CHRISTINE LAZARO
West Dundee,IL
Summary
Proven track record of delivering exceptional service in fast-paced environments, emphasizing teamwork and exceeding customer expectations. Adaptable and dependable, skilled at managing operations from start to finish. Proficient in multitasking and meticulous attention to detail, demonstrating executive-level proficiency in administrative and financial leadership. Well-rounded professional with a proven ability to improve efficiency through strategic policy, procedure, and process enhancements that optimize productivity while maintaining quality standards.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Dental Practice Manager
Northwest Dental Group
Arlington Heights, IL
03.2021 - Current
- Increased case acceptance rates with comprehensive treatment presentations and financial discussions tailored to individual patient needs.
- Create a welcoming environment for patients through excellent customer service skills, fostering patient loyalty to the dental practice.
- Develop a strong team culture, resulting in increased employee retention and reduced turnover within the dental practice.
- Collaborate with doctors to assess patient care needs and create treatment plans that maximized oral health outcomes for patients.
- Evaluate software options to select an optimal dental practice management system that streamlined operations while offering user-friendly interface features for patients.
- Enhance patient satisfaction by implementing efficient scheduling and appointment management systems.
- Facilitate ongoing professional development opportunities for staff members to enhance their skills and maintain a high level of competence in their respective roles.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, and state regulations through regular audits, staff training, and policy updates.
- Optimize insurance billing processes for faster claims processing times, improving cash flow within the dental practice.
- Establish positive relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable contracts for equipment maintenance and supply purchases.
- Streamline dental practice operations for improved efficiency and cost savings through staff training and workflow optimization.
- Resolve conflicts between employees professionally while maintaining confidentiality standards set forth by privacy laws such as HIPAA.
- Manage inventory control processes to ensure appropriate stock levels, minimizing waste and reducing costs.
- Design an efficient recall system that resulted in higher appointment compliance rates among existing patients.
- Prepare insurance claim forms, explained benefits, and outlined pricing details for procedures and services.
- Achieve revenue goals with successful management of patient scheduling, receivables and miscellaneous operations expenses.
- Maintain patient data with required regulatory chart documents, personal information and treatment consultation documentation.
- Manage office within budget guidelines for clerical and auxiliary supply purchases, equipment upgrades and labor costs.
- Oversee facilities and equipment cleanliness and safety for optimal patient protections.
- Recruit, hire and develop office teams to offer best-in-class patient care.
- Greet and interact with patients to provide information, answer questions and assist with appointment scheduling.
- Schedule patient appointments in respective doctors' calendars and followed up with reminder phone calls.
- Place new supply orders, managed inventory and restocked clerical spaces.
- Answer telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
- Perform various administrative tasks by filing, copying and faxing documents.
- Obtain payments from patients and scanned identification and insurance cards.
- Prepare and processed patient referrals and transfer requests.
- Complete administrative patient intakes with case histories, insurance information and mandated forms.
- Manage office bookkeeping with insurance billing and patient payments.
Operations Manager
Nikol Kurziak-Banach D.D.S., Michael Dyme D.D.S.
Waukegan, IL
08.2020 - 02.2021
- Two doctors, 2 hygienists, 5 assistants, serving over 2,000 patients.
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Human resource and patient operations.
- Manage Insurance (verifications, communications, aging, coordinate and process)
- AR/AP management
- Process payroll bi-monthly
- Generate mid and end of month procedural analysis reports (by provider, production, etc)
- CPR/ AED certified
- Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by establishing clear communication channels and addressing concerns promptly.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
Patient treatment and scheduling coordinator
Michael Czarkowski, D.D.S.
Winnetka, IL
04.2012 - 07.2020
- One doctor, 4 hygienists, serving over 2,000 patients.
- Assisted in sterilization w/ ultrasonic and Statim. Ran suction and lines.
- Patient care follow-up.
- CPR/ AED certified.
- Assisted w/ perio charting.
- Front desk operations. Maintain patient relations and scheduled appointments. Recalls and overdue appointments.
- Managed insurance claims and AR/AP.
- Managed staff and patient agenda.
- Utilized advanced software tools like Excel, Outlook, and scheduling-specific platforms to effectively manage comprehensive appointment calendars.
- Proactively identified scheduling issues and developed quick solutions to promote efficiency and profitability.
- Managed daily scheduling conflicts to reduce operational backlogs and support full shift-coverage.
- Communicated scheduling changes to staff members, implementing proof-of-receipt to reduce errors.
- Optimized workflow by prioritizing tasks based on urgency and aligning staff assignments accordingly.
- Supported company growth by effectively managing an increasing volume of scheduling requests without compromising service quality.
- Generated reports and tracked data to monitor operational priorities and scheduling.
- Increased patient satisfaction through timely appointment scheduling and proactive management of wait times.
- Coordinated training sessions for new hires, ensuring seamless integration into the team's scheduling processes.
- Contributed to team success by providing backup scheduling support during peak times.
- Implemented new scheduling system, training staff on its use to improve overall efficiency.
- Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/AR, deposits, and recordkeeping.
Office Manager/ Patient Coordinator
Neal C. Nealis, D.D.S.
Chicago, IL
11.2006 - 06.2011
- One doctor, 3 hygienists, serving over 1,000 patients.
- CPR/AED certified.
- Assisted w/ x-rays, perio charting, lab cases, breaking down and setting up operatories, sterilizing instruments in ultrasonic and autoclave.
- Front desk operations. Maintain patient relations and scheduled appointments.
- Post operative care.
- Managed AR/AP and insurance.
- Created quarterly patient newsletters.
- Created and managed monthly/annual statistics forms to meet and exceed goals.
- Generated and discussed patient treatment and financial plans.
Data Analyst/ Project Manager
On-Site E-Discovery
Chicago, IL
07.2003 - 11.2006
- Managed production team and oversaw litigation projects.
- Pre-billing and invoicing of EFP, Data, Scan, Blowbacks, and Reprographics.
- Preliminary data and data deliveries using proprietary software.
- Scan, QC, QA.
- Received company's best of the best award twice in less than six months.
Customer Service Representative
R.E.I. Real Estate Index
Evanston, IL
10.2001 - 02.2003
- Track and input title search and title commitment orders.
- Bill and flag recorded documents.
- Verify and correct document number and recorded dates.
- Bill for and document copies ordered for title commitments.
Education
Associates in Applied Science -
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL01.2012
Lane Technical High School
Chicago, IL05.1999
Skills
- Eaglesoft
- Dentrix 67, Splashtop
- Carestream SoftDent, Kodak Imaging, Sesame Control, SoftDent ECS, TeamViewer
- Dexis, MOGO Win, LogMeIn desktop remote login
- Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Doculex Capture & Control, OCR-it, PDF-it, Concordance, Spitfire, Splitter, On-Site proprietary software, SBT, ACCPAC, Ipro, Law, 10-Key, Cash handling
- Problem-solving, Strong work ethic, Data entry, Verbal and written communication, Teamwork and collaboration, Time management skills, Attention to detail, Schedule management, Strategic planning, Staff coordination, Critical thinking, Scheduling proficiency, Customer relationship management, Office administration, Effective multitasking, Deadline oriented, Telephone etiquette, Daily timekeeping, Task delegation, Office management, Customer service and support, Administrative duties, Production scheduling, Patient scheduling, Patient registration, Documentation and reporting, Project tracking, Applicant interviews, Attention to detail
Timeline
Dental Practice Manager
Northwest Dental Group
03.2021 - Current
Operations Manager
Nikol Kurziak-Banach D.D.S., Michael Dyme D.D.S.
08.2020 - 02.2021
Patient treatment and scheduling coordinator
Michael Czarkowski, D.D.S.
04.2012 - 07.2020
Office Manager/ Patient Coordinator
Neal C. Nealis, D.D.S.
11.2006 - 06.2011
Data Analyst/ Project Manager
On-Site E-Discovery
07.2003 - 11.2006
Customer Service Representative
R.E.I. Real Estate Index
10.2001 - 02.2003
Associates in Applied Science -
Oakton Community College
Lane Technical High School