Karina Ochoa
Greater Chicago Area
Summary
First-generation Mexican American graduate student/professional experienced in non-profit, early childhood, and healthcare work. 5+ years of experience working with low-income, under-resourced, minority, and undocumented populations. I am passionate about providing culturally competent and trauma-informed care. I actively advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrative Assistant
DuPage Health Coalition
11.2022 - Current
- Oversee front office operations and functions, including assisting visitors, receiving documentation, filing, photocopying, scanning, and faxing
- Assist patients with the intake of program applications and confidential documents; follow all rules required to comply with confidentiality and HIPAA policies
- Communicate with referral coordinators, community partners, medical offices, healthcare providers, and healthcare insurance providers in a timely manner
- Expertise in local/state/federal programs (DuPage County health, Medicaid, Marketplace, Medicare, Access DuPage, Silver Access) and community resources to confidently guide enrollees and the community
- Receives, directs, and screens calls from a multi-line switchboard
- Receives, dates, sorts, and forwards incoming mail, complying with office policies and procedures
- Case management, which includes documenting engagement with clients, health history, referrals, and applications
- Meet with community partners and federal/state representatives to report data
- Meet frequently with the team to give updates/data on our program and contribute to new strategies we could implement for the program
- Attend outreach and community events as a program representative
- Works independently with minimal supervision and as an effective team member
- Ability to multitask and navigate a fast-paced environment
Student Information System Coordinator
Educare West DuPage
01.2020 - 11.2023
- Knowledgeable about the Illinois Department of Human Services/Child and Family Services, Illinois State Board of Education, Head Start Policies, etc
- Responsible for collecting information, reviewing data, compiling reports, and submitting them in a timely manner to the Illinois State Board of Education
- Regularly record data including student attendance, enrollment, demographics, student programs, English Learner information, McKinney-Vento status, EHS/HS information, caregiver information, immunizations, etc
- Maintain a comprehensive calendar of data reporting deadlines and requirements
- Ensure that the data reporting activities adhere to timelines, guidelines, and legal requirements
- Collaborate with the family engagement team to accurately collect student data required for reporting purposes
- Attend Illinois State Board of Education webinars and trainings on a regular basis
- Responsible for receiving visitors, which includes understanding the purpose of their visit, and guiding them to the appropriate staff
- Responsible for navigating high-volume inbound calls
- Assist management staff with developing procedures and forms as needed
- Supported Executive Assistant/Human Resource Coordinator in the collection of hiring paperwork and other required materials; conducted and participated in new candidate interviews, assisted in the hiring process
- Prepare and process work orders; manage office/classroom inventory.
Bank Teller
PNC Bank
08.2019 - 01.2020
- Assist clients with processing monetary transactions, such as deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and payments; resolving complaints or account discrepancies, and answering questions
- Inform clients about additional bank products, services, and promotions
- Handle large sums of currency and confidential information in a responsible manner
- Interpretation of financial information between bankers and clients
- Keeping a clean, organized work area and a professional appearance
- Follow all bank financial and security regulations and procedures
Server/Bartender
Rookies All American Pub & Grill
09.2018 - Current
- Responsible for training, teaching, and guiding new employees
- Assist in preparing food items and ensure that all food are served at the proper temperature
- Ability to navigate a fast-paced environment that requires multitasking
- In compliance with sanitation, alcohol, and safe food handling practices per local health department guidelines.
- BASSET and food handler certified
- Communicate effectively with guests and colleagues to ensure that all orders are taken and served accurately
- Demonstrates excellent knowledge of menu items and responds to customer inquiries promptly and accurately
- Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining/bar area was prepared for seamless service transitions
- Handled cash transactions accurately, contributing to balanced daily financial reports
- Consistently met or exceeded performance goals related to sales targets, customer satisfaction ratings, and order accuracy
- Increased revenue with upselling techniques and thorough knowledge of menu items, specials, and promotions
Server/Certified Trainer
Buffalo Wild Wings
01.2016 - 09.2018
- Responsible for training new employees
- Providing exceptional customer service, supporting team members, and ensuring alcohol compliance and revenue growth
- Operated as a full-service food provider establishment by taking orders, preparing meals, handling payments, and keeping the area clean and sanitized
- Comply with sanitation and safe food handling practices per local health department guidelines.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
National Louis University
04.2025
Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Education
Elgin Community College
12.2023
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Multitasking Skills
- Detail Oriented
- Non-profit administration
- Data Entry
- HIPAA Compliance
- Fluent in Spanish and English, both written and verbal
- Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
- Knowledgeable in ERP and HRIS systems (ChildPlus, Magic, IWAS, Micros, Toast)
Internships
Maureen Kelly Law Offices - Paralegal
08/2015
- Clerical duties (filing, sorting and organizing documentation, booking appointments, speaking with clients)
- Interpreting between attorney and clients
- Organizing and preparing documents for the attorney
- Maintaining confidentiality
Educare West DuPage- Family Engagement Support/Teacher Assistant
06/2023 - 12/2023
Participated in daily classroom activities, observed speech and occupational therapists, and assisted family engagement specialists with documentation, including archived files, enrollment files, and children's health history.
Volunteer Experience
Interpretation Services - Provided interpretation services for volunteer events such as medical fairs and union worker meetings.
Pronouns
She/Her/Ella
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Certification
- Illinois DCFS-qualified teacher
- Illinois Mandated Reporter
- HIPAA certified
- ECE Credential Level 5
Professional Memberships
- Council Member of Illinois Birth to Five - Region 19, DuPage County, 09/2023 - Present
- Vice Chairperson of Educare West DuPage Parent Policy, 11/2023 - Present
- Member of National Head Start Association, 01/2020 - Present
- Member of Association of Latino Professionals for America, 03/2024 - Present
Timeline
Administrative Assistant
DuPage Health Coalition
11.2022 - Current
Student Information System Coordinator
Educare West DuPage
01.2020 - 11.2023
Bank Teller
PNC Bank
08.2019 - 01.2020
Server/Bartender
Rookies All American Pub & Grill
09.2018 - Current
Server/Certified Trainer
Buffalo Wild Wings
01.2016 - 09.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
National Louis University
Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Education
Elgin Community College
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