Melissa J. Diebert
Lacey
Summary
Expert in contract execution and compliance, emphasizing team leadership and operational excellence. Proficient in guiding contract specialists and program staff while facilitating training to address performance and compliance challenges. Dedicated to continuous improvement through strategic procurement initiatives and effective stakeholder engagement.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Contract Specialist 3
DSHS- Management Services Division for HCLA & DDA
Lacey
02.2023 - Current
- Manage state contract execution and participate in negotiations with various stakeholders and vendors.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with internal teams and external partners.
- Reviewed and analyzed procurement documents for compliance and accuracy.
- Consultation, training and technical assistance
- Risk analysis, performance improvement, corrective action plans
Senior Contract Administrator
DSHS- Management Services Division for HCLA & DDA
Lacey
07.2024 - 02.2025
- Oversaw ALTSA & DDA HQ Contracts unit, managing a team of seven contract specialists to ensure effective contract administration.
- Facilitated professional procurement and contract administration within the unit, enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Position is responsible for advising contract unit staff and program partners in formulating, drafting, implementing, and administering complex and involved contracts of high impact to the administrations and working with staff and vendors to identify and resolve performance, compliance, and problem resolution issues.
- Guided and mentored purchasers and contract managers, fostering skill development and ensuring compliance with contract standards.
- Participating in the ongoing identification, development and implementation of contracting and procurement best practices.
Management Analyst 4
DSHS
Lacey
03.2021 - 07.2024
- Led ALTSA/DDA Contracts Unit staff to improve collaboration and streamline project execution.
- Mentored team members and coordinated key contracts through technical assistance, training, and consultation on contract execution, process improvement initiatives, audits, reporting, and monitoring.
- Executed federal debarment and exclusion checks and facilitated SAO and PERM audits.
- ALTSA/DDA Contract Unit – Management Services Division
Contract Specialist 3
DSHS
Lacey
02.2015 - 02.2021
- Coordinated contracts for the Developmental Disabilities Administration as the primary contact for contracting inquiries from DDA HQ and statewide field service offices.
- The Key Contract Coordinator is the Administration’s first resource for contracting information.
- Preapproved Client Service Contracts, Semicustom Client Service Contracts, Custom Client Service Contracts, County Program Agreements, Indian Nation Program Agreements, Interlocal Agreements, Data Sharing Agreements, Direct Buy Professional Services Contracts $40,000/$50,000, Professional Contract Procurements, Negotiations, Sole Source Filings, Convenience Contract Terminations and coordination of Default Contract Terminations, Contract Amendments.
- Managed contracts within ALTSA/DDA Contracts Unit, ensuring compliance and effective administration.
- Advised on policy, procedure, and processing changes while consulting with executive management regarding contract regulations.
- Participate in statewide business management and contract administration project meetings.
- Represent interests of both ALTSA and DDA with projects that involve outside departments and agencies and community stakeholder groups.
Contract Specialist 2
DSHS
Lacey
07.2012 - 02.2015
- Provide ALTSA Contract Development and Management ensuring that accurate, relevant, and legal contracts are in place for all service and equipment providers.
- Coordinated contract negotiations across multiple units, advising departments on terms and conditions to facilitate service delivery.
- Work with representatives of business, the professions, other administrations, and institutions to agree on terms of contracts; ensure compliance with terms of contracts, agreements, etc.
- Participated in contract unit workgroups to update and maintain administration policy, ensuring alignment with current regulations.
- Work with Business analysts and project management to create procedures for compliance with new and revised policy requirements.
- Requested changes to regulations, policies, or procedures.
- Prepare complex contracts and interagency agreements to provide or obtain services for the agency, including technical contract support activities.
- Coordinated with internal and external stakeholders to share information, facilitate decisions, and implement solutions for service-related issues.
- Knowledge of regulations, policies, and procedures for preparation of client service contracts, agreements, etc.; business and professional services, best practices, contract terminology and development.
- Led ALTSA/DDA Contracts Unit within Management Services Division to ensure effective contract management.
Customer Service Specialist 2
DSHS
Tumwater
06.2008 - 07.2012
- Resolved complaints, inquiries, and customer service problems from clients, contractors, guardians, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Facilitated and organized client service contracts for individual and professional providers, ensuring compliance with unique requirements.
- Delivered comprehensive administrative and customer service support for regional office operations.
- Informed and updated regional staff on policy and procedure changes, enhancing communication and operational awareness.
- Responded to public disclosure requests as Regional Public Disclosure Coordinator.
- Interprets agency related laws, policies, and procedures relating to: Public Disclosure, Administrative Hearings, and all aspects of Contracting.
- Assists Regional Administrative Hearing Coordinator in all manners of OAH processes and enters hearing dockets into the Barcode system.
Health Information Service Specialist 2
Providence Mother Joseph Care Center
Olympia
05.2001 - 05.2008
- Prepared MDS/RAI spreadsheet calendar weekly, coordinating assessment dates to comply with state and federal guidelines.
- Transmit completed MDS to state via secure network broadband internet.
- Work with RAI staff to ensure accuracy of RUGS score.
- Monitored state error report, implementing necessary corrections to uphold data accuracy.
- Maintain daily resident census and status changes in various software applications, ensuring accurate distribution of report forms.
- Coordinate monthly recapitulation dates and run monthly nursing medication administration and treatment sheets.
- Executed monthly nursing assistant care data flow sheets to ensure accurate tracking of patient assistance.
- Conduct QA/CQI audits and provide information compilation for plan of action reports.
Lead Insurance Biller & Account Representative
The Billing Office
Olympia
01.2000 - 04.2001
- Produce, monitor, and oversee insurance claim billing, accounts receivable aging and follow-up, reconciliations, appeals and collections.
- Secured insurance authorizations; supervised, reviewed, audited, and corrected co-worker data entry; reviewed CPT and ICD-9 codes; posted line-item payments for multiple physician clients; processed weekly cycle and electronic insurance billing; managed deposits; coordinated billing efforts with physicians, attorneys, insurance companies, and collections agencies; negotiated insurance payment reprocessing.
- Interact and communicate with patients, obtain information for corrected billing, enter and update patient registration and financial data.
- Led account supervision, managing accounts, organizing large projects, prioritizing tasks, and supervising staff.
- Reconciled IT systems and transferred records accurately.
Patient Accounts Representative and Insurance Biller
Precision Billing Services
Olympia
04.1999 - 12.1999
- Facilitated claim billing, reprocessing, and collections by collaborating with patients and insurance companies to resolve discrepancies.
- Conducted patient registration and insurance billing, auditing daily CPT & ICD-9 code and charge data entry logs; addressed patient financial inquiries and followed up on insurance claims and accounts receivable.
- Reconciled patient billing records transferred from previous billing company system to current system to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Patient Accounts Representative
Capital Network Billing/Capital Medical Center
Olympia
04.1997 - 12.1999
- Reconciled patient billing records transferred from previous billing system to current billing system, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Coordinated with patients and insurance companies on claim billing, reprocessing, and collections to resolve inquiries and expedite payments.
- Managed patient accounts to ensure accurate billing and timely payments.
- Communicated with patients regarding account inquiries and payment options.
- Coordinated with healthcare providers to verify insurance eligibility and coverage.
Patient Accounts Representative and other duties
Olympia Radiological Associates
Olympia
03.1990 - 03.1997
- Managed patient registration, insurance billing, and daily CPT & ICD-9 code auditing; resolved patient financial inquiries and conducted accounts receivable follow-up.
- Organized medical records files, facilitated delivery of medical records between departments, supported darkroom operations, provided transcription and reception assistance, and processed photographic film for medical imaging.
- Managed client accounts, ensuring accurate and timely processing of requests.
- Facilitated communication between clients and medical staff for scheduling procedures.
- Processed insurance claims, verifying coverage and addressing discrepancies promptly.
Education
Health Information Service Specialist 2 -
Providence Mother Joseph Care Center
Olympia, WA05-2008
Skills
- Contract management
- Compliance review
- Risk management and monitoring
- Procurement strategy
- Research and analysis
- Contracting policies and regulations
Timeline
Senior Contract Administrator
DSHS- Management Services Division for HCLA & DDA
07.2024 - 02.2025
Contract Specialist 3
DSHS- Management Services Division for HCLA & DDA
02.2023 - Current
Management Analyst 4
DSHS
03.2021 - 07.2024
Contract Specialist 3
DSHS
02.2015 - 02.2021
Contract Specialist 2
DSHS
07.2012 - 02.2015
Customer Service Specialist 2
DSHS
06.2008 - 07.2012
Health Information Service Specialist 2
Providence Mother Joseph Care Center
05.2001 - 05.2008
Lead Insurance Biller & Account Representative
The Billing Office
01.2000 - 04.2001
Patient Accounts Representative and Insurance Biller
Precision Billing Services
04.1999 - 12.1999
Patient Accounts Representative
Capital Network Billing/Capital Medical Center
04.1997 - 12.1999
Patient Accounts Representative and other duties
Olympia Radiological Associates
03.1990 - 03.1997
Health Information Service Specialist 2 -
Providence Mother Joseph Care Center