Paula Diaz
Azle
Summary
Healthcare support professional with expertise in optimizing patient flow and surgical protocols. Demonstrated success in enhancing patient satisfaction through effective coordination and medication management. Committed to maintaining high standards of care and operational efficiency.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
FRONT OFFICE/ MA/MOHS ASST/MEDICAL RECORD
Skin MD, PA
Weatherford
04.2021 - Current
- Assisted in Mohs surgeries and minor surgical procedures alongside PAs and MDs.
- Directed patients to exam rooms while preparing for physician examinations.
- Coordinated prescription submissions and refills to pharmacies for timely patient access.
- Educated patients on medications, procedures, and care plan instructions.
- Managed insurance verifications to confirm eligibility, streamlining patient care processes.
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information per HIPAA regulations.
- Trained new staff on front desk operations and customer service protocols.
- Scheduled appointments, collected payments, and processed patient files efficiently.
FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT/ SURGICAL ASSISTANT
Northeast Tarrant Dermatology
Fort Worth
09.2020 - 01.2021
- Coordinated scheduling and insurance verifications for office visits, biopsies, and excisions to ensure seamless patient flow.
- Assisted with getting patients checked in and checked out from visits.
- Directed patients to exam rooms and obtained chief complaints for visits.
- Assisted in all surgical excisions, wound care and dressings.
- Maintained and obtained all proper consents for treatments in medical charts per regulatory standards.
- Supported patients with pain management strategies during surgical excisions and cosmetic procedures to enhance comfort.
- Educated patients on effective skin care practices and recommended appropriate products to improve their skincare routines.
- Set rooms up for physicians to administer neurotoxins and fillers.
- Managed samples closet by organizing and keeping inventory for patient distribution.
FRONT OFFICE MANAGER
Western Center Eyecare
Fort Worth
05.2018 - 02.2020
- Managed daily front office operations for a busy eyecare practice.
- Coordinated office operations by scheduling 20-30 appointments daily, maintaining organized files, and collecting payments.
- Coordinated patient scheduling and appointment confirmations efficiently.
- Trained and supervised front desk staff on customer service protocols to enhance patient interactions.
- Mediated concerns regarding patient care between physicians, patients, and insurance companies to ensure clarity and resolution.
- Handled patient inquiries and resolved issues promptly and professionally.
- Adhered to strict HIPAA guidelines to protect patient privacy.
- Planned coverage needs and organized services to support incoming unique events.
- Received, recorded, and addressed incoming and outgoing communication via telephone and email.
SURGICAL ASSISTANT
Advanced Surgical Arts
Plano
10.2015 - 03.2019
- Protected patients from infection by setting up and managing sterile operating fields.
- Gowned and gloved staff to ensure compliance with sterile protocols before surgeries.
- Assisted surgeons during complex procedures, ensuring instruments were available and sterile.
- Set up equipment, tools, and supplies for procedures according to surgeons' preference cards.
- Assisted with post-operative wound care, including packing, dressing changes, and irrigation.
- Applied antiseptics and sterile dressings to cover surgical locations and boost healing.
- Dressed wounds with antiseptic compounds and sterile coverings to protect surgical sites and promote healing.
- Conducted preliminary evaluations, including measuring weight, temperature and blood pressure, and documented results with accuracy.
- Educated patients on pre-operative and post-operative care instructions to promote understanding and adherence.
- Directed patients to exam rooms and addressed inquiries to facilitate smooth physician examinations.
- Restocked each medical room with adequate supply of medications and supplies in preparation for patients.
- Communicated with pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills via phone and fax.
- Trained new staff on best practices for surgical assistance and equipment handling.
- Arranged supplies and instrumentation to meet needs of individual surgeons and enhance team efficiency.
CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST/ SURGICAL ASSISTANT
American Institute of Plastic Surgery
Plano
05.2014 - 10.2015
- Protected patients from infection by setting up and managing sterile operating fields.
- Maintained aseptic technique throughout the procedure.
- Gowned and gloved staff to ensure compliance with sterile protocols before surgeries.
- Prepared operating room for surgical procedures, including setting up sterile field.
- Gathered and set up equipment, tools and supplies and arranged instruments according to surgeons' preferences or instruction.
- Prepared surgical instruments and equipment for various plastic surgery procedures.
- Clamped, ligated, or cauterized blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures or electrocautery equipment.
- Applied sutures, staples, or other materials to close skin, facial or subcutaneous wound layers.
- Used retractors, sponges and suctioning and irrigating equipment to create unobstructed operating fields.
- Trained new surgical technologists in best practices and protocols to enhance team competency and patient safety.
SURGICAL ASSISTANT
Dr. John Adnot
Fort Worth
02.2010 - 04.2014
- Protected patients from infection by setting up and managing sterile operating fields.
- Gowned and gloved staff to ensure compliance with sterile protocols before surgeries.
- Maintained sterile environment in the operating room during surgical procedures.
- Assisted in prepping operating room for surgery by sterilizing instruments and setting up equipment.
- Clamped, ligated, or cauterized blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures or electrocautery equipment.
- Used hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures and electrocautery equipment to control bleeding.
- Arranged supplies and instrumentation to meet the needs of individual surgeons and enhance team efficiency.
- Communicated with professionalism and compassion when interacting with surgical team and patients.
- Educated patients on medications, procedures, and care plans to enhance understanding and adherence.
- Reviewed patient charts prior to surgery in order to be aware of their conditions or allergies.
- Updated patient files to record medications prescribed and medical histories.
- Kept medical supplies in sufficient stock by monitoring levels and submitting replenishment orders before depletion.
- Administered medications prescribed by the physician or nurse practitioner before surgery.
CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST/ASSISTANT
Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Center
Fort Worth
11.2005 - 03.2009
- Set up operating and surgery rooms for patients, including preparing equipment and supplies for upcoming procedures.
- Maintained high infection control standards.
- Maintained unobstructed operative fields using retractors, sponges, and suctioning and irrigation equipment to support efficient surgical procedures.
- Kept accurate counts of needle, instrument, and sponge inventories.
- Used sutures, staples, clips, and other tools to close wounds.
- Maintained aseptic technique throughout the procedure.
- Prepared operating room for surgical procedures, including setting up sterile field.
- Ensured that all equipment was functioning properly prior to use in the operating room.
- Assisted surgeons during cosmetic procedures by preparing instruments and supplies.
- Conducted pre-operative patient interviews, documenting vital signs, allergies, and relevant information to ensure comprehensive patient care.
- Assisted in ambulating, turning, and positioning patients in preparation for examinations.
- Guided patients to exam rooms, addressed questions, and prepared necessary documentation for physician examinations.
- Sanitized, restocked, and organized exam rooms and medical equipment.
- Maintained inventory levels of medical supplies within assigned areas of responsibility.
- Arranged surgery schedule with surgical centers, confirming times with patients and preparing admission and consent forms.
- Called and faxed pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills.
- Cleaned and restocked operating room, gathering and placing equipment and supplies.
- Demonstrated respect and friendliness in all interactions with patients and staff.
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal and other regulatory standards.
- Organized office supplies and equipment to support daily operations efficiently.
OB TECHNICIAN
Wise Regional Health Systems
Decatur
05.2004 - 11.2005
- Assisted surgeons by scrubbing in and maintaining sterile conditions during gynecological surgeries to support optimal outcomes.
- Created and maintained unobstructed operative fields using a diverse range of tools, including retractors, sponges and suctioning and irrigation equipment.
- Collected comprehensive client medical histories, detailing medication, symptoms, and allergies to inform treatment decisions.
- Prepared lab specimens for timely and accurate diagnostic evaluation, ensuring quality standards were met.
- Adapted schedule to meet staffing needs during nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Delivered courteous support to team members and patients in a healthcare setting.
Education
Certified Surgical Technologist - Surgical Technology
High Tech Institute
Irving, TX05-2002
High School Diploma - Fort Worth, TX
St Augustine Catholic High School
Fort Worth, TX05-1995
Skills
- Surgical support
- Surgical protocols
- Infection control
- Patient intake
- Patient billing
- Medication administration
- Scheduling coordination
- Supply chain management
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Responsibility
- Telephone etiquette
- Medication administration
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Timeline
FRONT OFFICE/ MA/MOHS ASST/MEDICAL RECORD
Skin MD, PA
04.2021 - Current
FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT/ SURGICAL ASSISTANT
Northeast Tarrant Dermatology
09.2020 - 01.2021
FRONT OFFICE MANAGER
Western Center Eyecare
05.2018 - 02.2020
SURGICAL ASSISTANT
Advanced Surgical Arts
10.2015 - 03.2019
CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST/ SURGICAL ASSISTANT
American Institute of Plastic Surgery
05.2014 - 10.2015
SURGICAL ASSISTANT
Dr. John Adnot
02.2010 - 04.2014
CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST/ASSISTANT
Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Center
11.2005 - 03.2009
OB TECHNICIAN
Wise Regional Health Systems
05.2004 - 11.2005
Certified Surgical Technologist - Surgical Technology
High Tech Institute
High School Diploma - Fort Worth, TX
St Augustine Catholic High School