Amber Nichols
Summary
Experienced Human Resources Professional with over 10 years of federal expertise in recruitment, staffing, and employee relations. Analyzed complex issues and interpreted federal regulations to enhance organizational effectiveness. Collaborated with leadership and mentored staff, delivering high-quality service and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Specialist (Technical Reviewer) 40 Hrs Per Wk
South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16)
Ridgeland, MS, United States (federal)
01.2020 - Current
- Reviewed complex personnel actions for quality assurance and regulatory compliance as the senior technical reviewer supporting VISN-wide Human Resources operations.
- Analyze personnel actions to ensure compliance with OPM regulations, VA policies, including Title 5, Title 38, and Hybrid requirements; internal operating procedures while minimizing organizational risk.
- Conducted comprehensive technical reviews to identify systemic issues, recommending corrective actions that enhanced workflow efficiency.
- Research complex personnel issues involving conflicting regulatory guidance and develop recommendations for management decision-making.
- Developed reporting methodologies and trend analyses to identify process deficiencies, providing actionable recommendations for operational improvements.
- Collaborated with HR leadership and operational staff to implement corrective actions that increased accuracy, compliance, and customer service.
- Evaluate business processes and recommend workflow improvements that strengthen organizational effectiveness and reduce processing errors.
- Support continuous process improvement initiatives by identifying recurring issues, analyzing root causes, and recommending sustainable solutions.
- Interpret federal regulations, VA directives, and policy guidance to ensure consistent application across HR operations.
- Provide technical consultation to Human Resources staff regarding regulatory requirements, personnel processing, and quality assurance standards.
- Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) by providing one-on-one training, mentoring, and technical guidance to newly assigned Human Resources staff on personnel processing, technical review procedures, HR Smart functionality, and regulatory compliance.
- Develop and deliver structured on-the-job training to improve employee proficiency, ensure consistent application of federal regulations, and promote standardized work processes across the organization.
Human Resources Specialist -40 Hrs. Per Wk. Grade 9 Step 1
Department of Veteran Affairs, VBA
Jackson, MS, United States (federal)
07.2019 - 01.2020
- Advised management and employees on key human resource management areas, enhancing decision-making processes.
- Advises managers of regulatory considerations, available alternatives, possible effects of various alternative decisions, and recommends actions/solutions.
- Ensure pay entitlements and work schedules are set in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Evaluated candidate eligibility to ensure compliance with appointment and promotion standards.
- Develops vacancy announcements using the USA Staffing automated staffing system.
- Resolves problems and issues that involve conflict or incomplete information.
- Serves as a technical reviewer for all personnel actions to include reviewing and releasing actions.
Human Resources Assistant -40 Hrs. per wk. Grade 7 Step 2
Department of Veteran Affairs, VBA
Jackson, MS, United States (federal)
04.2018 - 07.2019
- Reviews recruitment requests to determine the nature of the staffing action and the source of candidates (merit promotion, special placement programs, etc.).
- Provides technical support in recruitment and staffing activities including developing assessments, creating, and posting vacancy announcements.
- Review employment applications and make qualification determinations utilizing VA and/or OPM qualification standards.
- Drafts commitment letters, prepares VAF 3918, Intra-Agency Transfer Requests. Obtains the OF 306, Declaration for federal employment. Initiates background investigation requests and submits required forms and documents to the equip team.
- Completes SF 52s for a full range of personnel actions and submits to HR Specialist for approval/signature.
- Process forms for benefit transactions such as FEHB, FEGLI, and TSP. Signs as the authorizing official on enrollment and beneficiary forms on behalf of the HRC Director. Prepares initial CSRS/FERS retirement eligibility determination. Researches and explains complicated and unique employee benefit issues and identifies the appropriate course of action based upon analysis of individual circumstances.
- Maintains Electronic Official Personnel Folders (EOPFs). Requests OPFs from the National Personnel Records Center or former agency when prior federal service is identified. Ensures receipt and audit of merged file to ensure all employee data is properly reflected.
- Resolves problems involving irregularities in employees' paychecks or benefits utilizing the VA's Human Resources Information Service (HRIS) or Payroll/HR Systems Service (PHRSS) or submitting remedy tickets to DFAS.
- Updates inquiries to the HR Liaison and HR Specialist.
Human Resources Assistant (Coder) -40 Hrs. Per Wk. Grade 5 Step 4
Department of Veteran Affairs, VBA
Jackson, MS, United States (federal)
11.2017 - 04.2018
- Reviewed and completed SF 52 Requests for Personnel Actions for accuracy, ensuring compliance with creditable service, veteran’s preference, and eligibility for benefits.
- Determines necessary documents needed to support the transaction and ensures that all documents obtained are complete and in proper sequence.
- Access and review HR Smart PI Transactions status reports to determine whether actions have been processed successfully, invalidated, or rejected.
- Supported Human Resources Specialists by delivering accurate information and guidance on processing procedures, enhancing team operational efficiency.
- Identified and assigned follow-up codes to specific actions, ensuring proper tracking and accountability required for each particular action. Ensures that all actions are processed for its intended purpose, input data into HR Smart, following through to verify that intended actions have been established in the HR/Payroll automated system and timely processed.
- Verify actions on the SF 50 for accuracy and suggest necessary corrections.
- Confirmed accuracy of updates by regularly checking the shared folder and spreadsheet for pending actions, maintaining organization.
Voucher Examiner/Claims Assistant -40 Hrs. per wk. Grade 6 Step 2
Department of Veteran Affairs, CBOPC
Pearl, MS, United States (federal)
11.2015 - 11.2017
- Examined routine and complex claims for payment to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Examines claims or resolves difficult reconciliations requiring an analysis of adjustments and corrective entries in the claim.
- Ability to analyze the medical record to identify all pertinent diagnoses and procedures for coding, and to evaluate the adequacy of the documentation. This includes the ability to read and understand the content of the medical record, the terminology, the significance of the comments, and the disease process/pathophysiology of the patient.
- Skilled in interpreting and adapting health information guidelines and ability to use judgment in completing assignments using incomplete or inadequate guidelines.
- Processed claims for payment at Federal Agency (Veterans Affairs), ensuring compliance with regulations.
Food Service Worker/Cashier - 40 Hrs. per wk. Grade 1 Step 1
VCS – c/o VA MEDICAL CENTER
Jackson, MS, United States (federal)
04.2015 - 11.2015
- Provided exceptional customer service to patients, employees, and visitors in a fast-paced environment.
- Performed various tasks in food service and cashier roles, including taking orders and processing payments.
- Managed transactions using point-of-sale terminal to process payments efficiently..
- Managed inventory levels by tracking stock and organizing supplies to ensure availability.
- Executed various tasks to support team objectives and operational needs.
Administrative Assistant/Office Administrator – 40 Hrs. Per Wk.
Fillingane Medical Clinic (non-federal)
Flowood, MS, United States
02.2004 - 01.2015
- Streamlined communication with patients, medical centers, and agencies to enhance collaboration and service delivery.
- Managed electronic wait list to ensure accuracy and resolve issues; contributed to problem-solving discussions in team meetings and executed administrative follow-up actions.
- Participated in team huddles and team meetings to manage and plan patient care; set priorities and deadlines, adjusted the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs.
- Worked with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions and entered appropriate information into the electronic record; monitored pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit/procedure. (e.g., X-ray, lab work).
- Coordinated with the patient care team to review clinic utilization using various reports.
- Responsible for overseeing daily clinic operations, managing financial and purchasing activities, resolving patient complaints, coordinating with vendors and external agencies, and ensuring administrative functions supported quality patient care and organizational goals.
- Managed accounts payable by reviewing, processing, and tracking invoices to ensure timely and accurate payment of vendors and service providers.
- Procured office and medical supplies by researching vendors, purchasing required materials, and maintaining adequate inventory to support uninterrupted clinic operations.
- Investigated and resolved patient complaints by communicating with patients, providers, and staff to identify appropriate solutions while maintaining a high level of customer service.
- Coordinated with physicians, clinical staff, vendors, and outside organizations to address operational needs, schedule services, and maintain efficient workflow.
Assistant/File Clerk –40 Hrs. Per Wk.
Dr. Grenfell Office (non-federal)
Jackson, MS, United States
07.2000 - 02.2004
- Processed patient registration and eligibility by interacting with patients to gather demographic and insurance information for various resources and services.
- Coordinated patient scheduling for medical appointments, ensuring timely access to care.
- Assessed patient qualifications for alternate services through thorough evaluation of documentation.
- Interviewed patients to collect necessary information and documentation, including health insurance cards, for service eligibility.
- Adhered to privacy and confidentiality policies and procedures regarding patient information.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Ashford University
Chandler, AZ01-2019
Bachelor’s - Theology
New Foundation Seminary
Terry, MS01-2015
Associate of Applied Science - Human Resource Management
Virginia College
Jackson, MS01-2005
Skills
- Quality Assurance
- Organizational Development
- Organizational design
- Payroll administration
- Time management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Staff training
- Multitasking
- Regulatory advisement
- Process improvement
- Trend analysis
- Policy implementation
- Complex problem-solving
- Decisive and Adaptable
- Staff development
- Compensation Management
- Employee Benefits Consulting
- Presentation skills
- Team building
- Conflict resolution
- Proficient in operation of Microsoft computer software, 10-key touch calculator, telephone operations, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and typing skills
Accomplishments
- Improved technical review consistency by identifying recurring personnel processing deficiencies and recommending standardized corrective actions.
- Developed reporting processes that allowed leadership to identify trends, monitor compliance, and improve operational performance.
- Served as subject matter expert for HR Smart technical reviews affecting multiple VISN facilities.
- Resolved highly complex personnel issues involving conflicting regulations while maintaining compliance with OPM and VA policy.
Timeline
HR Specialist (Technical Reviewer) 40 Hrs Per Wk
South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16)
01.2020 - Current
Human Resources Specialist -40 Hrs. Per Wk. Grade 9 Step 1
Department of Veteran Affairs, VBA
07.2019 - 01.2020
Human Resources Assistant -40 Hrs. per wk. Grade 7 Step 2
Department of Veteran Affairs, VBA
04.2018 - 07.2019
Human Resources Assistant (Coder) -40 Hrs. Per Wk. Grade 5 Step 4
Department of Veteran Affairs, VBA
11.2017 - 04.2018
Voucher Examiner/Claims Assistant -40 Hrs. per wk. Grade 6 Step 2
Department of Veteran Affairs, CBOPC
11.2015 - 11.2017
Food Service Worker/Cashier - 40 Hrs. per wk. Grade 1 Step 1
VCS – c/o VA MEDICAL CENTER
04.2015 - 11.2015
Administrative Assistant/Office Administrator – 40 Hrs. Per Wk.
Fillingane Medical Clinic (non-federal)
02.2004 - 01.2015
Assistant/File Clerk –40 Hrs. Per Wk.
Dr. Grenfell Office (non-federal)
07.2000 - 02.2004
Associate of Applied Science - Human Resource Management
Virginia College
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Ashford University
Bachelor’s - Theology
New Foundation Seminary