HÉCTOR D. LÓPEZ

630-***-**** ac2oto@r.postjobfree.com

A dedicated professional with 30+ years of experience in medical interpretation, mental health counseling, bilingual teaching, and academic counseling. A highly trained medical interpreter and a cultural ambassador with a deep expertise in building liaison and establishing rapport with a culturally diverse clientele. Passionate about serving clients and students in crisis and helping them overcome life’s struggles, become life-long problem-solvers, and understand their purpose and worth.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

CLIENT CASE MANAGEMENT

SPANISH MEDICAL INTERPRETATION

BILINGUAL TEACHING / INSTRUCTION

ACADEMIC COUNSELING

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR/ TEAM LEADER// CHICAGO LAKESHORE HOSPITAL 01/11/16 to 02/06/17

Provided therapeutic milieu ad counseling to geriatric unit

Provided therapeutic groups covering diverse topics: Positive Thinking, Managing Stress, Recovery Strategies, Boundaries, Dealing with family, Myths and facts about Mental Illness, and others

Documented interventions and patient progress

Scheduled and coordinated daily work assignments for unit staff

Worked closely with physicians, clinicians, social workers, nurses and other unit staff

Group leader and co-leader in therapy sessions

Led staff development workshops on working with the mentally ill and hospital protocol

MENTAL HEALTH INTERPRETER // Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Joliet, IL 08.2007 – Present

Provide Spanish interpretation for 15+ patients, families, and their health care team during 12 hour shifts.

Ensure accurate comprehension on the part of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and social workers.

Build rapport and establish effective communication between the patient and their health care team.

Paricipate in community groups on a variety of mental and behavioral health topics including depression, anxiety, anger management, goal planning, family and work relations, and discharge planning.

Provide medical intepreter services for meetings and activities related to intake and discharge planning.

PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER // Best Solutions, Inc., Chicago, IL 12.2005 – Present

Founded a Bilingual English Spanish Training Program for on-site second language training for business & Industry, education, health care and law enforcement, serving over 1,500 students and patients and 20 businesses.

Provide interpretation and translation services for hospitals, court systems, and private clients.

Developed 5 interpretation courses curriculum: Medical Interpretation, Legal Interpretation, and Education Interpretation.

MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST // Hartgrove Hospital, Chicago, IL 1983 – 1987

Provided one-on-one mental health counseling to a 100-bed in-house residential behavioral treatment hospital.

Conducted patient assessments and interviews, established therapy treatment goals, and developed guidance, counseling, and treatment plans (in collaboration with professional staff members).

Evaluated patient progress and communicated effectiveness of therapy interventions to medical and nursing staff; developed positive and measurable outcomes on patient care.

Provided interventions for a range of patient issues, including substance dependency and neurocognitive disorders.

Administered therapy sessions for community, coping, and educational groups for all shifts.

Assisted in case management, all phases of patient milieu and discharge, outreach, and aftercare.

EDUCATION

NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY // Wheaton, IL 2001

Completed 40 graduate hours in Educational Leadership

NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY // Chicago, IL 1988

Completed 27 graduate hours in Linguistics

UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTÓNOMA DE MÉXICO // México City, México 1981

Doctor of Dental Surgery

ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

ADJUNCT FACULTY, INTERPRETER TRAINER // Wilbur Wright College, Chicago, IL 06.2007 – Present

Taught five semesters of the Interpreter Training Programs as developed for over 100 students.

Provided academic advising to credit and non-credit students; advised students on programs and course options.

WORKFORCE SKILLS MANAGER // Joliet Junior College Institute of Economic Technology, Joliet, IL 2001 – 06.2006

Designed and developed a 200-hour Spanish Bilingual Interpreter program for business and industry work sites.

Delivered 20+ customized trainings between 8 and 30 hours each.

ADJUNCT FACULTY // Joliet Junior College Institute of Economic Technology, Joliet, IL 06.2001 – 05.2012

Taught five semesters of the Interpreter Training Programs as developed for over 30 students.

INTERPRETER TRAINER // College of Lake County, Grays Lake, IL 10.2008 – 06.2012

Taught five semesters of the Interpreter Training Programs as developed for over 60 students.

INTERPRETER TRAINER // Triton College, River Grove, IL 10.2008 – 06.2012

Taught five semesters of the Interpreter Training Programs as developed for over 15 students.

DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON, ESL PROGRAMS // Wheaton School District #200, Wheaton, IL 08.1998 – 07.2001

Oversaw English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Education across the district of 16 schools.

Supervised 27 ESL/Bilingual teachers with a student enrollement of 1,200 students.

Created and developed ESL Lab classes for high school program

HISPANIC OUTREACH COORDINATOR, ESL TEACHER // Joliet Township High School, Joliet, IL 09.1993 – 06.1998

Supervised a guided Study Hall for Latino students; served over 150 students per school year.

DIRECTOR, EVENING HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM // City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago, IL 09.1986 – 07.1993

Directed 16 evening high school programs with enrollment of 4,500 students; supervised site principals, faculty, and staff.

Conducted over 20 workshops and seminars on best practices.

Provided academic advising to credit and non-credit students.

DENTIST // Private Dental Practice, Mexico City, Mexico 1980 – 1982

Private dental practice

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER // Joliet Kiwanis Club 2004 – 2005

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER // Latino Business Association 2003 – 2005

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