Palliative Care Social Work Intern
Audie L Murphy Veterans Memorial Hospital
• Worked in Palliative Care, Hospice, and Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Clinic • Independently provide psychosocial assessments of Palliative Care, Hospice, and GEM Clinic patients across a wide variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diverse backgrounds• Utilized the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to assist in making diagnoses and identify appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions• Provided bereavement services to Veterans and their family members to provide them with emotional support during and after loss of life• Gained additional knowledge and experience in the use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures; including acute, chronic and traumatic illness/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, as well as enhancement of medical terminology• Provided appropriate crisis intervention for clients with suicidal ideation and substance abuse issues • Interacted with clients during rounds while supporting Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) • Co-facilitated group grief counseling for veterans and family members who lost a loved one• Provided psychotherapy to Veterans and their family members• Facilitated grief counseling for family members and veterans and coordinated services • Engaged in training modules in the Spinal Cord Injury Center and Recreational Therapy department • Received regular didactic teaching for a variety of educational supportive training• Independently evaluated research studies, peer reviews, VA policies and procedures, and other relevant material in support of enhancement of professional development• Obtained knowledge and skill in the use of computer applications software within the VHA system for drafting documents, data management and client tracking