Open To Work
Leslie Hernandez
New York
Summary
Behavioral health specialist equipped with substantial experience in therapeutic interventions, patient assessments, and individualized treatment planning. Strong collaborator, adaptable to evolving needs, and consistently delivers impactful results in team settings. Expertise in cognitive-behavioral techniques, crisis management, and client advocacy. Known for empathy, reliability, and effective communication.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral Therapist
Lighthouse ABA
02.2026 - Current
- Increase children attentive behavior
- Participate in discrete ABA trial teaching techniques to manage children’s maladaptive behaviors
- Provide parent education in behavior management
Graduate Psychology Intern
ICP United Nations
09.2023 - Current
- Support UN psychology coalition initiatives by attending NGO meetings to contribute to policy briefs and psychology roles in global health and humanitarian development
- Support ICP UN representatives in advancing psychology’s role in the UN global agenda
- Write a brief topic of my choice for the ICP newsletter relating to personal experiences
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Therapist
Arab American Family Support Center
08.2024 - 05.2026
- Manage assigned caseload and provide direct clinical home-based treatment using methods compatible with Functional Family Therapy. Conduct assessments including reviewing referral information, identifying, and engaging key participants, identifying systemic strengths and weaknesses and individualized case planning goals.
- Build relationships with community stakeholders (e.g., child protection services, Guardians ad Litem, judges, schools, etc.) to ensure cooperation among service providers.
- Adopt a strength focused approach with families, stakeholders, and within the program/treatment team.
Behavioral Health Specialist
CASES
12.2023 - 08.2024
- Provide or connect clients with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, completion of housing applications and placement, and provision of life skills training. Assist clients in securing medical care that promotes health, safety, wellbeing and recovery.
- Complete progress notes and assessments in the electronic health record within a timely manner.
- Work with external stakeholders – such as hospitals, shelters, jails, primary care – to achieve positive client outcomes.
NHBS-Study Operations Assistant
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
10.2023 - 12.2023
- Support the SOS in implementing the data collection phase of the study, including developing study workflow, participant recruitment, and supporting ongoing formative assessment (i.e., assessing venue eligibility, interviewing key informants, and other duties) and conducting staff training
- Support interviewers in recruitment outside of venues, including bars/clubs, events, and other locations where MSM congregate. If needed, conduct in-person standardized surveys with study participants.
- Maintain data integrity (i.e. accurately document participant information on paper and electronic forms) and maintain participant confidentiality. Participate in all required trainings for CDC and for the NYC Health Department.
Case Manager
Platinum Community Care
03.2023 - 11.2023
- HERC asylum project through NYC Health + Hospitals and Docgo (took over Tandym group company project). Coordinates case management activities and referrals to community-based resources for assigned clients
- Completes a case management assessment to identify client needs and barriers to self-sufficiency (medical, psychiatric, alcohol/substance abuse treatment, housing, legal, public benefits, vocational, educational, childcare, and other needs)
- Collaborates with team members of other professional disciplines, including vocational counselors, social workers, treatment providers, and employers to ensure that client is meeting goals and objectives of the service plan
Outreach and Health Educator
American Italian Cancer Foundation
04.2023 - 06.2023
- Conducting street outreach for program and recruit women for upcoming mammography events
- Educates women about breast health by conducting educational workshops as needed at community-based organizations throughout NYC
- Tabling at screening events and health fairs
Social Worker/Case Worker
Tandym Group
12.2022 - 03.2023
- Temporary contract HERC asylum project initiative through NYC health + Hospitals and Docgo.
- Help asylum refugee patients and families engage with them and improve functional capability give the patient’s setting
- Engage in assessments, create a treatment plan including referrals
- Maintain medical records and medical documentation consistent with state regulations DocGo standards and policy through our health point system
Case Manager
Tri County Care
02.2022 - 01.2023
- Assist the individual to transition between the levels of care, or after critical events follow up in a timely manner post discharge, and support individual during crisis events
- Use health information technology to facilitate collaboration among all providers individual and family support
- Communicate and share information with individuals and family representative to ensure referral to community and social support services
Resource Coordinator
Elevance Health Inc.
06.2021 - 02.2022
- Meet Target team members in assigned target stores to help identify social determinants of health impacting patient’s health and general well-being
- Collaborate with social worker and/ or care manager to develop action plan
- Develop trusting relationships with the Target team member by providing support and advocacy to help achieve health goals
Assistant
L’arche
07.2018 - 11.2019
- Accompany Core Members to medical, dental, and vocational appointments
- Facilitate community integration in recreational aspects of life
- Attend L’arche meetings and complete fiscal, programmatic, and medical documentation
ABA Therapist
Comprehensive Behavior Supports
05.2016 - 08.2018
- Increase children attentive behavior
- Participate in discrete ABA trial teaching techniques to manage children’s maladaptive behaviors
- Provide parent education in behavior management
Respite Aide
Elmcrest Children’s Center
09.2016 - 06.2018
- Provide children’s recreational activities and engage socialization
- Assist children with feeding, toileting, and hygiene tasks as needed
- Provide crisis intervention and report patient concerns to supervisor
Geriatric Caregiver
Loretto
11.2013 - 09.2016
- Engaged residents in friendly manner and transport to activities and meals.
- Assisted residents with bathing, toileting, dressing, pedicures, oxygen checks and med pass.
- Reported patient concerns, issues, and emergencies to nursing staff
Education
Master of Arts - Psychology in Education
Columbia University
New York, NY08-2026
Master of Public Health - Sustainable Development Goals
New York University
New York, NY05-2022
Bachelor of Science - Public Health
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY05-2018
Skills
- Spanish (fluent)
- FEMA Training
- Adult CPR
- First Aid
- Biomedical Research (BM-CITI)
- R B T
- Therapy team planning
- Positive reinforcement
- Collaborative Problem-solving
- Behavioral intervention
INTERNSHIP AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
- NYU Applied Global Public Health Initiative, Graduate Research Assistant: Mexico COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Project New York, NY February 2021- July 2022
- Identify factors associated with COVID-19 hesitancy and acceptance among the Mexican population
- Edit and collect data on a web-based nationwide survey
- Discuss socio-demographic characteristics with peers and provide feedback with possible educational solutions when approaching the affected population
- Capracare, Program Development Specialist: New York, NY September 2021 - December 2021
- Analyze surveillance and data sources to identify health outcomes in the community
- Join online platforms to discuss and participate and manage productivity engagement with other community members
- Assist and monitor the evaluation of public health programs and disease protocols. Also, participate in health emergency planning and identify stakeholder analysis for potential partnerships providing support of direct intervention for donor research, grants, public health reports, etc
- America Reads and Counts at NYU, Tutor: New York, NY November 2019 - May 2020
- Help students one on one or in small groups, for class wide projects, homework, and classroom assignments
- Organize paper/documents and assist with student work grading
- Assess students’ progress throughout tutoring sessions
- McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, Public Health Intern: Syracuse, NY September 2017 - December 2017
- Participate in client meetings and attend court proceedings
- Participate in professional training on child abuse prevention
- Participation in regular staff meetings and help organize community education packages
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimePart TimeContract WorkLocation Preference
HybridOn-SiteRemoteSalary Range
$70000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Behavioral Therapist
Lighthouse ABA
02.2026 - Current
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Therapist
Arab American Family Support Center
08.2024 - 05.2026
Behavioral Health Specialist
CASES
12.2023 - 08.2024
NHBS-Study Operations Assistant
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
10.2023 - 12.2023
Graduate Psychology Intern
ICP United Nations
09.2023 - Current
Outreach and Health Educator
American Italian Cancer Foundation
04.2023 - 06.2023
Case Manager
Platinum Community Care
03.2023 - 11.2023
Social Worker/Case Worker
Tandym Group
12.2022 - 03.2023
Case Manager
Tri County Care
02.2022 - 01.2023
Resource Coordinator
Elevance Health Inc.
06.2021 - 02.2022
Assistant
L’arche
07.2018 - 11.2019
Respite Aide
Elmcrest Children’s Center
09.2016 - 06.2018
ABA Therapist
Comprehensive Behavior Supports
05.2016 - 08.2018
Geriatric Caregiver
Loretto
11.2013 - 09.2016
Master of Public Health - Sustainable Development Goals
New York University
Bachelor of Science - Public Health
Syracuse University
Master of Arts - Psychology in Education
Columbia University