NICOLE KRISTAL
Durham,NC
Summary
Capable Patient Representative dedicated to providing superior support for patients in need of reliable information regarding insurance coverage, finance options and documentation requirements. Well-versed in scheduling and database management functions for streamlined communication and reduced correspondence backlogs. Excels at identifying client needs and concerns to improve engagement strategies and overall service. Possesses expertise in:
- Education: informative and engaging educator teaching complex topics to both expert and novice audiences. Exhibits patient and family-centric, solution-driven mindset, and strong clarity of clinical information and treatment purpose. Stays current on innovative therapies.
- Care Coordination: participates in multidisciplinary team, coordinating access to therapy and services within insurance policy provisions, navigating medical billing barriers in support of optimum care. Performs own billing as North Carolina clinician, manages private and governmental insurance organization billing. Extensive prior experience with insurance policies and authorizations.
- Management: experience in leading and managing programs, patients, projects, direct reports, and cross-functional teams with autonomy and self-motivation.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CLINICAL LEAD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Emerge Pediatric Therapy
05.2019 - Current
- Supervise, lead, and mentor team of therapists, including conducting quarterly reviews. Manage individual caseload of 32 clients per week, including; managing evaluations, authorizations, discharges, and completing billing for private and government insurance. Participate in collaboration across multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide excellent patient and family care and education with families on medically complex topics. Complete initial intake calls for prospective families and direct them to appropriate resources and next steps.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Autism Society Of North Carolina
01.2017 - 04.2019
- Oversaw team of 15-60 volunteers to provide programs and services to children with autism. Tracked and monitored program participants' growth. Screened and recruited incoming clients, volunteers, and potential collaborations for admission into program. Marketed programs to educate agencies and communities about available programs and services. Collaborated with clients and inter-agency personnel to identify strengths and weaknesses and steps needed to achieve desired goals. Performed personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance. Calculated and recorded department expenses and revenue.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Pediatric Therapy Services
09.2011 - 12.2016
- Conducted initial evaluations to gather information for patient treatment plans and initiated therapeutic activities to improve patient quality of life. Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to deliver optimal patient care and experience. Monitored treatment effectiveness at different stages, adjusting to achieve maximum results. Coordinated individual and group treatments, and involved families in discharge planning. Helped clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Bay Area Friendship Circle
08.2014 - 08.2016
- Managed, ran, and facilitated all aspects of year-round programs for children with developmental disabilities. Screened and recruited incoming clients, volunteers, and potential collaborations for admission into program. Marketed programs to educate agencies and communities about available programs and services. Tracked and monitored program participants' growth in database.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Center For Developing Minds
09.2011 - 12.2014
- Expertly evaluated, planned interventions, and discharged children with various developmental disabilities. Utilized clinical knowledge of range of intellectual and developmental diagnoses for children and adults and psychosocial issues that clients face. Created curriculum for 2 unique therapeutic groups. Administered therapeutic exercises and activities to improve patient quality of life. Composed at-home training programs, educating patients and caregivers on treatment plans and goals. Monitored treatment effectiveness at different stages, adjusting to achieve maximum benefit.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
California Children's Services
01.2009 - 12.2010
- Conducted initial evaluations for children with neuromusculoskeletal disorders to gather information for patient treatment plans. Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to deliver optimal patient care and experience. Composed at-home training programs, educating patients and caregivers on treatment plans and goals. Administered therapeutic exercises and activities to improve patient quality of life. Facilitated healing and trust by cultivating caring relationships with patients. Evaluated patients' physical and mental abilities and analyzed medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients. Selected activities to help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of mental or physical capabilities.
Occupational Therapist
Pediatric Therapy Services
10.2007 - 12.2008
- Enhanced patient functionality through evidence-based therapeutic interventions and exercises. Performed assessments during treatment to determine progress according to goals. Promoted independence in activities of daily living through task analysis, environmental adaptations, and compensatory techniques. Enhanced overall quality of life for patients with chronic conditions by addressing physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and sensory impairments. Documented patient progress accurately and efficiently, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Education
Master of Science - Occupational Therapy
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA05.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA06.2004
Skills
- Case and Care Management/Coordination Skills
- Care Transitions and Discharge Planning
- Patient Engagement and Education
- Family and Children's Medicaid Programs
- Management and Administration
- Problem Resolution
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Behavioral and Mental Health
- Interdisciplinary Care
- Value Based Care/Strengths-Based Approach
- Caring and Empathetic
Certification
- North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy #11390
- PEERS Certified Trainer
Timeline
CLINICAL LEAD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Emerge Pediatric Therapy
05.2019 - Current
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Autism Society Of North Carolina
01.2017 - 04.2019
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Bay Area Friendship Circle
08.2014 - 08.2016
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Pediatric Therapy Services
09.2011 - 12.2016
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Center For Developing Minds
09.2011 - 12.2014
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
California Children's Services
01.2009 - 12.2010
Occupational Therapist
Pediatric Therapy Services
10.2007 - 12.2008
Master of Science - Occupational Therapy
San Jose State University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of California
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