Melissa Dreyer
White Rock,BC
Summary
Hardworking and reliable Patient & Family advisor with strong ability to provide insight through lived experience in perinatal substance use. Offering trauma informed and culturally safe care. Highly organized, proactive and able to prioritize work to meet deadlines. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
MHSU, Patient and Family Advisor
Provincial Health Service Authority
Vancouver, BC
01.2023 - Current
- This role was new in acute care and the initial description of the role was focused on providing patient-centered care to perinatal substance use in-patient unit
- During the first year: The scope of practice was defined, and responsibilities expanded through evaluation and gap analysis
- Responsibilities - specific to FIR (Families in Recovery): Attend welcome meetings with patients, participate in rounds with the interdisciplinary team, collaborate with patients to develop care plans, provide emotional support, relapse prevention, facilitate groups, support/advocate in meetings with child protection agencies, motivational interviewing, working closely with the team to best support patients with safe discharge planning
- Partnered with families and provided resources to build growth that promoted better self-reliance.
- Provided crisis intervention services during times of emotional distress or conflict resolution.
- Collaborated with community agencies to refer families to additional services when needed.
- Collaborate to ensure that families are culturally cared for
- Maintained accurate records of client information and progress updates.
- MHSU Portfolio responsibilities: Participate in the development and evaluation of current programs and initiatives within the PHSA organization
- Collaborate in the development of education and facilitate learning opportunities specific to MHSU. Attended conferences and trainings related to best practices.
- Assessed the effectiveness of current programs by collecting data from clients throughout the duration of their involvement.
- Present at conferences to share innovative ways to care for the perinatal substance use population
- Currently leading the development of the MHSU Engagement Network, the scope of practice for the PFA role, and co-leading growth of the PFA team.
Peer Support Worker - Casual
Fraser Health Authority – Langley Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team
09.2023 - Current
- Establish a purposeful relationship with the client, contact and get to know the individuals on the team caseload, and clarify the Peer Support Worker role with the client
- Provide trauma-informed care that is culturally safe
- Outreach clients in the community, transport them to appointments and assess clients’ mental health status and needs
- Working with care plans, assist clients in developing life skills such as maintaining personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal planning, meeting financial obligations, making, and keeping appointments, and modelling appropriate behaviours
- Provide information to clients regarding empowerment, self-help, resources, and community integration
- Communicate effectively and collaborate with team members to support the client to meet their individual needs
- Assist client toward self-managing all aspects of their life, including mental health, substance use, and physical health conditions by sharing lived experience perspective, practical problem-solving, and connection to community supports
- Assist client to secure and maintain housing and provide consistent, ongoing support
- Prepare and maintain computerized records and complete documentation, including progress notes and handover
- Deliver, witness medication (if needed) and arrange bloodwork when required.
Women's Support Worker
Atira Women’s Resource Society
Vancouver, BC
02.2018 - Current
- Responsible for day-to-day support of women
- Active listening, one-to-one support, advocacy, move-ins/outs, room support, facilitating community kitchen, assisting with medication and healthcare, including administration of naloxone, responding to emergencies, keeping accurate records, files, log notes, & statistical information
- Feminist approach with a deep understanding of anti-oppression work and intersectionality
- Understand the impacts of colonialism and commit to anti-violence work and harm reduction.
- Accompanied clients to medical appointments and assisted them with their daily needs.
- Helped clients develop independent living skills, such as budgeting, cooking and cleaning.
- Developed positive relationships with service users and maintained professional boundaries at all times.
- Monitored client wellbeing and reported any changes or concerns to relevant staff members.
- Encouraged service users to participate in social activities that promoted their physical health and mental wellbeing.
- Reported any incidents or accidents in accordance with company policy and procedure.
- Provided advocacy services for service users during meetings with external agencies or professionals.
- Managed challenging behaviour from clients in a calm manner by utilizing de-escalation techniques.
Peer Support Coordinator
Vancouver Coastal Health - Drug Treatment Court of Vancouver
06.2019 - 01.2023
- Provide individual peer support counselling and harm reduction information
- Facilitate groups, and plan and deliver information sessions
- Develop relationships based on respect and support clients to build their support network by sharing appropriate health, social, and legal services resources
- Provide advocacy for the client as they navigate their substance use and set goals
- Assist with research and other special projects, compile statistics, and participate in committees, task groups, and program initiatives
- Support with quality improvement, evaluation, development, and planning for programs and activities.
Assistant Manager
DollarTree Canada
South Surrey, BC
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Opening and closing the store, receiving stock, merchandising, inventory, overseeing staff and delegating tasks, ordering stock, customer service, bank deposits, daily audits, markdowns, and transferring stock between stores.
Education
Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies -
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Introduction to Social Work Practice, Social Welfare in Canada -
Thompson River University
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
University of Victoria
Victoria, BCSkills
- Interdisciplinary team experience
- Responsible, dependable, and fast learner
- Organized & able to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
- Ability to work under pressure and manage stress
- Experience supporting and advocating for underserved individuals, most recently perinatal MHSU
- Computer Skills
- Relationship Building
- Effective Communication
Training
- San’yas training, Indigenous studies, and ongoing engagement with learning opportunities
- SafeCare & Facilitator training
- Spirit of Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma Informed Care – Level One
- Peer Connect
- Mental Health First Aid
- PVPC through PHSA and VCH
- MANDT certification (Holistic evidence-based training to reduce workplace violence, de-escalation, and communication skills)
- Valid First Aid & Food Safe
- Co-presented at the BCGEU Supportive Housing Conference in February 2024. Collaboration and recommendations to improve supportive housing
Accomplishments
- Honor Roll recognition at Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Letter of Commendation from History Faculty
Timeline
Peer Support Worker - Casual
Fraser Health Authority – Langley Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team
09.2023 - Current
MHSU, Patient and Family Advisor
Provincial Health Service Authority
01.2023 - Current
Peer Support Coordinator
Vancouver Coastal Health - Drug Treatment Court of Vancouver
06.2019 - 01.2023
Women's Support Worker
Atira Women’s Resource Society
02.2018 - Current
Assistant Manager
DollarTree Canada
01.2012 - 01.2014
Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies -
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Introduction to Social Work Practice, Social Welfare in Canada -
Thompson River University
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
University of Victoria
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