2. Personal Statement Hello. I’m Kandy Rich, currently an Intake Counselor within a behavioral health treatment center in Shippensburg, Pa. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Md. until moving to Pennsylvania the summer of 2007. I am looking forward to continuing my career in behavioral health through advancement within my current facility; along with, continuing my education to eventually pursue my Doctorate Degree and practice in the area of Dual Diagnosis.
3. Resume I am confident that my education, knowledge, and practical experience of mental health and substance use disorders will allow me to make an immediate contribution within the field of behavioral healthcare. I have completed staff development programs, as well as, a collection of educational courses that have aided in broadening my awareness of current treads and breakthroughs in the field of psychiatrics and chemical dependency. My experience enables me to work both independently and interdependently with people and health care team members in a hospital/ treatment setting. I have provided services to a culturally diverse population inpatient hospitalization program. I’ve offered services to consumers with major psychiatric disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. My experience in the hospital setting has allowed me to work directly with multi-disciplinary treatment team members to implement and maintain individualized treatment plans. My clinical experiences have provided me with the opportunity to assist nursing staff in administering direct patient care and helping patients perform daily living activities. I also have extensive experience in maintaining a therapeutic atmosphere with group and individual psychotherapy, intake and social work assessments, and with twenty-four monitoring in a treatment milieu. My previous experience with adolescents includes four years as a paraeducator providing instructional support as a public school employee. I worked under the direct supervision of a teacher or department supervisor to ensure the school curriculum and educational environment was maintained. I worked to help special education students to achieve individual behavioral, social, and educational goals to improve their self-esteem, as well as, their academic performance. I am a patient-focused professional with experience in helping patients to manage their lives to recover from their mental illness and/ or substance use disorder. I am interested in maintaining a career in a behavioral healthcare setting that will allow me to utilize my education, knowledge, and experience to identify, assess, treat, and help to resolve the problems of consumers. I am flexible and organized offering compassionate, caring, and trustworthy services to a company and its consumers. I have the ability to work one-on-one, with a team, and multitask to assure responsibilities are completed in an accurate and timely manner.
4. Resume Objective: I look forward to working in a stable and functional position in behavioral healthcare that will allow me to fully utilize my skills and attributes, while providing me with advancement opportunities. Profile: I am a motivated behavioral health professional with adult and adolescent career experience. I am committed to excellence through positive results, teamwork, and employment satisfaction. I have an aptitude for mastering facility policies and requirements. I am diplomatic with professionals and non-professionals at all levels, as well as, being accustomed to conducting individual duties, working on a team, multitasking, maintaining flexibility, exhibiting outstanding organizational skills, and am versatile with excellent communication skills.
22. Resume Education: Argosy University – Washington, D.C. Bachelor of Science Psychology, Substance Abuse - 2007-2010 Community College of Baltimore College – Baltimore, Maryland Associates of Applied Science, Abnormal Psychology - 2005-2007 Certificate, Occupational Safety & Training - 2002 Certificate, HIPPA - 2002 Certificate, CPR for Health Care Providers- 2002 Certificate, Surgical Technology- 2002 Certificate, Dental Assisting- 1998-1999 Certificate, Oral Radiography- 1998-1999 Dundalk High School – Baltimore, Maryland Diploma Earned 1992
23. Resume Staff Development Programs: 04/2007 Complete Health Physical (maintained annually) 05/2007 Service Excellence & Professionalism in the workplace Therapeutic Boundaries Confidentiality & Patient Rights Risk Management Patient Safety Goals (maintained annually) Infection Control Cultural Diversity Fire Safety & Extinguisher (maintained annually) Detoxification from Alcohol and Other Substances of Abuse HIV/AIDS TB/STD/HIV
24. Resume 06/2007 ChildLine Verification/ Pa. Child Abuse History Clearance Rec’d 6-23-07 First Aide/CPR/AED (maintained annually) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certified (CPI Training) 09/2007 Patient Search Techniques Elopement Prevention and Response Patient Sexual Familiarity Prevention Guidelines Suicide Prevention Best Practices Core Elements 10/2008 Hepatitis B Vaccination Series completed
25. Resume 11/2008 Education Fair including: (maintained annually) Performance Improvement Fire Safety/Bomb Threat Emergency Management/Disaster Preparedness Ethics & Boundaries Patient Rights/Confidentiality Loss Prevention Service Excellence Infection Control Cultural Diversity Workplace Violence Risk Management 01/2009 Handle with Care Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certification (maintained annually) 06/2009 De-escalation for Crisis Intervention Certification (maintained annually)
26. Resume 03/2010 Pennsylvania Certification Board Certified Recovery Specialist Training Series Course – Peer-based Recovery Support Services Pennsylvania Certification Board Certified Recovery Specialist Training Series Course – The Addiction Process 04/2010 Pennsylvania Certification Board Certified Recovery Specialist Training Series Course – The Recovery 101 06/2010 Seclusion and Restraint Provision of Care Training for patients at imminent risk of harming self or others Patient Searches and Control of Contraband
27. Resume Professional References: Name: Kizzy Barnes Position/Title: Dental Hygienist Phone: 410-940-5378 How Long Known: over 10 years Capacity: Work atmosphere within the dental profession Relationship: Professional/ Casual Name: Allison Flythe Position/Title: Director of Social Work Phone: 717-377-0880 How Long Known: 2 years Capacity: within the psychiatric unit of current employment facility Relationship: Professional Name: Michael Pribble Position/Title: Mental Health Technician Supervisor Phone: 717-658-9301 How Long Known: 4 years Capacity: within the psychiatric unit of current employment facility Relationship: Professional/ Casual
28. Reflection Self-Appraisal of Learning In the several years of study that have been put into earning an Associate’s & a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology I have grown to have an understanding, as well as, an appreciation of the human psyche. Our society has acceptable norms that most believe all should adhere too; however, the world would not be diverse if everyone was the same. Psychology is a vast field of study allowing us to gain more insight into the works of our thought processes, our actions, and into the way we interact with one another. I believe that through my work samples I show personal insight, personal grow, and my personal understanding into the concepts of psychology and how it applies to the world and humans individually; and as a whole. The samples I have used, I believe, show my progress, quality standards, as well as, lending a broader concept into my performance as a student.
29. Table of Contents Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Research Skills Communication Skills: Oral and Written Ethics and Diversity Awareness Foundations of Psychology Applied Psychology Interpersonal Effectiveness
30. Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Learning to be a Strong Self-Advocate Module 8 Assignment 2 PSY420 – Disabilities Instructor: Joann Benford Student: Kandy K. Rich June 28, 2010
31. Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Sample: As an individual with any type of disability, one must learn how to not only accept their disability and the way it affects their life, but also, learn how to become an advocate for self. Facing society with a disability can be difficult due to the discriminating views of others, along with, the difficulties of trying not to be looked upon as lesser of a person due to the disability. Disability is any restriction resulting from impairment or a lack of ability to perform activities within a range considered normal for a human being (Argosy University, 2010). Having a disability doesn’t make an individual any less of a person or give a person any less of chance to succeed in their goal. Goals should be realistic for anyone. No one can have and succeed at the same goal; each individual should plan, set, and attempt success at goals that would be considered appropriate for their self. One must always have realistic expectations that can be achieved through optimism to continually improve (Argosy University, 2010).
32. Research Skills MMPI Project Psychological Assessment Part III June 24, 2010 Instructor Brandhorst Submitted By: Kandy K. Rich
33. Research Skills Sample: Psychological testing, such as personality testing, assesses and evaluates information that lends the examiner insight into the mental health of the individual taking the test (Gregory, 2009). Personality tests are utilized as an attempt at measuring an individual’s basic personality style. Two well-known personality tests are the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Test, MMPI. The Rorschach is composed of inkblot cards that an individual is merely expected to look at and describe the images and feelings they experience while viewing the blots. The MMPI is composed of several hundred true/false questions (Gregory, 2009). The ability of any test to give consistent results is known as its reliability. Without having reliability a test will not hold any validity. Validity refers to the legitimacy of a particular test, statement, or conclusion. The validity of a personality test becomes complicated when factors involving personality and pathology of the individual completing the test are taken into account. Pending the mood and emotional state of the test-taker the personality test scores could vary; any preconceived ideas or issues will affect the individual test result and scores. An instrument, such as a personality test, is considered valid if it actually measures what it is suppose to measure. Criticism surrounds personality testing, because the human psyche is complicated, making critics question the validity of testing psychopathology (Gregory, 2009).
34. Communication Skills: Oral and Written Asperger’s Syndrome; A Spectrum of Autism Online Support Group Discussion Module 6 Assignment 1 PSY420 – Disabilities Instructor: Dr. Benford Student: Kandy K. Rich June 16, 2010
35. Communication Skills: Oral and Written Sample: The internet has many tools for families, individuals, and medical professionals to utilize as a means of support. Support groups organized online makes gaining support easier for those that are too busy with their everyday life circumstances and cannot attend physical support group meetings (Argosy, 2010). Online support groups also allow for individuals that may need support at times other than what a physical meeting would allow. Asperger’s Syndrome is a spectrum of Autism originally described in 1944 by Dr. Hans Asperger. It is classified in the DSM-IV as an autistic spectrum disorder due to the distinct profile of abilities that present in the affected individuals in early childhood. Individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s have an intellectual capacity within a normal range; however, they suffer impairments in social interactions, communication skills, and hold restrictive interests (Attwood, 2010). Their social interaction limitations cause them to fail at developing friendships or interacting on their developmental level. They can maintain fluent speech; however, have impaired communication skills due to their difficulties with conversation skills; a propensity to be obscure, having abnormal prosody and making exact interpretations. Their disability causes them restricted interests with extraordinary intensity and focus; as they also hold a preference for routine and consistency, which can lead to extreme agitation if not allotted (Attwood, 2010).
36. Ethics and Diversity Awareness ADA Accommodations Discussion Question Module 7 Assignment 1 PSY415 – Psychological Assessment
37. Ethics and Diversity Awareness Sample: Having a disability means that the individual has impairment or a lack of ability to perform activities in the same context considered normal for other human beings (Argosy University, 2010). The ADA legislation protects the civil rights of citizens with disabilities from the discrimination that others would put upon them due to their inability to function as “normal”. It defines disability and gives direction to the response of social systems within which a disabled individual lives, works, and functions on a daily basis (Argosy University, 2010). ADA makes it a requirement for society to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. It does not specify that unreasonable accommodations be made, so there is not entitlements occurring, just reasonable accommodations that include things such as, eliminating physical barriers, giving equal opportunities, addressing public transportations & services, educational factors, and trying to assure that individuals with disabilities live in the most less restrictive manner possible, being treated fairly, and equal to others in society (Argosy University, 2010).
38. Foundations of Psychology Abnormal Psychology Online Exam II (Chapters 7, 8, 10 & 11) – 150 POINTS November 24, 2004
39. Foundations of Psychology Sample: Case 7 The patient was a 28-year-old woman whose attacks of anxiety were triggered by the terrifying sensation of impending death. This feeling was so horrifying that she would clutch passers-by and beg them for help. These episodes were acutely embarrassing to her, because no physical illness could be found. In an interview, it was discovered that her anxiety attacks occurred in situations where she felt trapped, such as in a crowded restaurant. Finally, her fear of experiencing these symptoms in public reached the point where she was unwilling to leave her home unless accompanied by her husband. Axis I Diagnosis Social Phobia Case 8 Emily D., a recently separated 19-year-old woman, was referred to an outpatient mental health service by her physician because she had experienced several “spells,” in which her mind left her body and went to a strange place in another state. The first instance had occurred 2 months earlier, a few days after her husband had left her without explanation. Since then, she had had four episodes of “traveling” that had occurred during her waking state and had lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes. She described her experiences as a dreamy feeling in which her arms and legs were not attached to her body and other people around her were perceived as zombie-like. Typically, she felt dizzy and had pains in her stomach for hours after each spell. Axis I Diagnosis Depersonalization Disorder
41. Applied Psychology Sample: Methadone maintenance has been considered a controversial treatment for opiate addicts. Please visit the following websites, read the information provided, and write two paragraphs in order to outline your views on this topic. Your answer should refer to information provided in the websites in order to receive full-credit. You need to demonstrate to me that you read the information and understood the various issues discussed. When evaluating all the factors involved with methadone maintenance treatment I would have to agree that they are beneficial. Methadone maintenance treatment has been developed to reduce the illegal and harmful threats of certain drug use. Methadone can be used to assist with overcoming the addiction of drugs such as, codeine, oxycodone, and the most common, heroin. The methadone eliminates the body’s physical craving for the drug without producing the euphoria. Eliminating the body’s physical cravings is what helps the addict to stabilize their lives and return to normal daily functioning. Methadone has proven to be the most effective treatment for heroin addiction; although, treatment must be continuous and long term. If the program is not followed through with long term the rate of relapse is very high. What needs to be taken into regard is that addicts have other problems and issues besides their addiction. The challenges of their everyday life is stricken with the need to maintain housing, food, and other everyday needs, including a job to provide income to stabilize themselves. Methadone maintenance programs have counseling that adds to their effectiveness. Having the counseling as an open component allows the individual to work through the complexity of their issues. Another added benefit of the methadone program is the decrease in IV heroin users which can add to reducing the risk of HIV infections and the spread of AIDS. Because the methadone prevents the withdrawal symptoms and the drug cravings studies have shown a 90% reduction in IV heroin use among the methadone maintained patients. Between of this and the free testing for HIV and AIDS, the program is adding to reducing the risk for spread of the disease. The methadone programs have shown a great benefit for the need for support and funding.
43. Interpersonal Effectiveness Sample: When exposed to cultural diversity it is always important to have an understanding of the other cultures. Having an acceptance and understanding doesn’t mean that you must know the details of each culture and how it functions, but it does mean that you are able to present yourself without being guarded. Just as we can determine when someone is anxious, guarded, or tense when exposed to us; individuals from other cultures can identify with the same. The best way to overcome the difference is to identify with the presence of the difference, allow yourself to be open and learn from each experience, and don’t be afraid to ask the individual a question if you don’t understand something. I never try to pretend to comprehend something from another culture, if I truly don’t grasp the concept. Just as I accept and expect my patients to ask me a question to further their understanding; I make it a point to do the same. This allows me to present to the patient of another culture as their equal and not as someone trying to demean or discriminate against them. I believe this to be an essential aspect of my position as an intake counselor, as well as, someone working in the field of mental health and drug & alcohol treatment.
44. My Future in Learning Behavioral health is ever changing and educational maintenance will continue to remain an important factor within all of my career goals. As a lifetime learner, I envision that my future will enable me to remain in touch with trends and changes as they occur within the field of behavioral health. My objective as a lifetime learner is to remain within an educational program throughout the entirety of my career, so that I will continuously remain connected within the aspects of behavioral health involving abnormal psychology, as well as, substance abuse disorders.
45. Contact Me Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio. For further information, please contact me at the e-mail address below. Kandy.Rich@hotmail.com
