PAULA D. FISHER
Chandler,AZ
Summary
Senior Healthcare Administrative Leader with 20+ years of progressive federal healthcare management experience within the Department of Veterans Affairs supporting hospital and outpatient clinical operations. Expertise in healthcare operations management, federal budget and financial analysis, acquisition and contract oversight (COR), workforce supervision, and regulatory compliance. Proven ability to manage complex administrative programs, analyze operational data, and provide executive decision support to improve organizational performance and Veteran care delivery. Healthcare Operations Management:
- Federal Budget & Financial Management
- Contract Administration & Acquisition Oversight (COR I & II)
- Program Management & Strategic Planning
- Workforce Supervision & Personnel Administration
- Data Analysis & Executive Reporting
- Regulatory Compliance (Joint Commission, OSHA, OIG)
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Administrative Officer | GS-11 Step 5
Carl T. Hayden VA Health Care System – Surgical Services
Phoenix, AZ
01.2023 - Current
- Provide administrative, financial, and operational management support to executive leadership overseeing multiple surgical specialty programs. Streamlined operations and prioritized tasks, allowing senior staff to increase revenue by 25%.
- Manage administrative operations supporting Orthopedics, Anesthesiology, Urology, Vascular Surgery, Gynecology, ENT, Eye Care, General Surgery, Plastics/Hand Surgery, and Podiatry.
- Supervise 10 administrative staff, assigning workload priorities, evaluating performance, and ensuring completion of mission-critical administrative functions.
- Serve as Contracting Officer Representative (COR Level II) managing 8+ service contracts valued from $143K to $3.1M, ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and VA procurement policy.
- Conduct budget and financial analysis including Status of Allowance reviews, Financial Control Point reconciliation, operating plan monitoring, and FTEE allocation analysis.
- Prepare executive briefings, cost analyses, productivity reports, and operational trend reports supporting leadership decision-making.
- Oversee purchase card transactions, acquisition activities, and equipment procurement, ensuring fiscal accountability and stewardship of government resources.
- Manage interagency agreements through G-Invoicing, coordinating fiscal year obligations, orders, and invoice approvals.
- Coordinate personnel management actions including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, workforce planning, and employee awards.
- Analyze labor mapping, overtime utilization, staffing levels, and operational metrics to improve resource allocation and operational efficiency.
- Serve as liaison between Surgical Services leadership and Human Resources, Finance, Contracting, Logistics, VISN leadership, and external stakeholders.
- Detail: Administrative Officer | GS-12 Step 2 - Detail Assignments: Feb 2025 – Jun 2025 | Dec 2025 – April 2026 | GS-12 Step 3
Administrative Officer | GS-9 Step 8
SSG Alexander W. Conrad VA Health Care Clinic – Primary Care
Mesa, AZ
02.2016 - 01.2023
- Principal administrative advisor supporting operational management for two VA outpatient clinics.
- Provided administrative and operational support to the Chief Medical Officer and Nurse Manager for primary care and specialty programs.
- Managed procurement, logistics, and property oversight including clinical equipment, IT assets, and facility resources.
- Served as Purchase Card Holder and COR Level I overseeing vendor coordination and procurement compliance.
- Ensured facility compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, OIG, and VA safety standards.
- Coordinated facility training initiatives for 250+ employees, including safety, emergency preparedness, and workplace conduct.
- Led workflow improvements that enhanced patient scheduling efficiency and clinic operations.
- Served as Patient Advocate liaison, resolving Veteran concerns and improving patient satisfaction outcomes.
- Coordinated clinic expansions, relocations, and operational startup initiatives.
Supervisory Medical Administrative Specialist | GS-9 Step 4
VA Southeast Healthcare Clinic – Health Administration Services
Phoenix, AZ
09.2012 - 02.2016
- Directed administrative operations supporting primary and specialty care clinics serving more than 24,000 patients annually.
- Supervised 30 administrative personnel supporting operations for 180+ clinical and support staff.
- Managed front-office operations including patient scheduling systems, patient flow coordination, and administrative services.
- Oversaw salary budgets, timekeeping systems, leave balances, and overtime utilization.
- Coordinated recruitment requests, staffing actions, and workforce planning with Human Resources.
- Implemented operational improvements enhancing patient access, clinic efficiency, and Veteran satisfaction.
Administrative Officer of the Day | GS-9 Step 3
VA Southeast Healthcare Clinic – Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
01.2008 - 09.2012
- Exercised delegated authority of the Medical Center Director during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Ensured continuity of medical center operations, patient care coordination, and emergency response activities.
- Provided guidance on administrative procedures, policy interpretation, and regulatory compliance.
- Managed approximately 30 incoming calls, emails and faxes per day from clientele.
Education
MBA - Management
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona01-2012
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Financial Reporting Systems
- Procurement & Contract Management Systems
- Data Analysis & Performance Reporting
Affiliations
Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Vice President
Timeline
Administrative Officer | GS-11 Step 5
Carl T. Hayden VA Health Care System – Surgical Services
01.2023 - Current
Administrative Officer | GS-9 Step 8
SSG Alexander W. Conrad VA Health Care Clinic – Primary Care
02.2016 - 01.2023
Supervisory Medical Administrative Specialist | GS-9 Step 4
VA Southeast Healthcare Clinic – Health Administration Services
09.2012 - 02.2016
Administrative Officer of the Day | GS-9 Step 3
VA Southeast Healthcare Clinic – Phoenix, AZ
01.2008 - 09.2012
MBA - Management
Grand Canyon University