Erika Thorau
Ilumin, LLC
Plattsmouth,NE
1
Certification
18
years of professional experience
Clinical Practice and Operations Manager with 18+ years of leadership experience overseeing multi-site operations and 40+ employees. Skilled in team leadership, staff development, workflow optimization, scheduling, performance management, and continuous improvement. Known for building high-performing teams through trust, positivity, accountability, and kindness while driving operational efficiency, practice growth, and exceptional patient and employee experiences. Passionate about developing people, improving processes, and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth. Dedicated to leading with purpose, strengthening teams, and continuously finding better ways to improve both people and processes.
Work History
Clinical Practice and Operations Manager
4 Years 1 Month- Implemented strategic improvements to streamline clinical processes, ensuring enhanced efficiency and superior patient care.
- Reviewed and refined standard operating procedures to promote uniformity and reliability in workflow processes.
- Monitored and enforced safety regulations, ensuring a safe and compliant workplace for all personnel.
- Supervised team of 40+ office personnel across multiple practices.
- Achieved higher employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment and providing opportunities for professional growth.
- Coordinated regular meetings to promote transparency and foster open communication among all team members.
- Managed daily practice operations to optimize appointment scheduling, patient records management and billing functions.
- Assessed processes and procedures, complying with OSHA, and HIPAA regulations.
- Addressed and remedied all patient or team member issues.
- Created and implemented organizational policies and procedures.
- Cultivated a culture of ownership among employees, enhancing accountability and driving performance improvements.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
- Directed hiring, onboarding, and training processes for new employees, ensuring effective integration into the team.
- Designed and established leadership development coaching and team management strategy, facilitating employee promotions to higher levels of responsibility.
- Cultivated a positive work culture within the clinic through regular acknowledgment of employee achievements.
- Overhauled outdated clinic procedures, increasing efficiency and ensuring alignment with current best practices in healthcare management.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
16 Years 5 Months- Document patient medical/family history and maintain patient record confidentiality.
- Assess patients' refractive eye conditions utilizing an auto refractor and phoropter. Measure and record eyeglass prescriptions using a lensometer.
- Assessed visual acuity (distance, near, pinhole), performed refractions, evaluated pupils, eye muscles, confrontation fields, and obtained intraocular pressures using Goldman, Tono-Pen, iCare or tactile touch methods.
- Conducted diagnostic testing including automated perimetry, fundus photography, fluorescein angiograms, topography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), Argos, and A/B scan with attention to detail.
- Maintain a sterile environment by thoroughly sterilizing all ophthalmic and surgical instruments before use.
- Set up and prep for minor procedures by gathering sterile trays and surgical instruments.
- Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures.
- Trained incoming technicians on HIPAA compliance and patient care procedures.
- Implemented, configured and trained two EHR softwares Integrity-2018 - Modern Medicine-2022.
Billing Specialist
3 Years 3 Months- Obtain pre-authorizations and verified eligibility and benefits prior to treatment.
- Post patient and insurance payments (credit cards, check, cash, EFT's, Care Credit, etc).
- Ensured compliance with changing insurance requirements for accurate billing. with all insurance requirements and policies.
- Review remittance codes from EOBs to post payments and adjustments.
- Obtained pre-authorizations and verified eligibility and benefits to facilitate timely patient treatment.
- Stay up to date with all insurance requirements and policies.
- Medical coding, review of charge entry and processing of claims.
- Generated requests for refund checks to recover overpayment and ensure accurate financial records.
Receptionist
2 Years 6 Months- Greeted patients who were coming or going and directed them appropriately.
- Used proper telephone etiquette, answered calls and caller questions, and transferred to proper extensions.
- Facilitated patient flow by greeting individuals and directing them to the correct locations.
- Recorded and delivered phone messages to personnel with clear call-back numbers and names, ensuring timely follow-up.
- Complied with privacy and confidentiality policies when communicating with callers and guests.
- Processed cash and credit card payments accurately, ensuring seamless transaction experience.
- Trained incoming receptionists on customer service protocols, verbal and written communication skills, and all skills related to their daily duties.
Education
High School Diploma
Skills
Clinical & Operations Management
Workflow Optimization & Process Improvement
Strategic Planning & Operational Execution
KPI & Performance Dashboard Development
Performance Management & Evaluation
Regulatory compliance
KPI development
Multi-Site Operations Leadership
Patient relations
Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution
Patient & Employee Relations
Certification
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
- Medication Aide
- Ophthalmic Scribe Certification
Timeline
Clinical Practice and Operations Manager
Ilumin, LLC
07.2022 - CurrentRead More
Billing Specialist
Ilumin, LLC
04.2019 - 07.2022Read More
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Ilumin, LLC
03.2010 - CurrentRead More
Receptionist
First Eye Associates/Ilumin, LLC
06.2008 - 12.2010Read More
Conestoga
High School Diploma
Read More