Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Celeste Pezzano

Portsmouth,VA

Summary

Dynamic Laboratory Medical Assistant with extensive experience at Luke and Associates, excelling in phlebotomy and patient care. Proven ability to enhance customer satisfaction through effective communication and teamwork. Proficient in electronic health records and committed to maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations, ensuring specimen integrity and quality service delivery.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Laboratory Medical Assistant

Luke and Associates
Virginia Beach, VA
04.2025 - Current
  • Duties included phlebotomy procedures for all age specific patient methods.
  • Instruct patients on pre-test preparation, specimen collection procedures and care rendered for adverse patient reactions.
  • Rendering consistent high quality customer relations with patients, effective communication, and interaction with internal/external customers.
  • Mastery of division procedures sufficient to provide information for specimen requirement, specimen accessioning procedures and rejection criteria.
  • Collected, processed, and documented blood and other biological specimens in compliance with military and clinical protocols.
  • Maintained a strict chain of custody for sensitive laboratory samples supporting active duty personnel, dependents, and veterans.
  • Ensured specimen integrity through accurate labeling, timely transport, and adherence to cold-chain requirements.
  • Assisted in laboratory testing procedures and supported medical readiness screenings for military operations.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in using military and civilian electronic health records (PowerChart or MHS GENESIS).
  • Trained new staff in phlebotomy techniques, safety procedures, and compliance with Joint Commission and OSHA standards.
  • Contributed to a team environment focused on precision, efficiency, and patient care under high-stress conditions.

Central Access Scheduler(Remote Hybrid)

Sentara Healthcare
Virginia Beach, VA
05.2024 - Current
  • Exceptional career in Customer Service with extensive experience in healthcare.
  • Solid team player with upbeat positive attitude and proven skill in establishing rapport with clients.
  • Motivated to maintain customer satisfaction and contribute to company success.
  • Remote Hybrid position.
  • Gathered personal and insurance information from each patient.
  • Managed incoming telephone calls, took messages and directed callers to personnel.
  • Communicated with patients.
  • Answered 30 average daily phone calls to schedule appointments and address patient inquiries.
  • Adhered to HIPAA requirements to safeguard patient confidentiality.

Medical Support Assistant

Us Department of Defense-DHA
Virginia Beach, VA
05.2023 - 04.2024
  • Perform a variety of clerical support duties for the providers and nurses.
  • Responsible for addressing various data integrity issues and providing insight regarding the root cause and resolution of integrity problems.
  • Validate all data prior to distribution with speed and accuracy.
  • Reviews appropriate patient documents to obtain identifying information to determine eligibility for care.
  • Refers patients not eligible to Health Benefits Advisor for review.
  • Scheduling appointments for active duty and dependents.
  • POC for any IMD repairs, copiers, and printer repairs.
  • Training Officer for civilian and contract employees.
  • Review forms and reports and confer with management and users about format, distribution, and purpose, identifying problems and improvements.
  • Administrative superuser for Genesis Electronic Health Records System.
  • Bio Med submissions.
  • Phone answering with dispositioning of the call team nurses whether verbally and/or in between encounters.
  • Departmental correspondence.
  • Updates ORG chart of staffing for the clinic.
  • Track ICE surveys and submit ALL STAR BALLOT.
  • Room scheduling for OIC conference room.
  • Certified Customer service representative with appointment letter.
  • Currently submit payroll using KRONOS for contracted employees.
  • Submit and calculate payroll for DMHRSi for contracted and civilian employees.
  • Provide monthly inventory and supply tracking.
  • Assist with facilities and submit DMLSS requests.
  • ADM/EOD all open encounters and date qualitative daily.
  • Maintains certifications and updated yearly reports.
  • Extract data from pertinent systems based on various business needs and format the data in a meaningful and useful format, ensuring that data is credible and reflective of the specific request.
  • Gather and organize information on problems or procedures.

Laboratory Medical Assistant

Luke and Associates
Virginia Beach, VA
04.2022 - 05.2023
  • Duties included phlebotomy procedures for all age specific patient methods.
  • Instructed patients on pre-test preparation, specimen collection procedures and care rendered for adverse patient reactions.
  • Rendering consistent high quality customer relations with patients, effective communication, and interaction with internal/external customers.
  • Mastery of division procedures sufficient to provide information for specimen requirement, specimen accessioning procedures and rejection criteria.

Medical Assistant

Patient First, Holland Road
Virginia Beach, VA
03.2018 - 05.2023
  • Prepared patients for X-rays, electrocardiograms, suture removal and dressing changes.
  • Prepped and draped patients in a sterile fashion.
  • Escorted patients to examination rooms.
  • Collected all pertinent data and calculations to aid the physician in interpreting results.
  • Collected data for DOT physicals.
  • Collected histories, vitals, and current complaints via patient interviews.
  • Triage patients; inquiring on the nature of the visit / answer any questions regarding their care.
  • Performing minor wound care including flushing, and bandaging wounds/suture.
  • Performing drug screens.
  • Performing lab tests (flu swab, strep and COVID swabs).
  • Performed phlebotomy when undermanned.
  • Sterilized and autoclave instruments.
  • Received, stored, and restocked supplies.

Clinical Assistant

Urology of Virginia
Virginia Beach, VA
12.2016 - 02.2022
  • Perform primary duties for the main Urology doctor.
  • Schedule appointments, patient check in and check out and obtain prior authorizations and referrals as needed for medication or imaging.
  • Performed clerical duties, such as word processing, data entry and answering calls in the queue.
  • Triage patients' medical history, temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.
  • Prep patients for vasectomies, Cystoscopy and other urological procedures.
  • Help physicians with patient examinations.
  • Give patients' injections as directed by the physician.
  • Use multiple Electronic Medical Record systems (Athena, Epic) to schedule appointments, order labs, imaging, referrals, and prescriptions.
  • Prepare blood, urine, pathology, kidney stones and semen specimens for laboratory tests.
  • Strong clinical judgement.
  • Foley/Suprapubic catheter insertion and removal.
  • Follow up with patients for additional needed testing.
  • Respond to patient calls regarding triage, post op, prescriptions and advise requests.
  • Reassesses and documents any proposed revision of care and desired outcomes.
  • Demonstrates ability to assess patient's understanding of and compliance with instructions and health care teaching.
  • Provide documentation in a professional, legible, and timely manner.

Lead Medical Assistant

Urology of New Jersey
Glen Ridge, NJ
07.2009 - 12.2016
  • Responsible for 80-100 patients daily which includes roughly 30 blood draws in a four doctor Urology practice.
  • Serve a diverse suite of patients ranging from age 15 to geriatric.
  • Respond to triage calls, scheduling patients, calling in prescriptions into pharmacies, and calling patients with lab results.
  • Obtain authorizations and pre-certifications for clinical treatments, exams, diagnostic testing, and surgery as required by the patient's health plan and insurance.
  • Prepare treatment rooms for examination of patients.
  • Room and interview patients, gather vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, SpO2, height and weight and record them in a medical chart.
  • Utilize phlebotomy skills by gathering and preparing specimens such as urine cultures, urinalysis, PCA3, draw blood samples by venipuncture and finger sticks to be sent to appropriate outside labs for testing.
  • Inject antibiotics into patients prior to procedure, administer ketorolac for kidney stone patients and administer treatments for interstitial cystitis patients.
  • Prepare/mix and administer medications for prostate cancer patients.
  • Confer with patients to explain procedures, gain cooperation, and relieve fears.
  • Drape patients with covering and position instruments and equipment.
  • Hand instruments and materials to physicians as directed.
  • Clean and sterilize instruments utilized for procedures.
  • Assist with lacerations, minor surgical procedures, change dressings, suture removal.
  • Handle equipment such as centrifuges and autoclaves.
  • Set up and assist with procedures such as: Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT), prostate biopsies, vasectomies, cystoscopies with and without bladder biopsies with fulguration and stent removals, urethral dilations, performed suture and staple removals, placing Foley catheters, removing Foley catheters with and without voiding trial, urodynamics, FISH Testing, intravesical therapy and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatments for bladder cancer, and bladder instillations: parson's treatments; DMSO cocktails; and silver nitrate.
  • Conduct bladder scans and bladder ultrasounds.
  • Ordering, stocking, and inventory of supplies, medications, medication samples for office use.
  • Obtain imaging for patients from other locations.
  • Complete daily logs and other paperwork such as worker's compensation injury forms, insurance claims, and drug screen report prep.
  • Key data into the computer to maintain office and patient electronic medical records (EMR).
  • Joint Commission compliant and keep logs of everything required by JCAHO and HIPAA.

Education

Radiology Technician -

Centura College
Virginia Beach, VA
01-2026

GED -

Eastwick College
Nutley, NJ
01.2008

Medical Assistant/Phlebotomy -

Eastwick College
Nutley, NJ
01.2008

Skills

  • Patient care and assessments
  • Phlebotomy techniques and specimen collection
  • Electronic health records management
  • Customer service and support
  • Appointment scheduling and insurance verification
  • Healthcare regulations compliance
  • Data management and analysis
  • Team collaboration and communication
  • Vital signs monitoring and examinations
  • Healthcare software proficiency
  • First aid certification
  • Clinical and administrative support
  • Medical terminology expertise
  • Diagnostic imaging support
  • Electrocardiographic rhythm recognition
  • Troubleshooting healthcare software
  • Laboratory experience with ICD-10 coding
  • Microsoft Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Phone etiquette and professionalism
  • DMHRSi and KRONOS certified

Certification

  • Active Security Clearance
  • HIPAA certified yearly
  • Cyber Security certified yearly
  • BLS Certified Bi-annually
  • DMHRSi certified
  • KRONOS certified

Timeline

Laboratory Medical Assistant

Luke and Associates
04.2025 - Current

Central Access Scheduler(Remote Hybrid)

Sentara Healthcare
05.2024 - Current

Medical Support Assistant

Us Department of Defense-DHA
05.2023 - 04.2024

Laboratory Medical Assistant

Luke and Associates
04.2022 - 05.2023

Medical Assistant

Patient First, Holland Road
03.2018 - 05.2023

Clinical Assistant

Urology of Virginia
12.2016 - 02.2022

Lead Medical Assistant

Urology of New Jersey
07.2009 - 12.2016

Radiology Technician -

Centura College

GED -

Eastwick College

Medical Assistant/Phlebotomy -

Eastwick College

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