AMBER MICKELSEN
Pocatello
Summary
Dynamic mental health professional with a proven ability to cultivate strong relationships, drive strategic initiatives, and optimize organizational efficiency. Experienced in strengthening community partnerships, fostering collaboration, and implementing impactful policies. Skilled in contract development, performance assessment, and multi-project management, ensuring precision and effectiveness in high-demand environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Clinical Supervisor
Pocatello Women's Correctional Center
09.2019 - Current
- Directs day-to-day mental health operations and functions for Pocatello Women's Correctional Center; 385 female-bed facility, provides clinical oversight for Saint Anthony Work Camp; 262 male-bed facility plus Idaho Falls Community Reentry Center; 112 male-bed facility.
- Recruits, hires and trains master level social workers, providing direct supervision, staff development and continuing education opportunities for employees.
- Advocated and assisted in implementing policy and procedural changes for suicide risk and gender dysphoria management to ensure current terminology and treatment practices.
- Successfully negotiated my departments contract terms between Idaho Department of Corrections and Centurion agency.
- Established partnership with Trans Empowerment Project to provide Idaho Department of Corrections gender dysphoria patients with resources, such as, financial assistance, community peer support, job and housing opportunities.
- Attended professional educational and developmental meetings to ensure my agency was compliant with National Commission of Correctional Health Care standards.
- Developed community education programming events and other activities designed to increase mental health support and resources for incarcerated population.
- Coordinated and maintained positive relationships with Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole, Portneuf Medical Behavioral Health Center, and Health and Welfare to ensure ongoing patient care for mental health population.
Lead Clinician
Pocatello Women's Correctional Center
05.2013 - 09.2019
- Actively worked with medical, security, and administrative staff to provide comprehensive and continuous care plans for patients.
- Helped patients develop new coping mechanisms and behavior modification through individual counseling sessions.
- Cultivated positive, trusting relationships with patients and community providers to promote effective coordination of resources.
- Conducted suicidal and homicidal risk assessments.
- Conducted 3 therapy groups weekly to include bereavement processing, sex-offender treatment, gender dysphoria support, depression and anxiety management, life skills.
- Administered mental health assessments to at least 15 patients weekly assessing behaviors, moods, and other responses to determine diagnosis and formulate treatment plan strategies.
- Advocated for patient's while ensuring HIPPA compliance.
- Managed caseload of approximately 150 patients with co-occurring disorders.
CISM Clinical Director
IDOC
01.2016 - 05.2018
- Operated and maintained applicant tracking and candidate management systems for CISM positions.
- Coached CISM members in job responsibilities and requirements of assigned positions.
- Fostered staff development by providing quarterly training sessions guided by community mental health professionals.
- Developed, implemented, revised CISM polices and procedures and educated staff on changes.
- Represented organization at Southeast Idaho community events, answering questions, providing details and giving informative presentations.
CISM Southeast Mental Health Clinician
IDOC
05.2014 - 01.2016
- Provided weekly clinical support and acute traumatic stress management for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency responders and dispatchers, medical personnel, and correctional staff.
- Created monthly informative mental health packets to be distributed to CISM participants.
- Generated monthly visual and digital presentations to CISM members regarding secondary trauma, stress and mental health diagnoses.
Education
Master of Social Work - Community Mental Health
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa, ID12.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID05.2011
Skills
- Relationship building/networking
- Project organization and productivity
- Contract development
- Performance assessments
- Group and individual instruction
- Microsoft Office
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Hiring coordination
- Activity planning
- Data entry
- Active listening and communication
Certification
- ATSA: Active member for the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse.
- WPATH- Active member for the World Association for Transgender Health.
Timeline
Mental Health Clinical Supervisor
Pocatello Women's Correctional Center
09.2019 - Current
CISM Clinical Director
IDOC
01.2016 - 05.2018
CISM Southeast Mental Health Clinician
IDOC
05.2014 - 01.2016
Lead Clinician
Pocatello Women's Correctional Center
05.2013 - 09.2019
Master of Social Work - Community Mental Health
Northwest Nazarene University
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Idaho State University
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