Jessica L. Smochek, M.S.

*** ********* **.

Palmyra, PA 17078

814-***-****

acdm1p@r.postjobfree.com

Education

• Master of Arts, Counseling (Trinity Washington University, expected May 17, 2014)

• Master of Science. International Health (Touro University International; January, 2007)

M.S. Thesis: The Spread of HIV in Cambodia: Sex Trafficking, Prostitution, and the Negative Stereotype of Condom

Usage

• Bachelor of Arts, Sociology (Berea College, May 2004)

Awards, Recognition, and Advocacy Work

• 2011 Recipient of the Suzanne McDaniel Public Service Award from the U.S. House of Representatives

Victims Rights Caucus, for her advocacy work on behalf of returned Peace Corps volunteers who had been

the victims of assault.

• 5/11/11: Testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee re: experience as

a victim of violence during PC service, and recommendations re: changes in how the PC handles the cases of

RPCV’s who experience trauma.

• 11/1/11: Recognized by U.S. Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Ted Poe for playing an integral role

in the passage of the Kate Puzey Memorial Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act, which passed

unanimously on this day and was signed into law by President Obama in December, 2011. Worked

extensively lobbying members of Congress and coordinating with DC law firm WilmerHale to ensure

passage of the bill, and was present when the bill was passed.

• 1/14/11: Interviewed by Brian Ross on the ABC News program “20/20” re: experience as a victim of

violence in the Peace Corps and an activist for reform re: how the PC treats traumatized RPCV’s.

Subsequently interviewed by multiple media outlets, including front-page coverage and photograph in the

New York Times.

• Paper accepted by International Society of the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, Conference

Relevant Work Experience

Oct 2010-Dec 2012

Survivor Resources Lead

First Response Action, Washington, DC

Assisted Returned Peace Corps Volunteer survivors of sexual assault in receiving health benefits from the

Department of Labor; helped survivors fill out forms and paperwork necessary to receive benefits;

counseled survivors on their rights and options for treatment; worked with the Peace Corps to streamline

the process for survivors; regularly attended phone conferences, meetings, and trainings with other group

members; researched and vetted programs for Trauma/PTSD treatment appropriate for RCPV’s.; assisted

survivors in finding therapy services in their hometowns.

Mar 2009 – Apr 2010

Clinical Data Management Associate II, Oncology

Cmed, Inc New Providence, NJ

Reviewed clinical trial documents (e.g. protocol, validation document and Electronic Case Record Forms)

and provided input as appropriate; maintained ongoing data entry from eCRFs or other sources into the

clinical trial database to a high standard of accuracy; performed relevant Quality Control checks on the

entered data to ensure accuracy; handled Third Party Data; oversaw Query Management; generated

regular reports and listings for sponsors; worked with international team; ensured relevant working

practices or standard operating procedures were adhered to; oversaw timely and accurate entry of relevant

study information.

Oct 2008-Feb 2009

Regulatory Assistant

Aton Pharma, Inc Lawrenceville, NJ

Created spreadsheets and documents to facilitate organization with Microsoft Office; researched fire

suppression systems for document disaster recovery and safety; selected and qualified vendors;

coordinated staff schedules and development; oversaw shipping of documents to vendors; oversaw the

organization, maintenance, and processing of essential documents; performed office manager and

essential administrative tasks.

Aug 2004 Jan 2005

Teaching English as a Foreign Language Instructor

Peace Corps Volunteer, Bangladesh

Taught English at girls’ middle school; received extensive culture, language, and technical training;

conducted needs assessments in local community to create a secondary project at my site; responsible for

locating outside funding sources for educational programs and working with a limited budget.

Supervised Clinical Experience

May 2013 present

Counseling Intern, YMCA Youth and Family Services

Supervisor: Kimberly Nimmons, LCPC, Dr. Sarah Pula

Performed individual, group, and family psychotherapy, primarily with adolescent clients referred for

behavioral issues and emotional dysregulation; performed counseling duties both in the office and on-site

in schools; performed case management duties; collaborated with referral sources, teachers, counselors,

and family members to enhance therapy; responsible for documenting all contact with clients; regularly

attended staff trainings on clinical topics (psychological trauma, biofeedback, play therapy, multimodal

approaches to therapy, etc.); familiar with Medicaid system; completed intakes; co-lead family

workshops; completed required reports (quarterly, monthly, annual); conducted assessment of clients;

administrative tasks and computer skills; created treatment and discharge plans.

Professional Memberships

New Professional Member, American Counseling Association

Student Member, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation

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