Veronika Zarnoch
Victoria,BC
Summary
Master of Social Work graduate with a clinical mental health focus. Adept at complex case-management with complex client profiles, in team-based care. Proven implementation of program development knowledge to optimize timely outcomes, with Health Authority experience honing skills in delivering high-impact client-centred interventions under real-world systematic pressures. Recognized for ability to engage clients across demographics, bringing a blend of evidence-based systems approach and compassionate client care, underscored by a passionate commitment to professional growth and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Case Manager & Therapist
Fraser Health; Community MHSU
Burnaby, British Columbia
12.2021 - Current
- Recognized by management to be placed on the site-acknowledged, most intensive care team. Most responsible clinician, with a complex blend of responsibilities: case management, assessments, and provision of therapeutic counsel for a client base with moderate to high-severity psychiatric profiles.
- Facilitated the organization of wrap-around care by working closely and collaboratively with primary care providers, psychiatrists, and psychologists.
- Conducted initial assessments, mental status exams, risk assessments, and the ethical decision-making process to determine the appropriate level of care for clients.
- Continuously assessed client symptoms, histories, current concerns, and change processes to develop and maintain a clear picture of current health status.
- Monitored client progress in treatment interventions such as psycho-pharmacology, general counsel, knowledge translation of complex information, and community resource utilization through regular contact
- Provides comprehensive case consultation and follow-up support on treatment decisions in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members.
- Collaborated simultaneously within the team dynamic and closely with the client to form, monitor progress, review, and consult on the basis of realistic and timely goal formation, and timely contract parameters.
- I took the initiative to keep up to date with evidence-based practices to support case management, while being nominated by my supervisor for professional development opportunities.
- Assisted with applications for government benefits such as Plan G and Disability Claims.
- Prepared and presented case reports and summaries
- Maintained client records by accurately recording and reviewing assessments, charting information, and ensuring compliance with established standards and regulatory requirements.
- Developed fluency in the Microsoft Office suite: Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Excel, on a daily basis. Met deliverables through a hybrid work setting.
- Provided referrals, as the most responsible clinician, to other in-house healthcare professionals, such as vocational counsellors, recreational therapists, occupational therapists, and psychiatrists.
- Identified gaps in care, and coordinated referrals to external providers as needed.
Virtual Counsellor (Practicum)
Foundry
Kelowna, British Columbia
03.2020 - 09.2020
- Specialized in the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy model in a youth-focused setting. An application self-prepared through focused academic course completion.
- Developed a psychological intervention program as needed by the organization. Adapted pre-existing CBT group programming to a virtual format.
- Creatively revitalized existing social skills group programming to evolve organizational service offerings in response to early pandemic conditions, using interventions such as community needs assessments, and surveying techniques.
- Launched a virtual counseling service within an interdisciplinary team in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association, in response to real-time needs during pandemic conditions.
- Consulted with the Youth Advisory Committee in program evaluation in order to streamline service deliveries with real-world needs.
- Reviewed assessment guideline documents, such as TransCare assessment, and consulted on the development of knowledge exchange resources (e.g., podcast)
Program & Transition Counsellor
The Bridge Youth & Family Services
Kelowna, British Columbia
01.2019 - 06.2020
- 450-hour clinical practicum with a level of performance resulting in paid employment.
- Closely supported participants with their substance use programming needs at live-in group treatment centre.
- Facilitated evening and weekend psychoeducation groups, assisting clients in the follow-up practice of skills learned in workshops.
- Implemented nonviolent crisis intervention, de-escalated conflicts, and participated in resolution processes as situations arose within a live-in setting.
- Conducted program evaluation by data collection, following discharge timelines.
- Most responsible staff on shift assist with individual transition care planning, such as housing, financial, and recovery planning, including the continuation of care.
- Medication and drug test administration, with diligence to grow competence in evolving and tailoring pharmacology support needs on an individual client basis.
- Participated in the development of organizational policy change to advance team procedures in response to incidents requiring an ethical decision-making process-based review.
Family Support Coach & Program Coordinator
The Uncomplicated Family Co.
Edmonton, Alberta
01.2018 - 10.2018
- Caseload management of 12+ families, ensuring a minimum of two monthly home visits. Contact included assisting families in practicing and adapting clinical interventions as part of an interdisciplinary team model.
- Specialized in building family capacity and goal-setting with families. Responsible for play skill treatment plans that bridge treatment functions.
- Most responsible, and main point of contact, for families: responsible for client satisfaction, and administration of program evaluation questionnaires for timely development outcomes.
- Coordinated and collaborated with the clinical care team (Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Behavioral Consultants, etc.).
- Organized and chaired quarterly progress and directional meetings with family.
- Creation and maintenance of annual IFSP documents for government report and funding justification.
Research Assistant
University of British Columbia; Health & Exercise Psychology Lab
Kelowna, BC
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Supported the development of a mobile health (mHealth) application in partnership with Island Health Authority: "Booster Buddy." The application assisted the youth and young adult demographic in managing mental health self-management in areas of depression, anxiety, and psychosis, in conjunction with care by primary providers.
- Performed data analysis, and wrote interim and summary reports for stakeholders and supervisors.
- Developed quality-of-life tools from collected evidence
- Self-guided work on multiple projects simultaneously (such as the physician-patient diabetes coaching program adherence evaluation) while still being a team player.
Education
Master of Social Work - Clinical Mental Health
University of British Columbia
Kelowna, BC08-2020
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of British Columbia
Kelowna, BC05-2017
Skills
- Advanced ability in complex case-management, with developed complex decision-making
- Client-centred approach (theoretical & applied)
- Outcome & process-oriented, with working knowledge in real-world program evaluation
- Integrative healthcare systems navigation
- Highly interdisciplinary and collaborative background
- Versatility in service across demographics (adult psychiatric, families, legal, developmental, TBI)
- Solution-focused with evidence-based best practice working foundation
- Adaptive knowledge translation of complex information
- Extensively trained & proven in active listening
Certification
- Forensic Social Work Certificate (National Organization of Forensic Social Work)
- Data Analytics Coding Fundamentals (UVic)
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (Foundry)
- Motivational Interviewing (UBC)
- CBT Group Therapy for Mixed Anxiety (Cairnmillar Institute)
- CBT Group Therapy for Depression (Changeways CORE Program)
- CBT Group Therapy for OCD (UBC)
- Developmental Model & Floortime Intervention (Greenspan)
- Improving Health & Well-being for Trans, Two-Spirit & Gender Diverse Youth (TransCare BC)
- QPR Suicide Prevention
- Nonviolent-Crisis Intervention (Crisis Prevention Institute)
- Standard First Aid & CPR (& overdose awareness)
Affiliations
- Academy Flute Choir (weekly participation and 3+ seasonal term performances). Dedication to the instrument since age 4. Distinction of achievement- being the youngest successfully auditioned member of the Edmonton Youth Orchestra (1st Flute), with routine Royal Conservatory Examination
- Spiritually literate; Church participation (weekly attendance and volunteering)
- Sustainable Food Systems volunteer and advocate
- Registered Yoga Teacher (200hr)
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Polish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Case Manager & Therapist
Fraser Health; Community MHSU
12.2021 - Current
Virtual Counsellor (Practicum)
Foundry
03.2020 - 09.2020
Program & Transition Counsellor
The Bridge Youth & Family Services
01.2019 - 06.2020
Family Support Coach & Program Coordinator
The Uncomplicated Family Co.
01.2018 - 10.2018
Research Assistant
University of British Columbia; Health & Exercise Psychology Lab
05.2017 - 05.2018
Master of Social Work - Clinical Mental Health
University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of British Columbia
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