PROFILE

A dedicated Social Worker with over 20 years’ progressive experience and well demonstrated assessment and counselling skills.  Able to lead teams and also works very well within a team to collaborate on client care issues.  A strong patient advocate who utilizes effective problem-solving skills and excellent relationships with community-based resource providers to ensure clients receive the best possible care.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Company Name 	1986 – 2003
(formerly Company Name)
SOCIAL WORKER – SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION UNIT 	2000 – 2003
* Participated in the creation and development of the short-term in-patient Rehabilitation Unit as a member of the Rehab Planning Committee over a six-month period.  Set patient screening standards and investigated and researched other facilities in order to determine best practices.  The result was the creation of a 44-bed unit.
* Performed psychosocial assessment of patients transferred to the Rehab Unit from acute care beds.  Routinely met 24-hour turnaround times in response to referrals.  Minimized patient length of stay by consistently meeting early intervention targets.
* Managed a caseload of up to 35 patients and documented all casework activity in a timely and concise manner.
* Provided ongoing supportive, crisis and adjustment counselling to patients and their families helping them to cope with the effects of illness/accident and enabling them to participate more fully in rehabilitation.
* Worked intensively with patients, families and other rehab team members to develop and implement customized rehabilitation programs to meet individual needs and achieve the best possible functional outcomes.
* Coordinated rehabilitation and discharge planning process for patients through regular collaboration with team members.  Routinely shared assessment and progress reporting, enabling all team members to consolidate efforts in support of patients.  Also participated in formal weekly multidisciplinary team meetings.
* Helped reduce patient wait time for rehab services by approximately 30% by working with a team of three to evaluate and streamline transfer processes and expedite the flow of patients. 
* Linked patients and their families with community support services and institutionally based resources in order to ensure appropriate post-rehabilitation follow-up to meet patients’ ongoing care and therapeutic needs.
* Established a strong network and built solid relationships with community resources in order to ensure best possible match of patient to services and reduce their wait time.
* Coordinated and chaired conferences with patients, families and team members to discuss patient progress and review/revise goals and discharge plans.  These meetings served to enhance communication amongst all parties.
* Provided ongoing support and leadership to team members during times of staff and budgetary reductions by facilitating stress management workshops and maintaining a positive attitude and good sense of humour.
 
SOCIAL WORKER, ACUTE MEDICAL UNIT 	1997 – 2000 
* Performed psychosocial assessments of acute medical patients within 24-hours of referral.  This early intervention contributed to reduced hospital stays by identifying post-discharge needs and establishing community resource linkages as soon as possible.
* Provided supportive and crisis counselling to patients and their families, helping them to cope after acute medical treatment and adjust to changes in functional abilities.
* Developed and implemented discharge plans for patients by referring them to appropriate community resources.
* Coordinated efforts of the treatment team to ensure the discharge planning process flowed efficiently while safeguarding the patient’s best interest.
* Provided concise documentation of social work assessments, patient progress and discharge plans to enhance communication and planning among team members.

DIRECTOR OF DISCHARGE PLANNING 	1986 – 1997 
* Coordinated the Discharge Planning program hospital-wide, including policy development/revisions, supervision of discharge planning staff, program planning initiatives and evaluations.
* Participated in numerous hospital committees which contributed significantly to the development of initiatives that reduced length of stay, enhanced utilization of beds and strengthened relationships with key community resources.
* Provided discharge-planning services on various medical and surgical units.

Company Name 	1978 – 1986
(formerly Company Name)
DISCHARGE PLANNER

EDUCATION

B.S.W., York University
B.A.(Hons), University of Toronto

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Certification, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW)
Rights Advisor Training Program
Conflict Resolution Certificate
Harassment Investigation Course
Frontline Leadership Course
Meditech Health Database System Training

INTERESTS/VOLUNTEER WORK

Singing, Church committees