Kristy Harris
Gulfport
Summary
Program Analyst with extensive specialized experience in Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA), healthcare data analysis, and program evaluation within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Expert in analyzing financial, clinical, and operational data to support cost accounting, resource allocation, and healthcare program performance. Demonstrated ability to independently conduct management studies, identify trends and performance deficiencies, and develop data-driven solutions to improve efficiency, patient care outcomes, and organizational effectiveness. Experienced in leading MCA program operations, ensuring data integrity across integrated systems, and communicating analytical findings to executive leadership, VISN, and national stakeholders.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Analyst (Managerial Cost Accounting)
Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2023 - Current
- Provide technical leadership and functional oversight as facility subject matter expert for MCA, producing cost, utilization, and clinical reports supporting 339M+ in annual healthcare operations across multiple service lines.
- Serve as the primary authority for MCA data integrity, analyzing 10+ integrated data sources (payroll, scheduling, GL, clinic encounters, RVUs, and timekeeping) to improve data accuracy and reduce reporting discrepancies by 15–20% through evaluation of both automated and manual processes.
- Review and interpret monthly and quarterly cost and clinical reports, using MCA, Excel, and Power BI to perform comparative analysis of cost, utilization, and clinical trends, identify variances, and develop dashboards supporting workflow, critical path, and performance improvement decisions across 50+ departments.
- Conduct cost-benefit and cost estimation analyses to support resource allocation and strategic planning decisions.
- Led the development and execution of comprehensive management studies evaluating staffing models, workload distribution, and administrative processes, improving workflow efficiency and reducing reporting turnaround time by 35%.
- Identify program deficiencies and lead development of data-driven corrective actions to improve efficiency, resource utilization, and patient care outcomes.
- Verify data accuracy across multiple systems; analyze variances and resolve discrepancies to ensure integrity of reporting.
- Develop cost and clinical studies to evaluate service line performance and support resource allocation decisions.
- Perform monthly audits of MCA structures and patient databases, identifying and resolving 100+ data inconsistencies per cycle.
- Develop cost and clinical studies that improved visibility into cost per encounter and supported optimization of high-volume service lines.
- Direct and oversee monthly MCA processing (data posting, extracts, reporting), ensuring 100% on-time delivery of reports to leadership.
- Train, mentor, and provide technical direction to 25+ managers and staff on MCA systems, reporting tools, and data interpretation standards.
- Collaborate with VISN and national MCA teams orally, and in writing (including via teleconference and video conferencing) to resolve system issues.
Program Analyst (Behavioral Health Service)
Department of Veterans Affairs
07.2018 - 10.2023
- Led analysis of clinical, workload, and utilization data supporting 100+ providers, improving clinic capacity and access to care by 15–20%.
- Analyzed workload and utilization data, increasing clinic capacity by 15-20% through optimized scheduling practices.
- Prepared and delivered presentations and reports to leadership on program status, performance metrics, and improvement initiatives.
- Conducted data validation and audits, improving reporting accuracy and reducing errors by 50%.
- Coordinated credentialing processes for 45+ employees, achieving 100% compliance with OPPE/FPPE timelines.
- Identified process inefficiencies and implemented improvements that enhanced productivity and reduced administrative burden.
- Prepared and presented program performance data to leadership, supporting strategic and operational decisions.
- Analyzed clinical operations, workload, and scheduling systems to improve access to care and resource utilization.
- Designed and generated recurring and ad hoc reports to support leadership decision-making and program evaluation.
- Identified trends, performance gaps, and process inefficiencies; recommended and implemented corrective actions.
- Supported organizational planning by analyzing staffing models, clinic utilization, and workload distribution.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to resolve operational and data-related issues.
Supervisory Medical Support Assistant
Department of Veterans Affairs
02.2016 - 07.2018
- Directed and supervised staff across Call Operations, Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Specialty Care, and Inpatient services, overseeing 50+ employees.
- Evaluated workflows, staffing, and administrative processes to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
- Conducted workload and performance analysis to support staffing decisions and organizational planning.
- Implemented quality control measures and monitored compliance to reduce risk and improve program effectiveness.
- Coordinated training for staff on scheduling systems, policies, and procedures to ensure consistent operations.
- Resolved complex operational, technical, and customer service issues, including high-level inquiries.
- Supported human resources functions, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluations.
- Implemented and managed quality control procedures for Call Center and Behavioral Health services to mitigate inventory, cost, and labor risks while preventing fraud, waste, and abuse.
- Fostered communication and coordination across teams to address operational challenges and improve performance outcomes.
Education
MBA - Human Resource Management
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA, USA05-2020
BS - Health Care Administration
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA, USA05-2018
AS - Billing and Coding
MGCCC
Biloxi, MS, USA05-2015
Skills
- Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA) Systems Administration
- Cost Accounting, Cost Estimation, and Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Healthcare Data Analysis (Financial, Clinical, and Operational Data)
- Program Evaluation and Management Studies
- Trend, Variance, and Comparative Analysis
- Organizational Analysis (Staffing, Workflow, and Resource Allocation)
- Data Integrity, Validation, and Reporting Systems
- Stakeholder Engagement and Executive-Level Communication
- Program Planning, Coordination, and Leadership
Timeline
Program Analyst (Managerial Cost Accounting)
Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2023 - Current
Program Analyst (Behavioral Health Service)
Department of Veterans Affairs
07.2018 - 10.2023
Supervisory Medical Support Assistant
Department of Veterans Affairs
02.2016 - 07.2018
BS - Health Care Administration
Liberty University
AS - Billing and Coding
MGCCC
MBA - Human Resource Management
Liberty University