MANJUKA SHARMILAN
Markham,Canada
Summary
Dynamic social work professional with a solid background in psychology, counseling, healthcare administration, and project management. Specializes in psychiatric social work, supporting children with developmental challenges, older adults, and facilitating addiction recovery. Experienced in trauma-informed care and empowering families through family counseling. Skilled in leading and coordinating projects, with experience as a Project Officer, overseeing initiatives that promote community health and well-being. Proficient in leveraging therapeutic interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and creative therapies to foster resilience. Committed to cultural sensitivity and making a meaningful impact in diverse settings. Ready to apply my broad expertise to enhance community support and drive positive change. Proactive and versatile professional with a dedication to quickly adapting to new challenges. Strong problem-solving abilities and a proven track record of fostering strong relationships with clients and team members. Focused on supporting team success and achieving positive results.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Volunteer Administrative Assistant
Smart Personal Care Inc
Scarborough
09.2024 - 11.2024
- Assisted with daily office operations by managing phone calls, scheduling appointments, and responding to client and staff inquiries
- Organized and maintained both physical and digital files, ensuring smooth office functioning and accurate client documentation
- Supported scheduling and coordination of client care appointments, ensuring adherence to care plans
- Assisted with the onboarding of new staff, including scheduling interviews and helping with training session coordination
- Helped maintain accurate records for clients and employees, including tracking attendance and updating service documentation in the company's systems
- Volunteered in processing client billing, creating invoices, and tracking payments to ensure timely transactions
- Supported office staff with basic financial reporting and expense tracking
- Provided excellent customer service by addressing inquiries from clients and families, and resolving concerns to ensure client satisfaction
- Assisted with maintaining compliance with company policies, privacy regulations, and industry standards
Psychiatric Social Worker
Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital
Boralesgamuwa, Sri Lanka
10.2018 - 05.2024
- Conducting thorough psychosocial assessments of patients upon admission and periodically throughout their stay to evaluate their emotional, psychological, and social needs
- Collaborating with psychiatrists, nurses, and other healthcare providers to develop individualized treatment plans that address both the mental health and social aspects of care
- Identifying risk factors such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, or aggression, and taking appropriate action to ensure patient safety
- Providing individual therapy sessions to patients to address mental health challenges, enhance coping strategies, and support recovery
- Leading group therapy sessions on topics such as stress management, anger management, or social skills training
- Responding to crises, such as acute psychiatric episodes, by de-escalating situations and providing immediate emotional support and stabilization
- Addressing high-risk situations, including potential harm to self or others, and ensuring that appropriate interventions are implemented
- Offering psychoeducation and emotional support to families and caregivers, helping them understand mental health conditions and treatment options
- Facilitating family therapy sessions or meetings to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen the patient's support network
- Developing comprehensive discharge plans in collaboration with the treatment team, connecting patients with community resources, outpatient care, and support networks
- Ensuring patients have access to follow-up services, including therapy, medication management, and community-based support
- Conducting post-discharge follow-up to ensure continuity of care and address any ongoing challenges or setbacks
- Managing a caseload of patients, tracking their progress, and coordinating the various aspects of their care (treatment, resources, and family support)
- Maintaining accurate, confidential, and up-to-date patient records, including progress notes, treatment updates, and psychosocial assessments, in compliance with hospital policies and legal requirements
- Actively participating in multidisciplinary team meetings, contributing insights and recommendations from a psychosocial perspective to inform treatment plans
- Collaborating with psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, and other professionals to ensure that both the mental health and social needs of patients are being addressed holistically
- Advocating for patients' rights and ensuring they receive the care and services they are entitled to, addressing barriers such as stigma or discrimination
- Promoting culturally competent care by understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds and needs of patients, and tailoring interventions accordingly
- Providing supervision and mentoring to junior social workers, interns, or other staff, offering guidance on case management, therapeutic approaches, and professional practices
- Participating in ongoing training and professional development to stay current with best practices in mental health care, social work, and hospital regulations
- Contributing to the development of hospital policies and procedures related to mental health care, patient safety, and social services
- Engaging in quality improvement initiatives, evaluating existing treatment protocols, and helping design new programs that improve patient care and outcomes
- Ensuring that all interventions and services are delivered in an ethically sound manner, adhering to legal requirements and safeguarding patient's privacy
- Maintaining a high standard of professionalism and ethical conduct, especially in sensitive or crisis situations
Project Officer
Muslim Women Research and Action Forum
Colombo, Sri Lanka
01.2018 - 10.2018
- Company Overview: USAID-SDGAP Project
- Assisted in the planning, coordination, and implementation of project activities aligned with the goals of the USAID-SDGAP Project, focusing on the empowerment of women
- Ensured that project deliverables were met on time and in accordance with the project's objectives
- Monitored project progress, collected data, and prepared regular progress reports for internal teams and stakeholders
- Evaluated project outcomes and impact, providing recommendations for improvements or adjustments
- Collaborated with community leaders, local organizations, and government agencies to strengthen partnerships and ensure the success of project activities
- Organized and facilitated workshops, meetings, and training sessions for community members and stakeholders
- Assisted in the management of project budgets, ensuring funds were allocated efficiently and effectively to meet project goals
- Helped track expenditures and supported financial reporting in line with USAID guidelines
- Promoted the objectives of the USAID-SDGAP Project through advocacy campaigns and community engagement activities
- Supported the development of educational materials and awareness programs to enhance the visibility and impact of the project
- USAID-SDGAP Project
Education
Diploma - Psychology and Counselling
Amazon College
Colombo 04, Sri Lanka10.2022
Postgraduate Diploma - Health Development
University of Colombo
Sri Lanka01.2022
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) -
National Institute of Social Development
Seeduwa, Sri Lanka09.2017
Skills
- Administrative improvement
- Research
- Workflow planning
- Office administration
- Coordinating care
- Geriatric mental health
- Empathy development
- Psychosocial assessments
- Psychotherapy experience
- Substance abuse counseling
- Facilitating groups
- Suicide prevention
- Grief counseling
- Autism spectrum support
- Motivational interviewing
- Family therapy
- Anger management
- Clinical documentation
- Domestic violence intervention
- Strengths-based practices
- Sexual assault support
- Document coordination
- Project management
- Reporting and documentation
- Risk assessment
Certification
- Living Values Education, 05/01/23, Participated in the Train-the-Educator Professional Development Workshop held at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), 11/01/21, Completed Basic Training Part I (20 hours) in a workshop organized virtually by Trauma Recovery, EMDR Humanitarian Programs, in collaboration with EMDR Sri Lanka.
- Annual Conference on Social Psychiatry, 02/28/23, Attended the conference at the National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda, Sri Lanka.
- The Rose Program for Creative Therapies, 08/21/15 - 08/22/15, Successfully completed the program organized by the Centre for Children's Happiness, Sri Lanka, at the Chinmaya Mission.
- Y-PEER Sri Lanka National Training of Trainers, 11/13/14 - 11/16/14, Successfully completed the National Training of Trainers workshop.
References
Available upon request.
Publications
Explanatory Models of Cancer among Sri Lankans: An Interim Analysis, 14th International Research Conference 2021 of Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka, Co-authored and published a paper with a Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Personal Information
Work Permit: Open Work Permit Holder
Languages
Tamil
Native/ Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Sinhala
Full Professional
Timeline
Volunteer Administrative Assistant
Smart Personal Care Inc
09.2024 - 11.2024
Psychiatric Social Worker
Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital
10.2018 - 05.2024
Project Officer
Muslim Women Research and Action Forum
01.2018 - 10.2018
- Living Values Education, 05/01/23, Participated in the Train-the-Educator Professional Development Workshop held at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), 11/01/21, Completed Basic Training Part I (20 hours) in a workshop organized virtually by Trauma Recovery, EMDR Humanitarian Programs, in collaboration with EMDR Sri Lanka.
- Annual Conference on Social Psychiatry, 02/28/23, Attended the conference at the National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda, Sri Lanka.
- The Rose Program for Creative Therapies, 08/21/15 - 08/22/15, Successfully completed the program organized by the Centre for Children's Happiness, Sri Lanka, at the Chinmaya Mission.
- Y-PEER Sri Lanka National Training of Trainers, 11/13/14 - 11/16/14, Successfully completed the National Training of Trainers workshop.
Diploma - Psychology and Counselling
Amazon College
Postgraduate Diploma - Health Development
University of Colombo
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) -
National Institute of Social Development
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