Kara Hutchins
Shelby,NC
Summary
Experienced professional with a proven track record in patient support services and comprehensive case oversight at Phoenix Crisis Center. Skilled in healthcare billing expertise and front office administration, excelling in care team collaboration and individual counseling. Expert in legal analysis, bringing a confident approach to achieving client and patient goals. Compassionate psychiatric technician with a solid background in providing care and support for patients in mental health settings. Possess strong skills in behavioral management, therapeutic communication, and crisis intervention, contributing to safe and positive patient outcomes. Have effectively collaborated with healthcare teams to develop and implement individualized care plans, enhancing patient well-being and facilitating recovery processes. Demonstrated ability to maintain calm and professional demeanor under challenging conditions, ensuring high-quality patient care.
Highly motivated and eager to take on new challenges.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Psychiatric Technician
Phoenix Crisis Center
Shelby, NC
01.2024 - Current
- Provided direct patient care and monitored patients' physical, mental, and emotional status.
- Assisted psychiatrists in the assessment of patient behavior and provided feedback to the treatment team.
- Administered medications as prescribed by physicians and monitored patient reactions to treatments.
- Observed patient behaviors and reported any changes or concerning issues to the psychiatrist or nurse practitioner.
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress including daily notes on individuals' moods, activities, interactions with others.
- Performed crisis intervention services when needed including evaluating potential risks posed by clients' behaviors or actions.
- Provided support during psychiatric evaluations by interacting with patients in order to obtain information about their medical history and current symptoms.
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed at all times while caring for patients in a residential setting.
- Encouraged clients to participate in self-care practices like exercise or journaling that promote overall wellbeing.
- Handled vital sign monitoring, medication administration and patient behavior assessments.
Business Owner
Pinnacle Lawn Care Services
Shelby, NC
06.2022 - 11.2023
- Planning and organizing routes
- Bookkeeping, accounts payable, and monthly reconciliation
- Placing all orders for supplies and overseeing all deliveries
- Marketing
- Customer service
- Lawn mowing, mulch installation, garden design and hard scape installation
Juvenile Assistant/Victim Advocate
Gaston County District Attorney's Office
Gastonia, NC
04.2020 - 03.2022
- Acts as a liaison with juveniles, their families, the courts and other involved agencies
- Create, manage and build case file based on petitions
- Assists juveniles, their families and the victims through the criminal justice system and help them obtain needed services such as family counseling, youth mentoring and crisis intervention
- Provide assistance and support to victims/witnesses regarding the court proceedings, victims' rights and counseling services
- Coordinate and communicate effectively with assistant district attorney's to prepare for court proceedings and achieve justice
- Maintain certification and training for CJ Leads and Division of Criminal Information
Office Manager/Legal Assistant
Greene Law Offices
Shelby, NC
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Overseeing various office tasks to ensure office operations run smoothly for two locations
- Manage and reconciling all accounts utilizing Quick Books, and creating invoices for all accounts
- Manage finances and create budget reports based on profit/loss charts
- Process weekly payroll
- Solve administrative, as well as client, problems or concerns while utilizing strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Coordinate all community events to support the firm and work as a team to support all staff
- Utilize time management and organizational skills in a fast paced environment to effectively complete multiple tasks in a timely manner
- Daily use of Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Spreadsheet and Quickbooks
Chiropractic Assistant/Office Manager
Chiropractic Physicians of the Carolinas
10.2015 - 07.2018
- Order and submit liens/medical records to attorneys and/or insurance companies
- Open liability and medical payment claims with insurance companies
- Co-managing with various medical providers regarding patient care
- Consult with patients to establish medical needs and goals
- Adhered strictly to HIPAA regulations while handling confidential patient information.
- Assist in developing individual patient treatment plans
- Oversee and manage daily functions of the office
- Greeted patients, verified insurance and collected co-payments.
- Maintained patient records and updated information in the electronic health record system.
- Assisted with patient intake, including taking vitals such as height, weight and blood pressure.
- Prepared treatment rooms for patient visits by ensuring that all necessary supplies were available.
- Assisted chiropractors with treatments including applying hot and cold packs, ultrasound therapy or electrical stimulation.
- Answered patient questions regarding their care plan or billing inquiries.
- Explained post-treatment instructions to patients, providing printed materials if needed.
- Monitored appointment schedules throughout the day to ensure proper flow of operations.
Legal Assistant
Attorney Michael Bednarik
04.2012 - 10.2015
- Manage and organize all personal injury files
- Order all medical records and bills pertaining to cases
- Open liability and medical payment claims with various insurance companies
- Put all insurance companies on notice of representation
- Follow North Carolina laws and statutes regarding personal injury
- Submit all cases and prepare for mediation, litigation or arbitration
- Schedule client appointments for attorneys
Education
Certificate - Certified Nursing Assistant
Gaston College
Dallas, NC12-2024
BS - Criminal Justice/Psychology
Western Carolina University
12.2008
High School - College prep
RS Central High School
06.2002
Skills
- Patient Support Services
- Front Office Administration
- Healthcare Billing Expertise
- Legal Analysis
- Comprehensive Case Oversight
- Financial Account Reconciliation
- Care team collaboration
- Direct Patient Care
- Individual Counseling
- Clinical Documentation
Certification
Certified crime prevention, Present
References
- Sharima Harmon, RN/Manager, 704-670-6449
- Debra Lee, District Attorney Assistant, 704-689-1398
- Myra Boswell, Administrative Specialist, 704-214-6564
Timeline
Psychiatric Technician
Phoenix Crisis Center
01.2024 - Current
Business Owner
Pinnacle Lawn Care Services
06.2022 - 11.2023
Juvenile Assistant/Victim Advocate
Gaston County District Attorney's Office
04.2020 - 03.2022
Office Manager/Legal Assistant
Greene Law Offices
01.2018 - 01.2020
Chiropractic Assistant/Office Manager
Chiropractic Physicians of the Carolinas
10.2015 - 07.2018
Legal Assistant
Attorney Michael Bednarik
04.2012 - 10.2015
Certificate - Certified Nursing Assistant
Gaston College
BS - Criminal Justice/Psychology
Western Carolina University
High School - College prep
RS Central High School
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