Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic
Heather Bursaw

Heather Bursaw

Coaldale,AB

Summary

Motivated social worker with comprehensive experience and knowledge of social issues and systems affecting marginalized individuals and communities. Passionate about developing and facilitating programs to support communities in need and filling gaps. Collaborative and analytical advocate reputable for building strategic partnerships, advocate for clients and works hard to advance change for communities in need.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Support Services Manager

LSCO
11.2019 - Current
  • Operational oversight of the In Home Support Programs, Volunteer Department, Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network & SCSP Seniors System Navigation Team
  • Led the development of the Seniors System Navigation Team and all SCSP initiatives collaboratively with Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre, Lethbridge Housing, CMHA, Volunteer Lethbridge and Lethbridge Family Services
  • Provide mentorship & clinical oversight of all staff delivering support services to older adults.
  • Developed program policies, procedures and database systems necessary for the safe, client centered service delivery
  • Cultivated strong relationships with multiple community agencies supporting older adults focused on collaborative service delivery
  • Developed processes for all 4 programs to track, monitor and report on outcomes as required by funders
  • Responsive to community trends, and open to explore solutions and shift programming to remain current to the needs of older adults
  • Utilize formal proposal writing skills to access community, agency and government grant funding
  • Responsible for the collection, interpretation and timely submission of statistical data & situation reports as required by funders
  • Responsible for the creation of a educational session pertaining to working with older adults, which is delivered quarterly to community based social service agencies in Lethbridge targeting improved service delivery
  • Currently collaborating with provincial and local colleagues on developing best practice approaches and guidelines to standardize current and future community based social service delivery for older adults, in alignment with Social Prescribing initiatives

Team Lead

CoACT Collaborative Care Team - AHS
01.2019 - 10.2019
  • Responsible for the design, implementation and optimization of Collaborative Care within the AHS South Zone sites
  • Effectively promote and nurture professional multidisciplinary relationships through the practice of effective interaction skills
  • Provided mentorship to frontline "champions" and unit managers as they led quality improvement initiatives within their teams
  • Successfully supported the implementation of CoACT elements within a hesitant multidisciplinary rehabilitation unit by modeling acceptance, mentoring and coaching staff and providing ongoing education to influence culture change
  • Facilitated strategic planning alongside AHS unit management to support successful element implementation
  • Monitored unit performance and provided constructive feedback to support increased satisfaction pertaining to the delivery of quality care
  • Achieved Collaborative Care Leadership Certificate & Prosci Change Management certification

Social Worker II

Alberta Health Services
11.2002 - 01.2019
  • Delivered frontline social work support to various rural communities, medical, surgical, psychiatric and geriatric units within Chinook Regional Hospital as well as with the Home Care Team
  • Completed holistic psychosocial assessments to best understand the patients' social, emotional and psychological needs which informed treatment planning.
  • Experienced in facilitating multidisciplinary conferences addressing sensitive patient situations and working collaboratively with the patient, family and involved health care providers to develop patient and family centered treatment plans
  • Comfortable supporting patients and families to navigate complex medical and social system
  • Conducted home visits to assess clients' home environment and provide support.
  • Experienced in de-escalating emotionally driven, confrontational and stressful interactions with patients, families and health care professionals
  • Experienced in understanding/applying various pieces of government legislation to patient and family situations (i.e. PPIC, HIA, and the Mental Health Act)
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with community resources for successful referrals.
  • Confident in acknowledging and learning to work productively with a wide array of personalities
  • Modeled transparency and accountability when working with patients and families
  • Provided consultation to multidisciplinary team member surrounding the social determinants of health and their impact on individual health and wellbeing
  • Assigned as the acting manager for the AHS Social Work Department in the absence of our manager
  • Appointed to attend community interagency meetings to support elder abuse program development
  • Appointed to participate on quality improvement initiatives within AHS, and support the development of provincial best practices

Psychiatric Social Worker

Claresholm Care Centre - Calgary Health Region
09.2001 - 10.2002
  • Responsible for the completion of psychosocial assessments
  • Confident and comfortable establishing rapport required to explore historical and current experiencing for each patient
  • Effectively balanced empathy and boundaries during interactions with patients, families and multidisciplinary team despite emotional realities patients were facing
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the classification of psychiatric illnesses, and competency in the understanding and supporting the treatment of anxiety and affective disorders, Personality Disorders, and depression
  • Active multidisciplinary team member who supported the development and implementation of discharge plans focused on community reintegration
  • Developed and facilitated therapeutic groups to enhance coping skills and future functioning
  • Responsible for thorough, clinical documentation reflective of each patient's program progress and ongoing therapeutic needs
  • Engaged in weekly treatment plan reviews with robust mental health treatment team (Psychiatrist, nursing staff, rehabilitation staff etc) to ensure care plans were comprehensive and focused.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the application of social work values and ethics, theory and established practices of clinical social work within the context of mental health
  • Knowledgeable in and comfortable in the delivery of CBT, MI, and solution focused practice modalities
  • Able to work independently and participate as a member of the interprofessional team
  • Developed effective prioritization and organizational within a demanding fast-paced environment

Education

Master of Social Work - Clinical Gerontology

University of Calgary
Calgary, AB
06.2008

Bachelor of Social Work -

University of Calgary
Lethbridge, AB
04.2001

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK
04.1999

Skills

  • Strength-Based Focus
  • Ensure Best Practices and Standards
  • Team Leadership
  • Strategic Planning
  • Complex Problem-Solving
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Geriatric Community Outreach Expertise
  • Referrals and Networking
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Systems Thinking

References

Available upon request.

Timeline

Support Services Manager

LSCO
11.2019 - Current

Team Lead

CoACT Collaborative Care Team - AHS
01.2019 - 10.2019

Social Worker II

Alberta Health Services
11.2002 - 01.2019

Psychiatric Social Worker

Claresholm Care Centre - Calgary Health Region
09.2001 - 10.2002

Master of Social Work - Clinical Gerontology

University of Calgary

Bachelor of Social Work -

University of Calgary

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

University of Saskatchewan

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Heather Bursaw