Mariela Cruz
Mount Angel,OR
Summary
Compassionate and detail oriented Patient Access and Healthcare Support professional with experience in outpatient mental health, pediatrics, and community clinics. Skilled in patient registration, scheduling, referrals, insurance navigation, and bilingual communication Known for creating a welcoming environment, supporting diverse populations, and collaborating effectively with clinical teams to improve access to care.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Patient Access Navigator
Northwest Counseling and Wellness
Keizer, Oregon
07.2025 - Current
- Perform client intake and agency charting in TherapyNotes, ensuring accurate and complete documentation for behavioral health services.
- Schedule counseling, intake, and billing appointments, coordinating client preferences, provider availability, and program requirements.
- Respond to service inquiries from prospective clients, provide information about available programs, and guide them through the steps to establish care.
- Provide reception and front desk support, including answering multi-line phones, confirming appointments, and communicating updates between clients and counselors in a professional and compassionate manner.
Interpreter (Volunteer)
Woodburn Church of The Nazarene
Woodburn, Oregon
05.2020 - Current
- Interpret during Bible classes, Sunday sermons, and board meetings, providing real-time translation between Spanish- and English-speaking members.
- Assist district-level meetings by communicating updates and changes to congregants in a clear and accessible way.
- Promote inclusion and understanding across language and cultural differences.
Clinical Support Referral Specialist
Pacific Pediatrics
Woodburn, OR
07.2024 - 07.2025
- Managed front office workflow for a busy pediatric clinic, including registration, scheduling, insurance setup, and telephone encounters using EPIC and Artera.
- Processed referrals to specialty providers and imaging/radiology, coordinating with families, providers, and health plans to support timely access to care.
- Supported clinical operations by generating documents, faxing via HIM, handling hospital encounters, tracking immunizations, printing records, and auditing vaccine and lab results.
- Managed incoming mail and faxes, routed information to appropriate teams, and conducted outreach to families to facilitate follow-up appointments.
- Completed PacificSource Community Solutions (PBC) training, assisting with lab bills, bankruptcy notices, Medicaid enrollment, and OHP applications for newborns and adults.
Intern /Community Volunteer
Salem Free Clinic
Salem, OR
06.2023 - 06.2024
- Assisted uninsured and underinsured patients with completing clinic paperwork and intake forms, ensuring clear understanding of questions and processes.
- Provided bilingual interpretation (English/Spanish) between patients and nursing staff, helping patients understand medical instructions and care plans.
- Served as a Bilingual Admitter: checked in patients, provided and reviewed paperwork for new patients, and updated demographic and insurance information as needed.
Supervisor & Assistant Manager
Calvin Klein
Woodburn, Oregon
09.2019 - 06.2024
- Delivered high-quality customer service, resolving concerns and building strong relationships with diverse customers.
- Provided daily leadership by communicating expectations, coaching team members, and supporting a positive, high-performing work environment.
- Created and adjusted staff schedules, aligning staffing with customer volume, employee strengths, and store needs.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Health And Physical Education
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR09-2023
Associate of Arts And General Studies - Transfer Degree
Chemeketa Community College
Salem, Oregon, OR12-2019
Skills
- Patient Access & Registration
- Appointment Scheduling & Coordination
- Referrals & Care Coordination
- Insurance Setup & Medicaid/OHP Support
- EMR Systems: EPIC, TherapyNotes, Artera
- Reception & Front Desk Operations
- Bilingual: English & Spanish
- Customer Service & De-escalation
- Documentation & Data Entry
Certification
PacificSource Community Solutions (PBC): Medicaid/OHP processes, lab bills, bankruptcy notices, OHP applications
Timeline
Patient Access Navigator
Northwest Counseling and Wellness
07.2025 - Current
Clinical Support Referral Specialist
Pacific Pediatrics
07.2024 - 07.2025
Intern /Community Volunteer
Salem Free Clinic
06.2023 - 06.2024
Interpreter (Volunteer)
Woodburn Church of The Nazarene
05.2020 - Current
Supervisor & Assistant Manager
Calvin Klein
09.2019 - 06.2024
Bachelor of Science - Public Health And Physical Education
Western Oregon University
Associate of Arts And General Studies - Transfer Degree
Chemeketa Community College