David Williams
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
My interest for mental health social work as a career stems from the belief that it is integrally important to empower people to receive person-centred, culturally sensitive treatment that is led by principles of dignity, respect, compassion and recovery-oriented practice. Navigating the mental health system as a consumer can be frightening and overwhelming, I chose this field to help people navigate the mental health systems and feel empowered to guide their own recovery journeys. I am eager to create further opportunities to work with individuals, families and carers to assist them in navigating the public mental health system while utilising the most current psychiatric treatments, therapies and interventions. I am dedicated to the promotion of inclusion, equality, human rights and social justice in order to create positive and lasting change in the field of community mental health.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Key Clinician/SSFC Coordinator SW Grade 2
Northern Area Mental Health Service - Hotham Street
Preston, Vic
12.2021 - Current
- Provided recovery-oriented, client focused medium to long term mental health case management for consumers both voluntary and compulsory.
- Utilized knowledge of major types of psychiatric treatments, therapies, and interventions within a strength-based, culturally sensitive social work lens, including mental state examinations, risk monitoring, medication support, and psychosocial counseling.
- Completed standardised clinical documentation including Assessments, Clinical Risk Assessments, Transition Discharge Summaries, Outcome Measures, Recovery Wellness Plans, Basis 32 and more.
- Work within the scope of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act, 2022, to provide the least restrictive treatment possible.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to formulate treatment strategies and implement comprehensive treatment plans for consumers, carers, and families.
- Conducted crisis management while supporting the Acute Community Intervention Service (ACIS) team.
- Supported and coordinated admissions for consumers experiencing acute mental health episodes.
- Assisted consumers in accessing their Rights and Responsibilites. During periods of compulsory treatment providing support to access IMHA, Victorian Legal Aid and Second Opinion Psychiatric service.
- Supported referrals to PARC and CCU, as per the preference of consumers.
- Liaised and coordinated consumer support with external services such as MIND, NDIS, My Gov, and AOD services, including making NDIS ACCESS applications and Disability Support Pension applications.
- Coordinated and facilitated Single Session Family Consultation within clinic including accepting referrals, training staff, contacting families and acting as lead-facilitator in all sessions conducted in clinic and externally (PARC).
- Advocated for the importance of collaborative treatment to include the family unit and carers in order to maximise treatment potential for consumer and their support network.
- Collected data on family engagement within clinic and advised Model Of Care and Family Intervention Steering Groups on ways to improve support to consumers and family's within mental health setting.
Broadmeadows Inpatient Psychiatric Unit - SW1
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (North West Area Mental Health Service)
Broadmeadows, Victoria
02.2021 - 12.2021
- Provide social work input and support for a total of 25 consumers; 5 in the Intensive Care Area (ICA) and 20 in the Low Dependency Unit (LDU).
- Conduct Social Worker specific assessments to explore areas of needed support including housing, finances, dependant support, AOD issues, forensic and child protection engagement.
- Contact Child Protection Services to provide information and make notifications to support consumers and their dependants.
- Contribute to various community practices including sensory modulation, talk therapy, group work, NDIS and IMHA engagement.
- Work within a multidisciplinary team comprised of social workers, peer support workers, consultant psychiatrists, psychiatric registrars, occupational therapists, psychologists, nurses, psychiatric support officers and clinical nurse educators.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders such as carers, NDIS service providers, community mental health clinicians, and government services.
- Provide feedback to the multidisciplinary team on the outcome of social worker assessments and interventions to aid in discharge planning and advocate for consumers needs and wants.
- Application to the Priority Discharge Brokerage Funding to assist clients with financial matters upon discharge including rental payments, industrial house cleaning, renovations, crisis accommodation and assisted living accommodation expenses.
- Comprehensive psychosocial support to families and carers including application for financial assistance through Tandem Carer Support Fund.
- Assist Occupational Therapists by collaborating with clients to complete Sensory Safety Tools to explore sensory and emotional modulation needs.
- Facilitate and participate in family meetings between consumers on the ward and their carers and dependants in the community.
Hume Wellness & Recovery Team - Key Clinician SW1
North West Area Mental Health Service
Broadmeadows, Victoria
03.2020 - 02.2021
- Provide medium to long-term case management for 14 consumers as well as additional interim consumers.
- Ensure all clinical processes are followed including completion of outcome measures, Recovery and Wellness Plans, Recording contacts, participating in regular clinical reviews, completing physical health and AOD screening and metabolic monitoring.
- Link consumers to supports that address their psychosocial needs such as NDIS applications, housing referrals, council supports, AOD services, early intervention and psychosocial support services, financial counseling.
- Work within the scope of the Mental Health Act 2014 to provide the least restrictive treatment possible and enable consumers to achieve their personal goals.
- Participate in after-hours Brief Intervention Team shifts assisting with medical observation, new referral assessment and community outreach.
- Work with families and carers to provide psychoeducation and support as well as inclusion in the mental health assessment process in role as key clinician.
- Facilitate Peer-Support led community initiative 5-Ways Cafe involving client-centred activities such as music lessons, karaoke and group movie viewing.
- Conduct mental state examinations with clients visiting for schedule appointments, reviews and long-acting injections.
- Participate in COVID19 screening assessments to ensure ongoing safety of clinical staff and consumers in community mental health setting.
Education
Masters - Social Work
La Trobe University
Melbourne Victoria (Bundoora Campus)09.2019
Bachelor of Arts - History/Philosophy
Flinders University
Adelaide South Australia10.2012
Professional Development
- CBT for Psychosis - MHTDU
- Space4US & CHAMPS Facilitator Training - The Bouverie Centre
- HoNOS Training - AMHOCN
- Social Work Forum (2021) - Victoria Mental Health
- Introduction to Family Therapy Certificate (2023) - Bouverie Family Centre
- Facilitation of Single Session Family Consultation Training Certificate (2024) - Family Centre
Referees
COLIN BOURKE
Social Worker Grade 3
Broadmeadows Psychiatric Inpatient Unit
M: 0439 615 323
E: colin.bourke@mh.org.au
SHELLWYN MOUAT
Ward Manager
Broadmeadows Psychiatric Inpatient Unit
T: 8345 5531
E: shellwyn.mouat@mh.org.au
TERESA PAGANO
Chief Social Worker
North West Area Mental Health Service - Moreland
M: 0431 107 109
E: teresa.pagano2@mh.org.au
Certification
- Introduction to Family Therapy Certificate - Bouverie Family Centre
- Facilitation of Single Session Family Consultation Training Certificate - Bouverie Family Centre
Timeline
Key Clinician/SSFC Coordinator SW Grade 2
Northern Area Mental Health Service - Hotham Street
12.2021 - Current
Broadmeadows Inpatient Psychiatric Unit - SW1
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (North West Area Mental Health Service)
02.2021 - 12.2021
Hume Wellness & Recovery Team - Key Clinician SW1
North West Area Mental Health Service
03.2020 - 02.2021
Masters - Social Work
La Trobe University
Bachelor of Arts - History/Philosophy
Flinders University
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