I understand that assessing individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities is an on-going process that recognizes and respects the dignity and worth of individuals and should include integrity and competence of any and all assessments. I also understand methods of assessments that can be employed in the assessment process for diverse clients and constituencies to advance practice effectiveness. I understand the importance of collaboration among systems in the assessment process in order to effectively provide the best analysis of clients’ needs and the best practices for working through challenges. I also understand how my personal experience and affective reactions may interfere in the assessment process and guard against allowing personal ideals to manifest in the assessment process and dissemination of proposals for the client to consider going forward. To prevent the presence of bias in the assessment process I will “check” myself and my reactions to determine if my emotions or responses are based on an unbiased review or based on personal beliefs, impressions, or experiences. If I notice personal biases manifesting themselves, I will either seek to eliminate them or ask that the assessment be reassigned to an individual whose personal biases will not be expressed. As I assess clients, each of these research-informed practices will be represented in the process.

7.1 Formulated Comprehensive Assessment Using a Variety of Diagnostic Classification Systems

I benefitted from exposure to a variety of diagnostic systems at my disposal that could be used in the assessment process. While not all systems are necessary at all times, it is helpful to have them available if the need arises within clinical practice.

Fieldwork Experience: The assessments that I currently conduct for patients includes a basic level of care assessment which includes pieces of a complete biopsychosocial assessment (including a video behavioral health format) in coordination with CAGE assessments/substance abuse evaluations, as needed. We also have a breathalizer that is available if we suspect the patient may be intoxicated. Within the basic assessment, I address suicidal, homicidal, and self-injurious behaviors. Next, I request the patient’s treatment history, living conditions, stress factors, a brief psychiatric review, and substance abuse history. However, for a more fullsome assessment, I could envision utilizing a Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, a Beck Depression inventory, and a Beck Anxiety inventory in order to better determine the level or severity of symptoms being experienced by the patient. Most of the patients that come for an assessment are either dealing with suicidal ideations, anxiety, or depression which are inhibiting their quailty of life. Thus, these assessments are suitable to address those chief concerns, and the CAGE assessment helps to address our chemically dependent patients. However, in order to implement a more comprehensive assessment protocol that included these additional and beneficial diagnostic systems it would have to be approved by department supervisors and be in accordance with departmental objectives.

Assessments

Coursework Experience: In SOCW 632 Psychopathology, Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis I demonstrated proficiency in conducting comprehensive mental health assessments,
incorporating a multidimensional approach considering biological, psychological, social, and
cultural factors. This was accomplished via mock cases that were presented and the need to diagnose the patients’ cases based upon the information provided and with consideration for their bio-psycho-social-cultural backgrounds.

Final Case Study, SOCW 632

7.2 Designed and Implemented Organizational and/or Community Assessments

I designed and implemented organizational assessments that could be used to better help me answer the questions posed in the onboarding charting system utilized by the hospital that I needed to complete in order to answer the basic facts of the case before providing a more fullsome written note.

Fieldwork Experience: At my internship location I designed a brief assessment pertaining to the organization’s interaction with employees and their impression of the work environment as they seek to provide service provision to community members. I then implemented the assessment by interviewing several coworkers for their feedback relating to the questions posed.

Employee Satisfaction Assessment

Coursework Experience: In SOCW 612 Advanced Administrative Practice: Program Development, we worked to develop a needs assessment for the community. First we conducted research on a likely need in the community and a potential solution to that need. Then, we worked to develop the needs assessment tools and methods for delivering the assessments to a hypothetical population in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Please find the program needs assessment  below.

Needs Assessment and Program Proposal Plan Draft

Knowledge: The knowledge that I incorporated in this competency includes a knowledge of HOW TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT and then FORMULATE ASSESSMENTS. In order to accomplish this goal I needed to SUPPORT the clients in their retelling of their stories and situations. Once their information was relayed to me, I then needed to RECORD what I was being told and then DETERMINE if the information gathered is leading toward a given treatment plan. I need to continue the assessment until I am able to DEMONSTRATE a thorough knowledge of the problems the client is facing and then DETERMINE whether I have developed enough information to arrive at a preliminary assessment proposal for the clinician that I triage with regarding the patient.

Values: In order to complete this competency, I had to reflect upon the values of DIGNITY AND WORTH OF PERSONS, COMPETENCY, INTEGRITY, IMPORTANCE of HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND SERVICE. It is because of the patient’s inherent value and worth that we consider their cases and conduct assessments. We do those assessments reflecting a level of competency that has been gained over time and with the integrity to keep their information confidential in accordance with the confidentiality agreement. Understanding the interplay of human relationships and how those act upon the patient helps to understand the context of the situation that the patient finds themselves. Part of the story they share and problems they encounter may include conflicts and challenges resulting from a lack of social justice, for which we must advocate. And finally, a sense of service and care for others drives the social worker to help those in need of a helping hand.

Skills: This competency requires me to reflect COMPETENCE IN CONDUCTING ASSESSMENTS, a GROWING KNOWLEDGE of the NAMES OF MEDICATIONS, the ability to PUT PATIENTS AT EASE, and to reflect LISTENING SKILLS in order to both hear the patient and ensure that I received the correct meaning that they were seeking to relay to me.  Additionally, I need to have a KNOWLEDGE of the RESOURCES AVAILABLE for individuals facing certain situation and with a given set of needs. Being able to present these option on the spot furthers the appearance of professionalism and the help that I can provide.

Cognitive Processes: In the completion of this competency, I TRANSCRIBED the information that the patient provided, I ANALYZED my notes as I recorded them, but continued practicing ACTIVE LISTENING. I continually APRAISED whether I needed additional information or was getting the full picture from the information gathered. Finally, I also DEMONSTRATED an understanding of human emotions and those might interact with the information I was receiving given their backgrounds.

Affective Processes: This competency required that I UNDERSTAND the patient’s needs, CONSIDER whether there is additional information that the assessment will require, NOTICE the affect the patient is displaying, EXPRESS genuine concern for what the patient has been through, and begin to FORMULATE  in my mind a comfort level with my understanding of the situation presented to me and the level of need being presented in order to suggest a preliminary determination to the provider.

Theoretical Foundation: In conducting assessments, I use a combination of SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY, SYSTEMS THEORY, and PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORY. These theories help to inform my understanding that patients and the information that they share is the result of the person in their environment and how that environment has shaped them, in addition to biological sources (if they differ). Additionally, learning all I can about the patient in a social setting is my goal, though I don’t have enough time to really effect change in the patient since these are just mainly Plan of Care assessments. Finally, throughout the assessment, I am simultaneously thinking about which additional systems I will need to engage with in order to effect the best outcome for my patient.