Susan Hamer Tomkins

4271 Austin Way

Pebble Vista
Birmingham AL 35235
Home phone: 205-853-2201
Work phone: 205-968-8509

CURRICULUM VIT
AE

EDUCATION:
Huffman High School. Graduate with Honors. Member National Honor Society.
Judson College. Graduate Magna Cum Laude BA Psychology. Minor
Sociology. President of the Honor Council, member of the President's Council.
UAB. Graduate Magna Cum Laude Master of Science Criminal Justice. Was the honor
graduate of the Criminal Justice Dept. 1986
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
1997 to present: Medical Correspondent, Alabama Psychiatric Services.
Birmingham, AL. Working under the supervision of 8 psychiatrists, received reque
sts for
patient records or patient information, reviewed patient records for release of
information
in compliance with HIPAA standards, composed summary letters of treatment for th
e
signature of the appropriate doctor using standard medical/psychiatric terminolo
gy, deal
with attorneys' offices, other doctors' offices, DHR, the courts, police, and go
vernment
officials regarding release of patient information. Extensive training in HIPAA
regarding the release of private, sensitive medical information. Well versed i
n utilizing the DSM IV diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Ve
ry familiar with psychotropic drugs used to treat a variety of psychiatric issue
s. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
2006: Continuing Medical Education Coordinator, Alabama Psychiatric Services, Bi
rmingham, AL. Working under the supervision of the Assistant Medical Director, I
scheduled training for doctors, nurses, and therapists to allow them to maintai
n their licensure. This training occurred on a statewide level including our 11
statewide offices. I scheduled the training, made travel arrangements for gues
t speakers, made hotel arrangements for guest speakers, made arrangements for fo
od and beverage for the
seminars for all people statewide, handled the payment of the honorarium for the
guest speaker. Was responsible for ensuring the meeting facilities were equipp
ed and set up for video conferencing by liasing with the IT department. Also su
mmarized for the Assistant Medical Director each training session. Maintained r
ecords for all state wide employees regarding their licensure standing and numbe
r of training hours earned. Also maintained files on all training for the purpos
e of maintaining our certification as a medical training office.
1994-1996 Behavioral Coach/supervisor, B.A.D., Birmingham, AL. Worked with DHR t
o supervise at risk juveniles who were reaching an age to be removed from the ju
venile system. Spent time with the juvenile assisting them in securing employmen
t, opening checking and savings accounts, getting their driver's license, locati
ng appropriate living arrangements, and GED preparation where applicable. Also
supervised 10 other coaches in their duties and filled in for them when necessar
y. Maintained records on the 10 coaches I supervised. Kept time records. Perfo
rmed performance evaluations. Counseled and disciplined when necessary. Was resp
onsible for staffing our clients with the caseworker best able to handle that pa
rticular situation. Performed training when necessary of subordinates in proper
execution of their duties and proper documentation of the same. Assisted the d
irector in physical management of the facility with regards to office arrangemen
t and equipage. Assisted in ordering supplies when needed.
1991-1994 Classification Supervisor, Childersburg Boot Camp Facility. Childersbu
rg, AL. Maintained case files on inmate population, sat in on disciplinary heari
ngs, segregation hearings, interviewed inmates to acquire history. Taught classe
s in AA, NA, and Personal Development. Interviewed incoming inmates for social h
istory, criminal history, medical history. Checked databases for outstanding war
rants before releasing inmates to Parole or EOS. Assisted in checking inmates i
nto the system by receiving and reviewing all paperwork, interviewing and verify
ing the accuracy of the information contained therein, and properly documenting
any warrants. Supervised two specialists in their duties, maintained scheduling
, performed performance evaluations, counseled and disciplined when necessary. W
as the gang information officer...I interviewed inmates regarding their gang ac
tivity and to receive intelligence regarding gang activity within the institutio
n. Under the supervision of the director, I assisted in ensuring the office spac
e was properly equipped and designed for maximum efficiency of production.

1987-1991 Alabama Department of Corrections. Bessemer, AL . Classification Speci

alist Donaldson Correctional Facility, Maintained files on a caseload of 192 max
imum security inmates. Did semi annual reviews to make recommendations for decre
ase in custody, transfer to another institution, provision of good time. Sat in
on disciplinary hearings for rules infractions and made recommendations for seg
time, removal of good time, transfer to a different facility, or submission for
further criminal charges. Taught classes in AA, NA, and Personal Development, As
sertiveness Training, and Behavioral Effectiveness Training. Checked databases
for outstanding warrants before releasing inmates on Parole or EOS. Assisted in
checking inmates into the institution by receiving and reviewing all paperwork,
verifying accuracy, and properly documenting any warrants. Interview inmate to
verify social and criminal history, to gain intelligence regarding gang activit
y within the institution

1981-1984 Loss Prevention McRaes and J.C. Penney, Western Hills Mall. Fairfield,
AL. Surveilled and apprehended shoplifters, maintained compliance with security
standards of the stores and safety standards per OSHA, processed paperwork rega
rding offenders, testified in court. Maintained a check on store inventory to in
clude new merchandise and appropriate destruction/distribution of old merchandis
e. Maintained a secure file of ongoing and adjudicated cases. Performed survei
llance and investigations on employees of suspected of stealing from the company
. Made arrests of employees caught stealing from the company. Interviewed susp
ects and/or other employees to gain intelligence regarding illegal activity with
in the store.
1978-1981 U.S. Steel Fairfield, AL. Labor Gang. Physical labor farmed out to var
ious
departments as needed.
1977-1978 Hillcrest Hospital. Birmingham, AL. Recreational Therapist Assistant.
Supervised patients in various physical activities such as sporting events and s
wimming. Supervised patients during off grounds activities such as shopping trip
s and movies. Monitored various arts and crafts workshops such as macrame, coppe
r tooling, and sand painting. Primary therapist in Behavioral Effectiveness Trai
ning and Assertiveness Development groups. Completed course in Life Saving so al
low me to serve as a life guard at the hospital swimming pool.
MISCELLANEOUS TRAING/EDUCATION:
40 hours of training at the State Trooper's Academy in Selma in teaching Persona
l Development to incarcerated inmates, also in teaching classes in AA and NA.
Completion of the training program for the Crisis Centers' Rape Response Team. I
spent two years as a volunteer Rape Response counselor. I was on call three ni
ghts per month. When the crisis center received a call from a hospital ER, I wa
s contacted. I proceeded to the hospital where I met with the victim. I sat wi
th the victim during the rape kit and explained the various steps of the procedu
re. I interfaced with the medical team to ensure the rape kit was as minimally
invasive as possible. I answered any questions and offered therapeutic support.
I did follow up phone calls to check on the victim's progress and even accompa
nied them to court when it was time to testify. In addition, I have been a vict
im of a violent crime. As such, I believe I bring to bear a unique "insider's u
nderstanding" of the needs of victims of crime.
1984-1986 Graduate Assistant for Criminal Justice Dept at UAB. Duties included
research for professors, collating research and assisting with writing articles
for publication.

SOFTWARE TRAINING
WordPerfect: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced
Word: Beginning, Intermediate

HONORS/AWARDS
National Honor Society-Huffman High School
President Honor Council-Judson College
Honor Graduate 1986-Criminal Justice Department UAB
1988 Co Authored article published with Dr. John Whitehead of UAB's Criminal
Justice Department on job burnout among criminal justice professionals. Whitehea
d,
John and Susan Gunn. "Probation employee job attitudes: a qualitative analysis,"
11
Journal of Crime and Justice 1 (1988): 143-164.
PREVIOUS NAMES
Susan D. Isbell
Susan I. Gunn
Susan I. Hamer
Susan H. Tomkins
4271 Austin Way
Pebble Vista
Birmingham, AL 35235
Home: 205-853-2201
Work: 205-968-8509
REFERENCES: (more available upon request)
Thomas C. Brecht, PhD
Alabama Psychiatric Services
Ph: 205-949-0099
Email: Thomas.brecht@apsy.com (coworker at current company)
Juanita Fleming
Ph: 205-599-1304
Email: j2nita1957@yahoo.com (former supervisor)
Bobby Smith
Ph: 205-968-8360
Email: bobby.smith@apsy.com (former supervisor with current company)

Addendum: Many years ago I studied Spanish for 4 + years. I am now working to i
mprove and recapture my command of the language. I hope within the next year, I
will be conversant professionally in a mid range level.
Addendum secondary: I spent 6 years in foster care which I feel provides me wi
th an insider's knowledge of the needs of foster care children.