SARA GARAFOLA
TN
Summary
Dynamic and growth-oriented manager with a proven track record in team building, operations management, and revenue generation. Notable achievements include mentorship under the CEO and successful implementation of A3 root cause analysis across diverse market areas. Direct oversight of two urgent care locations highlights strong leadership capabilities, effective delegation, and exceptional communication skills across various markets and organizational levels. Employs lean management strategies with a focus on Gemba rounding, demonstrating keen insight in problem-solving and quality improvement initiatives.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
NCMA enrollment team/ lead MA
Medsien
10.2022 - Current
- Work directly with management to create training documents for medical assistants with new specialty practices. Performed duties as enrollment MA for Medsien. Offered direct feedback to staff as lead MA regarding call completion, documentation, and process improvement. Assisted in monitoring staff by performing performance audits and reviews.
Center Manager
Care Spot Urgent Care
Jacksonville, FL
08.2022 - 10.2022
- Directly oversaw daily operations of two urgent care locations in the Jacksonville, FL market. Worked as part of the management team for the network with other managers, area director, and doctors/AAPs of clinics. In charge of staffing including but not limited to hiring, training, scheduling, and corrective behaviors for all staff including doctors. Implement training protocols and create work flows as needed to ensure proper patient care and efficiency of the clinic. Direct oversight of lab operation on site. Maintained clinic budget and expenses including but not limited to staff and supply ordering.
Center Manager
Care Now Urgent Care
Las Vegas
04.2021 - 07.2022
- Directly oversee daily operations of up to two locations in the Las Vegas Market. Work closely with doctors and mid-levels to provide the best quality care in an urgent care setting. Oversee staff production and workflows with the ability to assist in times of need. Report out to upper management monthly on key performance indicators and process improvement. Offered direct leadership to staff at multiple sites while working cohesively with staff to maintain quality performance and team morale. Critical thinking and root cause analysis utilized to enhance and create workflows which were later utilized across the market as “best practice”. Provided staff and providers with direct feedback to improve workflows. Documented observations as needed and provided input to staff for personal and professional growth and development.
Lead Medical Assistant
Peace Health
Eugene, OR
04.2018 - 04.2021
- Provided direct supervision and support to back-office staff and clinic support. Processed all faxes and paperwork to be completed for provider review. In put patient history and test results into the EMR system. Trained as a “superuser” in the EPIC Care Connect EMR. Created A3s and worked directly with senior management to help the clinic meet quality standards. Trained rooming staff in basic rooming procedures. Directed staff meetings and updates to training. Worked closely as part of the management team to aid in conflict resolution, staff scheduling, and disciplinary action when necessary. Hiring process, on boarding and training. Remained active as a NCMA and performed rooming duties for providers as required. Monitored Temp-Track system for clinic vaccines as well as vaccine wait lists. Cross trained and covered front desk “PAR” and referral coordinator positions in time of need.
Lead Medical Assistant
Primecare Partners/Eugene Urgent Care
Eugene, OR
10.2017 - 04.2018
- Oversaw back-office staff for five small family practice clinics. Implemented workflows to meet quality standards. Assisted providers in conflict resolution with staff and other providers. Performed interviews and training of new hires. Completed back-office duties as a medical assistant. Working in conjunction with other clinic leads for cross training and staff scheduling. Standardized workflows throughout clinics. Performed routine venipuncture and communicated test results to patients. Basic rooming procedures.
Medical Assistant
Junction City Medical Clinic/Eugene Urgent Care
Junction City, Oregon
10.2016 - 10.2017
- Completed essential rooming tasks of vitals, EMR documentation, completion of quality metrics, medication reconciliation. Refilled prescriptions as written in protocol. Performed point of care testing as directed by provider, monitored clinic outstanding labs and results. Notified patients of lab and imaging results. Created sterile fields and assisted providers in multiple procedures. Preformed venipuncture assisted in IV placement and catheter placement.
Head Teacher
Eugene Parent Child Preschool
Eugene, Oregon
04.2015 - 08.2016
- Promoted good behaviors by using the positive reinforcement method. Created and implemented a developmentally appropriate curriculum that addressed all learning styles. Established a safe play environment for the children. Developed professional relationships with parents, teachers, and children’s therapists. Observed children for signs of illness, injury, emotional disturbance, learning disorders and speech problems. Created and managed classroom supplies, curriculum, and staffing. Oversee program requirements and assist in facilitating needs of the program by staff.
Adult Caregiver
Eugene, Oregon
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and nursing diagnoses. Assisted patients with multiple chronic diagnoses, including COPD and asthma. Provided primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities. Provided on-call care day and night. Oversaw implementation of patient management plans. Served as a liaison between patients and physicians to assist patients in understanding their treatment plans.
Medical Assistant/LXMO
Veneta Medical Center
Veneta, Oregon
06.2013 - 09.2013
- Helped physicians examine and treat patients by assisting with instruments, injections and suture removal. Provided treatment within scope of practice as defined by state law. Cleaned and sterilized instruments and disposed of contaminated supplies. Performed pregnancy tests and sent specimens for laboratory testing. Recorded patients’ medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records. Escorted patients to examination rooms and prepared them for physician exams. Produced high-quality images for referring physicians. Performed lab tests and communicated results.
Education
Associate of Science - Early Childhood Education
Lane Community College
Eugene, Oregon01-2014
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting with Limited X-Ray
Pioneer Pacific College
Eugene, Oregon01-2012
Skills
- Patient care training
- Effective problem-solving skills
- Team development
- Strategic business development
- Patient referral management
- Schedule management
- Complaint resolution
- Operations management
- Employee evaluation
- Regulatory compliance
- Key performance indicators
- Talent acquisition
- Employee training
- Strategic planning
- Workflow management
- Project management
- Employee engagement
- Daily workflow improvement
- Mentoring
- Quality improvement
- Leading team meetings
- Evaluating employee work
- Accurate diagnostic coding
- Service-driven
- Project oversight
- Effective conflict resolution
- Wound care/Phlebotomy/Vitals
- Experience in budget management
- Employee payroll processing
- Coaching and development
- Performance monitoring
- Performance improvement
- Quality control
Accomplishments
- Living Assistance
- Assisted patients with all ADLS. Coordinated care with medical providers and specialty clinics. Utilized equipment for safe transfers such as Hoyer Lift and Gate Belt
- Patient Education
- Educated patients regarding office policies, medical procedure steps, recovery measures and medication instructions.
- Documentation
- Ensured charting accuracy through precise documentation.
- Referral management and processing external and internal referrals.
- Back Office/Rooming
- Obtain accurate patient vitals.
- Administer injections and document accordingly.
- Enter results from external sources
- Assist in sterile procedures.
- Referral coordination and transmission
- Handle multiple patient calls while other tasks of up to 60 calls per day
- Cover multiple providers schedules and in baskets
- Management
- Trained staff according to clinic policies, created and implemented workflows with the use of A3s, managed time off requests and staffing.
- Worked with interdepartmental teams in root cause analysis, data analysis, and process improvement.
- Assist in all areas of the clinic from registration, phones, and back-office coverage.
- Super User Training in Epic
- Mentor / Trainer
- Hiring/Training/Scheduling/ Timecard Review-Payroll
- CEO Mentorship program
- Development and implementation of “best practices” for market and quality improvement.
Certification
- CMA- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCCT) Current
- CPR- American Heart Association Current
- Medical assistant mentor- PeaceHealth Medical Group
- Epic Super User – PeaceHealth Medical Group
Timeline
NCMA enrollment team/ lead MA
Medsien
10.2022 - Current
Center Manager
Care Spot Urgent Care
08.2022 - 10.2022
Center Manager
Care Now Urgent Care
04.2021 - 07.2022
Lead Medical Assistant
Peace Health
04.2018 - 04.2021
Lead Medical Assistant
Primecare Partners/Eugene Urgent Care
10.2017 - 04.2018
Medical Assistant
Junction City Medical Clinic/Eugene Urgent Care
10.2016 - 10.2017
Head Teacher
Eugene Parent Child Preschool
04.2015 - 08.2016
Medical Assistant/LXMO
Veneta Medical Center
06.2013 - 09.2013
Adult Caregiver
01.2009 - 01.2015
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting with Limited X-Ray
Pioneer Pacific College
Associate of Science - Early Childhood Education
Lane Community College