Sahar Balvardi

Experience

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  McGill University

  Sept 2015 - Apr 2017

  Research Assistant

  I joined Dr. Ditto’s lab as an honors student to study different techniques that can reduce severe reactions in blood donors in the hope of increasing the likelihood of their return to blood donation clinics. As a student and then a part-time research assistant, I recruited participants and collected data at local blood donation clinics. I also assisted with managing the volunteers’ schedule. While writing my thesis, I conducted literature review and data analysis using SPSS. I presented my project at McGill University’s annual conference. The data collected in this project was later used for a PhD thesis and publication. Show less

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  McGill University

  Aug 2017 - Aug 2020

  Clinical Assistant

  For three years, I worked with Dr. Wazana and his research team to conduct the very first empirical study on the effectiveness of a Child Psychiatry Day Hospital at JGH. For 50 years, this Day Hospital offered treatment to elementary-age children with severe behavioral and emotional problems, but no empirical evidence existed to support its effectiveness. As a clinical assistant and then the Master’s student working on this project, I trained clinical personnel for data collection, coordinated data collection from multiple informants for two years, reviewed 500 charts to extract relevant data, and constructed the very first dataset for the Day Hospital. Moreover, I assisted with the integration of Day Hospital into electronic medical record using REDCap, and I was in charge of Ethics Review Board Submission for this project. My Master’s thesis was based on this project and it was published as the first empirical study on this program and one of the few studies on Child Psychiatric Day Hospital in literature. I have also presented this project in multiple local and international conferences. Show less

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  Lucie Canuel's Intermediate Resources

  Jun 2020 - Jun 2021

  Interventionist

  RI is a residence dedicated to the rehabilitation of youths (16 – 18 years old) who come from broken families and have experienced neglect, emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse. I was hired as an educator and after 8 months, I was promoted to be a Primary Worker. As an educator, I deescalated and intervened when youth(s) had a crisis (e.g. suicidal ideation), taught and assisted youths in acquiring independent living skills as well as improving skills such as time management and accountability. I also prepared incident and weekly reports to keep the team updated regarding events happening at the residence, booked and accompanied youths to their appointments, and tutored youths in mathematics. I was also in charge of the grocery budget and ensuring that the house is stuck in food and all necessary supplies. As a Primary Worker, in addition to above responsibilities, I work one-on-one with a youth to create an individual plan for their duration of stay at the residence. Moreover, I collaborate with their social worker to assist the youth in improving their behavioral and/or emotional problems. I conduct weekly follow-up meeting with the youth to make sure they are following their individual plan and to address any new issues. Moreover, I help the youth to find a job and budget to have a financial stability by the time they move out of the residence. Show less

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  Swedish Red Cross

  Aug 2022 - Mar 2024

  • Disaster Management Desk Officer

    Feb 2023 - Mar 2024

  • Intern - Disaster Management Desk Officer

    Aug 2022 - Jan 2023
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  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC

  Apr 2024 - Jun 2024

  PMER/Field Officer
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  Canadian Red Cross

  Oct 2024 - now

  Emergency Management Coordinator