Jennifer Odai
Toronto,Canada
Summary
Experienced and empathetic Hospital Mental Health Social Worker with a strong background in acute care, psychiatric evaluation, and crisis intervention within fast-paced clinical settings. Adept at conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments, coordinating discharge planning, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care. Skilled in supporting patients and families through mental health challenges, trauma, and complex medical diagnoses. Committed to patient-centered, trauma-informed care and navigating healthcare systems to advocate for equitable mental health resources and services.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Clinician Experience - In-Patient Adult Mental Health Unit
St. Joseph Health Centre
01.2024 - 12.2024
- Collaborated with the allied healthcare team to deliver holistic and accessible mental health services to patients and their families.
- Conducted biopsychosocial assessments and worked closely with the psychiatrists to evaluate patient mental health condition.
- Assisted the allied healthcare professionals with creating post-discharge safety plans for patients to use in a crisis.
- Supported patients with applications for housing and day programs for continued mental health stability.
- Engaged with the families to gather collateral and coordinated seamless connections and referrals to emotional support and community care resources.
Social Worker
Humber River Hospital
06.2024 - 11.2024
- Developed and coordinated discharge planning in collaboration with internal and external healthcare resources.
- Facilitated family meetings between allied healthcare professionals, psychiatrists, patients, families, caregivers, and stakeholders to promote open communication, improve patient and family understanding, enhance treatment outcomes through shared decision-making, and develop collaborative care plans.
- Conducted assessments of patients' conditions to ensure that referrals to appropriate supportive resources and services were made with the consent of the patients or their caregivers.
- Worked collaboratively with patients, families, psychiatrists, nurses, and clerical staff to ensure that patients had easy access to high-quality care, including the transfer of patients to the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences for additional mental health intervention.
- Provided psychoeducation to patients and their families to enhance care support and patients functioning after discharge from the hospital to home.
- Coordinated and facilitated referral/intake meetings between patients and supportive community organizations to ensure access to supportive housing.
Mental Health Clinician Experience – West End ACT Team
St. Joseph Health Centre
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Worked collaboratively with the team to provide treatment, support, and rehabilitation to support clients who are living with concurrent disorders reintegrate into their chosen community.
- Conducted daily mental health assessments of clients.
- Engaged directly with clients who use substance to mitigate possibilities of overdose and infectious diseases.
- Accompanied clients to medical appointments upon request.
- Liaised with housing staff to ensure continued medication adherence for ongoing care and housing stability.
Case Worker
VHA
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Managed case assignments, created service plans, and tracked client progress.
- Assisted clients in making informed decisions by acting as their advocate regarding their treatment options.
- Established successful collaborations with external agencies to improve clients' overall functioning.
- Facilitated patient scheduling for adult daycare centers, educational events, medical appointments, and follow-up visits.
- Monitored and accurately inputted client progress information in the appropriate database.
- Navigated the system to ensure that clients have access to adequate programs and services.
Addictions and Mental Health Experience
Working Women Community Centre
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Collaborated with other health care professionals, managers and other stakeholders in the development of new programs for patients and families.
- Completed a field placement supporting women who experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of war.
- Provided individual and group care, that included crisis management, counselling, psycho-education, connection to community-based resources for service users and/or their families.
- Implemented a trauma-informed framework practice for PTSD treatment and management with clients who have comorbidities.
- Referred families to resources that helped them access subsidized housing, which resulted in their resettlement.
- Collaborated with guest speakers from other community agencies to facilitate informative workshops to educate the clients about programs that can support their individual needs.
- Created safe spaces for clients and families to address the various personal and social issues affecting them.
Mental Health Care Social Work Experience
LOFT Community Services
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Interned for 8-months, helping the mental health care department by providing one-on-one support to individuals 55+ who are living with mental illnesses and other severe health issues.
- Facilitated clients' transition and reintegration into the community by securing suitable permanent housing, resulting in successful placement in supportive housing tailored to their needs.
- Ensured eligible clients had timely access to appropriate benefits such as Old Age Security and Ontario Disability Support Program.
- Coordinated 'Life Enrichment Program' interactive activities that addressed clients' social, mental, and emotional challenges.
- Scheduled and coordinated clients' appointments with community mental and physical health support resources.
Mental Health Care Social Service Worker Intern Experience
LOFT Community Services
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Assessment of clients to identify their needs and level of care and supported required.
- Referred clients to adequate and appropriate resources for continuation of clients’ care.
- Provided support and crisis intervention to clients when required.
- Liaised with other community agencies as required to facilitate clients' care.
Support Worker
CBI Health Inc.
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Worked as a health care team member that ensured that older adults who were aging in place received the best quality of care.
- Monitored and evaluated regular assessments and reports on resident’s physical conditions for furtherance of care.
- Worked with clients and families to address concerns for the promotion of clients’ care.
- Provided referrals to other services as clients condition required.
Direct Support Worker
WeCare Home Health Services
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Supported clients with developmental challenges in participating in the community, developing life skills, and performing daily activities.
- Provided mental and physical support to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities participating in community living and group homes.
- Ensuring the comfort and dignity of older adults who were dying was a priority through the provision of compassionate end-of-life care.
- Advocated for younger and older adults to acquire necessary healthcare devices to promote their well-being.
Activation and Recreation personnel Volunteer
Leisure-World Lawrence
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Assisted in the implementation and management of recreation and leisure programs to promote socialization among older adults.
- Facilitated one-on-one visits with the senior population to address social isolation by encouraging engagement in leisure activities of their choice.
- Supported residents in small groups and large groups with recreational activities for brain stimulation in clients experiencing Alzheimer's and Dementia.
- Maintained enhancing residents' mental and physical wellness by co-facilitating and encouraging participation in life enrichment programs.
Westbury Long Term Facility
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Assess clients during the intake process to clarify the client’s eligibility and identify their needs.
- Connected with clients and communicated effectively with them to understand their needs and make proper referrals to resources available for the continuation of clients’ care.
- Provided support and crisis intervention to clients when needed.
- Liaised with other community agencies as required to facilitate clients' care.
SSW College Experience
Jane Alliance Community Services
01.2013 - 12.2013
- Successfully conducted a needs assessment survey and advocacy exercise in the community, resulting in the establishment of a program for seniors experiencing mental stress due to social disconnection.
- Assisted in the setup of a free community computer program, securing funding from both the private and public sectors.
- Conducted a questionnaire survey to determine the social needs of a marginalized community, leading to the establishment of a recreation and computer literacy program.
- Accountable for managing food donations and ensuring adequate distribution to users of the agency's food bank.
- Managed clients' easy access to free services such as the tax clinic by raising awareness and providing reminders to file taxes.
- Managed the agency's intake process and the dissemination of services and programs to service users.
Education
Master of Social Work - Mental Health and Health
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON01.2024
Postgraduate Certificate - Addictions and Mental Health
Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Toronto, ON01.2021
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - Social Work
York University
Toronto, ON01.2020
Social Service Worker Diploma - undefined
Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Toronto, ON01.2014
Skills
- Biopsychosocial assessments
- Solution-focused brief therapy
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Trauma-informed care
- Adept at treatment and discharge planning
- Excellent communication
- Behavior modification techniques
- Treatment Planning
- Cultural Competency
- Skilled in intake interviewing
- Mental health assessment
- Interpersonal communication
Certification Training
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy - Intensive Track (DBT House), 2025
Professional Affiliation
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, 847261
Personal Information
Title: SOCIAL WORKER
Languages
English
Timeline
Social Worker
Humber River Hospital
06.2024 - 11.2024
Mental Health Clinician Experience - In-Patient Adult Mental Health Unit
St. Joseph Health Centre
01.2024 - 12.2024
Mental Health Clinician Experience – West End ACT Team
St. Joseph Health Centre
01.2023 - 12.2023
Case Worker
VHA
01.2022 - 01.2023
Addictions and Mental Health Experience
Working Women Community Centre
01.2021 - 12.2021
Mental Health Care Social Work Experience
LOFT Community Services
01.2020 - 12.2020
Mental Health Care Social Service Worker Intern Experience
LOFT Community Services
01.2020 - 12.2020
Support Worker
CBI Health Inc.
01.2016 - 01.2017
Direct Support Worker
WeCare Home Health Services
01.2014 - 01.2016
Activation and Recreation personnel Volunteer
Leisure-World Lawrence
01.2014 - 01.2015
Westbury Long Term Facility
01.2013 - 01.2014
SSW College Experience
Jane Alliance Community Services
01.2013 - 12.2013
Postgraduate Certificate - Addictions and Mental Health
Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - Social Work
York University
Social Service Worker Diploma - undefined
Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Master of Social Work - Mental Health and Health
University of Toronto
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