STEPHANIE HUGHES, BS
Customer Expert/Grants And Contract Specialist
Waynesboro,GA
Summary
Offering 7+ years of superior performance in administrative and leadership roles, I am committed to delivering high-quality executive support and coordinating all internal and external operations. Well-versed in managing team performance, coordinating schedules and implementing process improvements to increase efficiency. Committed to maintaining professional relationships to increase profitability and drive business results. Experienced Patient Advocate adept at conflict resolution, time management, and relationship building. Dedicated administrative professional adept at providing administrative and logistical support for various projects, programs and initiatives. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Dedicated Customer Service professional with knowledge of service delivery and proven multitasking abilities.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SPECIALIST
Augusta University
06.2022 - Current
- Serves as initial point of contact for all sponsored program inquiries
- Provide administrative support to the Grants and Contract/Senior Grant and Contracts Officers, Assistant Director, and Director of Pre-Award Services
- Timely create files for Officer Reviews
- Utilize and maintain tracking system (i.e
- RFID)
- Coordinate the disposition of files (pending, awarded, closed, early terminated, and not funded)
- Perform all other related duties/tasks as assigned
- Coordinate administrative close-out between Principal Investigator, Sponsored Accounting, and Grant and Contract Officer at termination of grant or contract
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on federal regulations related to grants and contract management, ensuring full compliance across all activities.
- Maintained detailed records for audit purposes while ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information related to grants, contracts and donors.
- Improved financial management of grants and contacts through meticulous tracking and reporting systems.
- Developed successful grant and contract proposals by collaborating with team members to gather necessary information and data.
- Managed a diverse departmental portfolio of grants and contracts, ensuring timely submission of applications and meeting all reporting deadlines.
NORTHSTAR PHYSICIAN AND PATIENT LIAISON
Medac Anesthesia Business Partners
11.2019 - 03.2022
- Primary contact for all patients, facility partners, and physicians
- Served as a liaison between patients, physicians, nurses, and administrative staff to facilitate smooth operations within the clinic or healthcare facility.
- Assist law offices with obtaining billing records and resolving billing concerns.
- Improved overall client satisfaction rates by promptly addressing concerns or issues with proposed solutions.
- Implemented best practices in patient advocacy through continuous professional development initiatives.
PATIENT SERVICE CENTER TEAM LEAD
Medac Anesthesia Business Partners
06.2019 - 11.2019
- Assists in managing Medical Billing operations.
- Served as a role model for the team by demonstrating commitment to excellence, professionalism, and adherence to company values at all times.
- Increased customer satisfaction by ensuring timely completion of projects and adherence to high-quality standards.
- Supervised team members to confirm compliance with set procedures and quality requirements.
- Addressed any discrepancies in billing or insurance claims promptly to minimize potential financial issues for both patients and the organization.
PATIENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE
Medac Anesthesia Business Partners
05.2018 - 06.2019
- Responsible for various business office functions, including billing, collecting payments, including reviewing all information with patient, completing appropriate forms, and copying appropriate insurance cards as needed
- Verify and obtain all patient eligibility, authorizations, benefits, and claim information with insurance companies
- Processes all insurance claims in clearinghouse (GHN)
- Performs collections reconciliation and follow up activities timely on all accounts
- Assisted with billing inquiries and insurance verification, resulting in a smoother financial experience for patients.
- Implemented effective time management strategies that allowed me to balance multiple responsibilities, resulting in improved productivity and patient satisfaction.
- Managed high call volume, prioritizing urgent issues and directing calls appropriately for optimal resolution.
- Negotiates payment plans on self-pay accounts.
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
Morris Communications-Main Street Digital
08.2015 - 11.2015
- Sold digital services products powered by Main Street Digital while meeting and exceeding quota
- Attained a minimum of 100% of assigned revenue goal monthly through a high level of tele sales activity (60-80 outbound calls daily and other tele sales and revenue KPIs)
- Conduct presentations of Main Street Digital services over the phone with potential clients and moving the prospect towards commitment and closing deals
- Manage and maintain a detailed, accurate and growing pipeline
- Provide exemplary customer service/relationship management and consultative selling.
ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE
Miller-Motte Technical College
02.2014 - 12.2014
- Attend Delta Education recruiting events (e.g., college fairs, career nights, financial aid nights, etc.) to represent and market Delta Education to prospective graduate enrollees.
- Boosted conversion rates by consistently following up with prospective students through phone calls, emails, and personalized communications.
- Contributed to a positive work environment within the admissions office through active collaboration with colleagues on various projects and initiatives.
- Conduct campus tours to showcase the campus' offerings and introduce prospective graduate enrollees to school administrators, faculty, and students.
- Schedules and conducts interviews with qualified candidates to provide information on campus offerings and to discuss best program fit.
- Assisted in meeting annual enrollment goals by consistently achieving personal recruitment targets set forth by management each academic year.
- Provided exceptional customer service to all inquiries from prospective students, parents, and educators seeking information about the institution and its programs.
- Streamlined the admissions process for applicants by efficiently managing application materials and accurately entering data into the system.
BANK TELLER
University Health Federal Credit Union
10.2012 - 02.2014
- Improved customer satisfaction by efficiently processing transactions and addressing account inquiries.
- Conducted daily audits of cash drawer, ensuring accuracy and compliance with bank policies.
- Managed high-volume transactions during peak hours while maintaining attention to detail, ensuring seamless customer experience.
- Identified fraudulent activities by diligently monitoring transactions and reporting suspicious activity to management.
CONTRACTOR-CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
Kelly Services/Palmetto GBA-BCBS of SC
05.2012 - 07.2012
- Ensuring effective public relations between insurance client and third-party billers
- Providing prompt and reliable customer service via the phone
- Responsible for knowing current Medicare policies
- Maintain confidentiality based on HIPPA guidelines
- Identify customer issues stemming from computer connectivity and password problems.
CONTRACTOR-CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES
Electrolux Home Products
08.2007 - 03.2012
- Provided sale leads
- Schedule demonstrations
- General administrative duties to include, faxing, copying, typing and formatting letters
- Answer incoming calls that customers may have about their service.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently addressing and resolving concerns in a timely manner.
- Boosted customer loyalty with personalized assistance and proactive problem solving.
- Reduced wait times by effectively managing call queues and prioritizing urgent requests.
- Maintained a high level of product knowledge to confidently answer inquiries and make informed recommendations.
Education
BS Degree - Criminal Justice, Sociology
TROY UNIVERSITY
Augusta, GAParalegal Certificate - undefined
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION)
Athens, GAAssociate Degree - Applied Science
GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE
Augusta, GAMBA - Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH 05.2001 -
Skills
Administrative
Quality assurance
Reliable
Benefits
Receptionist
Reporting
Independent worker
Billing
Recruiting
Outstanding Interpersonal and communication skills
Clerical
Relationship management
Excellent problem-solving
Closing
Reporting
Effective multi-tasker
Interpersonal and communication
Sales
Document control
Customer service
Data Analysis & Reporting
Public relations
Management
Proposal evaluation
Document Review
Dispute Resolution
Compliance Enforcement
Proposal Preparation
Operations Management
Policy Implementation
Budget Preparation
Compliance reviews
Grants Management
References
- Kewanna Clark, Billing Manager, 706-627-7153
- Tasha Frails, Patient Service Representative, 706-373-7810
Timeline
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SPECIALIST
Augusta University
06.2022 - Current
NORTHSTAR PHYSICIAN AND PATIENT LIAISON
Medac Anesthesia Business Partners
11.2019 - 03.2022
PATIENT SERVICE CENTER TEAM LEAD
Medac Anesthesia Business Partners
06.2019 - 11.2019
PATIENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE
Medac Anesthesia Business Partners
05.2018 - 06.2019
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
Morris Communications-Main Street Digital
08.2015 - 11.2015
ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE
Miller-Motte Technical College
02.2014 - 12.2014
BANK TELLER
University Health Federal Credit Union
10.2012 - 02.2014
CONTRACTOR-CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
Kelly Services/Palmetto GBA-BCBS of SC
05.2012 - 07.2012
CONTRACTOR-CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES
Electrolux Home Products
08.2007 - 03.2012
MBA - Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University
05.2001 -
BS Degree - Criminal Justice, Sociology
TROY UNIVERSITY
Paralegal Certificate - undefined
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION)
Associate Degree - Applied Science
GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE