Katherine LaRosa
Palmdale
Summary
Detail-oriented and goal-focused professional with 17+ years experience in customer service, healthcare, public relations, and sales. Excellent communication and time management skills dedicated to high levels of customer satisfaction. Innovative, result oriented with extensive experience in various sale industries, healthcare, and office settings.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN II
UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
07.2024 - 12.2024
- Followed established policies and procedures according to UCLA standards for quality assurance and quality control measures.
- Utilized strong communication skills when interacting with colleagues and supervisors.
- Prepared specimens for transport to the laboratory by labeling correctly and adhering to safety regulations.
- Provided exceptional customer service while interacting with patients of diverse backgrounds.
- Collaborated effectively with other healthcare professionals when providing patient care.
- Restocked supplies needed for successful completion of venipuncture procedures.
- Specialized in Emergency Department draws including trauma calls, hard-stick draws, pediatrics, neonatal and ICU patients.
- Specimen processing with triaging blood samples to blood bank, hematology, coagulation dept, and outside referral laboratories.
- Specimen processing body fluids, CSF samples, bone marrow samples, urine and 24 hr collections and order entry.
- Educated patients regarding phlebotomy procedure expectations prior to collecting samples.
- Adhered to confidentiality procedures for personnel, donor, and center information to avoid data breaches.
- Drew blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel, and finger stick methods. PKU paper work for newborns.
- Prioritized blood draws by timed, stat, and routine times for therapeutic drug levels.
MEDICAL SECRETARY
Cardiovascular Consultants Medical Group
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Direct secretary for two cardiologists, as well as back up support for additional doctors within the practice.
- Managed meetings and calendars for doctors with assigned meetings and outside hospitalists zoom calls.
- Answered incoming calls in a professional manner, answered inquiries from patients and directed calls appropriately to personnel.
- Managed patient information and medical records accurately and efficiently, utilizing electronic health record systems.
- Verified accuracy of patient demographics prior to appointment scheduling.
- Answered patient calls in regards to scheduling, medication issues and surgery-related questions.
- Organized and scheduled surgical procedures including any pre=testing and insurance authorizations.
- Organized and scheduled appointments with patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
- Scanned documents into patient files according to established protocols.
- Performed data entry into various computer applications such as billing systems or word processing programs.
- Reviewed and explained insurance plans to patients to educate on payment policies and procedures.
- Prepared correspondence for physician's signature as requested.
- Trained staff in Cover My Meds pre-authorizations for any medications that were not covered by insurance.
- Contacted hospitals for medical records and imaging reports for physician review.
- Communicated with outside offices for required surgical clearances and necessary follow-up appointments.
- Reviewed incoming mail daily; sorted and distributed accordingly.
- Supervised and monitored Kardia Pro enrollments, ECG and rhythm transmissions, monthly billing and reports.
- Monitored blood pressure transmissions and notified physicians with abnormal results using email am paging systems, as well as indexing into patients chart with high alert notifications.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT III
UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
08.2018 - 02.2023
- Direct Administrative Assistant to 9 Psychiatrists and Psychologists in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Psychiatry.
- Welcomed office visitors warmly and alerted physicians to arrivals of scheduled appointments.
- Prepared and maintained patient charts, medical histories and charts daily for doctors on duty.
- Transmitted correspondence and medical records by mail, e-mail and fax through protected email and Care Connect chart systems.
- Handled patient correspondence via email and phone, inventory ordering, faxed, scanned and created pdf files, created templates and tracked records to ensure office efficiency.
- Scheduled office meetings and client appointments for team of directors, professors, psychiatrists and psychologists.
- Identified and recommended changes to existing processes to improve accuracy, efficiency and quality service.
- Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
- Organized envelopes, postage and mail correspondence for physicians and management, maintaining postage meter and coordinating with delivery and courier services.
- Created and updated physical records and digital files to maintain current, accurate and compliant documentation.
- Authored clear and professional business documents, including Dean letters for medical students, fellow and assistant professor grants, and confidential asylum reports.
- Maintained clean, trash-free workspaces to maximize productivity and safety.
- Used Cover my Med systems daily for any pre-authorizations for patients medications that were not initially covered by insurance.
- Maintained correspondence with patients regarding any pharmacy or insurance holds to make sure proper expectations and communication are met.
- Addressed IT issues by coordinating with tech support, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency.
- Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
- Built and maintained excellent patient relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
KITCHEN ASSISTANT/RUNNER-BARBACK
Maxdon's Bar and Grill
06.2018 - 01.2019
- Operated standard kitchen equipment with focus on safety and sanitation.
- Promoted customer satisfaction by preparing food according to standard recipes with modifications based on individual customer requirements.
- Used downtimes to prepare ingredients and restock supplies for expected busy periods.
- Prevented food spoilage by monitoring dates, rotating stock and following proper storage procedures.
- Supervised restocking of salad bar and buffet for lunch and dinner service.
- Enhanced operational efficiency by using slow periods to restock employee and customer supplies, including ice, condiments, utensils, napkins, trays and delivery bags.
- Actively promoted accident prevention through proper and acceptable levels of sanitation and cleanliness of kitchen.
- Maintained swift pace of work to meet business demands for cleaning and supplies storage.
- Learned to service back of the bar as well as take orders to provide skilled backup for diverse roles.
- Washed, peeled and cut fruits and vegetables in advance to save time on food preparation.
- Labeled and stored all food items correctly and checked expiration dates routinely.
PHLEBOTOMIST TECHNICIAN/PATHOLOGY LAB ASSISTANT
Palmdale Regional Medical Center
06.2017 - 10.2018
- Collected blood samples from patients, ensuring accuracy and maintaining sterile conditions.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles, and straight needles.
- Organized daily work based on collection priority.
- Improved patient experience by explaining procedures clearly and addressing concerns.
- Accurately labeled vacutainer tubes with patient name, date and time of collection.
- Assisted pathology team with skilled analyses by preparing tissue samples.
- Maintained freezer room on surgical floor to make sure pathology surgical samples were retrieved in a timely manner and properly collected in correct formalin containers.
- Assisted in training new staff members on phlebotomy procedures and best practices.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN II
UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
12.2014 - 09.2016
- Maintained sterile environments for safe and effective sample collection, reducing contamination risks.
- Logged patient information and recorded results into system using Epic, Logic, and Care Connect Systems.
- Super User for Care Connect System, including training others on computer patient registration and lab test requests.
- Maintained exam rooms by ordering supplies, transporting specimens, washing and packing instruments and changing solutions.
- Enhanced patient comfort by maintaining a calm and professional demeanor during blood draw procedures.
- Drew blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe or butterfly venipuncture methods for over 75 patients per day.
- Spoke with patient to gather information for lab records, reduce fear or anxiety and optimize cooperation
- Accurately labeled vacutainer tubes with patient name, date and time of collection.
- Performed lab draws on High Profile Patients.
- Maintained and managed an office lab setting overseeing 3-5 lab technicians.
- Identified patients using proper procedures prior to specimen collection.
- Delivered quality patient care by completing accurate and timely collection and transport of clinical specimens according to established procedures.
- Coordinated in-office and off-site testing for high volume of daily patient samples.
- Transported specimens following established protocol for temperature and light.
- Labeled blood vials with critical information like time of collection, date and patient name.
- Verified quality of specimens by centrifuging specimens for logistics courier to pickup.
- Consistently followed hospital protocol for proper disposal of biohazardous waste materials, ensuring safety compliance.
- Reduced patient wait times with efficient scheduling and timely blood draws.
- Contributed to team success by training new phlebotomists on proper techniques and best practices.
LAB ASSISTANT-PHLEBOTOMIST
California Department of Corrections CCI
08.2014 - 01.2016
- Maintained appropriate control, security and well-being over those detained.
- Operated communication systems, including telephones, switchboards, intercoms and two-way radios to effectively communicate with other personnel.
- Maintained daily logs of shift activity.
- Maintained communications with staff, officers, and other nursing staff to maintain safe, effective prison environment.
- Handled hazardous materials responsibly following proper waste disposal procedures to minimize environmental impact.
- Actively participated in lab safety inspections, identifying potential hazards and implementing corrective actions promptly.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection.
- Prepared samples for shipping and disposed of bodily fluids in proper containers.
- Trained new laboratory personnel on standard operating procedures, ensuring consistent performance across team members.
- Monitored and documented safety standards to verify compliance.
- Excelled in high-pressure situations, maintaining composure and professionalism during peak hours and emergency scenarios.
- Drew blood from high risk patients in the observational housing units, as well as running lab office for high risk dangerous labeled inmates.
Education
Certificate/ Licensure - Phlebotomy
UCLA- David Geffen School of Prehospital Medicine
Westwood, CA10-2011
Biology
College of The Canyons
Valencia, CA09-2009
Certificate of Emergency Medicine Technician - Emergency Medicine
University of Antelope Valley
Lancaster, CA05-2009
Biology
Antelope Valley College
Lancaster, CA08-2008
High School Diploma -
Quartz Hill High School
Quartz Hill, CA05-2008
Skills
- Detailed Oriented
- Strong problem solver and critical thinking
- Staff training and development
- Managerial Operations and Sales Management
- Types 60wpm and 10-key proficiency
- Venipuncture expertise: specializing in pediatrics, neonatal, ICU, and hard-stick patients
- Advanced knowledge of Medical Terminology
- HIPAA and CICARE
- Medical records management
- Medical office administration
- Daily use of computer program proficiency- Epic, Care Connect, Dragon Imaging, Mednet, Zebra-Rover, Veradigm, and PMD paging systems
- Microsoft Office: Word, Power Point, Excell advance proficiency
- Insurance verification
- Administrative and office support
- Scheduling and calendar management
- File and Record retrieval systems
Certification
Certified Phlebotomist 2011
Hospitality- Operations and Sales Management 2010
Sales Trainer 2008
Customer Service Excellence 2008
Timeline
CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN II
UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
07.2024 - 12.2024
MEDICAL SECRETARY
Cardiovascular Consultants Medical Group
05.2023 - 07.2024
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT III
UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
08.2018 - 02.2023
KITCHEN ASSISTANT/RUNNER-BARBACK
Maxdon's Bar and Grill
06.2018 - 01.2019
PHLEBOTOMIST TECHNICIAN/PATHOLOGY LAB ASSISTANT
Palmdale Regional Medical Center
06.2017 - 10.2018
CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN II
UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
12.2014 - 09.2016
LAB ASSISTANT-PHLEBOTOMIST
California Department of Corrections CCI
08.2014 - 01.2016
Certified Phlebotomist 2011
Hospitality- Operations and Sales Management 2010
Sales Trainer 2008
Customer Service Excellence 2008
Certificate/ Licensure - Phlebotomy
UCLA- David Geffen School of Prehospital Medicine
Biology
College of The Canyons
Certificate of Emergency Medicine Technician - Emergency Medicine
University of Antelope Valley
Biology
Antelope Valley College
High School Diploma -
Quartz Hill High School
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