Paola Garzon
North Plainfield
Summary
Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication, effective time management, and problem- solving experience. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Surgical Technologist
Overlook Medical Center
Summit, NJ
01.2025 - Current
- General- laparoscopy Cholecystectomy, appendectomy, Hemorrhoidectomy, Examination Under Anesthesia , Seton placement and Fistulotomy.
- ENT- Turbinectomy, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), Sphenoidectomy.
- Obstetric & Gynecologic- Hysteroscopy, Total Abdominal Hysterectomy.
- Neurology- Lumbar Laminectomy, Anterior Lumbar fusion.
- Orthopedic- Total Knee Arthrosplasty, Knee Arthroscopy and ORIF.
- Plastic & Reconstructive- Breast reduction, Breast augmentation, Liposuction, Panniculectomy.
- Scrub surgical instruments and maintain sterile field during procedures.
- Assist surgeons by anticipating needs and providing necessary tools promptly.
- Prepare operating room for surgeries, ensuring all equipment is functional and ready.
- Collaborate with healthcare team to establish efficient workflows during operations.
- Implemented best practices for infection control, enhancing patient safety protocols.
- Engaged in continuous learning of new techniques and tools relevant to surgical technology field.
- Contributed to hospital efficiency by promptly preparing operating rooms for subsequent surgeries.
- Upheld strict adherence to infection control protocols, minimizing risk of post-surgical complications for patients.
Certified Medical Assistant
Atlantic Health System
South Plainfield, New Jersey
07.2023 - Current
- Handles patient intake, updates medical records, and administers appropriate screening tools.
- Records medical information and test results, conducts patient interviews, takes and records vital signs, collects specimens, and administers medication under physician supervision.
- Guides patients through the health care system and helps patients arrive at scheduled appointments on time.
- Takes vital signs before a patient sees a doctor to establish a baseline for future exams.
- Assists with examinations, working closely with physicians to perform clinical tasks.
- Greets patients and welcomes them to the facility, scheduling appointments and organizing them for patients.
- Maintains medical records by recording patient medical histories and vital signs in the computer system.
- Cleans patient rooms by sanitizing and reorganizing them between visits.
- Preps examination rooms, ensuring they are ready for the patient, including disinfecting equipment and stocking supplies.
- Provides emotional support related to the patient's clinical situation in accordance with the patient's plan of care.
- Assists with referrals of patients to the appropriate specialist for diagnosis or treatment.
- Obtaining prior authorization for different diagnosis procedures such as MRI, CAT Scan, etc.
- Assisting doctors with patient examination, flexible sigmoidoscopy and small procedures in the office.
- Autoclaving instruments after procedure and examinations.
Certified Medical Assistant
Summit Health
Westfield, New Jersey
08.2019 - 11.2022
- Escort patients to exam rooms, interview patients, measure vital signs, including weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and document all information in the patient's chart.
- Ensure all related reports, labs and information is filled out and available in patients’ medical records prior to their appointment.
- Secures patient information and maintains patient confidence by completing and safeguarding medical records; keeping patient information confidential.
- Prepares treatment rooms for patient examinations; Assist physician and physician assistant in exam rooms.
- Disinfects, cleans treatment rooms following patient examinations; Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing and following standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
- Keep exam rooms stocked with adequate medical supplies, maintain instruments, prepare sterilization as required; Properly disposes of contaminated supplies
- Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock; placing orders; verifying receipt.
- Maintain all logs and required checks (i.e. refrigerator temperatures, emergency medications, expired medications, oxygen, cold sterilization fluid change, etc.)
- Take telephone messages and provide feedback and answers to patient/physician/pharmacy calls
- Draws blood, removes sutures, changes dressings.
- Prepares treatment rooms for patient examinations.
- Interviews patients to obtain their medical history.
- Records patient medical history, vital statistics, and test results in patient medical files.
- Performs routine screening tests, such as height and weight measurements and blood pressure checks.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
- Performing eye exam for patient with diabetes.
Neighborhood Health Services Corporation
Plainfield, New Jersey
11.2013 - 08.2019
- Responsible for tracking referral.
- Disinfecting patient rooms after each patient.
- Completing and assisting patients during chief complaints and obtaining information from the hospital when required.
- Assisting with administration duties for example: verifying insurance, helping patients with changing primary care doctors.
- Serving as interpreter between the patient and the providers.
- Doing urine dipstick, glucose, pregnancy test for the patients.
- Completing physical forms.
- Completing DYFS forms in regards to patients.
- Assisting nurses during vaccination and triage.
Medical Assistant
Anita Kishen MD Pediatrics
Plainfield, New Jersey
09.2009 - 03.2012
- Responsible for inventory of vaccines before and after office hours.
- Making sure all the rooms in the office had the supplies necessary for the day.
- Revising all the laboratory results and following up with patients as needed.
- Completing the chief complaints from each patient with as much information as possible.
- Helping with the front desk by answering phones, scheduling appointments, requesting pre-authorizations for procedures as well as calling in prescriptions to the pharmacy.
- Providing Spanish interpretation services.
Teacher
Vacation Bible School
Plainfield, New Jersey
07.2007 - 07.2008
- Prepared activities for seven to ten year olds.
- Assisted program coordinator with lunch services and recreation.
- Greeting parents during morning and after noon hours.
- Maintaining an adequate working environment.
After-School Program
North Plainfield, New Jersey
09.2006 - 06.2008
- Coordinator of lunch services.
- In charge of children ages four, five and six.
- In charge of checking homework at the end of the day.
- Maintaining a safe environment for children.
- Receiving CPR training and Developmentally Appropriate Program for After School Programs.
Education
Medical Assistant -
Everest Institution
South Plainfield, NJ04.2010
Associate of Applied Science - Surgical Technology Program
Berkeley College Woodland Park NJ
Woodland Park, NJ08-2025
High School Diploma -
North Plainfield High School
North Plainfield, NJ06-2009
Skills
- Asepsis & Infection control
- Autoclave
- Pharmacology/dosage calculations
- Vital signs
- EKGs
- Respiratory Testing
- Specimen collection: Throat, Urine, Blood Snellen and Ishra Eye Charting
- Injections: Intradermal, Deltoid, Subcutaneous, Gluteus
- Patient information: Wheelchair, Crutches
- Critical thinking
- Aseptic techniques
- Basic life support
- Workplace safety
- Communication and teamwork
- Fluent in Spanish
- Problem-solving capacity
Certification
- CMA - Certified Medical Assistant
- BLS Certified
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Surgical Technologist
Overlook Medical Center
01.2025 - Current
Certified Medical Assistant
Atlantic Health System
07.2023 - Current
Certified Medical Assistant
Summit Health
08.2019 - 11.2022
Neighborhood Health Services Corporation
11.2013 - 08.2019
Medical Assistant
Anita Kishen MD Pediatrics
09.2009 - 03.2012
Teacher
Vacation Bible School
07.2007 - 07.2008
After-School Program
09.2006 - 06.2008
Medical Assistant -
Everest Institution
Associate of Applied Science - Surgical Technology Program
Berkeley College Woodland Park NJ
High School Diploma -
North Plainfield High School