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EDUCATION SERVICES

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CLINICAL N.A.S.W. PROGRAMS

An overview of the typical stress related issues encountered within the modern

health care industry will be conducted. Problems that uncontrolled stress presents

to our psychological, emotional and physical well being will be examined. Particular

consideration will be given to the condition of “staff burnout”. The role of humor

and perspective in our lives will be discussed. Creative approaches and specific

techniques for managing our stress more effectively will be explored.

Considerations for personal and professional stress management will be discussed.

Concepts and parameters for developing a personalized “action plan” will be examined.

1. Preventing Burnout with Stress Management

Contemporary healthcare practice is becoming fertile ground for regulatory

and/or legal action against well-intentioned professional staff. In this program,

participants will learn how to recognize and address complex and difficult practice

dilemmas. Practice strategies for safeguarding against malpractice and legal

liability will be presented. Proactive case record documentation and treatment

planning techniques will be reviewed. The healthcare professional’s role in the

coordination of inter-disciplinary services for high-risk clients will be discussed. A

review of important considerations for potential interactions with regulatory

inquiries will be conducted. An emphasis will be made on practical professional

approaches designed to protect clients, professionals & employers.

2. Contemporary Risk Management Considerations for Social Workers & Healthcare Professionals
3. Psychosocial Aspects of Abuse, Neglect, and Mistreatment

Through a case example presentation, the concepts of abuse, neglect and

mistreatment in client populations will be illustrated. The role of the family and

staff in preventing such problems will be examined. Various psychosocial

considerations for victims of this problem will be discussed. Intervention strategies

for professional social workers will be examined. Factors contributing to these

issues will be discussed with a focus on prevention techniques. A review of specific

cases will be conducted.

4. Advance Directives: Legal & Medical Considerations

Through several case example illustrations, the concepts of Do Not Resuscitate,

Limited Medical Treatment Orders, MOLST, Guardianship, Roger’s

Guardianship, Conservatorship, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxy will be

considered. Current ethical dilemmas confronting healthcare professionals in long-

term care settings will be discussed. Implications for clinical practice with an

emphasis on the evolving State Survey process will be considered. There will be an

overview of the process for resolving “contested” guardianships within the probate

court system. The role of family members in the decision-making process of their

loved ones will be examined. The clinical criteria for assessing competency for

individuals will be reviewed.

5. Human Sexuality In The Elderly: Implications For Residential Settings

Through a lecture, case example and discussion format the psychosocial issues

affecting sexual relationships within the long term care facility will be examined.

Gender related factors affecting sexual expression and behavior will be reviewed.

Considerations for assessing an individual’s capacity to consent to sexual

relationships will be discussed. Behavioral management parameters and

recommendations will be proposed. Staff training initiatives and facility policy

development will be proposed.

6. Coping With Holiday Stress

The ‘Holiday’ season can be highly stressful time both personally for caregivers

and within the workplace for professional staff. This program will identify the

various sources of stress that people typically encounter. A presentation of available

stress reduction techniques will be examined for use. A general discussion about the

various psycho-social factors affecting caregivers will be conducted.

7. Strategies For Managing Difficult Behaviors

A review of behavior management principles & techniques will be presented.

Clinical applications for use in managing behavioral problems with patients in

nursing homes and hospital settings will be examined. Elements for use in the

development of treatment care plans within the context of regulatory compliance

will be addressed. The various causes of the common behavioral problems

encountered within the healthcare setting will be discussed.

8. Preserving Patient's Rights Within Healthcare Settings

Through a review of the current regulations and practice standards affecting

social work practice in healthcare settings, clinical practice approaches will be

presented to the participants. Methods for the effective provision of social casework

services to preserve the civil, legal and ethical rights of patients will be presented.

Strategies for completing compliant case record documentation and developing

effective clinical treatment planning will be examined. The social worker’s role in

the coordination of inter-disciplinary clinical services for patients, as well as

considerations for patient advocacy will be discussed. A review of recent trends for

patients in the areas of legal/medical advance directives, patient decision-making,

facility transfers/discharges, financial issues, and family interactions will be conducted.

9. Preventing Caregiver Burnout

A review of the various areas of concern for community-based caregivers will be

conducted. Considerations for the effective management of difficult care-giving

scenarios will be examined. Warning signs of potential patient compromise will be

addressed. Strategies for professional staff to utilize when encountering patient

challenges will be provided. A special focus will be made on ‘secondary caregiver’

such as family members, and the specific issues of concern to them.

10. Working With Challenging Families

A review of the various areas of concern for community-based caregivers will be

conducted. Considerations for the effective management of difficult care-giving

Contemporary healthcare professionals are increasingly more challenged for

optimal clinical outcomes by family members whom are often dissatisfied

customers. Through a review of the typical difficult social and professional

interaction situations that staff encounters in the workplace, practical approaches

and guidelines will be presented to the participants. Descriptions of difficult

personal styles and specific recommendations for effectively working with these

families will be examined. Strategies for the development of solutions centered on

negotiation skills, problem solving and effective conflict management will be

discussed. Scenarios will be used to illustrate potentially difficult situations for

staff. Various methods for improving interpersonal relationships will be addressed.

scenarios will be examined. Warning signs of potential patient compromise will bechallenges will be provided. A special focus will be made on ‘secondary caregiver’

such as family members, and the specific issues of concern to them.

11. Understanding Dementia: Alzheimer's Disease; Is it or Isn't it?

This program compares and contrasts the various types and causes of

“DEMENTIA”. Through an analysis of the various clinical symptoms and

characteristics of this disease, participants become better able to understand the

impact upon themselves and their affected “loved ones”. Considerations for

diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed. Practical solutions to behavioral

issues, residential supervision, visitation considerations and insights for effective

social interaction are examined. Recommendations for professional and family

caregivers will be presented using clinical practice scenarios.

12. Managing the Risk of Suicidal Behavior

The issue of suicide presents a significant risk for both contemporary clinicians

and the organizations with whom they are affiliated. Through a comprehensive

examination of typical risk factors precipitating this behavior, specific intervention

options for clinicians to utilize will be presented. Through a case presentation

format, considerations for managing suicidal behavior both within residential and

community settings will be discussed. Professional safeguards for practice

dilemmas will be presented.

13. Working With Personality Disorders

Clients with mental health diagnoses present with unique and challenging

clinical issues for healthcare practitioners. Of particular note in contemporary

practice are the unique behavioral challenges presented by clients with either

diagnosed or evident personality disorders. This program will describe these

disorders in terms of their clinical symptoms. A specific consideration of

Personality Disorder Traits will be presented. Treatment modalities will be

examined with specific behavioral management strategies discussed.

Recommendations for practitioners providing services to these individuals will be examined.

14. Clinical Approaches To Hoarding Behavior

Clients with obsessive-compulsive hoarding behaviors present with unique and

challenging clinical issues for healthcare practitioners. These individuals when

encountered in contemporary practice may experience extreme negative effects in

their social function. In this program the unique behavioral challenges presented

by clients with hoarding behaviors will be examined. This program will describe

these disorders in terms of their clinical symptoms. Treatment modalities will be

examined with specific behavioral management strategies discussed.

Recommendations for practitioners providing services to these individuals will be examined.

15. Bullying: Dynamics & Interventions

The issue of staff bullying has become increasingly more prominent with the

contemporary workplace. When these instances occur they can be quite disruptive

to both the staff and clients of an organization. In addition, facility operators may

be implicated in legal action resulting from this type of behavior within their setting.

In this program, the various types of workplace bullying will be discussed.

Professional responses and interventions for staff being bullied will be explored.

Potential courses of action for the respective organization will also be examined.

16. Reducing the Use of Anti-Psychotic Medications with Behavioral Interventions

The use of anti-psychotic medications can present serious issues for those patients

receiving them. Increasing in contemporary practice, the implementation of non-

pharmacologic interventions for these patients is being attempted. In this program

a review of behavior management principles & techniques will be presented.

Clinical applications for use in managing behavioral problems, particularly with the

nursing home resident will be examined. Elements for use in the development of

treatment care plans within the context of regulatory compliance will be addressed.

The various causes of the common behavioral problems encountered within the

geriatric population will be discussed.

17. Compassion Fatigue: What is it and How to Deal with It

Professional staff working in the service-oriented ‘helping professions’ are highly

susceptible to an inordinate level of job stress. This situation may result in the staff

person experiencing a decrease in professional effectiveness in addition to a

diminished feeling of empathy for their patients/clients. Without strategic

intervention, professional staff may lose their clinical efficacy, and in severe

situations, may experience a diminished physical and mental status themselves.

This program will describe the clinical presentation of professional ‘Compassion

Fatigue’ and will offer several themes of intervention for use by staff.

18. Working with Alcohol & Substance Abuse Disorders

Clients with alcohol abuse disorders present with unique and challenging

clinical issues for healthcare practitioners. These individuals when encountered in

contemporary practice may experience extreme negative effects in their social

function. In this program the unique behavioral challenges presented by clients

with alcohol abuse disorders will be examined. This program will describe these

disorders in terms of their clinical symptoms. Treatment modalities will be

examined with specific behavioral management strategies discussed.

Recommendations for practitioners providing services to these individuals will be examined.

19. Domestic Violence

This program compares and contrasts the various types and causes of

“Domestic Violence”. Through an analysis of the various clinical symptoms and

characteristics of the victims of these situations, participants become better able

to understand the impact upon their clients and their affected “loved ones”.

Considerations for diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed. Practical solutions

to behavioral issues, identification of community resources, visitation

considerations and insights for effective social work interventions are examined.

Recommendations for professional and family caregivers will be presented using

clinical practice scenarios.

20. Ethics in Clinical Practice

Laws and ethical codes are incorporated into the standards of practice for a

professional discipline. As such, a mechanism for regulating professional practice

and holding members accountable is established. In this program, the various

elements included in the performance of ethical mental health practice are reviewed.

Contemporary clinical practice issues such as HIPPA, privacy, confidentiality,

informed consent, privileged communications, and ethical decision-making will be

discussed. Professional strategies for ensuring appropriate professional boundaries,

while avoiding various problematic Illegal, unethical and nonprofessional

behavioral considerations in the practice milieu will be examined.

21. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can develop after a

person is exposed to or involved in a traumatic event. Typically diagnosed in

persons with military experience, contemporary mental health staff are

encountering this disorder in people of varied ages and socio-economic

backgrounds. This program will examine the causes and risk factors for developing

PTSD in our present society. There will be a review of the clinical symptoms of

PTSD. Clinical assessment and sreening considerations will be presented as well as

current treatment approaches addressing PTSD.

22. Working With Younger Residents: Intervention Strategies For Psychosocial Issues

This program will focus on the current impediments to providing effective

therapeutic activities for younger non-traditional residents. A consideration of the

psychosocial issues specific to this cohort group will be examined. Similarly,

intervention strategies for providing motivating and positively reinforcing activities

for these residents will be discussed. Specific behavioral strategies for improving

the therapeutic rapport between residents and staff will be reviewed.

CLINICAL N.A.S.W. PROGRAMS
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