Cerissa Atkins
Carrollton,VA
Summary
Dynamic Process Improvement Manager with over 15 years of proven success in delivering innovative business and technology solutions for leading healthcare organizations. Expertise in spearheading value-driven project management initiatives that align with organizational objectives, leveraging Lean Six Sigma methodology to enhance operational efficiency. Recognized as a strategic leader and change agent, adept at fostering staff development and guiding cross-functional teams to optimize workflows that support revenue growth and informed clinical decision-making. Committed to excellence, with strong communication and negotiation skills that facilitate impactful client engagement and consensus-building among stakeholders.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Administrator
Marcella Post Acute
Newport News, Virginia
03.2026 - Current
- Direct supervision and coordination with department heads for clinical and non-clinical roles. Monitoring of quality metrics, evaluation of clinical outcomes and implementation of process improvement initiatives. Assist with development and enforcement of policies that align with state and federal health guidelines. Prepares the facility for state survey readiness. Assists in preparing the annual operating budget, allocating resources, and tracking facility operating costs. Assists with hiring, training, and professional development programs for clinical and administrative staff. Manages shift schedules, reviews staffing needs, and fosters a positive work environment. Conduct pre-admission assessments and facility tours for prospective residents and their families.
Process Improvement Manager/Clinical Analyst
VHS Consulting
Newport News, Virginia
01.2021 - 03.2026
- Process Improvement Manager that oversees and analyzes the organization processes and procedures. Works with all departments to streamline efficient and effective processes, as well as developing process enhancement strategies. Continual investigation of any shortfalls, issues or complaints in current business or clinical processes. Facilitates the design and implementation of new or improved process models and organizational structures. Strives to establish company norms and standards of performance and acceptance of company culture and change. In addition, serves as the primary System Administrator over the clinical EHR and E-Learning System. Lastly, leads implementation and roll-out of operational and clinical projects.
- Key Contributions:
- Coordination with various teams to analyze project results and performance
- Manage and lead project teams to achieve desired results
- Development of new process capabilities
- Identifies and manages resources to deliver effective solutions
- Ensures that team coordination and team members are working in accordance with the approved company operating policies, procedures and practices
- Provide technical and analytical support for process improvement initiatives
- Supervises Clinical Recruitment of CNAs, LPNs and RNs and instruction for new employee orientation, Physician Support
- System Administrator for company electronic health record and learning management system
- Primary instructor for corporate orientation of all new hires and ongoing education
- Primary instructor for clinical and non-clinical team members on company EHR
- Primary non-clinical sponsor of CNA Apprenticeship Program
- (Company acquired by Marquis Health Consulting Services and transitioned to current role 8 months post-acquisition)
Regional Operations Manager/Business Development
Deer Oaks Behavioral Services
San Antonio, Texas
03.2019 - 12.2020
- Regional Operations Manager that oversees Psychiatry and Psychology services provided in post-acute care settings in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina. Currently responsible for 200+ post-acute care facilities that are geographically dispersed and 50 providers/clinicians. Facilitate operational and process improvement to achieve organizational goals and growth throughout a geographically meeting organizational and regional targets and goals, and assigning task.
- Key Contributions:
- Establish customer service standards that exceed customer expectations
- Expanded new customer relationships by asking value-based questions to gain trust.
- Work with existing customers to continue to deliver a valued service with effective results
- Implement and enhance process improvement initiatives that provide greater consistency of standardizations across regional operations
- Restructured new employee on-boarding processes and training
- Validate and follow-up on day-to-day operations such as physician credentialing, schedules, standard operating procedures and employee morale
- Work with management to formulate solutions to grow and expand business strategically and in a cost-effective manner
- Conference attendance to market services
- On-boarding of all new staff and working with them to build productivity
- Provider recruitment, plans of correction and firing
- Insurance authorizations
- Cost effective management of employee time and travel
Clinical Analyst II
Riverside Health System
Newport News, VA
09.2008 - 03.2019
- Responsible for the provider group within the Lifelong Health Community, PACE, Home Health, Family Practice and Geriatric Psychiatry. Facilitate IT/IS strategic and operational planning to achieve business goals by fostering innovation, prioritizing IT initiatives, standardizing global business applications, and enabling strong data analytics with enterprise-wide data management. Develop and assist IT organization through transformational change while delivering results and supporting the strategic and operational objectives of the business. Direct the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future IT systems across the organization to deliver cost avoidance, increase in productivity, and continuous availability of technology resources. Drive clinical and financial systems integration and compatibility across Acute Care, Physician Practice and Lifelong Health care settings.
- Key Contributions:
- Identify opportunities for appropriate and cost-effective investment of financial resources in IT systems and resources, including staffing, sourcing, purchasing and in-house development.
- Build, train and support technology systems for nine nursing facilities, five assisted living facilities, three independent living facilities, three wellness clinics, home health, lifelong health ancillary departments and family practice.
- Train and support the Lifelong Health Physician Group (composed of 43 providers)
- Responsible for contract negotiations and on-boarding of new providers and on-going support resource for seasoned providers
- Ensure provider group is meeting IT/IS and Organizational Quality Measures
- Lead and supervise a geographically dispersed team of Clinical Analyst that provide technical services to the division
- Implementation of NetSmart/MyUnity in ten geographically dispersed facilities to deliver post-acute care electronic health record, census and billing system.
- Implementation of Epic in the Ambulatory and Acute care environment
- Works closely with Administration (Administrators, DONs, ADON, CIO, CCO, CMO and nursing management) to make process improvement and policy
- Help prepare facilities for state, DNV and Joint Commission Readiness
Senior System Analyst
Riverside Health System
Newport News, VA
05.2013 - 06.2015
- Managed project lifecycles including, defining project requirements, designing, development, testing, and deployment of projects. Performed critical analysis and tracking to maintain accurate and updated views of activities and deliverables, ensuring projects were delivered on time and within budget. Managed resource planning and assignments, determining staffing, responsibilities and schedules according to project timeline. Created and maintained project scope and implementation roadmaps, risk mitigation, plans, project budget and status reports
- Key Contributions:
- Implementation Lead of GE Centricity in ten geographically dispersed facilities to deliver post-acute care electronic health record and financial registration system
- Train and support Lifelong Health Physician Group (composed of 43 providers)
- Lead and supervise clinical users in ten geographically dispersed facilities and provide on-call support to the Lifelong Health Division
EMR Implementation Trainer and Specialist
Riverside Health System
Newport News, VA
05.2009 - 04.2013
- Responsible for end user training of GE Centricity in an ambulatory environment and implementation of the product across the healthcare system. Managed training material, computer-based learning modules, new employee orientation, testing and quarterly optimization. Delivered end user training to all new employees (clinical and administrative) in multiple ambulatory settings.
- Key Contributions:
- Implementation lead of GE Centricity in multiple ambulatory environments (Gastroenterology, Family Practice, Pain Management, Psychiatry, Oncology, Endocrinology and Orthopedics)
- Train and support ambulatory environment financials for insurance entry and charge posting
- Responsible for maintaining security and setup of end user accounts
- Responsible for maintaining licensing spreadsheet of all end users throughout the healthcare system
- Train and support Ancillary departments in the acute environment that utilized GE Centricity and Soarian
- Initiated and managed a contest each month with the goal of driving rental branch staff to send in leads to meet goals
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Strayer University
Newport NewsBachelor of Business Administration - Concentration in Project Management
Strayer University
Newport NewsSkills
- Operations and Project Management
- Vendor Management
- Joint Commission, DNV and State Survey Readiness
- Transition Planning
- MS Office Suite
- Clinical and Administrative Training
- Microsoft Project
- EMR/EHR Implementation
- End-to-End Project Lifecycle Management
- Epic
- Clinician Recruitment and Contracts
- Workday
- Kronos (UKG)
- Netsmart/MyUnity
- SNF Clinic
- Policy Implementation/Operational Guidance
- SalesForce – CRM Application
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Fluency Direct Dictation
- Apple Products setup and usage
- PointClickCare
- Staff Development and Education
- HealthStream
- Customer Relationship Management
- Paycom
- Workflow optimization
- Process mapping optimization and recommendations
Certification
GLSS – Go Lean Six Sigma Pursuing green and black belt, anticipated completion Q2 of 2027 for both
Timeline
Assistant Administrator
Marcella Post Acute
03.2026 - Current
Process Improvement Manager/Clinical Analyst
VHS Consulting
01.2021 - 03.2026
Regional Operations Manager/Business Development
Deer Oaks Behavioral Services
03.2019 - 12.2020
Senior System Analyst
Riverside Health System
05.2013 - 06.2015
EMR Implementation Trainer and Specialist
Riverside Health System
05.2009 - 04.2013
Clinical Analyst II
Riverside Health System
09.2008 - 03.2019
Master of Business Administration -
Strayer University
Bachelor of Business Administration - Concentration in Project Management
Strayer University
Websites, Portfolios, Profiles
linkedin.com/in/cerissa-atkins-658b08a1