Mental Health Technician Evals
Led nine enlisted behavioral health technicians in providing waterfront access to embedded mental health, achieving an 88% return to duty rate. Spearheaded and coordinated critical healthy relationship training during Domestic Violence safety stand down for 560 Sailors of LCSRON One and their ships. Oversaw implementation of the Brandon Act initiative, allowing Sailors to seek care without a referral.
As the LPO of the Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic (AOBH), the largest Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic in the DoD, HM2 led and provided admin support to over 100 staff members while supervising 16 joint service enlisted personnel. As Directorate Career Counselor, facilitated mentorship and career milestone training to 14 Sailors across 9 UICs throughout the National Capital Region. As the primary Safety Representative for AOBH, maintained 100% safety compliance IAW Joint Commission and Defense Health Agency policies.
-PROFICIENT TECHNICIAN. Delivered direct care to 239 high-acuity patients; completed 103 psychiatric assessments, 23 skin assessments, 21 admissions, 22 blood draws, 25 CIWA, 81 vitals and 18 patient discharge educations, enhanced monitoring and individualized care plans. Provided 30 hours of 1:1 suicide watch, secured seven safe rooms, conducted 105 milieu checks, resulting in bolstered ligature-aware environment.
-EMERGING LEADER. Led 12 Sailors and advised 7 officers, mentored six sailors, reviewed four SOQ/JSOQ, processed one OTEIP package, and spearheaded financial counseling for two sailors, resulting in two SOFA licenses. Delivered EOSC support to six Sailors, boosted resilience and sustained readiness.
-INNOVATIVE MANAGER. Supply/Equipment, managed a $21.2K OPTAR, maintained equipment 100% accountability worth $18.5K. Submitted five equipment packages worth $1.5K. Procured 15 DMLSS new-item requests, nine work orders, increased efficacy compliance for safety.
-CMD IMPACT. SAPR VA, coordinated annual SAPR awareness training across two units, provided individualized onboard training for two new check-ins, achieving 100% compliance and policy awareness. CMD UPC, conducted six urinalysis events for 769 staff, boosted CMD readiness. CMD USNCC/TA Approver processed TA to two staff members pursuing higher education.
During her time in Portsmouth as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT), she conducted 155 independent triages for acute psychiatric safety concerns, assisted providers with over 6,395 encounters, provided guidance in the form of case consultations 2,678 times, facilitated and coordinated 23 lifesaving EMS transportations for high-risk patients, administered 23 psychodiagnostic examinations, processed 273 referrals, and independently conducted 744 patient sessions consisting of follow-ups and cognitive behavioral therapy sessions for insomnia.
***LEADS FROM THE FRONT AND IS AN INVALUBALE ASSET TO THE NAVY!!!***
-DECKPLATE LEADER. Hand-selected for the role of Lead Petty Officer for Mental Health Department. Provides direct supervision and mentorship for one junior sailor who was nominated for BJOQ and Hard Charger in July 2022. Effectively managed templates for 4 providers and 2 behavioral health technicians, ensuring timely access to care and adherence to DHA standards.
-TECHNICAL EXPERT. Supports the emotional well-being and safety of all base beneficiaries, regularly conducting acute safety evaluations and biopsychosocial intakes; her efforts increased access to care by 40%. Facilitates weekly insomnia therapy groups, resulted in improved sleep hygiene and overall functioning that supported operational safety.
-COMMAND IMPACT. Provided essential training to duty watchstanders and medical staff on the management of suicidal callers, reducing the risk of suicide in our community. As tobacco cessation facilitator, conducted a 2-hour training and directly contributed to command's 2022 Blue H Award. Re-established clinic JEA and updated bylaws, strengthening morale for junior enlisted sailors. PSG RSCA: 3.59.
***HAS MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION FOR ADVANCEMENT TO FCPO. ADVANCE HER NOW!!!***
HM2 Penndike was selected out of 23 psychiatric technicians by the NHCP, Mental Health Department Head, to represent Navy Medicine West, NHCP, and Mental Health Department as a member of an embedded Mental Health team to support 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. In the absence of a psychiatric technician, he distinguished himself as acting Assistant Leading Petty Officer for the 5th Regiment Aid Station, Operational Stress Control and Readiness (OSCAR) program. He managed a complex database, entering information for over 1088 personnel.
Mental health expert assigned to Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. As Chief of Inpatient Psychiatry in 2013, served through the reconstruction of 4A inpatient services. LCDR Best was the sole provider in a 12-bed inpatient unit, standing watch for nine continuous weeks alone. As the DIVO of Deployment Wellness Clinic, Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, and SARP, delivered quality care to the highest risk patients with co-occurring illnesses and later volunteered at Wounded Warriors Bn, serving the wounded, ill, and injured. Her earnest dedication to patients with addictions led her to pursue and achieve the highest certification as Diplomat of the American Board of Addiction Medicine.
MEDICAL INITIATIVE: Coordinated and performed 24 Joint Stress and Mitigation shows, spanning over 60 hours, on Radio GTMO discussing 18 mental health topics and educating 6,000 base wide listeners.
CAPABLE CARE: Managed $52,750 worth of computer equipment and psychological administrative testing software and equipment that was essential to the overall JSMART mission to provide top quality operational stress management to all those entrusted to JSMART's care.
TIRELESS SERVICE: Provided therapeutic services to 155 JTF individuals who sought treatment with JSMART, totaling over 220 hours of patient care including face-to-face and administrative time.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN for JOINT MEDICAL GROUP AT JOINT TASK FORCE, GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA.
Served as the JSMART ALPO. Supervised and trained six junior techs in the completion of morale contacts with 4450 troops and 312 patient encounters. Responsible for JSMART Radio. Managed 39 scripts and produced 80 hours of content for 6,000 community members. Provided education while reducing the stigma and fear of seeking mental health care.
Served on the Military Advisory Council (National) for OutServe-SLDN representing over 6,000 active duty LGBT service members on the National MAC council. HM2 represented Hawaii for the Annual OutServe National Leadership Summit in Orlando Florida. Served as guest Speaker for Mental Health of America Conference on LGBT Military issues/DADT issues.
As a psych tech, provided mental health support to 50 recruits while also assisting with medical treatment such as IV administrations, wound care, and other medical procedures for 230 recruits. Screened over 300 patients with no incidents, booked 400 appointments with follow-ups and consultations. Completed 500 patient screenings to set up diagnosed recruits with social workers. Facilitated over 100 transition groups which provided information on scholarships, employment, and healthcare after leaving the Navy.