Guadalupe Laguna
Peoria,AZ
Summary
Detail-oriented professional with strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Experienced in managing complex social security disability claims while ensuring compliance and delivering exceptional customer service.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Disability Determination Specialist Senior
State of Arizona/DDSA/DBME
Phoenix, AZ
08.2023 - Current
- Oversaw the gathering of vocational, functional, and medical evidence from claimants and third parties.
- Made strategic final decisions on complex social security disability claims, ensuring compliance with Title II and XVI regulations.
- Assessed SSA documentation standards to determine the nature and severity of impairments and their functional impact.
- Engaged with medical consultants to resolve complex issues regarding medical severity and impairment duration.
- Initiated consultative examinations as needed to evaluate claimants' functional capabilities.
- Analyzed policy manuals and medical references to align with administrative guidelines on impairments.
- Collaborated with leadership to optimize workflow processes and guided staff development.
Disability Determination Specialist Intermediate
State of AZ/DDSA/DBME
Phoenix, AZ
12.2022 - 08.2023
- Exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment while processing/making decisions on Social Security Disability Claims.
- Experience in adult and child initial and reconsideration claims and age 18 redetermination CDR claims
- Gathers vocational, functional or medical evidence from claimant, third parties, existing medical sources and authorized representatives.
- Researches policy manuals (POMS), medical references, and vocational references to determine applicable administrative guidelines, severity and duration of impairments.
- Collects vocational information and prepares TSA’s
- Interviews claimants by phone/or in person to resolve questions on application forms.
- Orders consultative examinations as necessary to document claimant’s ability to function.
- Confers with medical consultant on all decisions to discuss unresolved issues of medical severity and duration of impairments and functional implications of impairments.
Disability Evaluator 1
State of AZ/DDSA/DBME
Phoenix, AZ
09.2019 - 12.2022
- ·Exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment while processing/making decisions on Social Security Disability Claims.
- Gathers vocational, functional or medical evidence from claimant, third parties and existing medical sources.
- Researches policy manuals (POMS), medical references, and vocational references to determine applicable administrative guidelines, severity and duration of impairments.
- Interviews claimants by phone/or in person to resolve questions on application forms.
- Orders consultative examinations as necessary to document claimant’s ability to function.
- Confers with medical consultant on all decisions to discuss unresolved issues of medical severity and duration of impairments and functional implications of impairments.
Eligibility Interviewer III
State of AZ/DBME
Peoria, AZ
03.2000 - 09.2019
- Provide excellent customer service to our clients in a fast-paced local office environment
- Exhibit reliable attendance to successfully complete paid training and be successful in this position
- Exhibit skill and diplomacy in working with clients facing challenging and personal situations
- Collect and gather information to conduct interviews to make eligibility determinations for medical, food, and financial assistance
- Complete the application process, while entering data on a computer and accessing multiple screens
- Verify client information by interacting with internal and external customers, and federal, state, and local entities
- Adhere to agency standards in a high-volume local office, measured by metrics and standards related to service levels, accuracy, and timeliness
Education
Associate of Science - Medical
The Bryman School
Phoenix, AZ01-2019
High School Diploma -
Camelback High School
Phoenix, AZ06-1992
Skills
- Analytical skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical thinking
- Multitasking Abilities
- Customer Service
Timeline
Disability Determination Specialist Senior
State of Arizona/DDSA/DBME
08.2023 - Current
Disability Determination Specialist Intermediate
State of AZ/DDSA/DBME
12.2022 - 08.2023
Disability Evaluator 1
State of AZ/DDSA/DBME
09.2019 - 12.2022
Eligibility Interviewer III
State of AZ/DBME
03.2000 - 09.2019
Associate of Science - Medical
The Bryman School
High School Diploma -
Camelback High School