Open To Work
Debra Pratscher
Hometown,IL
Summary
Healthcare professional with 20 years of diverse experience in patient care and administrative support. Central communicator in busy healthcare settings, enhancing patient satisfaction through effective communication and empathetic service.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Unit Secretary
University of Chicago at Ingalls Memorial Hospital
11.2022 - 09.2025
- Acted as the central communication hub for a 40-bed acute care unit.
- Managed busy multiline phone system, triaging calls from concerned family members to ensure timely communication and support
- Greeted patients and visitors with patience, courtesy and empathy
- Resolved patient and visitor inquiries with empathy and professionalism, de-escalating stressful situations in the waiting area
- Coordinated with environmental services to expedite room turnovers, enhancing patient flow and satisfaction
- Monitored unit supplies and reordered medical and office equipment while coordinating with maintenance to resolve facility issues swiftly
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Inpatient Acute Rehab
University of Chicago at Ingalls Memorial Hospital
04.2022 - 11.2022
- Provided high-quality, direct patient care for up to 40 acute care patients, maintaining an 80% patient satisfaction rating
- Assisted registered nurses with specialized clinical tasks, including pre- and post-operative care, wound changes, and foley/catheter care, contributing to overall patient recovery
- Monitored and recorded vital signs, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration rate for 15+ patients daily, promptly reporting changes to nursing staff to ensure timely patient care
- Documented food and fluid intake and urinary/fecal output accurately in Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, achieving 95% compliance to support effective patient management
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart
05.2021 - 04.2022
- Assisted 15+ elderly Catholic nuns with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, toileting, and medication administration, ensuring comfort and dignity.
- Monitored and recorded vital signs accurately, promptly reporting any sudden physical or emotional changes to the registered nurse to facilitate timely interventions.
- Engaged in daily conversations, providing warm, supportive presence to enhance emotional well-being and foster strong relationships.
Customer Engagement Representative
Medulla/ChiroOne Wellness Center
04.2019 - 03.2020
- Educated patients on long-term benefits of chiropractic care, converting 50% of evaluations into wellness programs
- Processed payments and resolved patient concerns promptly, fostering a welcoming clinic environment
- Utilized scheduling and CRM software to log patient interactions and update medical records efficiently
Caregiver (Live-In)
Private Residence
08.2016 - 01.2018
- Delivered continuous live-in care for elderly client with advanced mobility issues and dementia, assisting with mobility, hygiene, and daily routines to enhance quality of life
- Coordinated medication schedules, managed prescription refills, and logged daily health metrics for effective communication with doctor
- Ensured clean, safe living environment to mitigate fall risks and eliminate household hazards
Medical Office Receptionist
Southwest Pediatrics
10.2014 - 07.2016
- Managed front desk operations for fast-paced pediatric office, greeting patients, verifying insurance, and scheduling appointments for 6 providers to ensure efficient patient flow
- Maintained confidentiality of patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations while handling 100+ inbound calls daily, supporting compliance and patient trust
- Answered phone calls, took messages, and directed calls to appropriate staff, ensuring smooth and professional communication across the office
Front Office Assistant
Little Company of Mary Hospital
06.2012 - 12.2013
- Processed intake forms and updated EHR with 100% accuracy, ensuring data integrity for patient records
- Operated multi-line phone system, efficiently routing over 50 calls daily to ensure timely communication
- Assisted in organizing community health education events, overseeing logistics for 75 attendees to enhance community engagement
Hospital Unit Secretary (NICU)
Advocate Christ Medical Center
07.2002 - 06.2012
- Acted as central communication hub for 40-bed neonatal intensive care unit, facilitating rapid response and information flow among physicians, nursing staff, patients, and families.
- Managed multi-line phone system, triaging calls from family members, pharmacies, and internal departments to ensure timely communication and support for patient care
- Monitored unit supplies and coordinated timely reordering of medical and office equipment to maintain operational readiness.
Education
Diploma -
OAI/Excelsior Healthcare Academy
Chicago Heights, ILDiploma -
Southwest School of Business
Chicago, ILDiploma -
Mother McAuley High School
Chicago, ILSkills
- Electronic health records management
- EMR/EHR software proficiency
- Medical records management
- Patient scheduling
- Appointment scheduling
- Patient chart maintenance
- Insurance verification
- HIPAA and OSHA compliance
- Medical office administration
- Administrative support practices
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- Patient confidentiality practices
Certification
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Illinois Certification
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Proficiency in EHR/EMR systems (Epic, eClinicalWorks) and proficiency with Microsoft Office
- HIPPA Compliance
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteSalary Range
$0/hr - $1000/hrTimeline
Unit Secretary
University of Chicago at Ingalls Memorial Hospital
11.2022 - 09.2025
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Inpatient Acute Rehab
University of Chicago at Ingalls Memorial Hospital
04.2022 - 11.2022
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart
05.2021 - 04.2022
Customer Engagement Representative
Medulla/ChiroOne Wellness Center
04.2019 - 03.2020
Caregiver (Live-In)
Private Residence
08.2016 - 01.2018
Medical Office Receptionist
Southwest Pediatrics
10.2014 - 07.2016
Front Office Assistant
Little Company of Mary Hospital
06.2012 - 12.2013
Hospital Unit Secretary (NICU)
Advocate Christ Medical Center
07.2002 - 06.2012
Diploma -
OAI/Excelsior Healthcare Academy
Diploma -
Southwest School of Business
Diploma -
Mother McAuley High School