Kellie Nevel
McKinney
Summary
Well-qualified HR Specialist with proven success in leadership, improving operations and solving problems. Highly proficient in building lasting relationships with key decision makers, customers, and team members to further company goals. Ready to leverage training and experience to take on new professional challenges.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead HR Specialist
Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 17, VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network
09.2023 - Current
- Distributes and balances workload among employees in accordance with staff workflow. Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work.
- Estimates and reports on expected time of completion of work; maintains records of accomplishments and time expended; prepares reports as requested; instructs employees in specific task and job techniques and makes available written instructions, reference materials and supplies; provides on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices.
- Amends or rejects work not meeting established standards.
- Evaluates applications and resumes using Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Veterans Administration (VA) qualification standards, verifies eligibility, and rates and ranks applicants.
- Serves as a Senior Quality Reviewer for the assigned Recruitment and Placement, Shared Services Unit.
- Responsible for the quality review of Staffing, Recruitment and Placement information management systems and its management to ensure compliance with regulations and interpretation of the organization's Personnel Accountability, HR policies and procedures to address issues that require substantial interpretation.
- Provides independent and sound judgement to perform complex, sensitive, project work characterized by a high degree of difficulty related to the Quality Review Management of Personnel Actions Request (PAR) within the Human Resources Management Service applicable database (HR Smart).
- Ensures data fields on personnel actions are coded appropriately, to include verifying the correct nature of action and legal authority codes are being utilized.
- Reviews employees Electronic Official Personnel File (eOPF), application materials, and new employee documents to verify the legality and accuracy of processed actions.
- Develops reporting procedures, sampling techniques, and measurements.
- Reviews and analyzes problematic or potentially controversial situations and provides expert advice to management to resolve those situations (pay, Professional Standards Boards, records and processes compliance).
- Develops collaborative relationships within all levels of the organization based on trust, integrity and professional competence.
- Manages projects and facilitates groups to perform recruitment, placement, and staffing services efficiently and effectively.
- Conducts team building, communications improvement, problem solving, and coordination of efforts for a large group of HR professionals of at least 15-20 HR Specialists and HR Assistants.
- Expert knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of HR concepts, principles, laws, regulations, and practices, to include OPM requirements, VHA specific policy and labor organization agreements for Title 5, Hybrid T38 and full Title 38 positions.
- Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and practices to provide advice, guide and strengthen partnership with stakeholders on a variety of HR functions.
- Knowledge of local union contracts and local merit promotion plans for all facilities within the Network.
- Ability to provide oral and written reports/correspondence outlining recommendations and results and coordinates results with local and regional stakeholders.
Physician/Provider Recruiter
VISN 19, OKC VA Health Care System
10.2022 - 09.2023
- First line contact for all Physicians currently working at The OKC VA Hospital. Conducted weekly and bi-weekly service line meetings to discuss existing vacancies, hiring challenges and to forecast expected retirements and service growth.
- Served as the strategic recruitment and retention advisor for physician and providers within our local VA HCS.
- Utilized several online sourcing agencies, as well as VA National Recruitment tools to advertise and search for candidates for open Physician positions. Sent blast emails to potential candidates using these online sites.
- Used tracking programs and spreadsheets to monitor applicants that I have referred over to hiring managers.
- Attended local job fairs and assisted with the marketing for VA hiring events.
- Worked with local universities to ensure that we maximize the hiring of medical residents, fellows, and health care professional trainees.
- Regularly communicated with Executive Leadership regarding recruitment efforts and providing up to date reports.
- Reviewed qualifications and referred eligible candidates to the hiring manager from all applications sources.
- Executed all paperwork needed for the hiring of Non-Citizen Physicians and assisted the facility and other HR departments with the knowledge of how to file with the State Department.
- Conducted meetings/interviews along with hiring managers when candidates visited the VA to discuss pay, benefits, and answer any questions they have regarding VA employment.
- Served as Technical Advisor on all Physician pay boards and actions.
HR Specialist – Recruitment and Placement
VISN 19, OKC VA Health Care System
03.2022 - 10.2022
- Provided on-site and a face-to-face presence for all staffing needs related to Nursing Service.
- Provided consultative guidance for all recruitment questions and needs as well as weekly meetings with Nursing to give updates and address concerns.
- HR point of contact for all employees in Nursing Service for pay related issues and any other questions related to employment.
- Attended Nurse Professional Standard Boards and served as the HR Technical Advisor on all board actions.
- Worked closely with facility Nurse Recruiter to provide updates and ensure all recruitment needs are being met.
- Tracked all Nursing service announcements and assisted with non-competitive hiring to ensure other HR staff received all paperwork.
- Identified local job fairs and worked with Nursing to attend and represent the OKC VA.
HR Specialist – Customer Liaison
VISN 19, Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
12.2020 - 03.2022
- Initial point of contact for all HR matters for every manager and employee in the client organization. Provided unbiased advice and consultation based on regulatory guidance for all HR issues.
- Education Debt Reduction Program Coordinator for the facility as well as the Telework Coordinator.
- Served as the facility compensation Liaison for all Special Salary Rate consultations and submissions.
- Handled all student, resident and Without Compensation hiring and coordination along with coding in HR Smart.
- Used a variety of standardized internal and external recruitment strategies to aid in strategic recruitment planning. Advised management officials on various types of appointments and their appropriate application in both the competitive and excepted services, and on the procedural and regulatory requirements governing merit promotion processes.
- Served as the HR technical representative on merit promotion panels. Consulted with local managers and supervisors to inform on organization staffing levels and made recommendations to management on recruitment strategies.
- Used analytical and diagnostic techniques to identify, evaluate, and recommend to management appropriate HR interventions to resolve complex interrelated HR problems and issues. Suggested technical system-wide improvements when deficiencies or inefficiencies are noted.
- Ensured organizational compliance of the Pathways Internship Program requirements. Provided guidance to managers and supervisors regarding the conversion process/eligibility when students graduate and received their degrees. Tracked conversion actions to ensure they were processed timely and verified the student’s current appointment covering the time needed to initiate and process the conversion action.
- Used written and oral communication techniques to develop and deliver briefings, status/staff reports, and corresponded with managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations.
- Served as an HR technical expert at Professional Standards Board Credentialing Committee. Tracked and communicates board action results.
- Prepared, monitored and tracked actions, conducted follow-up, and kept customer informed of HR-related developments. Established and maintained logs and controls to assure timely accomplishment of projects, processes, and goals. Reviewed documentation/records for completeness and accuracy and resolved discrepancies as needed.
Acquisition Utilization Specialist
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
10.2019 - 12.2020
- Served as the Medical Center liaison and advisor on contract related services. Other major duties included conducting analyses and recommending courses of actions to ensure that various clinical and administrative service requirements have addressed considerations such as construction, budgeting, supporting manpower and other factors.
- As an AUS, I established and expedited review of all procurement packages, including unique, emergent, and complex requirements to meet timely and technical needs of assigned acquisitions.
- Independently developed performance work statements and objectives, cost benefit analysis, gap analysis, sole source justifications, past performance, quality assurance surveillance plans, market research, independent government estimates, evaluation criteria, options, funding, delivery schedules, lead times and reporting requirements.
- Worked independently with various personnel to resolve problems occurring in the administration of the contract, monitored the procurement process from pre-award to final delivery of requirements, advised on all phases of negotiation with the contract specialist/contracting officer for contract modifications, changed orders, supplemental agreements and delivery.
- Monitored quality assurance surveillance plans to ensure that contracted services met the expectations and needs of the facility along with ensuring that all contracts met VA standards.
- Was able to troubleshoot various setbacks or delays, keeping up to date on the procurements status and took necessary actions to correct any problems that arose.
Supervisory HR Staffing Specialist
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
08.2018 - 10.2019
- First line supervisor to eight Human Resources Recruitment and Placement Specialists and six Human Resources Assistants. Provided advice to managers, supervisors, employees and Leadership regarding complex recruitment and retention, placement and pay and benefit actions.
- Recommended strategies to resolve problems relating to turnover, workforce planning, and initiatives while ensuring the correctness of actions taken. Collaborated with Clinical Service Chiefs to develop staffing plans for their Title 5, Title 38 and Hybrid Title 38 positions.
- Advised all levels of Medical Center Leadership on Human Resources issues including FTEE status, staffing/hiring activity, pay administration, benefits and employee suitability. Provided a wide range of Human Resources advice to multiple levels of Agency officials regarding laws, rules, policies, regulations, HR principles and techniques, hiring practices and position management.
- Provided technical guidance to the Executive Staff in analyzing and reviewing the salaries of positions to determine if a salary survey was needed for a pay increases.
- Assisted the Human Resources Management (HRM) Chief with carrying out the duties and responsibilities necessary to maintain an effective and efficient HRM program.
- Assisted in conducting system process analysis and evaluations and developed realistic plans to improve the HRM program. Reviewed all documents that flowed through HR, such as Special Contribution and Performance Awards, Resource Management Committee Requests, In-processing packets, Board Actions, Compensation Panel Actions, Personnel Actions, etc. to ensure we met legal, regulatory and technical requirements.
- Delegated authority for making decisions on HR actions within the framework of established laws, regulations, and VA and local policies.
- Performed supervisory and managerial functions such as assigning work, approving leave, developed performance plans, conducted appraisals and rated employees.
- Interviewed and selected candidates for vacancies in the HRM Service and identifying training needs.
- Trained HR staff on using eOPF, WebHR, HR logs, and other HR computer programs. Listened to and resolved employee complaints, counseled employees on work and management policies, and counseled on minor disciplinary action(s) when necessary.
Facility Physician Liaison
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
12.2017 - 08.2018
- Served as a singular point of contact to collaborate directly with Service Chiefs, National Recruiters, and Medical Staff Office (Credentialing) professionals and Human Resources Management Service (HRMS) in expediting recruitment, staffing and onboarding actions.
- Served as an advisor/consultant in Title 38 Physician/Dentist recruitments, staffing actions and pay administration. Responsible for all facets of recruitment and retention for physicians and dentists with The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System, including working with Service Chiefs, Supervisors or other designated support staff to conduct a Strategic Recruitment Discussion clarifying the recruitment requirements, parameters, and expectations for hard-to-fill physician vacancies.
- Secured necessary documentation of approvals for incentives. Served as the HR Technical Advisor to ensure Physician/Dentist Compensation Panels, Professional Standards Boards and Physician Performance Pay Panels were correct, and gave guidance to board members.
- Conducted telephone screening interviews with potential candidates, reviewed CV’s and responded to letters, e-mails and telephone calls of employment inquiries. Prepared and disseminated employment and community information to candidates. Gave facility tours and presentations as part of provider recruitment.
- Prepared compensation packages that exceeded our Facility Directors $350,000 approval limit for VISN and VACO. (Compensation Panels, Memos, Salary Survey Data, Incentives, Cover Sheets and various requested documents) throughout the process.
- Identified job fairs and outreach opportunities to fill positions. Managed the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) and the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) for the Medical Center; and ensured current staff Physicians received their EDRP reimbursement by providing information, guidance and direction to Leaders and VISN.
HR Specialist/Physician Recruiter
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
04.2016 - 12.2017
- Conducted focus groups, compiled and analyzed historical data, and developed profiles of salary and benefits information necessary to attract highly qualified candidates.
- Researched various aspects of recruitment and vacancies to incorporate into staffing reports used by Leadership, resulting in special salary rate recommendations for Title 38 positions.
- Conducted an in-depth analysis of the professional staffing needs of each assigned Service through personal meetings and collaboration with Service Chiefs.
- Developed a comprehensive recruitment plan for each requested occupation within the Service, including merit promotion, delegated examining and direct hire for a variety of positions.
- Served as primary advisor to managers on position management including realignment of functions/duties and worked closely with subject matter experts on effective methods of evaluating candidates.
- Obtained recruitment packages and worked closely with services to create job announcements within USA Staffing.
- Communicated with provider selections to secure all needed documentation to begin the credentialing process.
- Served as technical advisor during compensation panels to ensure documentation was correct and acquired all approval signatures.
- Prepared compensation packages that exceeded our Facility Directors $300,000 approval limit for VISN and VACO. (Compensation Panels, Memos, Salary Survey Data, Incentives, Cover Sheets and various requested documents) throughout the process.
- Entered all HR Smart actions: new employee, corrections, all pay actions, resignations, conversions, details and pay related to reassignments.
- Developed and managed the recruitment for a wide variety of 'hard to fill' positions to include Physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and Physician Assistants in accordance with VA Handbook 5005. Developed strategies utilizing marketing concepts to attract highly qualified applicants. Attended Physician Conferences, advertised in Medical Journals and subscribed to Graduate Directories to reach qualified candidates. Served as key liaison between applicants and hiring officials.
HR Specialist (Employee/Labor Relations)
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
03.2015 - 04.2016
- Provided advisory services essential to enable managers and supervisors to properly plan, develop, organize, manage, and evaluate the HR labor and employee relations program. Responsible for providing a wide range of advisory services to Service Line Chiefs/Managers relative to disciplinary and adverse actions, grievances, appeals, unfair labor practices and workforce/work environment factors.
- Guided employees in resolving primary common work-related or personal problems. Provided a broad range of information to employees on their rights, privileges, benefits, and obligations to assist them in acting or making decisions.
- Conducted extensive research into employee relations cases to identify trends, patterns, or aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
- Developed and proposed courses of action to resolve issues based on knowledge and interpretation of administrative case law, regulations, policies, and judgment.
- Coordinated and communicated with the servicing staff and legal office, as appropriate.
- Prepared cases and served as technical advisor or, in the absence of the Supervisory ER/LR Specialist, personally represented the organization at hearing relative to adverse actions, performance-based actions, and grievances utilizing knowledge of the policies, procedures, and relevant adjudicating bodies.
- Assured that official case files were properly maintained with complete documentation to support recommended or final action. Informed employees of their rights and avenues available to them in dealing with work issues and concerns.
- Responsible for follow-up activities precipitated by Background Checks (NACI and ASC) and for written recommendation to the Medical Center Director regarding employee retention.
- Knowledge of labor and employee relations laws, AFGE Union Contract, VA and Office of Personnel Management rules, regulations, as well as a wide range of analytical and evaluative techniques sufficient to identify, consider, and advise managers and employees about relatively common issues or problems such as routine leave or attendance, retirement, and OWCP questions or labor and employee relations disputes.
- Prepared various letters and correspondence for all counseling, disciplinary and adverse actions.
Education
College coursework - no degree completed
Rogers State University
Claremore, OKSkills
- Internal communications
- Retention strategies
- Onboarding and orientation
- Talent acquisition
- Performance appraisal
- Recruitment and selection
- Compensation and benefits
- Employee recognition programs
- Organizational development
- Succession planning
- Training development
- Compensation planning
- Union relations
- Policies implementation
- Grievance handling and redressal
- Employee onboarding
- Manager coaching and training
- Collective bargaining
- Payroll and benefits administration
- Job analysis
- Recruitment strategies
- Negotiation
- Labor relations
- Employee relations
- Staff management
- Workforce planning
Training And Development
- HR Smart Training
- Administrative Investigation Boards
- Employee Conduct and Accountability
- Position Classification and Position Management
- Disciplinary Review Actions and Appeals Boards
- Analyzing Position Descriptions
- Compensation (Special Salary Rates and Locality Pay Schedules)
- Methods of Human Resource Management
- Understanding VHA RN Pay and Special Salary Rates
- Understanding VHA Physician and Dentist Pay
- Title 38 Fundamentals
- Selection, Engagement and Training
- Hiring and Retention Overview
- Title 38 Staffing
- Employment Law
- Salesforce Recruitment Tracker
- Power BI
- Cognos
- All Microsoft Office applications
- USAStaffing
- HR Smart
- FORCE
- SEPG
- EER
- ECAT
- ECMS
Timeline
Lead HR Specialist
Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 17, VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network
09.2023 - Current
Physician/Provider Recruiter
VISN 19, OKC VA Health Care System
10.2022 - 09.2023
HR Specialist – Recruitment and Placement
VISN 19, OKC VA Health Care System
03.2022 - 10.2022
HR Specialist – Customer Liaison
VISN 19, Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
12.2020 - 03.2022
Acquisition Utilization Specialist
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
10.2019 - 12.2020
Supervisory HR Staffing Specialist
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
08.2018 - 10.2019
Facility Physician Liaison
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
12.2017 - 08.2018
HR Specialist/Physician Recruiter
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
04.2016 - 12.2017
HR Specialist (Employee/Labor Relations)
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
03.2015 - 04.2016
College coursework - no degree completed
Rogers State University
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