and online sites.
- Provided extensive support to patients and helped with acclimation to new settings.
- Prepared and maintained records and case files detailing clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided and relevant correspondence.
- Consulted with interdisciplinary teams to enhance coordination of care, establish medical clearance and determine optimal timing of further interventions.
- Customized vocational exploration activities to identify self-determined rehabilitation needs and goals.
- Mobilized case management system to document service delivery and case progress.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
In Reach Transition Peer Support Specialist
Eastpointe
06.2021 - 10.2021
- Listened and responded to customer requests and forwarded necessary information to superiors.
- Interpreted clients' needs and introduced services to fit specific requirements.
- Attended training programs to deepen professional skillset and assisted in training fellow store associates on existing and new training programs.
- Built relationships with others based upon trust and honesty by using active listening and dynamic communication skills.
- Provided ongoing assessment, problem-solving and skill teaching to assist individuals with activities of daily living.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of recovery and wellness principles and shared this information with others struggling during recovery.
- Observed strict regulations and procedures regarding each individual to maintain confidentiality of personal and health information.
- Participated in clinical staffing meetings and coordinated with clinical staff to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Identified service gaps and located needed housing and work placement resources for individuals.
- Improved clients' coping with routine life activities such as food budgeting and rental payments.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Certified Peer Support Specialist
RHA Health Services
05.2019 - 05.2021
- Built relationships with others based upon trust and honesty by using active listening and dynamic communication skills.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of recovery and wellness principles and shared this information with others struggling during recovery.
- Provided ongoing assessment, problem-solving and skill teaching to assist individuals with activities of daily living.
- Increased awareness of and supported participation in self-help and advocacy organizations.
- Observed strict regulations and procedures regarding each individual to maintain confidentiality of personal and health information.
- Assisted individuals in identifying and re-engaging with family, friends and other natural supports to build support system..
- Participated in clinical staffing meetings and coordinated with clinical staff to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
- Transported individuals to medical appointments and support meetings whenever needed.
- Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Assessed patient behavior, moods and other responses to determine correct diagnosis and devise treatment plans.
- Directed family-centered, strengths-based, culturally competent and individualized intakes and assessments.
Employment/Vocational Specialist
Pathways To Life, Inc
09.2017 - 05.2019
- Utilized Microsoft office to create portfolios of available jobs and types of work to correlate with clients' specific professional profile.
- Counseled unemployed individuals to determine suitable vocational goals, interests and aptitudes.
- Reviewed job orders and employment applications to match applicants with job requirements, successfully assisting clients in finding suitable employment.
- Engaged in vocational exploration to help clients identify work skills and aptitudes.
- Conducted ongoing placement assistance by preparing resumes and helping clients develop appropriate interviewing skills.
- Led and organized individual and group career counseling and employability workshops to facilitate job placement.
- Developed career and education plans based on individual needs.
- Counseled clients one-on-one regarding current situation, desires, aptitudes, education and employment history.
- Assisted clients in building successful job search strategies.
- Connected with business and recruiters to build relationships and increase opportunities for students.
- Worked with team to continuously improve career and placement opportunities.\
- Provided individualized counseling approaches based on socioeconomic status and cultural background.
- Helped determine possible vocations and build application documents.
- Enhanced community outreach to bring in new candidates, highlight programs and meet targets.
Day Treatment Qualified Professional
Access Family Services
12.2016 - 09.2017
- Delivered planned services in context of guidance relationship with supportive counseling.
- Developed written plan of services in conjunction with program participants.
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Directed family-centered, strengths-based, culturally competent and individualized intakes and assessments.
- Involved clients' family members in planning social service programs.
- Prescribed and monitored psychiatric medications and recommended clinical interventions for acute conditions.
- Assisted patients with therapy exercises as specified by care team.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Residential Advisor/Mental Health Tech
Strategic Behavioral Health Center
06.2015 - 11.2016
- Performed scheduled patient safety checks and documented results to establish patients' well-being.
- Observed patient behaviors and mental status and notified RN of unusual or potentially dangerous occurrences.
- Identified behaviors that necessitated intervention and obtained assistance from qualified personnel to complete intervention.
- Applied de-escalation and limit-setting techniques to promote patient cooperation.
- Supported patients needing medical care to relieve patient anxiety and promote positive outcomes.
- Assisted with patient restraint and seclusion scenarios to create safe environment for patient and medical personnel.
- Helped patients with meals, activities of daily living (ADLs) and facility transfers to promote security and patient well-being.
- Escorted patients from unit to meals, activities and visitation areas to maintain standard of safety and security.
- Attended therapeutic educational group meetings and supported patients.
- Charted on each patient daily.
- Treated clients and families with respect and dignity.
- Counseled and mentored clients on substance use and life choices.
Social Worker II/Residential Supervisor II,
NC Westcare Girls Program
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Advocated for client rights and sought solutions by tracking and monitoring legislation and arranging and attending meetings with congressional lawmakers and staff.
- Recommended long-term residential treatment, short-term residential treatment and individualized and group drug counseling for clients with substance abuse issues.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of school psychologists, teachers and administrators to create and implement Individualized Education Plans.
- Encouraged socialization and engagement through therapy, music therapy and social activities.
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Developed Functional Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Intervention Plan to identify cause of problem behavior, formulate strategies to address behavior and teach new behavioral skills.
- Delivered comprehensive therapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults to support child welfare and prevention services.
- Maintained record of daily individual activities, behaviors and pertinent incidents for patient analysis and assessment.
- Formulated treatment plan strategies with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and continuous care plan.
- Administered assessments and developed academic goals based on specific disabilities and barriers to learning.
- Developed and facilitated goal-oriented psycho-education and therapy groups to improve residents' quality of life.
- Offered therapeutic services and crises intervention to emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.
- Completed detailed charts to summarize interactions with patients and booked follow-up sessions.
- Interviewed clients, families or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
Education
Certification in Substance Abuse - Human Services
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC06.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Soc/Social Work
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC06.2000
Skills
- Dynamic Communication Skills
- Scheduling Medical Appointments
- Effective Listening
- Communications Strategies
- Intervention Strategies
- Effective Working Relationships
- Client Goal Planning
- Behavioral Interviewing
Timeline
Health Specialist
Eastpointe/Trillium (2/1/24)
11.2023 - Current
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Carolina Outreach
02.2022 - 11.2023
Transition Coordinator
Freewill Baptist Children’s Home
10.2021 - 01.2022
In Reach Transition Peer Support Specialist
Eastpointe
06.2021 - 10.2021
Certified Peer Support Specialist
RHA Health Services
05.2019 - 05.2021
Employment/Vocational Specialist
Pathways To Life, Inc
09.2017 - 05.2019
Day Treatment Qualified Professional
Access Family Services
12.2016 - 09.2017
Residential Advisor/Mental Health Tech
Strategic Behavioral Health Center
06.2015 - 11.2016
Social Worker II/Residential Supervisor II,
NC Westcare Girls Program
01.2013 - 01.2015
Certification in Substance Abuse - Human Services
Pitt Community College
Bachelor of Arts - Soc/Social Work
Elizabeth City State University
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