Valerie L. Cattany LCSW
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Profile
A highly motivated and enthusiastic social worker with proven ability to work as part of a team and/or independently. Able to apply a broad range of knowledge in order to achieve success through tailored and innovative strategies. Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication (both written and spoken) skills. Highly skilled at working with people with varied ethnic backgrounds, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Professional Experience
Colorado Blood Cancer Institute @ Presbyterian/St. Lukes Med. Ctr.December 2010
Denver, COPresent
BMT/Oncology Social Worker
Providing services for inpatient oncology and inpatientand outpatient adult hematology/blood and marrow transplant for the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute. As a social worker I meet with transplant candidates and assess the psychological, social, cultural and/or financial needs that impact the health and recovery of BMT patients. Advise patients on benefits and assists in filling out grants, and is instrumental in helping patients set up post-transplant housing. While transplant patients are in the hospital, the social worker provides support to patients and their family members, and facilitates discharge planning. Also, participates in multidisciplinary meetings. Participates in a bi-monthly seminar given for caregivers, and conducts ongoing support groups.
University of DenverSeptember 2010
Denver, CO Present
Faculty Liaison
The Faculty Liaison is the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work’s representative to the field placement agency, and is expected to serve as a consultant to both the field instructor and the student. In addition, the Liaison serves as the primary link in the internship triad of student, agency/field instructor and the Graduate School of Social Work. The Social Worker also facilitates the development of a meaningful learning experience for students, as well as implements field policies, procedures and guidelines.
Field Supervisor
Provides a minimum of one hour a week of formal individual field supervision, in addition to attending informal conferences. Consult with the student in completing the written Individual Field Education Plan. Monitor the student’s progress toward the achievement of goals and objectives and to provide direct and specific feedback. Complete the written quarterly evaluation .
Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Hospice at HomeJuly 2008
Denver, CODecember 2010
Hospice Social Worker
Responsibilities include working with patients and families to complete an initial assessment, provide education and counseling on emotional aspects of coping with terminal illness and loss. Assist families in locating and applying for community resources, and provide family with emotional support and grief counseling in anticipation of their loss. Meet with nursing home personnel and residents to assist in transitioning to hospice, and provide case management for patients and their families. Set up case care conferences between facilities, patient/families, and the hospice team. Give presentations to volunteers and provide supervision. Collaborate with team. Present findings, concerns, plan of care in IDT meetings with medical director.
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Professional Experience Continued
Home Health Social Worker - VNA
Assist patient and families with long-term care planning, and locating/applying for community resources; case management. Collaborate with team members. Conduct initial assessment, and complete and implement treatment plan and discharge plan.
Stay-at-Home MomJune 2004
Tucson, AZJuly 2008
In charge of running a household and putting some of my social work skills to the test with my own family. I have also been active in facilitating a moms group.
CommunityReachCenter August 2001
Commerce City, COJune 2004
Therapist for Goodwill Youth Opportunities Services Team – Bilingual Services
Responsibilities included working with YOS team to develop and establish program atAdamsCityHigh School and LesterArnoldAlternativeHigh School for both English and Spanish speaking students. Provided classroom-based psychoeducational programs as appropriate. Screen program participants for mental health, substance abuse, and family functioning needs. Provide short-term individual and family counseling and case management as needed.
Hospice of Metro DenverFebruary 2001
Denver, COAugust 2001
Social Worker for Bilingual Spanish Team and Nursing Home Team
Responsibilities included working with patients, families and the rest of the team to complete an assessment and help identify concerns, provide information and counseling on emotional aspects of coping with terminal illness and loss. Assist families in locating and applying for community resources, such as financial and legal assistance, and provide family with support and grief counseling in anticipation of their loss. Meet with nursing home personnel and residents to assist in transitioning to hospice, and provide case management for older adults and their families.
Peace CorpsMay 00
Paraguay – South AmericaOctober 00
My mission was to promote local economic development through income generating activities and self-employment, using the Peace Corps’ traditional strengths: self-help, grass-roots philosophy, sensitivity to local customs and traditions, and collaborations with public and private sector development agencies. My main focus was assisting women in entering non-traditional fields and increasing household income, and training youth for employment.
AdamsCounty Dept. of Social ServicesJuly 98
Denver, COMay 00
Social Caseworker III – Child Protection Dept. – Protective Foster Care Unit
Responsibilities included supervising foster and adoptive parents, developing treatment plans for children, overseeing children in placements in regard to safety and overall well-being, providing treatment/therapy, conflict resolution and management, case management, interviewing, assessing, and selecting adoptive parents. Assessing (along with the family worker) when and if the court case should go to termination of parental rights, work with attorneys, draft court reports, and testify in court. I was also the liaison for the legal risk fost/adopt parents and the adoption unit. This function entailed attending the adoption classes and providing additional information for the legal risk fost/adopt parents.
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Colorado Mental Health Inst. – FortLoganSeptember 97
Denver, COMay 98
Social Work Intern – Adult Unit
Provided assessments and treatment to adults living with a mental illness on an in-patient locked unit. Conducted weekly, staffings with the attending psychiatrist, nurse, and mental health workers, to discuss and implement a treatment plan. Co-facilitated an anger management group, hearing voices group, and a weekly treatment group. Conducted two professional training classes, and presented videotape of a client session to colleagues.
Education
Metropolitan State College, Denver, COMay 97
Bachelor of Social Science
Major: Social Work – Minor: Sociology
University of Denver, Denver, COJune 98
Master of Social Work
University of Denver, Denver, COAugust 03
Spanish for Social Workers 12 Credit Hours
Licensure
Licensure: LCSW #992851
Denver, COJune 02
Volunteer Work
Co-Facilitator for Men’s Cancer Support GroupJanuary 2012
July 2012
Co facilitated a Men’s Cancer Support Group sponsored by Colorado Blood Cancer Institute. The participants in the group come from various parts of the metro area and oncology clinics and are dealing with a variety of cancer diagnosis. This provided an avenue for men to come together and be supported as well as provide support to members dealing with similar issues.
Facilitator for a Spouses Caregiver Support GroupAugust 2012
January 2013
At the request of the spouses of the Men’s Cancer Support Group a support group was established for the spouses/caregivers. In this group I provided educational materials on caring for the caregiver and a healing space for mindful meditation. The caregivers were able to express themselves in a safe and supportive environment.