April Powell
North Augusta
Summary
Dynamic healthcare professional with a robust background in emergency care, dedicated to delivering exceptional patient-centered outcomes. Proven track record of enhancing patient stabilization and care coordination through effective collaboration and adaptability in fast-paced environments. Certified surgical technologist committed to improving surgical team efficiency and ensuring patient safety, with experience in complex procedures and maintaining sterile conditions. Proficient in medical coding, consistently ensuring compliance with regulations while fostering teamwork and achieving results through meticulous attention to detail.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Doctors Hospital Of Augusta
07.2025 - Current
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Monitored vital signs and responded promptly to changes in patient conditions, enhancing overall patient outcomes.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify patient needs, facilitating timely interventions and continuity of care.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, and thoracic trauma.
- Educated patients and families on health management strategies, promoting informed decision-making and self-care practices.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered emergency care to patients with critical injuries or illnesses in high-pressure environments.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement effective patient treatment plans.
Professional Medical Coder
Lexington Medical Center at West Columbia, South Carolina
09.2023 - 07.2025
- Process medical records with ICD-10 and CPT coding standards, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Review and validate clinical documentation, identify coding patterns, and maintain quality standards for medical billing processes.
- Streamline coding workflows and resolve complex cases while maintaining high accuracy in diagnostic and procedural code assignments.
- Partner with healthcare providers to clarify documentation, optimize reimbursement cycles, and ensure coding precision.
- Implement efficient coding practices while staying current with medical coding updates and healthcare compliance requirements.
- Apply ICD-10 and CPT coding expertise to complex medical cases, collaborating with healthcare teams to enhance documentation accuracy and compliance
- Develop streamlined coding protocols for specialized medical procedures, reducing processing time while maintaining superior accuracy standards
- Lead cross-functional initiatives with physicians to resolve complex coding challenges, ensuring precise diagnostic and procedural assignments
- Drive continuous improvement in coding efficiency through systematic workflow optimization and proactive compliance monitoring
- Analyze complex medical documentation to ensure precise ICD-10 and CPT code assignments, enhancing revenue cycle efficiency through expert verification protocols.
- Pioneer automated coding solutions for specialized procedures, reducing documentation processing time while upholding rigorous accuracy standards.
- Partner with clinical teams to optimize documentation clarity, implementing targeted improvements in coding accuracy and compliance adherence.
Certified Surgical Technologist
Piedmont of Augusta/ University Hospital at Augusta, Georgia
04.2023 - 10.2024
- Streamlined instrument preparation processes and enhanced operating room efficiency through proactive case management and precise documentation
- Implemented infection prevention protocols and maintained detailed surgical supply inventory, ensuring optimal resource utilization
- Coordinated with surgical teams to optimize procedure workflow, ensuring seamless communication and patient safety standards
- Mentored junior staff in sterile technique procedures while maintaining compliance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements
- Developed specialized instrument tracking system to minimize setup time and maximize operating room utilization while ensuring sterile field integrity
- Spearheaded lean process improvements in surgical supply management, reducing waste and optimizing resource allocation across multiple ORs
Billing, Medical Auditor / Coder
Piedmont of Augusta/University Hospital at Augusta, GA
03.2013 - 04.2023
- Physician Medical Records Coder; Review all medical/surgical reports for accurate selection of ICD-10 and CPT procedural coding
- Review Evaluation and Management coding selected by physicians to ensure proper selection of E/M code
- Manually enter in charges; attend seminars/classes for up-to-date coding changes within Vascular Surgery
- Work directly with surgeons on new procedures setting RVU amounts and correct CPT code assignment
- 'Live code' in the Operating room or Cath Lab, follow-up on denied/unpaid claims with coding issues Resolved complex claim denials through detailed analysis and coding expertise, maintaining optimal reimbursement rates for vascular procedures Partnered with physicians to validate Evaluation and Management code selections, ensuring proper documentation and regulatory compliance
- Streamlined charge entry processes while maintaining current knowledge through continuous professional development in surgical coding updates
- Optimized medical coding accuracy through a comprehensive review of surgical procedures, ensuring precise ICD-10 and CPT code assignments for vascular procedures
- Conducted real-time coding in operating rooms and Cath labs while resolving complex claim denials through systematic analysis and documentation
- Partnered with surgeons to establish RVU values and validate E/M code selections, maintaining regulatory compliance and optimal reimbursement rates
Coding/Billing Specialist
Augusta Obstetrics Gynecology Specialists at Augusta, GA
02.2012 - 03.2013
- Assigned all CPT codes for office visits and procedures done in the office for the Physicians
- Review all claims submitted by agency to the payers; submit all prior authorizations for surgeries/procedures
- Post all mail payments; work and follow all patient aging; review and approve all invoices for payment
- Work hand in hand with physicians to increase revenue; ICD-9 and CPT coding; schedule patients
- Act as a liaison between billing agency and physicians; write daily deposit; provide end-of-day productivity report
- Billing and EMR; set up billing procedures; set up codes; consult medical supply companies for pricing and contracts
- Negotiate initial payer contracts for the practice; making sure Credentialing for assigned physicians stayed up to date Managed comprehensive medical coding operations, implementing ICD-9 and CPT protocols while coordinating with physicians to optimize revenue cycles and claims processing.
- Streamlined prior authorization processes for surgical procedures while maintaining physician credentialing compliance and managing payer contract negotiations.
- Established efficient billing procedures and EMR systems, while serving as key liaison between billing agency and medical staff for enhanced operational workflow.
- Orchestrated daily financial operations including payment posting, aging analysis, and productivity reporting while partnering with physicians on revenue enhancement.
- Developed strategic partnerships with medical supply vendors, negotiating competitive contracts while implementing cost-effective billing solutions.
- Implemented comprehensive medical coding protocols utilizing ICD-9 and CPT standards, optimizing revenue cycles through precise claims processing and authorization management.
- Managed physician credentialing compliance while orchestrating daily financial operations, including payment posting and aging analysis reporting.
- Partnered with physicians to optimize revenue streams through strategic coding improvements and streamlined authorization processes.
- Developed cost-effective billing solutions through vendor negotiations and contract management, while maintaining high standards of compliance and accuracy.
- Managed comprehensive medical coding operations with ICD-9 and CPT protocols, streamlining claims processing and prior authorizations while maintaining physician credentialing.
Office Coordinator
Doctors Hospital of Augusta, Rehab Health Centers at Augusta, GA
07.2009 - 02.2012
- Performs various clerical duties for office manager, clinical services manager, or physicians including answering telephones, taking messages, scheduling appointments, copying, and creating/filing charts
- Responsible for data entry, filing insurance claims, and patient account follow-up, as well as monthly reports Streamlined medical office operations by managing patient scheduling, insurance claims processing, and implementing efficient filing systems for enhanced workflow.
- Coordinated multi-department administrative functions while maintaining accurate patient records and ensuring timely insurance claim submissions.
- Facilitated seamless communication between clinical staff and patients through effective phone management and appointment coordination.
- Generated comprehensive monthly reports while managing patient accounts and maintaining precise documentation for regulatory compliance.
- Provided vital administrative support to healthcare professionals while ensuring smooth office operations and superior patient service.
- Optimized medical office workflow by integrating digital patient records, streamlining appointment scheduling, and managing insurance claims processing
- Orchestrated efficient front-office operations through expert handling of patient inquiries, appointment coordination, and insurance verification
- Developed comprehensive reporting systems for patient accounts while maintaining precise documentation standards and regulatory compliance
- Facilitated seamless communication between medical staff and patients while managing multi-faceted administrative responsibilities
Patient Account Representative/Contract Specialist/Patient Access
Aiken Regional Medical Center at Aiken, SC
02.1998 - 03.2009
- Extensively utilize PCs with the latest corporate technologies and software programs to register patients in facility database
- Handled the collections of responsible party co-pays/deductibles
- Worked independently on projects within budget and time table restrictions
- Act as liaison and maintain open lines of communication among office staff members and management team
- Focused on 'High' dollar account collection to ensure expedited reimbursement for facility
- Managed and coordinated processing of HMO/PPO contractual analysis database to determine accurate hospital reimbursement
- Refers adjustments to reverse any discounts/contractual posted incorrectly, per department procedures
- Audits accounts for proper payments, coding, balances, adjustments, etc. using appropriate reports and work queues to do so
- Complies with Federal and State billing requirements
- Also complies with Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Electronic Data Interface (EDI) transaction formats Streamlined HMO/PPO contractual analysis processes and managed patient account databases, ensuring accurate hospital reimbursements while maintaining HIPAA compliance.
- Led high-value account collections and payment audits, optimizing revenue cycle through systematic verification of coding, balances, and contractual adjustments.
- Implemented comprehensive patient registration protocols while managing co-pay collections, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with federal billing standards.
- Fostered effective communication channels between staff and management, while independently executing time-sensitive projects within budget constraints.
- Developed streamlined processes for contractual adjustment reversals, enhancing the accuracy of reimbursement tracking and compliance with department procedures.
- Streamlined healthcare reimbursement processes by managing HMO/PPO contractual analyses, ensuring precise payment tracking while maintaining HIPAA compliance.
Education
Associate in Applied Science - Nursing
Aiken Technical College
Aiken, SC12.2024
Associate in Applied Science - Surgical Technology
Aiken Technical College
Aiken, SC01.2022
Diploma - Surgical Technology
Aiken Technical College
Aiken, SC01.2021
Certificate - Nurses Assistant
Aiken County Career Center
Aiken, SC01.1998
General Diploma -
Midland Valley High School
Graniteville, SC01.1997
Skills
- Medication and IV administration
- Documentation and charting
- Patient assessment
- Patient and family advocacy
- Critical care
- Team coordination
- EMR systems
- Emergency response
- Relationship building
- Direct patient care
- Medical terminology
- HIPAA compliance
- Aseptic techniques
- Setting up and operating equipment
- Surgical assistance
Certification
- Certified Professional Coder- (CPC)AAPC
- Certified Cardiology, Cardiothoracic, Vascular coder (CCVTC)AAPC
- Certified Surgical Technologist
- Certified BLS
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Additional information
Certifications
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Doctors Hospital Of Augusta
07.2025 - Current
Professional Medical Coder
Lexington Medical Center at West Columbia, South Carolina
09.2023 - 07.2025
Certified Surgical Technologist
Piedmont of Augusta/ University Hospital at Augusta, Georgia
04.2023 - 10.2024
Billing, Medical Auditor / Coder
Piedmont of Augusta/University Hospital at Augusta, GA
03.2013 - 04.2023
Coding/Billing Specialist
Augusta Obstetrics Gynecology Specialists at Augusta, GA
02.2012 - 03.2013
Office Coordinator
Doctors Hospital of Augusta, Rehab Health Centers at Augusta, GA
07.2009 - 02.2012
Patient Account Representative/Contract Specialist/Patient Access
Aiken Regional Medical Center at Aiken, SC
02.1998 - 03.2009
Associate in Applied Science - Surgical Technology
Aiken Technical College
Diploma - Surgical Technology
Aiken Technical College
Certificate - Nurses Assistant
Aiken County Career Center
Associate in Applied Science - Nursing
Aiken Technical College
General Diploma -
Midland Valley High School
Similar Profiles
Sonni NarezSonni Narez
ADVANCED PCT/ADVANCED EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN CARDIAC CATH LAB at HCA Doctors Hospital of AugustaADVANCED PCT/ADVANCED EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN CARDIAC CATH LAB at HCA Doctors Hospital of Augusta
Evionna HamptonEvionna Hampton
Clinical Student at Doctors Hospital of AugustaClinical Student at Doctors Hospital of Augusta
Laura McCalmantLaura McCalmant
Patient Care Technician, Float Pool at Doctors Hospital of AugustaPatient Care Technician, Float Pool at Doctors Hospital of Augusta
Steve EllisSteve Ellis
Regional Sales Manager at Haimer UsaRegional Sales Manager at Haimer Usa
Adam LedwozanAdam Ledwozan
First Sergeant at Department of the Air ForceFirst Sergeant at Department of the Air Force