DesiRae Ratkovec
Waverly,NE
Summary
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Detail-oriented team player with an ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Rating Quality Review Specialist
Department Of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Admin
Lincoln, NE
02.2011 - Current
- Developed strong team relationships through consistent communication and attentive service.
- Earned recognition as a top performer consistently exceeding targets throughout my tenure as a specialist in the field.
- Listened and responded to Journey level and Trainee Rating Veteran Service Representative questions and forwarded necessary information to superiors.
- Followed all agency policies and regulatory procedures to deliver quality work.
- Assisted with staff training to enforce quality and regulatory guidelines on a local and National level.
- Attended training programs to deepen professional skillset and assisted in training fellow VBA employees on regulations necessary for quality rating decisions
- Evaluated trainee staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
- Managed multiple workloads including various types of reviews, Congressional inquiries, training, and/or mentoring on a daily basis.
- Collected, arranged, and input rating and trainee information into SharePoint and excel database systems.
- Continued use of skillset and knowledge base as a Rating Veterans Service Representative into the role of Rating Quality Review Specialist
Rating Veteran Service Representative
Department Of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Admin
Lincoln, NE
12.2002 - 02.2011
- Enhanced claim processing efficiency by streamlining workflow processes and implementing best practices.
- Provided support to veterans by addressing inquiries during outreach events.
- Conducted thorough research on claim-related issues, leading to more informed decisions on benefit entitlements.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge of VA regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Developed strong relationships with internal stakeholders to foster a collaborative work environment focused on achieving results.
- Worked closely with medical professionals to obtain necessary documentation for proper evaluation of disability claims.
- Managed high caseloads efficiently while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy in disability evaluations.
- Ensured consistent application of legal standards across all cases by adhering to established guidelines when rating disabilities.
- Validated claim determinations through meticulous analysis of relevant evidence before finalizing decisions.
- Contributed to team success by sharing expertise in VA benefits administration during training sessions and workshops.
- Assisted colleagues as needed, demonstrating flexibility while contributing positively towards overall team performance.
- Maintained confidentiality and sensitivity when dealing with personal information, adhering to privacy laws and ethical standards.
- Maintained strong knowledge of advanced medical terminology to better understand services and procedures.
- Delivered high-quality customer service to veterans, providing accurate rating benefit decisions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to accurately evaluate disability claims and determine appropriate ratings.
- Maintained accurate records of all veteran interactions, resulting in streamlined communication and improved case management.
Registered Nurse, Research
Gastroenterology Specialties
Lincoln, NE
05.2002 - 11.2002
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
CorVel
Lincoln, NE
05.2001 - 05.2002
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing comprehensive assessments and developing tailored care plans.
- Enhanced interdisciplinary team communication through regular case conferences, promoting effective collaboration for optimal patient care.
- Evaluated patient progress and adjusted care plans accordingly, ensuring continuity of care across all healthcare settings.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure appropriate resource utilization for complex cases.
- Maintained detailed documentation of patient encounters, supporting accurate billing practices and data-driven decision making.
- Provided timely feedback to healthcare providers regarding patient concerns, facilitating prompt resolution of issues and contributing to a positive patient experience.
- Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, performance, medications and changes.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
- Performed evaluations on consistent basis to address changes in patient needs, conditions and medications, altering care plans when required.
- Liaised with physicians and insurance companies regarding patient needs, performance and changes.
Registered Nurse-Burn Unit
St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
Lincoln, NE
03.2001 - 05.2001
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nurse
Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE03.2001
Skills
- Quality Assurance
- Emergency Response
- Quality Assessment
- Training and development
- Performance monitoring
- Decision making
- Interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
- Time management
Certification
Emergency Medical Technician 2001-2007
Instructor Development Course Certified (IDC)
Additional Information
Former Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Timeline
Rating Quality Review Specialist
Department Of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Admin
02.2011 - Current
Rating Veteran Service Representative
Department Of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Admin
12.2002 - 02.2011
Registered Nurse, Research
Gastroenterology Specialties
05.2002 - 11.2002
Registered Nurse Case Manager
CorVel
05.2001 - 05.2002
Registered Nurse-Burn Unit
St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
03.2001 - 05.2001
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nurse
Southeast Community College Area
Emergency Medical Technician 2001-2007
Instructor Development Course Certified (IDC)
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