Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Excellence Award
Work Availability
Work Preference
Timeline
BusinessAnalyst
Penny Farrar

Penny Farrar

Grant Management Specialist
LA

Summary

Demonstrates strong leadership, analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Bring a positive attitude and commitment to continuous learning and growth.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Lead Medical Credentialing Program Specialist

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
07.2021 - Current
  • Company Overview: Office of Health Security | Health Care and Oversight Directorate, Oversight and Integrity Division
  • Verify and document credentials using accredited sources to ensure compliance with regulatory standards
  • Conduct quarterly audits to assess credential compliance and perform annual queries through the National Practitioner Data Bank
  • Respond to and process credentialing requests, maintaining comprehensive and accurate records in line with company policies
  • Oversee contractor performance as a Contracting Officer Representative, applying evaluation methods and surveillance techniques
  • Review and manage vendor agreements to ensure compliance, track service level agreements, and facilitate prompt invoice processing
  • Streamlined processes that led to a 20% reduction in project turnaround time, allowing the team to take on additional projects without increasing workload
  • Mentored new team members, which helped reduce onboarding time by 50% and improved team performance metrics by an average of 20%
  • Introduced a new software tool that automated repetitive tasks, saving the team an estimated 10 hours per week, allowing for more focus on high-value activities
  • Successfully led a cross-departmental project that improved delivery timelines by 30%, resulting in faster customer response and improved service satisfaction

Transportation Security Officer

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
09.2018 - 06.2024
  • Company Overview: Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • Maintained focus and awareness in high-pressure environments to effectively mitigate and prevent potential security threats
  • Provided instructional guidance on screening procedures and served as an On-the-Job Training (OJT) Coach to enhance team proficiency

Medical Credentialing Specialist

United Health Care
10.2023 - 01.2024
  • Company Overview: Remote
  • Responded to payer requests for additional information to facilitate the credentialing and re-credentialing process for physicians, practitioners, and licensed providers
  • Conducted primary source verifications using OIG, SAM.gov, and other national certification sites while maintaining effective communication with providers and office administrators
  • Received and reviewed application and supporting documents (e.g., questionnaire, attestation form, insurance document) to determine if required and necessary information is included
  • Ensured verifications are completed within state, federal, and/or internally mandated timeframes (e.g., NCQA, URAC, CMS)
  • Conducted primary source verifications such as background checks and board certifications.

Lead QA/QC Analyst

Homeowner Assistance Program
05.2017 - 10.2017
  • Company Overview: Baton Rouge, LA
  • Conducted comprehensive audits to ensure documentation accuracy and compliance with program policies, preventing issues such as duplication of benefits and fraud
  • Collaborated with case managers to implement corrective actions and enhance applicant communication, ensuring timely submission and verification of critical documents
  • Analyzed and reviewed program requirements and performance data to develop recommendations that improved process efficiency and reduced errors
  • Developed and maintained quality assurance procedure documentation.
  • Created and revised procedures, checklists and job aids to reduce errors.

Compliance/Monitoring Analyst

Louisiana Road Home Program/Federal Community Development Grant Program (CDBG)
03.2009 - 05.2017
  • Company Overview: Baton Rouge, LA
  • Conducted comprehensive audits of applicant files to ensure adherence to federal and state compliance standards, program requirements, and internal procedures
  • Analyzed and resolved issues related to contract fraud and non-compliance, implementing corrective actions to maintain program integrity
  • Collaborated with applicants and third-party organizations to obtain necessary documentation, facilitating an efficient review process
  • Applied federal policies and regulations to contractual agreements, upholding a zero-tolerance policy on fraudulent activities
  • Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
  • Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
  • Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.

Grant Management Specialist/Subcontractor Monitoring

Louisiana Road Home Program/Federal Community Development Grant Program (CDBG)
03.2009 - 05.2011

Company Overview: Baton Rouge, LA

  • Knowledgeable working experience in the qualification determination and administration of the CDBG Program and CDBG (DR) supplemental disaster appropriation funds.
  • Interviewed 1000-plus applicants at state-designated sites and/or conducted phone conference appointments to determine applicants' eligibility.
  • Ensured the applicants' acquisition process focused on “risk avoidance” to “risk management” for government assistance by reviewing regulatory laws and applying policies and guidelines by telephone appointment time, during the interview intake process, or in writing to the applicants.
  • Researched, answered, and resolved any impediments restricting the entitlement of disbursement of grant funds to qualifying applicants.
  • Final Grant Audit Review and State Appeal Review of case files and disbursements for final grant determination.
    Formulated spreadsheets to monitor receipt of Appeals and/or Waste Management reviews on grant funds disbursement discrepancies.
  • Liaison Representative between government officials, adjusters, investigators, other governmental agencies, and attorneys on legal issues relating to grant eligibility for payments over payments of qualifying and non-qualifying applicants.
  • Served as a Subject Matter Expert with collaborative services through the States, Federal, and non-governmental organizations governing grant eligibility.
    Assisted with employee training and the grant standard order of procedures.
  • Ensured compliance with FEMA and State Agency Hazard mitigation assistance guidelines for reimbursement.

Education

Certificate - Criminal Justice-Homeland Security

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
Des Moines, IA
01.2024

Skills

  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Process Improvement
  • Skill building
  • Performance assessments
  • Data management
  • Team oversight
  • Hazard mitigation
  • Damage assessment
  • Problem-solving
  • Risk assessment
  • Grant administration
  • Disaster recovery

Accomplishments

  • Reduced program costs by 20% through the implementation of strategic improvements.
  • Conceptualized and developed the ServiceNow application.
  • Grew provider membership base by 50% in one year.
  • Achieved auditing by completing primary source verification with accuracy and efficiency.

Certification

COR-Contracting Officer Representative I & II

Excellence Award

I am proud to have received the Credentialing Excellence Award for my dedication and commitment to achieving credentialing and auditing through accurate and efficient primary source verification. This recognition reflects my focus on maintaining the highest standards in the credentialing process.

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference

Work Type

Full TimeContract Work

Work Location

RemoteOn-SiteHybrid

Important To Me

Work-life balanceCompany CultureCareer advancementHealthcare benefitsWork from home optionPaid time offPaid sick leave401k matchStock Options / Equity / Profit Sharing4-day work weekFlexible work hoursPersonal development programsTeam Building / Company Retreats

Timeline

Medical Credentialing Specialist

United Health Care
10.2023 - 01.2024

Lead Medical Credentialing Program Specialist

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
07.2021 - Current

Transportation Security Officer

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
09.2018 - 06.2024

Lead QA/QC Analyst

Homeowner Assistance Program
05.2017 - 10.2017

Compliance/Monitoring Analyst

Louisiana Road Home Program/Federal Community Development Grant Program (CDBG)
03.2009 - 05.2017

Grant Management Specialist/Subcontractor Monitoring

Louisiana Road Home Program/Federal Community Development Grant Program (CDBG)
03.2009 - 05.2011

Certificate - Criminal Justice-Homeland Security

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
Penny FarrarGrant Management Specialist