Sydney McCowan
Victoria
Summary
Awarded the "MHSU Hero Award " in February 2023
A goal-driven healthcare professional that is well-versed in Mental Health and Rehabilitation services in Acute Care and Community Services.
Currently creating a curriculum for VIHA for a Harm Reduction inpatient adult psychiatry program to be run by Mental Health Workers and Nursing staff on 2 North at RJH.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Addictions Rehabilitation Worker
Complex Care Outreach Team
Victoria, BC
10.2023 - Current
- Complete intakes and referrals to BC housing, Rehabilitation centres and 2nd stage housing.
- Developed client plans for rehabilitation/ psycho education in conjunction with Case managers.
- Update and track referrals and manage client cases.
- Use Pathways for referrals.
- Replace client ID and legal documents.
- Attend court, Parole office appointment,, hospitals and Vancouver Island Regional Corrections.
- Advocate for safety and support of clients through the medical system.
- Create and assist with discharge planning of clients.
- Run supportive groups for clients in the community.
VIHA-Addictions Rehabilitation Worker
Detox Unit
Victoria, BC
06.2022 - Current
- Complete CIWA protocols on clients
- Complete referrals on Pathways for client’s transfers to out patient follow up facilities
- Complete all intakes and discharge documentation on Powerchart
VIHA-Community Mental Health Worker
MHSU-Tillicum Complex Outreach And Blackwood Apt.
04.2023 - Current
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Implemented crisis intervention plans to support client safety.
- Client medication monitoring/dispensing
- Collaborated with medical and clinical personnel to coordinate and implement client services.
- Counseled clients in individual or group sessions to assist in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness or physical abuse.
- Cooking meals for clients that are part of the food program.
VIHA Community Mental Health Worker
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
Victoria, BC
01.2023 - Current
- Offered supportive counseling and crisis intervention to individuals in crisis.
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Monitored client progress and provided feedback to families and treatment team members.
- Collaborated with mental health professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients including medication monitoring.
- Maintained client records to document assessment, treatment plans and progress.
VIHA-Mental Health Support Worker
VMHC- Support Services
Victoria, BC
02.2023 - Current
- Supported continuity of care after discharge with individualized discharge plans.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Monitored client progress and provided feedback to families and treatment team members.
- Medication monitoring
VIHA- Mental Health and Addictions Worker
Psychiatry-1 North/1 South/2 North/PES/ECT
Victoria, BC
01.2020 - Current
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
- Monitored client progress and provided feedback to families and treatment team members.
- Facilitated support groups for clients to discuss issues related to mental health.
- Full understanding of Mental Health Forms and requirements.
- Evaluated patients based on mental and physical parameters discovered through interviews and standardized assessments.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Encouraged patients to discuss experiences in group and individual settings.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
Clinical Coordinator/Physiotherapy Assistant
Pain BC
Victoria, BC And Vancouver, BC
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Mentored kinesiology students from UBC and UVIC.
- Implemented successful healthcare programs through professionalism, quality of care, medical teaching and patient satisfaction.
- Coordinated, monitored, assigned, and documented patient and clinical care activities.
- Real time appointment dictation with pain specialist and patients.
- Patient screening, pain scale assessments and range of motion limitation assessments.
- Set up first Ketamine IV site in BC.
- Created and taught group occupational therapy programs for high risk low pain tolerance clients.
- Ran individual CBT and DBT programs.
- Attended yearly chronic pain seminars
Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Shelbourne Physiotherapy
Victoria, BC
- Educated patients and families on conditions, treatments and home exercises.
- Adapted environments by making changes to patient homes, workplaces and school environments to promote safety, independence and participation.
- Provided education to empower patients and families to understand conditions, treatments and treatment options for managing symptoms.
- Recommended equipment to use in-home to maximize opportunities for wellness.
- Helped patients with cognitive and mental health conditions to improve ability to think, learn and memorize.
- Provided support to help patients adjust to new physical or cognitive limitations.
- Assisted patients with completing basic daily living activities such as grooming, dressing and self-feeding.
- Taught clinical Pilates and clinical Yoga individual and group classes
- Supported facility with administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, mailing correspondence and answering telephone calls.
- Provided direct occupational therapy services in a private facility setting.
Physiotherapy Assistant/Occupational Therapist
Rise Health
Victoria, BC
- Communicated with physicians to provide updates on patient care.
- Evaluated patient strength and range of motion to devise personalized regimes.
- Monitored patient progress and adapted treatment plans to reflect changes.
- Assisted physical therapists with patient examinations using manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise instruction.
- Demonstrated proper body mechanics and patient handling techniques for patient transfers and positioning.
- Administered ultrasound, diathermy or other therapeutic modalities.
- Scheduled patient appointments to meet treatment requirements and provide quality care.
- Improved patient mobility using passive and active therapeutic exercises.
- Collaborated with physical therapist in creating patient treatment plans and specific home exercise programs.
- Monitored patient progress and reported changes to physical therapist.
- Planned individually-designed treatment programs to restore, maintain and improve physical functioning, alleviate pain, and prevent disability.
- Documented each patient case with updates in computer system.
VIHA-Nursing Unit Assistant
Psychiatry / PES / ECT / Emergency Room
Victoria, BC
01.2021 - Current
- Assist nursing staff and psychiatrist with completing daily rounds, documenting, scheduling meetings and answering calls.
- Responsible for all incoming and outgoing traffic on 2 North by opening 2 locked double doors.
- Transported patients between rooms and appointments or testing locations.
- Supported needs of 36 + Acute mental health inpatients.
- Transcribed psychiatrist ordered medications on to a Medical administration record.
- Assisted management and social worker with housing applications.
- Arranging transportation with Medi-van as well as setting up hospital to hospital transfer's with Patient transportation Network.
- Filling in for CNL's when we did not have anyone for months in this position with housing referrals, getting appointments arranged for patients with VMHC and bed meetings.
- Purchasing with a P card of my own as well as ordering through VIHA purchasing for all inpatient units.
- Assisting in the creation of the new Mental Health Worker positions and layout of the duties and scheduled activities.
- Excellent knowledge and abilities with all Citrix programs ( Powerchart, Firstnet, Capacity Management, PMOffice, TeleTracking and Medinet).
- Admitting, discharging and creating patient encounters
- Managing morgue duties
- Dictation with 50WPM typing and full knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Working as a regular casual on all inpatient units including 2 North , 1South, 1 North, PES as well as ECT clinic and Saanich Peninsula Emergency.
- Mental Health Data base tracking.
VIHA-Microbiology Lab Assistant
Covid 19 Processing Lab VGH
Victoria, BC
09.2020 - Current
- Operated wide range of laboratory equipment and instruments to complete analysis.
- Used correct formulas and procedures to prepare solutions and reagents for testing needs.
- Identified and traced quality control issues impacting laboratory results.
- Maintained strict aseptic fields when collecting biological samples, minimizing staff, and patient infection risks.
- Set up, maintained and verified sterility of lab equipment and tools.
- Documented and verified patient information using laboratory information system as well as creating laboratory encounters in PMOffice.
- Helped management optimize laboratory processes for maximum efficiency and performance.
- Worked on the COVID 19 laboratory sample team for four months full time.
Office Administrator/ Surgical Booking Clerk/Physical Therapy Technician
Dr. P. Malo- Vascular Surgeon
Victoria, BC
02.2015 - 02.2021
- Applied advanced administrative and analytical skills in overseeing day-to-day operational activities including MSP billing and MSP reconciliation.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Performing ultrasounds for patient appointments.
- Scheduling team members, payroll and disciplinary action if required for team member's.
- Fluent in surgical booking and coordinating with Victoria General Hospital.
Certified Dental Assistant
Dr. Shainbom
West Vancouver
- Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
- Supported dentists during procedures, assisting dental fillings, permanent, and temporary crowns and sealants.
- Maintained dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels and placing and expediting orders for supplies.
- Dental x-rays
- Scheduled appointments, prepared bills and received payment for dental services by completing insurance forms, verifying insurance information, and maintaining records.
- Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
Certified Dental Assistant
Dr. Mottahead
East Vancouver
- Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
- Supported large multi dentist practice during procedures, assisting dental fillings, permanent, and temporary crowns and sealants.
- Worked with UBC practical dental students in practicums
- Maintained dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels and placing and expediting orders for supplies.
- Dental x-rays
- Working with low income, mental health and addiction patients with restricted use of anesthetic.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Occupational/ Physical Therapist Assistant
UVIC
Victoria, BC01.2011
Mental Health And Addictions Facilitator Course -
Duncan Mental Health -Mental Health And Addiction
Duncan, BC2010
Medical Office Assistant -
Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo, BCMedical Terminology And Equipment Sterilization -
Vancouver Island University
NanaimoCertified Dental Assistant -
Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo, BCStott Pilates Master Level Pilates Instructor -
Shelbourne Physiotherapy
Victoria, BCMaster Pilates Instructor - Certified Pilates Instructor
Balance Body Pilates
Vancouver, BCAyurvedic Practitioner - -
Red Door Yoga
Certified 450 Hour Yoga Practitioner -
Red Door Yoga
Nanaimo, BCChronic Pain Yoga Certificate -
Pain B.C.
Victoria, BCCPR C -
St. Johns First Aid
Victoria, BCHigh School Diploma -
Ladysmith Secondary
Ladysmith, BCSkills
- Critical Thinking in acute crisis situations
- Crisis Intervention/ ASIST trained
- Patient Education/Physical Rehabilitation/ Group Education
- Case Management- including housing referrals, detox referrals, document replacement, legal issues and understanding of MSDPR
- Electronic Charting ( Powerchart, PM Office, FirstNet, CCM and Pathways)
- Acute and Rehabilitative Care
- Highly organized and motivated
- Access to entering Vancouver Island Regional Corrections Facility
- Fluent with Microsoft word , outlook calender and excel
- Pain Management Techniques/Emotional Support/ Psycho rehabilitation
Timeline
Addictions Rehabilitation Worker
Complex Care Outreach Team
10.2023 - Current
VIHA-Community Mental Health Worker
MHSU-Tillicum Complex Outreach And Blackwood Apt.
04.2023 - Current
VIHA-Mental Health Support Worker
VMHC- Support Services
02.2023 - Current
VIHA Community Mental Health Worker
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
01.2023 - Current
VIHA-Addictions Rehabilitation Worker
Detox Unit
06.2022 - Current
VIHA-Nursing Unit Assistant
Psychiatry / PES / ECT / Emergency Room
01.2021 - Current
VIHA-Microbiology Lab Assistant
Covid 19 Processing Lab VGH
09.2020 - Current
VIHA- Mental Health and Addictions Worker
Psychiatry-1 North/1 South/2 North/PES/ECT
01.2020 - Current
Office Administrator/ Surgical Booking Clerk/Physical Therapy Technician
Dr. P. Malo- Vascular Surgeon
02.2015 - 02.2021
Clinical Coordinator/Physiotherapy Assistant
Pain BC
Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Shelbourne Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy Assistant/Occupational Therapist
Rise Health
Certified Dental Assistant
Dr. Shainbom
Certified Dental Assistant
Dr. Mottahead
Associate of Applied Science - Occupational/ Physical Therapist Assistant
UVIC
Mental Health And Addictions Facilitator Course -
Duncan Mental Health -Mental Health And Addiction
Medical Office Assistant -
Vancouver Island University
Medical Terminology And Equipment Sterilization -
Vancouver Island University
Certified Dental Assistant -
Vancouver Island University
Stott Pilates Master Level Pilates Instructor -
Shelbourne Physiotherapy
Master Pilates Instructor - Certified Pilates Instructor
Balance Body Pilates
Ayurvedic Practitioner - -
Red Door Yoga
Certified 450 Hour Yoga Practitioner -
Red Door Yoga
Chronic Pain Yoga Certificate -
Pain B.C.
CPR C -
St. Johns First Aid
High School Diploma -
Ladysmith Secondary