Cynthia Ford
Chattahoochee,Florida
Summary
Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Patient Access Specialist
Apalachee Center
Quincy, FL
09.2025 - Current
- Assisted patients with completing intake forms and verifying insurance information.
- Scheduled appointments and coordinated referrals for mental health services and Primary Care.
- Collaborated with clinical staff to streamline patient flow and improve access to care.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive patient information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Trained new team members on office procedures and patient access protocols.
- Demonstrated adaptability by learning various administrative tasks quickly within fast-paced environment.
- Collected and entered patient demographic and insurance data into computer database to establish patient's medical record.
- Handled sensitive situations involving distressed patients with empathy maintaining professionalism throughout interactions.
- Managed patient registration processes using electronic health record systems.
- Provided excellent customer service by addressing patient inquiries and concerns promptly.
- Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
- Facilitated patient registration processes, ensuring accurate collection of personal and insurance information.
- Coordinated communication between patients and healthcare providers to enhance service delivery.
- Trained new staff on patient access protocols and electronic health record systems.
- Implemented scheduling systems to optimize appointment availability and reduce wait times.
- Answered multi-line telephone and transfer to appropriate extension
Referral Specialist
Apalachee Center
Quincy, FL
11.2023 - 09.2025
- Facilitated patient referrals to appropriate services, ensuring timely access to care.
- Coordinated communication between patients and healthcare providers, enhancing service delivery efficiency.
- Managed referral tracking systems, improving process accuracy and follow-up procedures.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community resources to support patient needs effectively.
- Provided training to new staff on referral protocols and system usage for consistency in operations.
- Called insurance companies to get precertification and other benefits information on behalf of patients.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to ensure accurate and complete referral information, improving patient care coordination.
- Promoted clear communication between primary care providers and specialists through detailed documentation and follow-up calls.
- Developed strong relationships with external healthcare facilities, fostering a collaborative approach to patient care coordination.
- Built professional relationships with service providers.
- Maintained accurate records on in-progress and completed referrals, ensuring full data integrity throughout process.
- Scheduled appointments with specialists on behalf of clients.
- Managed high-volume referral requests by prioritizing tasks and maintaining organized records.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving issues related to referrals.
- Acted as a liaison between referring physicians and specialists, establishing trust and rapport through professionalism.
- Provided ongoing training for new Referral Specialist staff members, ensuring consistent quality service delivery across the team.
- Attended continuing education courses to stay current on referral processes and best practices.
- Completed administrative patient intakes with case histories, insurance information and mandated forms.
- Managed office logistics by scheduling appointments, maintaining files and collecting payments.
- Assisted with medical coding and billing tasks.
- Processed medical insurance claims and payments.
- Registered and verified patient records before triage with most up-to-date information.
- Managed all incoming and outgoing faxes.
- Answered phone calls and messages for three-physician mental health and primary care medical facility, scheduling appointments, and handling patient inquiries.
Support Staff
Apalachee Center
Quincy, FL
05.2019 - 11.2023
- Assisted in coordinating client appointments and managing scheduling processes.
- Supported administrative tasks, ensuring accurate documentation for client records.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance service delivery and client care.
- Trained new staff on operational procedures and best practices for client support.
- Facilitated communication between clients and service providers to resolve issues efficiently.
- Greeted visitors professionally, directing them appropriately and ensuring a positive first impression of the organization.
- Answered telephone and assisted callers by providing information or directing to appropriate employee.
- Provided administrative support for various departments, contributing to the smooth operation of the organization.
- Communicated with clients on behalf of staff to relay messages and information.
- Assisted in training new staff members on company procedures and practices enabling their smooth integration into the workplace environment.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing efficient and timely support to clients.
- Attended training sessions to stay updated on procedures and services.
- Provided frontline support to mental health professionals, enhancing client care and service delivery.
- Assisted in coordinating daily operations, ensuring efficient workflow across departments.
- Implemented best practices for client engagement, improving overall satisfaction and support outcomes.
- Streamlined administrative tasks using electronic health record systems, increasing operational efficiency.
Transportation Supervisor
Big Bend Transit
Quincy, FL
04.2010 - 05.2019
- Supervised daily operations of transit services, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and policies.
- Managed scheduling and routing for efficient service delivery and reduced delays.
- Trained and mentored new staff on operational procedures and customer service standards.
- Conducted performance evaluations to enhance team productivity and effectiveness.
- Managed routing, driver supervision and DOT compliance.
- Coordinated schedules and routes for drivers to ensure timely deliveries and customer satisfaction.
- Ensured proper documentation was completed accurately for all transportation operations, including driver logs, vehicle inspection reports, and accident/incident reports.
- Addressed issues swiftly, resolving conflicts between drivers, customers, or other stakeholders effectively.
- Managed a team of drivers, providing training, guidance, and performance evaluations to maintain a high level of professionalism.
- Improved transportation efficiency by optimizing routes and implementing time-saving strategies.
- Improved working conditions for employees and fostered work environment that maximized employee morale and engagement.
- Maintained and verified time, transportation, financial, inventory and personnel records.
- Developed strong relationships with clients through consistent communication and excellent customer service practices.
- Led training programs for new drivers, enhancing operational compliance and safety standards.
- Oversaw transportation of twenty drivers daily by coordinating personnel and developing efficient routes and workload schedules.
Unit Treatment Rehab Specialist Director
Florida State Hospital
Chattahoochee, FL
07.2001 - 10.2009
- Developed individualized treatment plans to enhance patient recovery and rehabilitation outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to assess patient needs and progress effectively.
- Implemented therapeutic activities to promote physical and emotional well-being among patients.
- Trained staff on evidence-based practices to improve overall treatment effectiveness.
- Monitored patient progress, adjusting interventions based on observed behaviors and responses.
- Advocated for patient-centered approaches, fostering a supportive environment for recovery.
- Collaborated with external agencies such as vocational services or housing assistance programs to provide additional resources for patients during their transition out of treatment.
- Managed crisis situations with appropriate interventions according to established protocols, maintaining patient safety at all times.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through ongoing data analysis and feedback collection from patients, families, and other stakeholders, leading to continuous improvement in service delivery.
- Conducted assessments and evaluations on incoming patients, identifying specific treatment needs and goals.
- Trained new staff members on unit policies and procedures, contributing to a cohesive and knowledgeable team environment.
- Participated in case conferences alongside multidisciplinary team members to discuss patient progress, adapt treatment plans, and ensure consistent care delivery.
- Fostered strong relationships with patients and their families through open communication channels, establishing trust within the therapeutic process.
- Increased client self-sufficiency by providing education on essential life skills such as budgeting, time management, and self-care practices.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques as needed, reducing negative behaviors and promoting positive coping skills among patients.
Correctional Sergeant
Apalachee Correctional Institution
Sneads, FL
Jul - 07.2001
- Supervised daily operations in correctional facility, ensuring compliance with safety and security protocols.
- Trained and mentored junior staff on inmate management and conflict resolution techniques.
- Conducted regular inspections of facilities to identify safety hazards and implement corrective measures.
- Developed and enforced policies for inmate behavior management, promoting a safe environment.
- Coordinated emergency response drills, enhancing preparedness among staff and inmates alike.
- Analyzed incident reports to identify trends and develop strategies for risk reduction.
- Facilitated communication between staff and administration to improve operational efficiency and morale.
- Implemented training programs focusing on de-escalation techniques, improving overall incident response effectiveness.
- Maintained order and security in the correctional facility by enforcing rules, regulations, and procedures.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Enhanced facility safety by conducting regular security checks and monitoring inmate activities.
- Served as a role model for subordinates, demonstrating professionalism in all aspects of job responsibilities.
- Conducted thorough investigations into allegations of misconduct or rule violations, resulting in fair disciplinary actions when necessary.
- Resolved issues and disputes between inmates professionally and respectfully.
- Supervised dining hall, outdoor recreation area, vocational shop, and inmate housing unit.
- Monitored and confirmed compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Reduced instances of violence within the institution through effective conflict resolution strategies and communication skills.
- Responded to emergency situations and provided first aid following facility guidelines.
- Evaluated job performance of subordinate staff members regularly while providing constructive feedback for improvement opportunities.
- Cultivated and maintained climate of mutual respect with freedom from harassment and intimidation, to provide safe environment for staff and offenders.
- Handled inmate counts and searches for missing inmates.
- Completed daily work report sheets and delegated tasks to employees.
- Efficiently managed resources such as time, personnel, and equipment to ensure smooth operations within the correctional facility.
- Verified all prison visitors carried proper identification and had no contraband before entering institution.
- Assisted in the planning and execution of large-scale facility operations including cell searches, shakedowns, and evacuation drills.
- Improved staff performance by providing training and guidance on institutional policies and best practices.
- Facilitated positive relationships between staff members and inmates by encouraging respectful interactions at all times.
- Supervised thirty employees and performance of tasks and managed 200 offenders.
Education
No Degree - Social Work
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL No Degree - Criminal Justice
Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee, FLHigh School Diploma - Basic Corrections
Chattahoochee High School
Chattahoochee, Floirda05-1990
Skills
- Front desk operations
- Professionalism and ethics
- Exceptional communication
- Data entry proficiency
- Performance standards compliance
Timeline
Patient Access Specialist
Apalachee Center
09.2025 - Current
Referral Specialist
Apalachee Center
11.2023 - 09.2025
Support Staff
Apalachee Center
05.2019 - 11.2023
Transportation Supervisor
Big Bend Transit
04.2010 - 05.2019
Unit Treatment Rehab Specialist Director
Florida State Hospital
07.2001 - 10.2009
Correctional Sergeant
Apalachee Correctional Institution
Jul - 07.2001
No Degree - Social Work
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
No Degree - Criminal Justice
Tallahassee Community College
High School Diploma - Basic Corrections
Chattahoochee High School