Ernestine Johnson JD, MSW

Experience

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  L.I.F.E. Family Services

  Jun 1995 - Aug 1996

  Case Manager Supervisor

  Supervised team of Home of Relative (HMR) case managers and group home case manager.•Hired new staff and trained new and existing staff. •Completed performance evaluations of staff.•Completed case status reports in compliance with internal auditing, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Juvenile Court. •Conducted weekly supervisions of caseload with case managers.•Attended court, Administrative Case Reviews, and staffings.•Managed individual caseload of minors.•Conducted diligent searches for biological parents of minors.•Monitored case managers to ensure safety and well-being of minors.•Mediated conflicts/disputes, including those between parents and case managers, between foster parents and case managers, between DCFS caseworkers and case managers.•Researched and provided services for minors, natural parents, and foster parents.•Analyzed and monitored case managers’ progress in regards to achieving permanent placement of minors.•Drafted Social Histories, case/service plans, documents for Administrative Case Review, documents for court proceedings, and documents for legal screening/ termination of parental rights. •Complied with the standards and regulations of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Show less

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  Advocate Christ Medical Center

  Jan 1997 - Apr 2012

  •Interviewed patients/family to obtain relevant psycho-social and medical history.•Conducted meetings with patients/families to address social, emotional and financial issues that lead to hospitalization/treatment and discharge recommendations/plans.•Collaborated with physicians/interdisciplinary health care team members to discuss, develop and implement treatment and discharge plans.•Facilitated communication between patient, families and health care providers.•Mediated conflicts/disputes, including those between patients and family members, between patients/families and physicians, between attending physicians and consulting physicians, between physicians and other members of the health care team, and between physicians and outside vendors.•Negotiated with vendors, including treatment and services for patient with no insurance coverage.•Researched, planned and established relevant insurance treatment options/services.•Analyzed patients’ clinical, social, emotional and financial status to determine medication, equipment and treatment needs.•Drafted assessments based on patient information, physician recommendations and medical records review. •Provided resources for treatment options/services.•Coordinated complex discharge plans.•Made referrals based on patient’s social, emotional, and financial needs.•Advocated for patient’s privacy, fair treatment, safety and choice of treatment providers and services.•Encouraged patient’s self-determination and self-choice.•Provided support, counsel and crisis intervention for patients and their families.•Integrated department, hospital, system, state and federal policies and procedures to increase efficiency.•Complied with HIPAA, EMTALA, Stark Act, Joint Commission standards, and policy and procedures for Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance organizations. Show less Interviewed patients/family members to obtain relevant psycho-social and medical history.Conducted meetings with patients/families to address social, emotional and financial issues, and treatment and discharge recommendations/plans.Collaborated with patients, families, physicians/interdisciplinary health care team to discuss, develop and implement treatment and discharge plans.Facilitated communication between patient, families and health care providers.Mediated conflicts/disputes, including those between patients and family members, between patients/families and physicians, between attending physicians and consulting physicians, between physicians and other members of the health care team, and between physicians and outside vendors.Negotiated with vendors for treatment and services for patient with no insurance coverage.Researched, planned and established relevant insurance treatment options/services.Analyzed patients’ clinical, social, emotional and financial status to determine medication, equipment and treatment needs.Drafted assessments based on patient information, physician recommendations and medical records review. Provided resources for treatment options/services.Coordinated complex discharge plans.Made referrals based on patient’s social, emotional, and financial needs.Advocated for patient’s privacy, fair treatment, safety, and choice of treatment providers/services.Encouraged patient’s self-determination and self-choice.Provided support, counsel and crisis intervention for patients/families.Trained newly hired Social Workers. Trained and evaluated Physician Residents on hospital policies, procedures, and discharge plans. Mentored and trained Social Work Interns. Integrated department, hospital, system, state and federal policies and procedures to increase efficiency. Complied with HIPAA, EMTALA, Stark Act, Joint Commission standards, and policy and procedures for Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance organizations. Show less Interviewed patients/family to obtain relevant psycho-social and medical history.Conducted meetings with patients/families to address social, emotional and financial issues that lead to hospitalization/treatment and discharge recommendations/plans.Collaborated with physicians/interdisciplinary health care team members to discuss, develop and implement treatment and discharge plans.Facilitated communication between patient, families and health care providers.Mediated conflicts/disputes, including those between patients and family members, between patients/families and physicians, between attending physicians and consulting physicians, between physicians and other members of the health care team, and between physicians and outside vendors.Negotiated with vendors for treatment and services for patient with no insurance coverage.Researched, planned and established relevant insurance treatment options/services.Analyzed patients’ clinical, social, emotional and financial status to determine medication, equipment and treatment needs.Drafted assessments based on patient information, physician recommendations and medical records review. Provided resources for treatment options/services.Coordinated complex discharge plans.Made referrals based on patient’s social, emotional, and financial needs.Advocated for patient’s privacy, fair treatment, safety, choice of treatment providers and services.Encouraged patient’s self-determination and self-choice. Provided support, counsel and crisis intervention for patients and their families.Integrated department, hospital, system, state and federal policies and procedures to increase efficiency.Complied with HIPAA, EMTALA, Stark Act, Joint Commission standards, and policy and procedures for Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance organizations. Show less

  • Social Worker (Psychiatry & Substance Abuse)

    Jan 2009 - Apr 2012

  • Social Worker (Trauma)

    Jun 2001 - Dec 2008

  • Discharge Planner (Psychiatry & Substance Abuse)

    Jan 1997 - Jun 2001
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  Sadie Waterford Manor

  Apr 2001 - Mar 2005

  Clinical Coordinator

  Managed caseload of 15 female minors of the State of Illinois living in the residential facility.•Interviewed the minors to obtain information to complete social history and individual treatment plan.•Drafted social history for each minor.•Drafted individual treatment plan for each minor.•Drafted documentation for Administrative Case Review (ACR).•Drafted documentation for Juvenile Court.•Collaborated with Department of Children and Family Services Caseworkers to locate and refer the minors for necessary services.•Provided support, counsel and crisis intervention to the minors. Show less

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  Provide-A-Care Home Health

  Jun 2009 - Dec 2012

  Medical Social Worker

  Interviewed patients and family members to obtain relevant psycho-social and medical history.•Conducted meetings with patients, families, physicians and interdisciplinary health care team members to discuss, develop and implement treatment plans and discharge plans.•Researched, planned and established relevant insurance treatment options and services.•Analyzed patients’ clinical, social, emotional and financial status to determine medication, equipment and treatment needs.•Drafted assessments based on information obtained regarding patient’s clinical, social, emotional and financial status.•Provided resources for treatment options and services.•Made referrals for treatment and services accordingly.•Advocated for patient’s privacy, fair treatment and safety.•Complied with HIPAA, policy and procedures for Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance organizations. Show less

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  Firstcare Staffing Services

  Mar 2010 - Dec 2012

  Medical Social Worker

  Interviewed patients and family members to obtain relevant psycho-social and medical history.•Conducted meetings with patients, families, physicians and interdisciplinary health care team members to discuss, develop and implement treatment plans and discharge plans.•Researched, planned and established relevant insurance treatment options and services.•Analyzed patients’ clinical, social, emotional and financial status to determine medication, equipment and treatment needs.•Drafted assessments based on information obtained regarding patient’s clinical, social, emotional and financial status.•Provided resources for treatment options and services.•Made referrals for treatment and services accordingly.•Advocated for patient’s privacy, fair treatment and safety.•Complied with HIPAA, policy and procedures for Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance organizations. Show less

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  AdvocateCare

  Apr 2012 - Jul 2013

  Outpatient Care Manager

  •Identified patients with anticipated high cost care to provide case management services.•Interviewed patients and family members to obtain relevant psycho-social and medical history.•Researched, planned and established relevant insurance treatment options and services. •Analyzed patients’ clinical, social, emotional and financial status to determine medication, equipment and treatment needs.•Drafted assessments based on patient information, physician recommendations and medical records review. •Provided resources for treatment options and services.•Advocated for patient’s privacy, fair treatment, safety and choice of treatment providers and services.•Encouraged patient’s self-determination and self-choice.•Provided support, counsel and crisis intervention for patients and their families.•Assisted with training staff.•Integrated department, system, state and federal policies and procedures to increase efficiency.•Complied with HIPAA, and policy and procedures for Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance organizations. Show less

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  Family Mediation Unit, 4th Judicial Circuit

  May 2015 - Jul 2015

  Family Mediation Extern

  • Observed and Co-Mediated family disputes involving various legal issues, including Dissolution of Marriage, Paternity, Child Support, and Time-Sharing.• Drafted and edited Mediation Agreements.• Completed case closures and updated court docket by E-Filing documents.• Conducted child support computations and provided accurate assessment of results.

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  Victorian Village

  Sept 2017 - Jan 2018

  Social Services Director

  • Supervise Admission Department and Social Services Department staff• Manage caseload of 25 Residents• Interview residents and family members to obtain relevant psycho-social and medical history.• Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary health care team members to discuss, develop and implement treatment and discharge plans.• Analyze patients’ clinical, social, emotional and financial status to determine post discharge care needs. • Draft assessments based on patient information, physician recommendations and medical records review. • Complete MDS (Minimum Data Set).• Provide resources for treatment options and services.• Make referrals for home health services and DME.• Advocate for patient’s privacy, fair treatment, safety and choice of treatment providers and services.• Encourage patient’s self-determination and self-choice.• Provide support, counsel and crisis intervention for patients and their families.• Conduct investigations related to allegations of abuse. • Integrate department, system, state and federal policies and procedures to increase efficiency.• Complies with HIPAA, and policy and procedures for Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance organizations. Show less

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  4th Judicial Circuit Court

  Feb 2018 - Feb 2023

  Mediator

  • Conducts mediation sessions for circuit/family court.• Facilitates discussions for court referred cases of disputes involving various legal issues, including dissolution of marriage, property division, shared or sole parental responsibility, paternity, child support, and time-sharing.• Communicates with attorneys and parties involved in mediation, in person or by telephone, to obtain additional information, while maintaining confidentiality.• Review case files, confidential reports and other materials pertinent to cases.• Prepares and drafts Mediation Agreements or impasse reports on all cases.• Review Mediation Agreements with all parties involved and manage execution of agreements by parties.• Completes case closure paperwork and statistical records/reports for mediation cases.• Upload documents in to the Court e-filing system.• Conduct child support computations and provide accurate assessment of results.• Travels to court locations within the 4th Judicial Circuit served by the Mediation Division as required. Show less

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  Solution-Focused Alternative Dispute Resolutions, LLC

  Feb 2023 - now

  Owner/Mediator/Parenting Coordinator

  • Conducts mediation sessions for county/family court.• Facilitate discussions of disputes involving various legal issues, including dissolution of marriage, property division, shared or sole parental responsibility, paternity, child support, and time-sharing.• Communicates with attorneys and parties involved in mediation to obtain additional information, while maintaining confidentiality.• Review case files, confidential reports and other materials pertinent to cases.• Prepares and draft Mediation Agreements/Consent Final Judgments or impasse reports on all cases.• Review Mediation Agreements with all parties involved and manage execution of agreements by parties.• Upload documents onto the Court e-filing system.• Conduct child support computations and provide accurate assessment of results. Show less