I am the Director of Client Services at SeniorBridge New York. I help the fastest growing segment of our population, people with difficult to treat conditions and their families, navigate the complexities of healthcare, including nursing, psychosocial support, legal and financial issues and enhancement of their total well being.

EDUCATION | BA in psychology from SUNY Oneota, a Master's degree in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work and completed the Montefiore-Einstein program in bioethics and medical humanities.

HOW TO GET STARTED | Invest in a master's degree and be aware that licensing requirements vary by state. Ask yourself if you can manage details and also see the big picture.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | Passion for helping people and belief that you can make a difference.

how I got started | My 23 years of experience as a social worker administrator and health care planner has always been about addressing the total well-being of people. I started out working at a residential institution for emotionally disturbed boys and saw first-hand the impact social workers had in working with families to get through challenging situations. Since then, I've witnessed the role of social work in medical settings, where people now increasing face challenges due to illness, as well as a problematic healthcare system.

why this job?| Social workers bring a broad perspective that encompasses the individual, the family and community with regard to health, psychology, finance and ethics. I wanted to make a difference in small and big ways.

why I love this job!| Every day is different. I use many parts of my brain because I'm coordinating the many needs of people with chronic medical illnesses and memory disorders. These people require close oversight and coordination of care by many disciplines. I also believe that I am participating in a major paradigm shift by being able to care for people who would normally have to stay in nursing homes.

my typical day| As Director of Client Services, I supervise my team of care managers, both nurses and social workers, to ensure my clients' multi-faceted problems are fully assessed. Everyday I collaborate with physicians, government agencies, exercise and nutrition experts, in-home caregivers, family members and anyone else who needs to be involved.

what they are | Social workers are called upon to approach situations with creativity and strategic prioritization because the people have many problems happening all at once. Balancing the expectations of doctors, patients and families requires an integrated approach to care. Set limited goals and celebrate small successes.

all about growth | More than 1.4 million seniors are currently using home care, and that number is expected to double by 2030. Social workers and other senior advocates who can help people improve the quality of their life will continue to be in high demand.

my website| http://www.seniorbridge.com