My employment experience dates back eight years, and my first position was as a clerk for Next Steps, an outpatient drug rehabilitation program. For members of the public who couldn't take time off work for therapy or who couldn't afford a full-time program, there was an outpatient rehab program. While involved in this program, I had to equip myself with knowledge on chemical dependencies since this was a new position and I had little information and experience on this topic. I discovered how societal and cultural factors can affect chemical dependency. The clients I met had recounted stories of what made them develop their chemical dependency and the reasons ranged from poverty to lack of family support. I learnt of the adverse effects of chemical dependency which strains the relationships in an individual’s life and leaves them more vulnerable to seek escape using chemical substances. I gained an understanding of the environment from which those we served came from as well as the effect that substance abuse had on the mood of the person. As a clerk, it was the causative factors and effects of environment to the chemically dependent individual because I had to collect data that was essential for the program. The data was reviewed and used to assess the need for policy change and to improve research mechanisms on drug dependencies. Under this program, my role involved the creation of chart and form templates which were used to keep track of the performance of the chemically dependent persons. When I joined this program, it was beginning to expand, and I was one of the few employees in the outpatient section. Other than forms and charts, I also developed tracking systems that would document all the information gathered from all the clients and enable monitoring and evaluation of the individuals.
In order to work effectively in my new role, I had to develop a number of essential skills. I developed knowledge of behavioral health in addition to chemical dependencies. I learnt of the important role that support played in the recovery process of chemically dependent persons. In some instances where the individuals had strenuous relationships with family members, the staff at the clinic had to offer support to the person. I also learnt that chemical dependency signified the presence of underlying problems in the behavioral health of an individual. The knowledge I acquired was important for my role since I played a central role in the collection of data on chemical dependency which was used to improve the program for the chemically dependent persons and provide the health professionals in the program with adequate information to know the most responsive treatment methods that would work for each individual. I also acquired knowledge of computer software such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint. I learned how to conduct effective screening or intakes for individuals who were previously under the influence as well as verification and accurate report information gathering. This was pertinent to the role as it enabled the right treatment to be administered to each individual. I also learned how to be professional when engaging clients for the first time, undertaking orientations, and developing rules that would enable a sober culture. The rules were important for the chemically dependent individuals as it helped improve their recovery from chemical dependency. It also enabled a safe working environment for all employees as I learnt that when under the influence of chemical substances, some individuals became violent and expressed the suppressed rage they felt over aspects of their lives. For the safety of the entire organization, it was important to develop rules that mandated every individual to be sober when they came to the clinic. Observance of the behavior of individuals in the program was pertinent to my role on collection of the data on individuals which was thereafter used for assessments of the individuals, prevention of relapses and education on early intervention.
I developed skills relating to verification of insurance eligibility after teaching myself HMOs Health Maintenance Organization) and ACA (The Affordable Care Act) policies. The Health Maintenance Organization policies had prescribed guidelines relating to insurance plans which I learnt. In case the medical professional who was in charge of an individual left the program, I would notify the individual. I learnt that the HMO insurance only covered care that was given by doctors and other professionals who adhered by the HMO guidelines in exchange of customers for the insurance companies. HMO insurance covers were more beneficial to the chemically dependent persons in the next steps program because it offered less costly cover for the majority of services in the program. I also learnt that ACA was essential for the individuals in the program as it was available to more people benefitting even the poor who were a majority in the program. The policies also prescribed the use of innovative medical care in order to lower the costs for the chemically dependent persons. As such, my role in the program also included ensuring that there was mitigation of costs for the clients and that in the case where they could be covered by an insurance cover such as HMO; they were given the relevant information to ensure that they were not adversely affected by the cost of the program.
Three years after I joined this organization, I received a promotion and my next role was that of an administrative secretary under a slightly different area. I shifted to working in the methadone clinic, which was still under Next steps but known as The Port Morris Wellness Center. This role was totally different, and challenging since I encountered clients who experienced issues with opioids. The needs and behavior of these clients were entirely different. I worked in an area that was economically challenged in the Bronx, where a majority of the clients I dealt with only had a first grade level of education. The main challenge they experienced was poor cognitive skills as a result of abuse of substances. My new challenge was learning how to handle this demography.
This role entailed an understanding of various aspects of social services, as well as hospital policies and procedures. I learned how to undertake proper screening, verification, and reporting of patient data into EPIC, which is the database the organization used at the time. I completed patient injury forms whenever an inquiry came to the clinic with regards to Port Morris patients. This taught me how to retrieve all the necessary information and then schedule appointments for those patients who intended to come in to the clinic. Another important element that I learned on the job was verifying payment scheme or coverage for patients before we meet them at the clinic. The lessons I learnt from this experience was that the lack of resources can affect the ability of an individual to seek medical help to stop being chemically dependent. Persons in the program were more amenable to treatment when they knew that it would come at no direct cost due to an insurance plan; or that it would cost them very little.
This role tasked me with the responsibilities of various social service charges. I would evaluate financial and medical arrangements of chemically dependent and opioid patients, offer personal and telephone assessments, establish first contact with referral source or potential patients, arrange intake or referral processes, assess the appropriate level of care needed and maintain communication with referrals, patients, staff and family.
Other roles I undertook included implementation of activities in order to facilitate the engagement of all participants. Events in this category included recovery month, toy drive for those patients who were in need, trainings for career readiness and health fairs in conjunction with resident vendors. I used STARS to capture service information and I also made use of electronic data systems to track the activities of participants.
As a member of the administrative team, I was charged with tracking and reporting so that insurance verifications could be undertaken, reauthorization and development of a treatment scheme and reviews to ensure that each of the patients we handled had an active ACA and that their counselors undertake treatment that consistent with OASAS (office of alcoholism and substance abuse services) requirements. A lot of the time I was involved in obtaining insurance authorization so that clinicians would not experience instances of failed insurance claims. This also involved processing of intake materials such as drugs use, and screens. There were times where I did swabs, or observed drug screening as it is known in the medical field.
Each of the methadone clinics in my organization is equipped with an administrative department with staff members who set policy and oversee the entire operation of the clinic. As a result, one of my major roles in this clinic is securing funding and designing and implementing the organizational model necessary to ensure that the existence of the clinic is sustainable. Many of these functions are undertaken behind the scenes, and are not obvious to our clients and other parties. However, these functions knit the clinic together, and they are responsible for the clinic’s ability to offer services to members of the public. Also, this administrative function ensures that the clinic adheres to state and federal regulations, meets its external mandate with regards to regulations on sourcing funding, and maintains the care standards as is outlined by organizations such as JCAHO and CARF.
From experience, administrative segments of an organization such as methadone make part of a huge expense to all the clinics under methadone. However, they are very essential to the operation of methadone as a whole. In any organization, the process of administration is intricate and complex, but whose role is knitting the various segments of an organization together. I also incorporated funding and marketing initiatives that helped to promote the growth of the clinic and its outreach programs. There is a strong connection between knowledge of culture and the process of communication. In my work environment, I found it very useful when interacting with patients and participants.
While working for methadone clinics, I realized that the process of parenting builds an individual’s experiences as well. I am a parent, and the experiences I encountered have reinforced how I interact with the youth who seek help from us. I am a parent of one child, a son who was born on September 6th, 2007 and he is African American. I raised this child on my own in New York since his father passed away before he was born and he has grown up to be an individual with a strong personality. He is strongly athletic, and he engages in sports. He loves football and basketball since the age of 5. However, his growth was not that smooth since there were issues along the way. For instance, he had a difficult time transitioning in preschool. He also had to see a therapist between age 5 and 8 so that he could coup with losing his father and to reinstate his impulse control abilities. Nowadays, I try to ensure that his schedule is set so that he gets enough rest and to function properly.
When my son was very young, one of my main roles was as a parent was to generate independence in him. As a child, my son found it difficult to define what he felt and put it into words. His growth consisted of a forward step and back tracking and could not decide whether he wanted me to make him feel secure or to help him gain independence. My son made me realize that his tantrums were a sign that he felt frustrated. One of the things I did for him was ensuring the house was proofed enough so that he could explore on his own as safely as possible. Along the way I realized that raising a child was a complex process, and that there were no written rules I could consult. With time I was forced to identify those battles that were not necessary, and those issues that were likely to bring harm to my child in order to eliminate them.
As a very young child, about 5 years, my constant care for him made him learn how to engage task without my help. He became inquisitive as he explored his surrounding which transformed him into a social being.
As my child grew, he would also make mistakes and with time, I made it clear that there were limits. I began teaching him the concept of cause and effect since I wanted him to know that his actions had consequences. I did not always punish him for his misdeeds, since there are times I also allowed some amount of independence, especially when it came to making individual decisions.
As he grew older, I began teaching him problem solving in order to prepare him for school life and conflicts which were likely to occur in his life. I also made sure to encourage and help him advance important after school engagements so that his self-assurance and skills would grow as well. With time, I also developed a schedule at home so the he could take part in performing chores at home. It is my strong belief that an effective parent is able to stimulate a good learning environment and is able to create an open channel through which the parent can reach out to the child.
Other than parenting, my experiences instilled in me the need to be financially wise. With an income of about $4333each month, my goals were to spend a little less than I made and to secure our future. As part of planning for the future, I made savings and I also acquired coverage for both of us which included a 529 plan for my child. My other goal was to own an apartment and one of the steps I took towards realizing this was a down payment for an apartment in New York. I also bought a Honda Accord 2012, and currently I pay rent for the apartment that I live in at the moment, and all other expenses such as gas, power, rent, groceries and cell-phone charges.
I believe that making the right choices in life is the right way to achieve fulfillment. For this reason, I believe there are elements such as behavioral science, economics, sociology and communication studies that can help develop an individual that is all rounded. For instance, the science of behavior involves elements such as stimulating discussions that are geared towards creating awareness, into the realities involved in the provision of helpful programs to those whose have abused substances before. Behavioral science draws special attention to salient issues such as cultural diversity, interdisciplinary groupings that are constituted in substance abuse environments, relationships between families, as well as the functional capacity of individuals in workplaces.
I believe Economics goes a long way to help people manage their finances, and it also has equipped me with the capacity to analyze, communicate and manage individual financial position that people go through. Knowledge of economics provided me with the ability to make important financial choices, to talk about money and related issues, to develop goals for the future, and respond appropriately to outcomes that are likely to impact my financial choices.
