Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Websites
Community Service
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic

Paula Garay

Homestead,FL

Summary

Strategic and solutions-focused HR professional with expertise in HR policy development, legal compliance, and risk mitigation. Proven ability to streamline onboarding, enhance employee training, and improve payroll and benefits administration through meticulous processes and attention to detail. Skilled in project management and cross-functional collaboration, with a consistent track record of meeting deadlines and driving operational efficiency. Adept at leveraging HRIS systems for accurate reporting and data-driven decision-making. Budget-conscious, with a knack for resolving discrepancies and strengthening vendor relationships. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, enabling clear communication across diverse teams and clients.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Operations and HR

South Florida Integrative Medicine
Coral Gables, FL
02.2025 - Current
  • Lead strategic operations and HR initiatives across multiple affiliated brands under the SFIM umbrella, driving improved organizational culture, workflow efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Serve as senior leadership reporting directly to the CEO and COO. Oversee team management, personnel development, and expansion of service lines while ensuring a patient-centered, high-performance workplace environment.
  • Direct weekly Admin Team meetings, set project deadlines, and ensure timely completion of tasks across Reception, Medical, Billing, and Patient Coordination cohorts.
  • Oversee office culture initiatives to elevate workplace morale and productivity while modeling high standards of patient care and professional conduct.
  • Spearhead special projects and business development for affiliated entities, including Unified Psychiatry, GIA Coral Gables, and ACHV Balance.
  • Manage full employee lifecycle including hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, and separations (W2 and 1099).
  • Administer benefits programs, payroll operations, PTO tracking, and timecard audits in coordination with finance and leadership.
  • Conduct annual employee handbook reviews and develop internal policies including call-out protocols and pet policy updates.
  • Oversee HIPAA compliance, staff training, and privacy protocols for electronic and physical patient record security.
  • Collaborate with leadership on new business ventures and interdepartmental project rollouts.

Creative Project Manager

Christ Fellowship
Palmetto Bay, FL
10.2022 - 01.2025
  • Develop and maintain timelines and task schedules for sermon series, weekend services, video production, campus-wide events, special weekend events, social media, and newsletter content for church. Manage special projects such as signage, campaigns, promotional items, and leadership requests for weekend services or special events. Facilitate communication between Creative Department team and various ministries by assigning and coordinating requests, providing project details, and ensuring follow-up. Support Creative Director in organizing project planning schedules and ensuring effective communication for cohesive worship experiences, events, and projects.
  • Revamped server and project file structures to maximize productivity.
  • Expertly managed project timelines and budgets, consistently meeting deadlines and financial goals.
  • Identified and resolved potential project risks, resulting in minimized unexpected problems and delays.
  • Delivered 90% client satisfaction rating on completed projects, illustrating exceptional abilities in client communication and rapport-building.
  • Managed cohesive team of seven staff members and seven contractors, promoting collaboration and ensuring consistent achievement of project goals.
  • Initiated and drove process improvement initiatives resulting in enhanced project efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Collaborated with various departments and teams to align efforts and accomplish project objectives, showcasing exceptional interpersonal and leadership abilities.

HR Director

New Health Associates, LLC
Mansfield, TX
12.2020 - 12.2024
  • Promote positive workplace atmosphere by encouraging transparent communication, resolving disputes, and addressing employee issues. Ensure strict adherence to labor laws and regulations. Implement efficient onboarding procedures for new staff members. Manage and verify employee timekeeping and payroll transactions. Calculate and distribute payroll payments through checks, direct deposits, or electronic transfers when necessary. Maintain and reconcile employee deductions, benefits, and compensation adjustments. Oversee employee benefits packages, including health insurance and retirement plans, among others.
  • Achieved enhancements to HR policies, procedures, and programs through regular updates and refinements of Employee Handbook.
  • Optimized new employee onboarding for improved efficiency and effectiveness by integrating Paychex.
  • Attained full compliance of HR policies and practices with pertinent employment laws and regulations, resulting in reduced legal risk exposure.
  • Pioneered implementation of HR technology solutions, including HRIS, resulting in streamlined processes, heightened data accuracy, and improved reporting capabilities.

Accounts Payable and Purchasing Administrative Assistant

Christ Fellowship
Palmetto Bay, FL
10.2019 - 10.2022
  • Supervised onboarding process and completed all necessary hiring paperwork. Manage daily office activities, including cash management, processing contributions, and handling invoices for six multisite campuses. Execute proofing and printing of checks, assisting with payment and support requests for Benevolence and Global campuses. Review and process payroll for both hourly and salary employees, in addition to managing payments for 1099 contractors. Provide budget and accounting support for operations, including reconciling insurance invoices, tracking finance, obtaining quotes for purchases, and reducing discrepancies and costs with vendors.
  • Developed manual of standard operating procedures with clear instructions for Accounts Payable position.
  • Assisted in transitioning company's payroll system from ACS to Paychex, accommodating 100+ employees.

Office Manager

South Florida Integrative Medicine, LLC
Coral Gables, FL
01.2013 - 01.2019
  • Served as initial point of contact for company, creating lasting impressions on both employees and customers, and concurrently conducted employee training. Took charge of onboarding processes and handled all hiring paperwork. Managed recruitment process and oversaw employee performance evaluations. Oversaw day-to-day office management, which encompassed event coordination, meeting support, vendor relations, optimizing company productivity tools, providing phone support, managing tickets, and ensuring overall presentability of office space. Demonstrated adept problem-solving skills to address needs of office stakeholders and business teams. Provided essential budgetary and accounting support for operations, including finance tracking, budget planning, and invoice processing.
  • Developed comprehensive manual detailing standard operating procedures, complete with step-by-step instructions for every administrative and clinician role.
  • Recruited, trained, supervised, and mentored administrative and medical staff, volunteers, and graduate interns from FIU Master’s program in School of Psychology, enhancing service quality and client satisfaction.
  • Managed billing processes for external partners including the Seminole Tribe of Florida and The Counseling Group, ensuring accurate CPT coding, patient documentation, and timely invoicing. Standardized procedures to improve compliance and efficiency.
  • Reconciled accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger, resulting in 50% reduction in delinquent accounts through standardization of collection process.
  • Spearheaded research and implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) System tailored to handle needs of over 3 MDs and 500 patients, with focus on cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

Administrative Assistant

South Florida Integrative Medicine
Coral Gables, FL
11.2013 - 08.2017
  • Provided administrative support by managing communication and correspondence, scheduling patient appointments, and controlling practice calendar for 15 practitioners and 300 patients. Assisted with reporting by compiling data, filing, and developing report summaries. Maintained relevant information, files, and documents, created reports, and performed daily administrative tasks such as answering phone calls. Prepared correspondence and other communications, processed and distributed mail, faxes, and scanned documents. Accepted patient fee payments and issued QuickBooks receipts with CPT codes and ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Coordinated 50+ daily medication refill requests for patients with pharmacies, obtaining written authorization for refills from prescribing physician and insurance prior authorizations.
  • Organized and upheld 300 patient paper files and electronic medical records system in compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Human Resources Assistant - Contract

Dade Medical College
Coral Gables, FL
11.2012 - 03.2013
  • Assisted with various tasks in human resources department, including recruiting, maintaining personnel records, conducting background screenings and drug tests, and facilitating onboarding sessions. Managed high-volume incoming phone calls, directing them to appropriate coordinators and handling outbound correspondence to ensure timely completion of new hire requirements. Supported new employees during orientation and on-the-job training, collaborating with leaders to enhance onboarding processes and maximize knowledge transfer. Addressed concerns and recommended solutions by following up with employees and leaders. Monitored individual and overall onboarding metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement.
  • Enhanced onboarding experience by implementing new processes, presentations, and procedures.
  • Oversaw migration of traditional paper files to online HRIS system, Paychex, for 400+ employees.

Education

Master of Science - Human Resource Management

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Skills

  • Talent Acquisition & Retention
  • Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution
  • HR Policy Development & Compliance
  • Team Leadership & Staff Development
  • Project Management (Agile, Waterfall)
  • HIPAA & Labor Law Compliance
  • Workflow & Process Optimization
  • Strategic HR Planning
  • Payroll Systems: QuickBooks
  • HRIS Platforms: Paychex, ADP
  • Operational Systems Efficiency
  • Bilingual: English & Spanish

Certification

Google Project Management Certificate, Coursera | June 2025

Completed rigorous coursework in project planning, risk management, Agile/Scrum, and stakeholder communication. Earned certification demonstrating job-ready skills for managing cross-functional projects.

Languages

English & Spanish, Bilingual Proficiency

Community Service

Miami Children's Hospital, 2006 - 2012

Outpatient Access/Information Desk & Welcome Ambassador,

Languages

English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Director of Operations and HR

South Florida Integrative Medicine
02.2025 - Current

Creative Project Manager

Christ Fellowship
10.2022 - 01.2025

HR Director

New Health Associates, LLC
12.2020 - 12.2024

Accounts Payable and Purchasing Administrative Assistant

Christ Fellowship
10.2019 - 10.2022

Administrative Assistant

South Florida Integrative Medicine
11.2013 - 08.2017

Office Manager

South Florida Integrative Medicine, LLC
01.2013 - 01.2019

Human Resources Assistant - Contract

Dade Medical College
11.2012 - 03.2013

Master of Science - Human Resource Management

Florida International University

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Florida International University

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