I obtained my master’s degree in social work from Walla Walla college in 2006 and pursued my clinical hours and obtained my license as a licensed clinical social worker in 2010. I have worked in the mental health field in Idaho for 18 years. Working as a bachelor level social worker, I was able gain experience working in a residential SUDs facility, provided psychosocial rehabilitation services (now known as CBRS) and worked as a developmental specialist. Upon receiving my master’s degree in social work, I started working in a community mental health agency gaining experience in completing assessments and providing therapy. Following that, I began working for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare in 2007, working in Region 7 as a clinician in children’s mental health. In this role, I completed court-ordered assessments and treatment plans for children and adolescents, completed referrals for State Hospital South, was a designated examiner and served as member of the Juvenile Mental Health Court team.

In 2014, I began working for Optum Idaho as a sr. clinical quality analyst for Regions 6 and 7. In my role as a sr. clinical quality analyst, I audited outpatient groups and solo providers who serve the Medicaid population. Through the audit process, I review policies, procedures, HR files and member files to ensure providers are meeting documentation standards of care they are providing. My passion for behavioral health services and for our members care has led to an enjoyment of educating and supporting both providers and colleagues in the importance of why documentation is so critical to the overall treatment and members' care. I currently am a sr. manager of commercial audits for UnitedHealthcare and Optum. I have been very lucky to work with wonderful providers in Idaho.