Mercedes Gonzalaz
Burlington,NC
Summary
Proactive Clinical Coordinator excited to transition into a new position where superb leadership and clinical coordination abilities can be utilized. Skilled in task delegation, staff recruitment, and scheduling. Committed to ensuring staff is compliant with all safety and health standards and protocols. A versatile healthcare professional with experience in diverse roles. Excels in adapting to evolving guidelines, ensuring data accuracy and privacy, and delivering efficient, compassionate support in fast-paced environments. The commitment to patient care and public health is unwavering.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Infection Prevention Support
Orange County Health Department
2023.07 - Current
- Working under the guidance of the Division of Public Health, The team is dedicated to implementing evidence-based infection control procedures in alignment with CDC, CMS, and HHS guidelines
- Our mission is to enhance infection prevention knowledge and practices, thereby mitigating and preventing health threats such as COVID-19 and various infectious diseases, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality rates
- Conducting facility evaluations utilizing the NC SPICE Infection Control in Long-Term Care Facilities Training program, supplemented by ongoing monthly educational opportunities
- Coordinating in-person and virtual visits, calls, and educational sessions with assigned counties
- Performing ICAR evaluations and delivering comprehensive site visit summaries, complete with identified gaps and recommendations
- Offering targeted infection control training, education, and materials based on resources identified between NC DHHS, local health departments, Assisted Living facilities, Nursing Homes, Adult Care facilities, and Behavioral Health Homes
- Serving as the primary point of contact for facilities during outbreaks
- Collaborating with healthcare coalitions to provide critical emergency resources, including personal protective equipment (PPE), staff support, vaccine access, and more.
- Built strong relationships with patients and families for optimized care satisfaction.
- Organized systems for tracking patient records to improve ease of retrieval.
- Implemented new policies and educated staff on changes.
- Devised and implemented clinical protocols to ensure high-quality patient care.
- Set up educational programs for clinical staff to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
COVID-19 School Health Coordinator
GUILFORD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
2022.09 - 2023.07
- Managed and conducted COVID-19 testing, ensuring adherence to established protocols, maintaining the integrity of the testing process, and preserving the confidentiality of individuals' health data
- Spearheaded contact tracing efforts within the school community, meticulously documenting cases, symptoms, and contact histories, and efficiently inputting data into health department systems
- Verified individuals' identities to maintain data accuracy and confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA and other relevant privacy regulations
- Effectively communicated with students, staff, and families, delivering test results, and providing guidance on quarantine and isolation protocols
- Offered recommendations for medical consultations and testing when necessary
- Coordinated necessary resources for individuals in quarantine or isolation, ensuring access to vital supplies such as food, water, prescription medicines, and other essentials
- Collaborated with school administration, healthcare professionals, and local health departments to align COVID-19 response efforts, ensuring a coordinated and best-practice approach
- Maintained accurate and timely data entry into health department systems and generated reports to support public health initiatives
- Ensured the protection of individuals' health information and compliance with regulatory requirements related to data privacy and security
- Identified barriers to necessary interventions and facilitated appropriate referrals to support services and resources, addressing the diverse needs of affected individuals
- Optimized resource allocation by ensuring the availability of testing supplies, PPE, and other necessary resources for testing and contact tracing activities.
- Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
COVID-19 Response Frontline Case Lead
DURHAM COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
2021.01 - 2022.05
- Conducted comprehensive investigations to identify confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 within the community
- Utilized various communication platforms, such as phone calls, text messages, and email, to reach out to documented COVID-19 patients and individuals exposed to the virus
- Gathered crucial information on contact histories and potential exposures for newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases
- Conducted assessments of symptoms and referred exposed individuals for COVID-19 testing while providing essential guidance and support
- Coordinated enrollment, transportation, and access to community resources for affected individuals, contributing a holistic response to the pandemic
- Ensured the accuracy and completeness of data entry, maintaining the integrity of healthcare records and supporting effective decision-making
- Played a pivotal role in the COVID-19 response by entering crucial data into the North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDDS), a secure platform for healthcare workers in North Carolina.
- Investigated and identified confirmed and suspected coronavirus cases, also documenting potentially affected contacts.
- Coordinated with public health and local facilities to support isolation and quarantine of individuals
- Offered basic guidance regarding testing and medical consultation for those exposed to people with COVID-19
Supervisory Administrative Specialist
UNC Health
2020.03 - 2021.03
- Provided vital support to the organization by delivering personalized and timely assistance to healthcare providers and patients, ensuring the seamless operation of daily activities
- Generated daily Epic reports to identify patients requiring follow-up appointments, effectively reducing gaps in patient care and enhancing overall healthcare outcomes
- Proactively monitored and managed providers' schedules to minimize scheduling conflicts and disruptions to patient access, optimizing the patient experience
- Coordinated and facilitated internal and external patient referrals, ensuring the efficient flow of information and services to meet patients' healthcare needs
- Prepared, reviewed, and circulated correspondence, reports, and various documents both within the organization and to external partners, maintaining clear and effective communication
- Addressed patient inquiries and complaints in a professional and timely manner, both in person and through phone and electronic communication, ensuring patient satisfaction and resolution
- Collaborated closely with organizational and clinic leadership to plan and execute targeted improvement efforts, enhancing the overall patient experience while serving as a subject matter authority in administrative processes for the clinic
- Managed and directed incoming mail, as well as prepared outgoing mail, maintaining efficient communication with internal and external stakeholders
- Oversaw the master calendar and scheduled appointments for providers based on optimal patient loads and clinician availability, ensuring efficient patient management.
- Coordinated and scheduled meetings and appointments to keep the organization running smoothly.
- Managed and maintained electronic and paper-based filing systems to keep essential documents and information easily accessible and organized.
- Completed bi-weekly payroll for 10 employees
Education
Associate of Arts - Office Management
Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC12.2024
Skills
- Data Management: Accurate record-keeping and data entry.
- Investigation and Contact Tracing: Thorough analysis and information gathering.
- Effective Communication: Clear, empathetic, and professional interaction.
- Resource Coordination: Logistics management and resource allocation.
- Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing guidelines and conditions.
- Confidentiality: Compliance with data privacy regulations.
- Efficiency: Handling multiple tasks in fast-paced environments.
- Patient and Public Health Focus: Dedication to healthcare and safety.
- Collaboration: Effective teamwork and coalition-building.
- Documentation and Reporting: Report preparation and data documentation.
- Staff Management
- Process Improvement
- Schedule Development
Certification
- First Aid/CPR Certified
Timeline
Regional Infection Prevention Support
Orange County Health Department
2023.07 - Current
COVID-19 School Health Coordinator
GUILFORD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
2022.09 - 2023.07
COVID-19 Response Frontline Case Lead
DURHAM COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
2021.01 - 2022.05
Supervisory Administrative Specialist
UNC Health
2020.03 - 2021.03
Associate of Arts - Office Management
Durham Technical Community College
- First Aid/CPR Certified
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