ERICKA D. MCDOWELL
St. Louis,MO
Summary
Accomplished healthcare administrative professional with 10+ years of progressive federal experience supporting medical center operations, workforce management, compliance, budgeting support, procurement coordination, and credentialing programs. Proven leader with expertise in administrative operations, regulatory compliance, performance reporting, and stakeholder engagement. Trusted advisor to executive leadership and service chiefs, ensuring alignment with VHA mission, Joint Commission standards, and organizational goals.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Health System Specialist (Credentialing & Privileging)
Department of Veterans Affairs
St. Louis, MO
11.2023 - Current
- Lead daily administrative operations supporting multiple clinical service lines and licensed providers.
- Serve as Subject Matter Expert for OPPE/FPPE, privileging actions, compliance monitoring, and provider onboarding.
- Coordinate staffing priorities, assign workloads, conduct second-level reviews, and provide guidance to staff.
- Partner with Human Resources on recruitment actions, onboarding, and organizational workflow support.
- Develop SOPs, policies, training materials, and technical briefings for staff and leadership.
- Prepare executive correspondence, staffing reports, compliance data, and operational metrics for Chief of Staff and Medical Center leadership.
- Advise service chiefs on administrative needs, staffing concerns, and alternate courses of action.
- Support budget tracking, procurement documentation, and equipment accountability activities.
- Ensure compliance with VHA directives, Joint Commission standards, OIG/GAO recommendations, and safety policies.
- Lead quality, productivity, and process-improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
- Maintain high-level liaison relationships with VISN partners, leadership, supervisors, and external stakeholders.
- GS-11
Health System Specialist (Credentialing & Privileging)
Department of Veterans Affairs
06.2022 - 11.2023
- Managed VetPro, NPDB, FSMB, state licensure, DEA, and credentialing documentation.
- Coordinated privileging actions requiring executive approval.
- Trained staff on credentialing processes, regulatory documentation, and performance standards.
- Supported annual self-assessments, inspections, and regulatory readiness.
- Compiled operational data and prepared reports to support service performance.
- GS-9
Program Support Assistant (Credentialing)
Department of Veterans Affairs
03.2022 - 06.2022
- Processed provider applications, conducted primary source verifications, and maintained confidential records.
- Drafted credentialing procedures and performed quality control checks.
- Supported onboarding and VetPro database operations.
- GS-7
Accounting Technician / Replenishment Specialist (Logistics & VCS)
Department of Veterans Affairs
02.2017 - 03.2022
- Supported budget execution, procurement, inventory management, internal controls, and reconciliation.
- Reduced procurement costs by approximately 15% through vendor reassessment.
- Managed purchasing documentation, POS systems, and equipment accountability.
- Assisted leadership with workforce planning and operational reporting.
- GS-5–9
Lead Credentialing / HR Specialist
Med-Assist / One Advantage LLC
Belleville, IL
06.2001 - 02.2017
- Led administrative, credentialing, and HR operations for multiple hospitals and medical centers.
- Coordinated recruitment support, maintained organizational charts, and managed staffing workflows.
- Conducted provider verifications including NPDB, licensure, education, and board certifications.
- Developed training materials and supervised staff.
- Maintained HIPAA compliance, confidential records, purchasing card activity, and financial reconciliation.
- Prepared operational reports and supported leadership decision-making.
Education
Master of Science - Healthcare Administration
Lindenwood University
St. Charles, MOMaster of Arts - Gerontology
Lindenwood University
St. Charles, M0Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Lindenwood University
St. Charles, MOSkills
- Administrative Operations & Program Management
- Workforce Coordination & HR Liaison Support
- Budget Monitoring & Financial Administration
- Regulatory Compliance (VHA, TJC, OIG, GAO)
- Procurement & Contract Support (COR assistance)
- Quality, Safety & Productivity Initiatives
- Staff Supervision, Training & Delegation
- Process Improvement & Internal Controls
- Executive Reporting & Data Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement & Customer Service
- Healthcare IT systems
Timeline
Lead Health System Specialist (Credentialing & Privileging)
Department of Veterans Affairs
11.2023 - Current
Health System Specialist (Credentialing & Privileging)
Department of Veterans Affairs
06.2022 - 11.2023
Program Support Assistant (Credentialing)
Department of Veterans Affairs
03.2022 - 06.2022
Accounting Technician / Replenishment Specialist (Logistics & VCS)
Department of Veterans Affairs
02.2017 - 03.2022
Lead Credentialing / HR Specialist
Med-Assist / One Advantage LLC
06.2001 - 02.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Lindenwood University
Master of Science - Healthcare Administration
Lindenwood University
Master of Arts - Gerontology
Lindenwood University