Melanie Grace Gerald is a licensed social worker and clinical social worker with over 11 years of experience in hospital and educational settings. She is currently the Social Services Department Manager at Summit Oaks Hospital in Summit, NJ where she supervises program therapists and MSW interns. Prior to her current role, she worked as a program therapist providing individual therapy, group therapy, and case management services. She received her MSW from New York University with a focus on policy and substance abuse.

1. PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
SKILL HIGHLIGHTS
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MELANIE GRACE GERALD760 S. 16th St., Philadelphia, PA 19146 | C: (732) 754-2990 | gracegerald@gmail.com
Licensed Social Worker with 11 years experience treating clients with various disorders in both the
educational and hospital settings. Recent relocation to Philadelphia.
Assessment and diagnosis using
DSM IV TR/ DSM V
Addictions expert
Psychiatric/ Dually Diagnosed
populations
Suicide prevention
Discharge planning
Treatment planning
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Women's issues
Community outreach expert
Grief and bereavement
counseling
Staff development
Emergency response training
Superior communication skills
Exceptional problem solver
07/2015 to Current Social Services Department Manager
Summit Oaks Hospital ‐ Summit, NJ
Interviewed MSW Interns for placement
Assisted in establishing policies and procedures
Supervised Program Therapists and MSW Interns
Coordinated department staffing
Collected data to evaluate Performance Improvement goals
Prepared reports for management
Represented organization to the public
01/2009 to Current Program Therapist- Inpatient
Summit Oaks Hospital ‐ Summit, NJ
Interviewed patients individually and made contact with their families
to determine what services would best address their needs
Advised patients on community resources, made referrals, and devised
realistic treatment plans
Communicated with relatives of patients about diagnoses and
treatment programs
Facilitated psychoeducational and process groups with mental health
and substance abuse adult populations
Supervised master's degree level social work interns in individual and
group sessions
Assessed patients and delivered comprehensive case management
services
Presented case history material for review and discussion with other
staff members
Evaluated and addressed individual patient needs and concerns
Consulted with other professionals regarding the treatment of specific
patients
Managed caseloads and acted as an advocate for patient rights
06/2008 to 12/2008 Needs Assessment Counselor/Utilization Review Coordinator
Summit Oaks Hospital ‐ Summit, NJ
Interviewed clients individually and with families to determine what
services would best address their needs
Coordinated with insurance companies to secure authorization for
treatment
Worked day, evening, night, and weekend shifts
09/2001 to 07/2005 Teacher Aide/Switchboard Operator/Mental Health Technician
Carrier Clinic ‐ Belle Mead, NJ
Taught drama classes for high school age students
Tracked client movement on and off the unit by documenting times and
destinations of clients
Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and
behavioral issues arose

2. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
AFFILIATIONS
WORK HISTORY
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate
client care services
Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse
control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills
Applied the positive reinforcement method to redirect negative
behaviors
Conducted small group and individual classroom activities with
students based on differentiated learning needs
Wrote daily and weekly lesson plans
2008 MSW: Social Work
New York University ‐ New York, NY, 10003
Emphasis in policy
Emphasis in substance abuse
2001 Bachelor of Arts: Theatre Arts
The Pennsylvania State University ‐ University Park, PA, 16801
Bunton-Waller Fellow
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Phi Eta Sigma inductee
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Essence of Joy Alumni Singers (Vice President of Development and
Fundraising 2008-2009, current participating member)
03/2007 to 04/2008 Store Clerk
Paintin' the Plates ‐ Maplewood, NJ
08/2005 to 03/2007 Hostess/Server/Bartender
Voro Restaurant ‐ South Orange, NJ
06/1999 to 08/2001 Assistant Manager
Uni-Marts, Inc. ‐ State College, PA
08/1997 to 05/1999 Hostess/Server
Bravo Bistro ‐ University Park, PA
09/1995 to 05/1997 Dance Assistant
Milton Hershey School ‐ Hershey, PA
Licensed Social Worker (NJ)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (PA)
Seminar in Field Instruction certificiation
Universal Health Services verbal de-escalation trainer