Penny Farrar
Compliance Specialist
Zachary,LA
Summary
Experienced Medical Credentialing Specialist with 17 years in compliance and credential verification, seeking a role in Medical Credentialing. Proven track record as Lead Medical Credentialing Program Specialist at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ensuring adherence to accreditation standards and conducting primary source verifications. Skilled in auditing, provider enrollment, and effective communication with stakeholders to streamline credentialing processes.
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
- Implemented security screening procedures in alignment with safety and occupational health regulations to ensure compliance and safety
- Inspected and surveyed workplaces to identify and address potential hazards, contributing to a safer operational environment
- Interacted with public to give directions, explain rules, and regulations and respond to inquiries.
- Discretely observed behavior and demeanor of travelers and staff to screen for suspicious actions.
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
- Conducted inspections and certified subcontractor services and invoices, ensuring compliance with contractual standards and promptly resolving clerical errors
- Prepared and disseminated monitoring reports, including corrective action plans and recommendations, to enhance operational efficiency and compliance
- Closed out the backlog of subcontracts for the acquisition services group
- Tracked and reported the number of subcontracts completed weekly
- Documented the closeout files as needed for the closeout to be completed
- Maintained database systems to track and analyze operational data.
- Provided reporting for forecast analysis and ad-hoc reporting in support of decision-making.
- Observed packing operations to verify conformance to specifications.
Education
Certificate - Criminal Justice-Homeland Security
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
Des Moines, IA01.2024
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance
- Process Improvement
- Skill building
- Performance assessments
- Data management
- Team oversight
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.
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)
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