Karen Arnold Truax
Sidney,MT
Summary
Karen Arnold Truax is a dynamic, motivated, compassionate and dedicated licensed clinical social worker who provides meaningful support to clients and families, rooted in client-centered theory, models, and practices to engage in solution-focused care. Professional in social services with strong background in program development, client advocacy, and community outreach. Known for fostering teamwork and adapting to changing needs while delivering impactful results. Expert in resource management, policy implementation, and staff supervision. Reliable, collaborative, and focused on achieving organizational goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Services Director
Sidney Health Center
01.2020 - Current
- Provide frontline medical social work to med surg, CCU, OB, Cancer Center
- Oversee department goals and implement90-day plans to drive quality results
- Provide supervision to BSW candidate and full-time employee
- Coordinate care across community and healthcare spectrum
- Facilitate advance care planning with patient and families
- Participate in Interdisciplinary Team meetings and roundings
- Maintain active role in patient experience team, Patient and Family Advisory Council, Care Transitions Team, Adult Protection Team
Medical Social Worker
Sidney Health Center
09.2014 - 01.2020
- Provide psychosocial assessments for home care patients in Richland County
- Provide timely, appropriate referrals to variety of community resources
- Provide support and coaching to caregivers
- Provide counseling and short-term interventions as it relates to client’s care plan
- Coordinate care across the health system, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and clinics
Medical Social Worker
Allina Health Home Health
01.2013 - 08.2014
- Provide psychosocial assessments for home care patients in southeast metropolitan area
- Provide timely, appropriate referrals to variety of community resources
- Provide support and coaching to caregivers
- Coordinate care across the health system, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, transitional care units, assisted living communities, and clinics
- Work as a part of an interdisciplinary team, coordinating efforts to meet client’s goals
- Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
- Offered crisis intervention services to address urgent concerns related to mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence issues.
Medical Social Worker- Home Care
Heartland Home Healthcare, Hospice, and IV Care
05.2009 - 01.2013
- Provide psychosocial assessments for home care patients residing in the11-county metro area
- Refer home care recipients to community and county resources as needed
- Provide psychosocial support and short-term counseling interventions
- Provide caregiver support and education
- Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team, identifying ways in which psycho-social-spiritual issues impact client goals and outcomes
Service Coordinator / Caregiver Coach
Darts/Eldercare Partners
07.2008 - 04.2009
- Coordinate services/manage care for elders and their families in order to maximize elders’ independence
- Refer elders and family members to community and county resources as needed
- Supervise between40 and60 direct service volunteers on issues related to DARTS services and clients
- Increase caregiver confidence and reduce caregiver stress through coaching and counseling
- Work on interdepartmental team to develop new educational programs and marketing campaigns
- Served as a primary point of contact for clients, addressing inquiries, providing updates, and ensuring overall satisfaction with services rendered.
- Managed a high volume of client requests, ensuring timely and effective service delivery.
MSW Student Social Work Trainee (2nd Year Graduate Field Experience)
Geriatric Research Education and Clinic Center (GRECC), William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital
06.2007 - 09.2007
- Psychosocial assessment and follow up care of complex geriatric patients including assessment of patient’s mood, cognition, mental health issues, support system, caregiver stress, family dynamics, eligibility for VA and community services (Medicare, Medical Assistance, Social Security etc.)
- Worked collaboratively with members of interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care to veterans and their families on following teams: Geriatric Psychiatry team, Memory Assessment team, Geriatric Evaluation team, Geriatrics primary care team
- Served as an advocate for veterans in VA system and broader community
MSW Student Social Worker (1st year graduate field experience)
Badger Prairie Health Care Center
09.2006 - 05.2007
- Primary responsibilities included: transition and discharge planning, the development of individualized care plans, MDS quarterly and annual reports/reviews, clothing orders for residents
- Coordinated care with interdisciplinary team members and community resources
- Interacted and collaborated with staff and clients who differed with regard to a variety of cultural attributes, with a keen sensitivity for how these differences impact and inform relationships
- Worked primarily with elderly adults diagnosed with various mental health issues, developmental disabilities and/or dementias
Case Manager/ ARMHS Practitioner
South Metro Human Services
04.2005 - 08.2006
- Responsible for the development and implementation of individualized community support plans that focused on enhancing IADLS and maintaining/improving mental health
- Assisted clients with completion of applications to variety of community resources, kept support paperwork current
- Provided culturally competent services to individuals of ethnically diverse backgrounds
- Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
- Conducted thorough assessments of clients'' situations, identifying issues, goals, and necessary interventions.
Education
Doctor of Social Work -
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA12-2024
Master of Social Work - Foundation in Aging; Concentration in Healthcare
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI05.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology/Women’s Studies
Concordia College
Moorhead, MN05.2004
Skills
- Written and verbal communication
- Client needs assessments
- Client advocacy
- Interviewing skills
- Advance Care Planning
- Policy Creation and Maintenance
- Program Development and Maintenance
- Interdisciplinary Care Coordination
- Supervision of Department
Certification
- LCSW, Montana,2014-present
- LISW, Minnesota,2008-2014
- Respecting Choices Advance Care Planning Facilitator
Awards
Graduated Cum Laude, Concordia College, May2004, Faculty Scholar,4 years, Concordia College
Affiliations
- Foundation for Community Care Board Member, summer2021 to present
- Northeast Montana Representative for NASW-MT
- Past Co-Chair, Minnesota Home Care Social Workers Association
- Past LISW Board Member, MN Board of Social Work
- Past Member, Community Action Board, Mt. Carmel Manor, Commonbond Communities,2009
Teaching Experience
- Student Presenter, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison,2007-2008
- Provided education on issues elderly population may face when interfacing with medical community or pharmacy
- Presenter for Medical Staff of Sidney Health Center, December2023
- Behavioral Health Resources in Montana
Timeline
Social Services Director
Sidney Health Center
01.2020 - Current
Medical Social Worker
Sidney Health Center
09.2014 - 01.2020
Medical Social Worker
Allina Health Home Health
01.2013 - 08.2014
Medical Social Worker- Home Care
Heartland Home Healthcare, Hospice, and IV Care
05.2009 - 01.2013
Service Coordinator / Caregiver Coach
Darts/Eldercare Partners
07.2008 - 04.2009
MSW Student Social Work Trainee (2nd Year Graduate Field Experience)
Geriatric Research Education and Clinic Center (GRECC), William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital
06.2007 - 09.2007
MSW Student Social Worker (1st year graduate field experience)
Badger Prairie Health Care Center
09.2006 - 05.2007
Case Manager/ ARMHS Practitioner
South Metro Human Services
04.2005 - 08.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology/Women’s Studies
Concordia College
- LCSW, Montana,2014-present
- LISW, Minnesota,2008-2014
- Respecting Choices Advance Care Planning Facilitator
Doctor of Social Work -
Tulane University
Master of Social Work - Foundation in Aging; Concentration in Healthcare
University of Wisconsin
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