Dana McKenzie

Within my role as a Medical Assistant at Maryland Vascular Specialists (MVS), a prominent outpatient vascular clinic dedicated entirely to the care of artery and vein health/disorders interrelated with the circulatory system, I excel in bringing solutions to problems as they arise and adequately assist physicians to provide the most effective care to patients. Majority of my duties include, but certainly not limited to;

• Rooming & Triaging Patients
• Chart Preparation
• Answering phone calls, as well as taking messages
• Daily use of Medical EMR system
• Insurance authorizations
• Scheduling appointments
• Preparing examination and treatment rooms with necessary medical instruments.
• Taking a patient's vital signs as well as the height and weight measurements.
• Reviewing a patient’s history by interviewing them.

Some qualities I bring to the practice are exhibiting excellent communication skills, remaining proactive, organized, and a reliable team player.

During my time at MVS, I’ve had the opportunity to experience physicians with multiple Vein Closure procedures, also known as radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive medical treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to close off problematic veins, particularly in cases of venous insufficiency or varicose veins.

As a Mental Health Worker at Sheppard Pratt, I provide basic care, therapy, and assistance to patients with mental illness or developmental disabilities. I also assist with daily activities, monitor the patients' conditions, and assist in administering therapeutic care. My duties in my role include;

• Participate in the planning and evaluation of patient needs based on patient behaviors.
• Provide direct patient care services in accordance with the treatment plan and under the direction of a professional nurse.
• Assist in providing a safe and therapeutic environment according to established policies and procedures.

As a Medical Assistant at St. Agnes, I am responsible for assisting physicians with patient care, performing appropriate procedures, and preparing rooms & equipment. Also responsible for maintaining records and interacting in a professional, friendly manner with patients & family members, physicians, staff, and visitors. This position is also responsible for clinical process improvement and acts as a coordinator for lab and referral issues.

Some essential functions include:

• Escorting patients to rooms, takes history and vitals.
• Assist physicians with examinations, assists with procedures as requested. Prepare patients for procedures performed in the office.
• Clean exam rooms and equipment, performing sterilization procedures as necessary. Keeping exam rooms properly stocked with medical supplies, forms, and other materials needed.
• Triage phone calls, documents information from patients via telephone, relays information to physicians for response. Place return calls as directed by physicians.
• Pulling patient charts for visits and files charts away after visits. Prepares patients charts prior to scheduled visits with the required forms and by gathering pertinent medical information Contacts outside medical offices and testing facilities to obtain records for visits as necessary. Prepares charts according to each physician’s individual preference.
• Schedule all tests and minor procedures and obtains pre-certification/pre-authorization for these tests and procedures as required by insurance carrier.
• Call pharmacies to refill prescriptions under the direction of a physician and obtains authorizations for prescriptions and prescription refills as required by insurance.

I have also been trained and have successfully run the Covid Clinic at our location since November 2022. This position is responsible for coordinating all onsite COVID-19 testing. This includes testing preparation, day of testing oversight and ensuring the results are processed and communicated according to internal procedures.

My duties as a Front Desk Associate at COHA, a leading group of oncologists committed to delivering advanced treatments and highest-quality care including oncology and hematology treatment services for cancer patients, include:

• Making appointments, verifying patient information and insurance coverage, scanning required information into the computer system.
• Check-in and check-out patients in a polite and courteous manner
• Collect co-pays, referrals, and insurance cards.
• Obtain authorizations for various tests, procedures, and medications.
• Interacting with patients, general practitioners, health care professionals, and patient’s family members in a compassionate and kind manner.
• Answering telephone calls in a professional and courteous manner- Receiving and conveying messages in writing and verbally to providers.

As a Telecommunications Operator at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center, my daily duties included but were not limited to;

• Providing effective and efficient telephone service to hospital employees, physicians, patients, patient families, and the community.
• Relaying incoming, outgoing, and interoffice telephone calls.
• Operating in-house, long range and overhead paging systems, and announcing all codes.
• Function as patient information operator.
• Monitor alarms and notifies appropriate personnel.
• Process long distance calls for hospital staff, as needed.
• Any additional duties as assigned.

I found learning to comfort patients by anticipating their possible anxieties and answering patients' questions, was an effective skill to grasp to help build comfort with the patients and efficiently be a means of communication between them and the providers. I ensure availability of treatment information by filing and retrieving patient records. Maintain business office inventory and equipment by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies; scheduling equipment service and repairs. I help patients in distress by responding to emergencies. Protect patients' rights by maintaining confidentiality of personal and financial information. Maintain operations by following policies and procedures; reporting needed changes. Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Duties include keeping front desk tidy and presentable with all necessary materials, greeting and welcome guests. Answer questions and address complaints. Answer all incoming calls and redirect them or keep messages. Receive letters, packages etc. and distribute them. Prepare outgoing mail by drafting correspondence, securing parcels etc. Check, sort, and forward emails. Monitor office supplies and place orders when necessary. Keep updated files. Take up other duties as assigned (travel arrangements, schedules etc.)

Proficient in communication (oral and written). Excellent knowledge of MS Office (especially Excel and Word). Strong communication and people skills. Good organizational and multi-tasking abilities. Problem-solving skills and customer service orientation