Aaron Olivares
Watsonville,CA
Summary
Dedicated healthcare professional with progressive experience at Santa Cruz Community Health, advancing from Front Office Associate to Acupuncture Assistant and currently serving as a Referral Coordinator. Experienced in coordinating patient care, insurance verification, prior authorizations, medical documentation, and cross-functional communication with providers, medical assistants, specialty offices, and insurance companies. Recognized for exceptional organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage high-volume workloads while consistently meeting departmental productivity goals. Proficient in Epic Electronic Health Records (EHR) with a strong commitment to delivering outstanding patient service, maintaining accuracy, and continuously improving workflows. Currently pursuing to further expand clinical knowledge and continue serving patients through compassionate, high-quality healthcare.
Overview
1
1
Certification
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Referral Coordinator
Santa Cruz Community Health Centers
Santa Cruz
10.2023 - Current
- Coordinate high-volume patient referral workflows across multiple clinic locations while ensuring timely, accurate processing in accordance with healthcare regulations and insurance guidelines.
- Verify insurance eligibility, obtain prior authorizations, and communicate directly with insurance carriers to minimize delays in patient care.
- Collaborate daily with providers, medical assistants, specialty offices, patients, and insurance representatives to coordinate comprehensive patient care.
- Review referrals for completeness and accuracy, ensuring required documentation, signatures, and supporting medical records are obtained before submission.
- Maintain detailed documentation within Epic Electronic Health Records (EHR) to support continuity of care, compliance, and audit readiness.
- Manage multiple priorities simultaneously while consistently meeting departmental productivity metrics and performance goals.
- Assist patients with complex insurance issues by educating them on next steps, coordinating with insurance companies, and following referrals through authorization and scheduling.
- Update and maintain the department's specialty referral reference guide by contacting specialty offices to verify accepted insurance plans, available services, provider availability, and referral requirements.
- Participate in department meetings focused on workflow improvements, productivity metrics, and operational efficiency.
- Quickly adapted to Epic during the organization's transition from ECW while simultaneously learning the Referral Coordinator role.
- Cultivate and sustain positive, collaborative relationships with external representatives and clinical staff across outside facilities to ensure seamless administrative coordination.
- Facilitate delicate, compassionate communications with patients and clinical teams regarding sensitive health updates and critical care transitions, including fetal demise and procedure removals with high empathy and discretion.
- Utilized major healthcare portals and referral networks—including Stanford Health Care, UCSF Health, PAMF and other regional health agency systems—to coordinate patient transfers, track authorizations, and manage clinical communications efficiently.
Acupuncture Assistant
Santa Cruz Community Health Centers
Santa Cruz
10.2023 - Current
- Assisted providers during patient appointments by preparing treatment rooms, obtaining vital signs, positioning patients, and maintaining sterile clinical environments.
- Supported continuity of care by documenting patient information and tracking treatment plans within Epic.
- Coordinated patient scheduling and follow-up appointments while ensuring efficient clinic workflow.
- Maintained inventory of clinical supplies and ensured treatment rooms met infection control standards.
- Communicated effectively with providers, front office staff, and patients to ensure a positive patient experience.
Front Office
Santa Cruz Community Health Centers
Santa Cruz
10.2023 - Current
- Scheduled appointments and managed high-volume patient check-in and check-out processes for multiple clinic locations.
- Verified insurance eligibility, collected patient co-payments, and maintained accurate demographic and insurance information within Epic.
- Delivered exceptional customer service while assisting patients with questions regarding appointments, insurance, and clinic procedures.
- Managed incoming phone calls, routed patient inquiries, and coordinated communication between patients and clinical staff.
- Maintained HIPAA compliance while handling confidential patient information and medical records.
Registered Behavior Technician
ABRITE
Santa Cruz, CA
10.2021 - 10.2023
- Collaborated with behavior analysts, Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and mental health professionals to assess behavioral challenges and help develop individualized treatment and maintenance plans.
- Built strong rapport with clients by encouraging open expression of thoughts and experiences, while supporting the development of communication, social, and interpersonal skills.
- Educated and counseled family members to promote understanding of emotional and mental health needs, including self-esteem and behavioral concerns.
- Provided consistent support to clients in both school and home settings, reinforcing therapeutic strategies and ensuring continuity of care.
- Implemented evidence-based behavioral interventions to promote positive behavior changes and support client progress across environments
Private Security Officer
Santa Cruz Seaside Company
Santa Cruz, CA
04.2022 - 03.2023
- Collected parking fees and processed cash and credit card transactions while maintaining accuracy and accountability.
- Balanced cash receipts and reconciled daily transactions in accordance with company procedures.
- Assisted guests with payment-related questions while providing professional customer service.
- Conducted routine patrols of buildings and grounds to ensure safety and security.
- Prepared detailed incident reports documenting accidents, thefts, medical emergencies, and unusual occurrences.
- Responded to emergencies using sound judgment while administering CPR and First Aid until EMS arrived.
Lead Associate
Home Depot
Watsonville, CA
02.2020 - 05.2022
- Managed customer relationships through consistent daily interactions, delivering responsive service and building rapport to support sales and retention
- Handled high-volume inbound calls, providing product information, resolving inquiries, and guiding customers toward purchasing decisions
- Trained and mentored team members on sales techniques, product knowledge, and customer engagement strategies, enabling them to meet daily sales goals and effectively generate customer quotes
- Prepared accurate, revenue-driven quotes for merchandise, while educating customers on product features and the safe, proper use of equipment and machinery
- Worked cross-functionally across multiple departments—including Hardware, Plumbing, Paint, Appliances, Lot, and Cashier—demonstrating adaptability and broad operational knowledge
Education
AA - Health Science
Cabrillo College
Aptos05-2024
Skills
- KEY SKILLS: Conflict Resolution, Empathetic Listening & Communication, Self Active Problem Solving, Team Player, Time Management & Organization While Great Attention to Detail, Fast Learner, Great with computers and adjusting to new workflows
- LANGUAGES: English and Spanish Fluent
Certification
- Registered Nursing (RN) program Pre-Requests
- Motorcycle Racing License
Timeline
Referral Coordinator
Santa Cruz Community Health Centers
10.2023 - Current
Acupuncture Assistant
Santa Cruz Community Health Centers
10.2023 - Current
Front Office
Santa Cruz Community Health Centers
10.2023 - Current
Private Security Officer
Santa Cruz Seaside Company
04.2022 - 03.2023
Registered Behavior Technician
ABRITE
10.2021 - 10.2023
Lead Associate
Home Depot
02.2020 - 05.2022
AA - Health Science
Cabrillo College