Lauren M Potempa
Palos Hills,IL
Summary
Equipped with strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to learn, and excellent communication skills. Poised to contribute to team success and achieve positive results. Ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Patient Care Technician
UChicago Medicine Advent Health
10.2023 - Current
- Perform basic clinical tasks (EKGs, specimen collection, phlebotomy)
- Facilitated smooth transitions between shifts by maintaining thorough documentation of patient care activities and observations.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to nursing staff, ensuring timely medical interventions when necessary.
- Assisted nurses with essential tasks, streamlining workflow and increasing efficiency in the healthcare setting.
- Promoted a safe and inclusive healthcare environment, adhering to policies and procedures while advocating for the well-being of all patients.
- Fostered strong relationships with colleagues, contributing to a collaborative work environment that prioritized teamwork among staff members.
- Maintained clean and safe environment to promote patient safety and comfort.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and attentive care.
- Supported needs of 12+ residents under long-term care.
Collection Staff Technician II
American Red Cross
07.2022 - 10.2023
- Kept work areas clean, organized, and safe to promote efficiency and team safety.
- Trained new technicians on standard operating procedures, ensuring consistency across the team.
- Participated in team-building activities to foster teamwork and collaboration.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with colleagues through regular meetings and communication.
- Collected, arranged, and input information into database system.
- Excelled in high-pressure situations, maintaining composure and professionalism during peak hours and emergency scenarios.
- Addressed questions and concerns to educate patients on collection process and procedures.
Patient Service Coordinator
University of Chicago Medicine
02.2021 - 03.2022
- Company Overview: (Hematology and Oncology Unit)
- Maintained an organized, clean and professional work space within nursing stations and along hallways
- Identified opportunities to improve customer satisfaction and unit operations, presented implementation/suggestions to the manager
- Collaborated with Patient Placement, Patient Access, Unit Clerical Manager, and Environmental services to assist with room readiness for patient admits or transfers
- Utilized complex telecommunication systems
- Managed the patient admission and discharge process for the unit
- Reported off to oncoming shift, verbally and/or by using unit specific written formats.
- Managed sensitive patient data with strict adherence to HIPAA regulations, ensuring privacy and confidentiality at all times.
- Provided patient with after-visit summary and scheduled next appointment to maintain continuous care and facilitate treatment plan.
- Responded effectively to challenging situations involving distressed or dissatisfied patients while maintaining a calm demeanor and positive attitude.
- Maintained accurate patient records by diligently updating information in the electronic health record system.
- Verified patient's insurance eligibility and benefits coverage.
- Supported billing department efforts by accurately collecting co-payments, verifying insurance coverage, and addressing financial concerns for patients.
- Responded to inquiries by directing calls to appropriate personnel.
- Used Epic to maintain electronic patient files, successfully maintaining over 100's patient files.
Lead Medical Assistant
Vascular Surgery Associates, PLLC
02.2017 - 02.2021
- Obtained necessary authorizations/RQI's for out-patient testing
- Managed multiple phone lines and facilitated 50+calls/day with patients, vendors and various medical facilities alike and or hospitals.
- Ensured patient satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns, answering questions, and providing exceptional customer service.
- Triaged incoming calls for provider to determine callers' needs for immediate appointments or scheduled visits.
- Demonstrated expertise in phlebotomy, specimen collection, and basic laboratory testing procedures to support accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions.
- Assisted physicians and nurses with clinical procedures following safe practices.
- Managed insurance authorizations for medications, diagnostic tests, or procedures to facilitate timely access to necessary treatments for patients.
- Documented patient information in EMR and prepared paperwork for medical staff.
- Promoted a positive clinic atmosphere by fostering open communication, actively participating in staff meetings, and providing constructive feedback on clinic operations.
- Maintained a clean and safe clinical environment, adhering to strict infection control standards for the well-being of patients and staff.
- Increased clinic efficiency by training and mentoring new medical assistants on clinical procedures and best practices.
- Coordinated referrals to specialists and provided comprehensive support throughout the entire referral process for seamless patient care transitions.
- Conducted regular quality assurance evaluations across all aspects of clinic operations to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions accordingly.
Medical Assistant/Biller/Scheduler/Phone Operator
Streeterville Internal Medicine, LLC
02.2016 - 02.2017
- Facilitated seamless patient care with thorough and accurate documentation of medical histories, vital signs, and medications.
- Implemented the care plan as directed by the physician, vital signs, blood work, immunization injections and point of care testing
- Post payments, post charges and evaluate insurance claims and obtain prior authorizations
- Coordinated patient referrals to specialists or other healthcare providers as needed for comprehensive care management plans.
- Reduced wait times by swiftly processing insurance claims, verifying coverage, and obtaining pre-authorizations when necessary.
- Sanitized, restocked, and organized exam rooms and medical equipment.
- Assisted with billing and coding processes, ensuring accurate insurance claims and patient invoicing.
- Obtained client medical history, medication information, symptoms, and allergies.
- Checked insurance eligibility by making appropriate phone calls and conducting research on services rendered.
- Conducted regular audits of billing records, identifying issues and implementing corrective actions.
- Verified accuracy of accounts payable payments, resulting in 95% reduction in payment errors and check reissues.
Phlebotomist
Northwestern Medicine
04.2013 - 02.2016
- Company Overview: (Health Lab Dept.)
- Operate a high volume of all ongoing blood draws for Health Lab outpatient lab offices, and work with various levels of physicians and staff
- Verify test requisitions to physician's orders and verify patient by using two identifiers before venipuncture
- Obtain blood via venipuncture and finger sticks
- Processing and handling patient specimens and using appropriate transport for blood tests
- Supported quality assurance efforts by diligently documenting all relevant information during the collection process, ensuring accurate test results for patients and providers alike.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL01-2027
Skills
- Certified in CPR
- Service Excellence
- Effective Time Management
- Strategic Decision-Making
- Proficient in Resolving Issues
- Coverage Verification Expertise
- Efficient Data Management
- Eligibility Evaluation
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Coverage and authorizations
- Insurance billing
Timeline
Patient Care Technician
UChicago Medicine Advent Health
10.2023 - Current
Collection Staff Technician II
American Red Cross
07.2022 - 10.2023
Patient Service Coordinator
University of Chicago Medicine
02.2021 - 03.2022
Lead Medical Assistant
Vascular Surgery Associates, PLLC
02.2017 - 02.2021
Medical Assistant/Biller/Scheduler/Phone Operator
Streeterville Internal Medicine, LLC
02.2016 - 02.2017
Phlebotomist
Northwestern Medicine
04.2013 - 02.2016
Associate of Science - Nursing
Moraine Valley Community College
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