Sharlene Burkhalter
Slidell,LA
Summary
Patient Access Representative with expertise in patient admissions, insurance verification, and appointment scheduling. Proven track record of enhancing workflow efficiency and reducing patient wait times. Strong communication skills facilitate effective interactions with patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring clarity and understanding. Committed to maintaining confidentiality while delivering high-quality customer service and improving patient satisfaction.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Patient Access Representative
Slidell Memorial Hospital/Ochsner Family Medicine
Slidell, LA
03.2021 - 03.2025
- Greeted patients and visitors in a courteous and professional manner.
- Registered patients by completing face-to-face interviews to obtain demographic and insurance information.
- Created new patient accounts in EMR system as needed.
- Ensured accuracy of all data entered into computer system.
- Obtained necessary signatures for privacy laws and consent for treatment.
- Scanned documents into electronic medical records system.
- Collected co-pays and other payments from patients at time of service.
- Coordinated scheduling of appointments across multiple departments to optimize patient care.
- Assisted with preparing daily cash reports for accounting department.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Handled high volume of incoming calls, providing exceptional customer service to patients and families.
- Addressed patient inquiries and concerns, resolving issues in a timely and empathetic manner.
- Facilitated communication between patients and staff members.
- Applied HIPAA privacy and security regulations while handling patient information.
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Cultivated positive relationships with patients to help facility meet satisfaction scores and patients obtain best possible care.
- Managed incoming faxes related to patient registration processes.
- Received patient inquiries or complaints and directed to appropriate medical staff members.
- Monitored waiting areas to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for patients and visitors.
- Actively participated in team meetings and training sessions.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
Patient Access Representative
LCMC/New Orleans East Hospital
New Orleans, LA
01.2019 - 03.2021
- Greeted patients and visitors in a courteous and professional manner.
- Verified demographics and insurance information to register patients in computer system.
- Processed patient admissions, transfers, and discharges according to established procedures.
- Obtained necessary signatures for privacy laws and consent for treatment.
- Created new patient accounts in EMR system as needed.
- Processed patient co-pays, deductibles, and other payments.
- Scanned documents into electronic medical records system.
- Addressed patient inquiries and concerns, resolving issues in a timely and empathetic manner.
- Coordinated with clinical staff to manage patient flow, reducing wait times and improving satisfaction.
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Answered phones promptly in a professional manner.
- Cultivated positive relationships with patients to help facility meet satisfaction scores and patients obtain best possible care.
- Received patient inquiries or complaints and directed to appropriate medical staff members.
- Monitored waiting areas to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for patients and visitors.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Actively participated in team meetings and training sessions.
Health and Welfare Administrator
St. Tammany Federation Of Teachers And School Employees
Covington, LA
03.2010 - 09.2017
- Entered new dental enrollments into Delta Dental System and mailed packets to enrollees.
- Maintained accurate records for current and past enrollment cards and payroll deductions.
- Updated enrollee information in Delta Dental System to reflect changes promptly.
- Distributed COBRA dental packets to retirees, resigned, and terminated employees for continued coverage.
- Sent leave without pay forms to employees on leave for maintaining dental coverage.
- Managed records of COBRA payments and leave without pay transactions efficiently.
- Processed deposits for received dental payments regularly.
- Prepared monthly lists of new enrollees with family coverage for School Board Payroll Department.
- Compiled over-aged reports from Delta Dental and communicated notifications to enrollees about dependents exceeding dental overage age limit
- Made regular weekly visits to school sites to enroll them in the dental plan and answer any questions about the plan.
- Answered calls and solved dental plan problems for members.
Emergency Room Admissions Representative
Lakeview Regional Medical Center
Covington, LA
07.2008 - 09.2010
- Registered patients for emergency room visits and outpatient procedures efficiently.
- Admitted patients for inpatient care, labor and delivery, and newborn services promptly.
- Escorted patients to rooms, ensuring smooth transitions and timely delivery of paperwork.
- Verified medical insurance information for accuracy and completeness before processing.
- Collected payments from patients to guarantee timely financial transactions.
Certified Medicaid Application Center Representative
Cardon Healthcare Network, Inc.
The Woodlands, TX
08.2006 - 07.2008
- Screened self-pay patients to assess Medicaid eligibility.
- Assisted applicants with documentation and application process for eligibility determination.
- Followed up with applicants and Medicaid Office regarding application status.
- Verified Medicaid payments to ensure accurate processing.
- Scanned all workers' compensation bills submitted by providers and validated them in ComCom Valstat Program.
- Filed bills for additional reviews by bill processors and retrieved as necessary.
Clerk/Scanner
F.A. Richard & Associates
Mandeville, LA
11.2005 - 08.2006
- Scanned all workers' compensation bills submitted by providers and validated them in ComCom Valstat Program.
Filed bills for efficient retrieval during additional reviews by bill processors.
Temporary Employment Agency
Office Team Specialized Administrative Staffing
, LA
09.2004 - 11.2005
- Designated to diverse clients for clerical tasks and additional assignments as requested by client
Retail Store Manager
Jus Blouses
Slidell, LA
02.2004 - 09.2004
- Managed store operations, achieving high sales and customer satisfaction through direct engagement.
- Oversaw inventory management and control to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Supervised and trained employees, enhancing team performance and service quality.
- Handled time cards and payroll processing for all store staff efficiently.
- Recruited new employees, reviewed resumes, scheduled interviews, and facilitated onboarding procedures.
Human Resource Manager/Office Manager
Object Technology Information Specialist, Inc.
Slidell, LA
12.1999 - 09.2003
- Administered benefits management, contributing to employee engagement and retention initiatives.
- Managed client accounts effectively, addressing inquiries and maintaining satisfaction levels.
- Processed invoices efficiently, ensuring timely dispatch to clients.
- Oversaw payroll operations and timesheet management to ensure accuracy.
- Coordinated meetings while keeping a detailed monthly calendar of events and appointments.
- Arranged travel logistics for staff and CEO/President to support business objectives.
- Designed a systematic filing approach that enhanced staff productivity.
- Monitored office supply inventory, placing orders as required to maintain stock levels.
Emergency Room Admissions Representative
Slidell Memorial Hospital
Slidell, LA
10.1997 - 12.1999
- Registered patients for emergency room visits and prepared their charts efficiently.
- Admitted newborns to hospital immediately after birth, ensuring proper care.
- Processed admissions for patients to Rehab Unit and Skilled Nursing Facility.
- Registered patients for audiology services, including hearing tests and aids.
- Collected payments from patients.
- Ordered necessary supplies for emergency room admitting department to support operations.
Admissions Representative
Tenet Healthcare/Northshore Regional Medical Center
Slidell, LA
11.1996 - 12.1997
- Registered patients for emergency room visits, ensuring efficient intake process.
- Input patient data for inpatient, outpatient, and emergency admissions accurately.
- Verified insurance coverage and obtained benefit information for all patients.
- Conducted pre-authorizations for inpatient and outpatient admissions to streamline processes.
- Scheduled appointments for pediatric sub-specialty clinic, optimizing patient flow.
- Assisted patients to their rooms upon admission, enhancing comfort and care.
Admissions Representative
National Medical Enterprises/Northshore Regional Medical Center
Slidell, LA
07.1990 - 06.1996
- Entered patient data for various admissions, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room cases.
- Verified insurance coverage, obtained benefit information, and secured pre-authorizations for inpatient and outpatient visits.
- Coordinated appointments for pediatric sub-specialty clinic.
- Assisted with transporting patients to rooms upon admission.
Cashier/Customer Service Representative
Sam's Wholesale Club
New Orleans, LA
07.1988 - 07.1989
- Assisted customers with purchases and returns
- Generated invoices on all jewelry and electronics purchased
- Assisted Admit Representatives and Supervisor with patient admissions and answering incoming phone calls
- Involved in clerical duties for the Supervisor, including phone contact, filing, courier service and special projects assigned
Co-Operative Education Student
National Medical Enterprises/Northshore Regional Medical Center
Slidell, LA
06.1985 - 07.1986
- Facilitated patient admissions by assisting Admit Representatives and the Supervisor.
- Assisted with incoming phone calls.
- Executed clerical tasks for Supervisor, including telephone communication and filing.
- Coordinated courier services and managed special projects as assigned by Supervisor.
Education
Graduate -
01.1986
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration
Computer Based Systems - Certificate
01.2000
Certificate - Human Resource Management
01.2000
Skills
- EPIC
- Data entry and typing
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Recruitment and onboarding
- Payroll administration
- Office equipment operation
- Meeting organization
- Travel arrangements
- Communication skills
- Leadership abilities
- Administrative support
- Human resource management
- Business administration
- Patient registration and admissions
- Insurance verification and compliance
- Customer service excellence
- Appointment scheduling and confirmation
- Payment processing and collection
- Cash handling skills
- Attention to detail
- Empathy and care in patient interactions
- Privacy regulations knowledge
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Phone and email etiquette
- Multitasking capabilities
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving aptitude in healthcare settings
- QuickBooks
Timeline
Patient Access Representative - Slidell Memorial Hospital/Ochsner Family Medicine
03.2021 - 03.2025
Patient Access Representative - LCMC/New Orleans East Hospital
01.2019 - 03.2021
Health and Welfare Administrator - St. Tammany Federation Of Teachers And School Employees
03.2010 - 09.2017
Emergency Room Admissions Representative - Lakeview Regional Medical Center
07.2008 - 09.2010
Certified Medicaid Application Center Representative - Cardon Healthcare Network, Inc.
08.2006 - 07.2008
Clerk/Scanner - F.A. Richard & Associates
11.2005 - 08.2006
Temporary Employment Agency - Office Team Specialized Administrative Staffing
09.2004 - 11.2005
Retail Store Manager - Jus Blouses
02.2004 - 09.2004
Human Resource Manager/Office Manager - Object Technology Information Specialist, Inc.
12.1999 - 09.2003
Emergency Room Admissions Representative - Slidell Memorial Hospital
10.1997 - 12.1999
Admissions Representative - Tenet Healthcare/Northshore Regional Medical Center
11.1996 - 12.1997
Admissions Representative - National Medical Enterprises/Northshore Regional Medical Center
07.1990 - 06.1996
Cashier/Customer Service Representative - Sam's Wholesale Club
07.1988 - 07.1989
Co-Operative Education Student - National Medical Enterprises/Northshore Regional Medical Center
06.1985 - 07.1986
Salmen High School - Graduate,
Dillard University - Some College (No Degree), Business Administration
Delgado Community College - Computer Based Systems, Certificate
Loyola University - Certificate, Human Resource Management
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