User's Cover Picture

Bronwyn Coombs

Transitioning from Higher Education to Mental Health Care

Intro

Cape Town, South Africa

Doctoral and Postdoctoral Office Coordinator at Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University

Studied Psychology at South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP)

Studied Psychology at Stellenbosch University

Studied Theology at Helderberg College

Mental Health Care

Joined July 10, 2022

Skills

Languages

English

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Native or Bilingual

Afrikaans

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Native or Bilingual

About

Motivated Psychology Honors graduate with practical experience at helping students cope with academic and social pressures. Friendly, adaptable and relatable professional who is also organized and dependable, successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Excellent communication, problem-solving and relationship building skills. Offering 10+ years in higher education and 7+ years in elementary and high school settings. Supportive listener with creativity and sensitivity when dealing with individuals with varying psychological concerns. A professional driven to aid youth in overcoming academic, social and mental health challenges to realize individual strengths and successes. Offering expertise in Biopsychosocial interventions.

Experience

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University

Sep 2018 – Present

Cape Town, South Africa

Doctoral and Postdoctoral Office Coordinator

• Actively listened to clients' requests, confirming full understanding before addressing concerns. • Offered friendly and efficient service to clients, handled challenging situations with ease, knowing when to appropriately escalate matters. • Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule for Pre-Doctoral Short Course. • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships within and outside organization. Using initiative allowed us to access • Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions. • Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork. This streamlined work processes and enhanced client satisfaction.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University

Jan 2018 – Jul 2018

Cape Town, South Africa

Personal assistant: Executive Head of Department, Psychiatry and Chair of the SarahTuroff Endowed Chair for Schizophrenia Research (Temporary position)

• Provided general administrative support including scheduling meetings, making travel arrangements and managing documentation. • Communicated with internal departments, vendors and contractors to discuss schedules, project requirements and upcoming appointments. • Provided multifaceted services to professionals by managing mail, scheduling appointments and other administrative tasks. • Served as point of contact between clients and managerial staff. • Used discretion when handling confidential information. • Performed administrative tasks related to human resources tasks. • Provided administrative support for teaching and learning tasks with postgraduate students. • Provided administrative support related to research activities.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University

Apr 2013 – Jan 2017

Cape Town, South Africa

Coordinator: Research Capacity Development and Funding

• Initiated marketing activities for Research Capacity Development and Funding Office. • Managed online platform for Research Capacity Development. • Responsible for coordination of workshops and capacity development events for researchers and postgraduate students. • Handled pre-and post-award administration of internal funds at Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. • Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity. • Provided administrative support for Manager of Research Capacity Development and Funding

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University

Jan 2011 – Mar 2013

Cape Town, South Africa

Administrative Assistant to Executive Head of Department: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Department

• Executed record filing system to improve document organization and management. • Generated reports and typed letters in Word and prepared PowerPoint presentations. • Set up conference rooms, technology and materials to facilitate meetings for department. • Provided wide range of administrative support, interacted with vendors to purchase and set up equipment and services for Pre-Doctoral Short Course. • Offered technical support and troubleshot issues to enhance workshop efficacy. • Updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze and report on performance of workshop participants.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University

Jun 2010 – Dec 2010

Cape Town, South Africa

Administrative Assistant to Research Ethics Project Manager

• Coordinated international and domestic travel logistics including flight itineraries, hotel reservations and car services. • Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial agreements between planning committee, facilitators and workshop participants. • Coordinated workshop and venue logistics. • Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions. • Provided multifaceted services to professionals by managing mail, scheduling appointments and other administrative tasks. • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships. • Attended meetings, took notes and tracked action items.

Elgin Learning Foundation

Jan 2007 – Dec 2008

Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa

Facilitator of health and social well-being workshops

• Facilitated workshops in accordance with Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) criteria employing varied methods to maximize attendance. • Conducted various workshops on Palliative Care, Conflict Resolution, Self-Care and Management etc for Home- based Care workers. • Provided leadership for program workers and attendees, guiding day-to-day activities and facilitating home-based care learning environment. • Advocated for program participants in Home-based care program, outlining cases and needs to program executives.

SDA Samyook Language School

Apr 2004 – Dec 2006

Seoul, South Korea

Coordinator: English Second Language Teacher

• Managed team of foreign employees, overseeing induction at local institute, training and professional growth of foreign staff. • Chaired weekly staff meetings. • Used coordination and planning skills to achieve optimal results for teaching schedule planning. • Supervised and mentored new teachers experiencing culture shock. • Conducted classroom support visits and lesson monitoring for quality assurance. • Actively listened to clients' requests, confirming full understanding before addressing concerns. • Assisted teachers in their planning, presentation and assessment of students. • Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems. • Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial agreements between various parties eg. students, teachers or management. • Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships. • Led weekend mission outreach projects and analyzed data to identify opportunities for improvement of projects. • Submitted bi-monthly report at end of each term to Head Office.

Sedaven Primary School

Jan 2003 – Dec 2003

Heidelberg, Gauteng, South Africa

Dean: Primary School Dormitory

• Assisted residents with transitioning into new living environment and maintained strong relationships with residents. • Implemented study hours, room checks and tasks for students to be responsible for. • Provided supervision for cafeteria, laundry and special activities of facility. • Cultivated independence through planned but flexible program activities. • Mediated conflict to provide safe and secure environment through policy enforcement. • Assisted students in handling tough situations to resolve problems. • Maintained communication with students' counselors, instructors and staff members to promote supportive environment. • Supported personal needs of residents dealing with diverse conditions • Guided students to integrate into both academic and social communities on campus

Education

South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP)

Feb 2017 – Dec 2017

BSocSci Honours in Psychology , Psychology

Stellenbosch University

Feb 2007 – Dec 2008

Special Student in Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences: Psychology 1, 2 & 3 as a complete major, Psychology

Helderberg College

Jan 1999 – Nov 2003

BA Theology, Theology