MARISA ALCARAZ
RN
Tucson,AZ
Summary
Experienced Registered Nurse with a strong background in care management and transition of care nursing. Skilled in providing comprehensive support to individuals, particularly in the behavioral health and older adult sectors, as they navigate through different levels of care. Proficient in assessing, planning, and coordinating various aspects of behavioral health, physical health, and supporting services across the continuum of care. Dedicated to ensuring quality and cost-effective care for the older adult and behavioral health population.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Transition of Care RN
P3 Health Partners
04.2024 - 12.2024
- Coordinated and managed patients' care as they transitioned from one level of care to another.
- Conducted post discharge phone calls to monitor patient progress, address concerns, and provide necessary support.
- Communicated with primary care providers, specialists, home health agencies, and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care post discharge.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments to identify needs and develop individualized care plans including medication reconciliation, discharge instructions, and follow up appointments.
- Collaborated with healthcare team members to determine the most appropriate discharge destination and arrange necessary services.
- Identified high-risk patients and implemented preventive measures to minimize complications after discharge.
- Reviewed medication lists, identifying potential drug interactions, and ensuring proper medication administration instructions are provided.
- Maintained accurate and comprehensive patient records related to transition of care activities, including care plans, discharge summaries, and follow-up.
- Acted as a patient advocate by communicating their needs to healthcare providers and navigating the healthcare system to ensure optimal care.
Care Manager I (RN)
Centene/Arizona Complete Health Complete Care Plan
10.2017 - 02.2024
- Monitored patient progress closely, adjusting care plans as needed to promote ongoing improvement.
- Facilitated family meetings to address concerns, establish goals of care, and provide psychosocial support.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through empathetic listening and compassionate communication techniques.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of community resources by networking with local organizations and attending professional development opportunities.
- Maintained network of community resources to provide most comprehensive support services possible to clients.
- Maintained detailed records in compliance with agency standards and regulations.
- Maintained strict adherence to professional ethics and confidentiality guidelines, safeguarding sensitive information and promoting trust.
- Communicated with healthcare providers to facilitate continuity of care.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans and coordinated necessary services to avail quality care for clients.
- Coordinated referrals to specialists, hospitalizations, ER visits, ancillary testing, and other enabling services for patients.
- Promoted patient self-management by providing education on chronic condition management and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Provided crisis intervention services when necessary by assessing risk levels promptly addressing safety concerns collaboratively with the treatment team.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
- Educated clients and families on community resources, treatment options and health care services to better manage conditions.
- Evaluated clients progress and adjusted service plans to address areas of concern.
- Established and maintained relationships with clients, families and community partners to coordinate services to meet client's needs.
- Managed complex caseloads, ensuring timely assessment, intervention, and documentation for optimal care outcomes.
- Participated in team meetings and trainings to stay updated on best practices and new developments in care management.
- Arranged transportation and documented details of discharge transition plans.
- Participated in interdisciplinary case conferences fostering teamwork collaboration sharing best practice insights to optimize patient care outcomes.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates by providing comprehensive discharge planning and follow-up support.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify patients'' needs, strengths, and barriers to achieving optimal health outcomes.
- Consulted with supervisors to assess cases and plan strategies for enhancing care.
- Responded to emergency situations and provided support to promote client safety and wellbeing.
- Streamlined care coordination processes, resulting in timely referrals and access to appropriate resources.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Assessed clients and developed plans to meet needs.
Office of Human Rights Advocate I
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
06.2014 - 10.2017
- Advocate for individuals determined to have a Serious Mental Illness (and often Developmental Disabilities) to help them understand, protect and exercise their rights, facilitate self-advocacy through education and obtain access to behavioral health services
Program Manager of Adult Foster Care Services
Devereux Arizona
07.2013 - 06.2014
- Facilitated an efficient, effective, state of the art system for providing treatment and/or support services to members within the Devereux continuum
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
COPE Community Services, Inc.
08.2006 - 12.2010
- Provided care, support to case managers and the psychiatrist with the Intensive Recovery Team
Various jobs while at COPE
COPE Community Services, Inc.
06.1996 - 08.2006
- Behavioral Health Technician – Group home and agency crisis/step-down facility
- Case Manager – Provided comprehensive case management services to individuals determined to have Serious Mental Illness and/or substance abuse/addiction concerns
- Program Manager – Supervised and facilitated daily milieu day program services including educational community groups and activity therapy
- Acu-Detox Clinic Manager – Provided auricular acupuncture treatments for mental health members with substance abuse/addiction and managed the Acu-Detox clinics throughout COPE
Education
Bachelor of Science, Nursing -
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ01.2006
Bachelor of Science, Human Service -
University of Phoenix
Tucson, AZ01.2003
Skills
- Discharge planning proficiency
- Health plan navigation/process
- Behavioral health care proficiency
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Creative negotiation skills
- Effective problem-solving/critical thinking
- Adept and empathetic communication skills (oral, written)
- Prioritization of duties/tasks
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of community resources and behavioral health system
- Utilizes feedback to improve performance and meet metric goals
- Care Planning
- Workflow Coordination
- Patient Education
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Problem Identification
- Service Coordination
- Patient education and counseling
- Resource Utilization
- Healthcare Delivery
- Patient Safety
- Process Improvement
- Performance Metrics
- Care Delivery
- Patient Relations
Certification
Registered Nurse, Arizona State Board of Nursing, 04/01/2026
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Transition of Care RN
P3 Health Partners
04.2024 - 12.2024
Care Manager I (RN)
Centene/Arizona Complete Health Complete Care Plan
10.2017 - 02.2024
Office of Human Rights Advocate I
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
06.2014 - 10.2017
Program Manager of Adult Foster Care Services
Devereux Arizona
07.2013 - 06.2014
Psychiatric Registered Nurse
COPE Community Services, Inc.
08.2006 - 12.2010
Various jobs while at COPE
COPE Community Services, Inc.
06.1996 - 08.2006
Bachelor of Science, Human Service -
University of Phoenix
Registered Nurse, Arizona State Board of Nursing, 04/01/2026
Bachelor of Science, Nursing -
University of Arizona
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