CARMEN ERICKSON
RN, BSN
Longmont,CO
Summary
Dedicated bilingual healthcare professional with a strong foundation in health education, outreach, and resource advocacy. Grounded in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and over 760 hours of clinical training, supported by over 20 years of experience across clinical, hospital, and administrative settings. Known for patient‑centered communication, effective care coordination, and seamless collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. Skilled in EMR systems including Epic, Athena, and NextGen, with strong organizational and communication abilities. Dedicated to contributing meaningfully to a reputable organization while continuing to grow within the healthcare field.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
RN, Medication Authorization Specialist
Boulder Medical Center
Boulder, CO
10.2024 - Current
- Secure pharmacy and medical insurance authorizations for high-cost specialty medications, ensuring timely patient access to critical therapies.
- Collaborated with specialty department staff to align patient and provider needs, reviewing clinical documentation to support efficient prior authorization processes.
- Conduct regular audits of authorization records to verify accuracy and adherence to regulatory requirements, minimizing risk of noncompliance.
- Maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations, safeguarding sensitive patient information during the authorization process.
- Partnered with the IT department to optimize Epic system functionality, implementing corrective workflow enhancements that reduced denied authorizations and increased approval rates.
- Conducted demonstrations and facilitated staff training sessions to educate team members on proper workflow procedures, resulting in improved consistency and higher authorization success.
- Supported clinical staff by providing timely updates on the status of prior authorizations for various services.
AHA BLS Instructor
American Heart Association
Longmont, Colorado
2016 - Current
- Give public talks on importance of health education and specific disease prevention and treatment strategies.
- Teach health education classes for community workers and members of public.
- Continually improve knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback and self-identified professional developmental needs.
- Prepare presentations on health and safety concerns for public.
- Partner with agencies and organizations driving improvements in community health.
- Use Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications.
Registered Nurse
Boulder Medical Center
Boulder, Colorado
06.2024 - 10.2024
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patient conditions, promptly reporting changes to healthcare providers.
- Educated patients and families on health management, promoting adherence to treatment plans and wellness initiatives.
- Administered medication and treatments according to established protocols and patient care standards.
- Assessed patient needs through comprehensive evaluations, tailoring interventions to promote recovery and well-being.
- Maintained competency in diverse clinical settings by regularly floating between units, adapting quickly to unique patient populations and environments.
Registered Nurse
Amazing Care Home Health Services
Westminster, CO
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Attended appointments, therapies, and events with patients as needed to provide medically necessary care
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- GJ tube care and management. Ventilator care and management. Tracheostomy care and management. Perform safe transfers and reposition. Tube feeding care and management.
Medical Assistant
Boulder Medical Center
Boulder, Colorado
2016 - 2021
- Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions and prepared for physician examinations.
- Assisted with routine checks and diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens. Performed necessary phlebotomies.
- Provided immunizations for both travel and wellbeing under physician order, collected specimens in accordance with CLIA standards, and recorded all medical information in EMR
- Submitted electronic or faxed prescriptions, performed prior authorizations as needed
- NextGEN EMR Proficient
- Re-certified medical staff with BLS for Providers on behalf of the American Heart Association
Allied Health MA Instructor
Front Range Community College
Westminster , CO
2016 - 2017
- Implemented new educational techniques to boost student comprehension.
- Provided immediate and constructive feedback to students individually and as group.
- Instructed students on how to perform head-to-toe assessments on patients and how to intervene in medical emergencies.
- Evaluated students' competencies through written assignments and examinations.
- Delivered individualized instruction on observation, assessment, decision-making and patient health teaching.
Medical Assistant
Rocky Mountain Cardiovascular Associates
Lafayette, CO
2014 - 2016
- Directed patients to exam rooms, obtained full set of vitals, and reconcile medication intake
- Obtained client medical history, medication information, symptoms and allergies.
- Assist with Cardiac Procedures including EKG’s, Stress Treadmill tests, Stress Echo Treadmill test, ABI’s, Holter and Event monitoring
- Perform necessary blood draws
- Taught patients about medications, procedures and care plan instructions.
- Epic EMR Proficient.
Medical Assistant/CNA Instructor
Pacific College Of Allied Health
Lakewood, CO
2013 - 2015
- Instructed students on how to perform head-to-toe assessments on patients and how to intervene in medical emergencies.
- Evaluated students' competencies through written assignments and examinations.
- Delivered individualized instruction on observation, assessment, decision-making and patient health teaching.
- Conducted clinical simulations and provided feedback for each individual student.
- Supervised students in simulation experience when administering medications to maintain patient safety.
- Updated instructional materials, ordered equipment and supplies and utilized various learning modalities to enhance instruction.
Administrative Medical Assistant
Sapphire Pediatrics
Denver, CO
2012 - 2013
- Managed master calendar and scheduled appointments for providers based on optimal patient loads and clinician availability.
- Scheduled patient appointments and placed reminder calls to deliver exceptional customer experience.
- Supported office staff and operational requirements with administrative tasks.
- Documented patient medical information, case histories and insurance details to facilitate smooth appointments and payment processing.
- Developed and managed accurate and confidential patient records.
- Called patients to confirm scheduled appointments day in advance.
- Verified insurance coverage to prepare for upcoming patient appointments.
- E-Clinical Works EMR proficient
Medical Assistant
Centennial Family Care
Littleton, CO
2007 - 2012
- Took patients back and obtained full set of vitals, performed phlebotomy functions when needed, prior authorized referrals, verified insurance eligibility, performed EKG’s, pulmonary function testing, and other requirements as needed per provider
- Bilingual medical assistant/Limited scope xray tech – Lone tree family practice
- Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions and prepared for physician examinations.
- Assisted with routine checks and diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens.
- Obtained client medical history, medication information, symptoms and allergies.
- Sanitized, restocked and organized exam rooms and medical equipment.
- Performed clerical duties, such as word processing, data entry, answering phones and filing.
- Documented vital signs and health history for patients in clinic and hospital environments.
- Scheduled appointments, registered patients and distributed sample pharmaceuticals as prescribed.
- Taught patients about medications, procedures and care plan instructions.
- Collaborated with medical and administrative personnel to maintain patient-focused, engaging and compassionate environment.
- Called and faxed pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills.
- Kept medical supplies in sufficient stock by monitoring levels and submitting replenishment orders before depleted.
- Promoted office efficiency, coordinating charts, completing insurance forms and helping patients with diverse needs.
- Gathered forms and copied insurance cards to collect patient information for billing and insurance filing.
- Prepared patients for X-rays, electrocardiograms, suture removal and dressing changes.
- Tested and recorded blood glucose levels.
- Verified appropriate lab couriers picked up collected lab specimens.
Medical Assistant/ LS X-Ray Technician
Lone Tree Family Practice
Lone Tree, CO
2006 - 2007
- Assisted doctor during procedures, helping to run machinery and keep patients comfortable and still.
- Completed x-rays safely by correctly using shielding equipment following OSHA requirements.
- Positioned patients for optimal comfort and set up effective sterile fields before procedures.
- Developed and processed radiologic film to aid in diagnostics and patient monitoring with high-quality imagery.
- Documented patient data and histories and updated charts with current information.
- Maintained examination rooms and restocked medical and radiologic supplies.
- Checked equipment each day and reported major malfunctions to supervisor for attention.
- Supported efficient clinic operations by removing sutures, replacing dressings and giving basic injections.
- Followed radiation safety measures and used protection devices to prevent harm to patients or staff.
- Processed exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
Medical Assistant
Preferred Women's Care OBGYN
Littleton, CO
2003 - 2004
- Worked to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Interacted effectively with patients, families, staff and other hospital department staff to deliver high level of customer service and teamwork.
- Educated patients about procedures, answered questions and provided comforting words to control anxiety and enhance procedure results.
- Checked patient identifying information against records to uphold strict security, safety and regulatory standards.
- Documented observations and baseline measurements in medical records.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO 2018 - 2023
Limited Scope X-Ray Technician Certification - Applied Sciences
Cambridge College of Aurora
Aurora, CO 2006 - 2007
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting And Phlebotomy
Cambridge College
Aurora, CO 2002 - 2004
Skills
First Aid/CPR
Prevention strategies
Health education classes
Interventions understanding
Presentation skills
Training and Development
Bilingual Lessons (Spanish)
Timeline
RN, Medication Authorization Specialist
Boulder Medical Center
10.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse
Boulder Medical Center
06.2024 - 10.2024
Registered Nurse
Amazing Care Home Health Services
07.2023 - 06.2024
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Colorado Christian University
2018 - 2023
Allied Health MA Instructor
Front Range Community College
2016 - 2017
AHA BLS Instructor
American Heart Association
2016 - Current
Medical Assistant
Boulder Medical Center
2016 - 2021
Medical Assistant
Rocky Mountain Cardiovascular Associates
2014 - 2016
Medical Assistant/CNA Instructor
Pacific College Of Allied Health
2013 - 2015
Administrative Medical Assistant
Sapphire Pediatrics
2012 - 2013
Medical Assistant
Centennial Family Care
2007 - 2012
Limited Scope X-Ray Technician Certification - Applied Sciences
Cambridge College of Aurora
2006 - 2007
Medical Assistant/ LS X-Ray Technician
Lone Tree Family Practice
2006 - 2007
Medical Assistant
Preferred Women's Care OBGYN
2003 - 2004
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting And Phlebotomy
Cambridge College
2002 - 2004