Suzanne Balachowski
Vincent,OH
Summary
Tenacious Patient Access Manager proudly offering many years of assisting individuals with understanding financial responsibilities. Enthusiastic individual with strong knowledge of local and federal programs. Composed and driven with an upbeat and enthusiastic attitude.
Compassionate Patient Care Manager known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Possess specialized skills in patient advocacy, healthcare team leadership, and care coordination. Excel in communication, empathy, and problem-solving to ensure optimal patient outcomes and staff satisfaction.
Experienced nursing professional bringing demonstrated clinical expertise, leadership skills and technical knowledge. Proficient in updating charts, monitoring medications and working with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care. Quality-driven and efficient with strong interpersonal abilities.
Knowledgeable patient representative offers demonstrated skills in case management and service coordination. Expertly handles complaints, inquiries and service questions to meet patients' access needs and correct problems related to care. Well-versed in policies, procedures and standards.
Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Hardworking employee with customer service, multitasking, and time management abilities. Devoted to giving every customer a positive and memorable experience.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Patient Care Manager
Marietta Memorial Hospital
Marietta, OH
01.2011 - 11.2024
- Managed patient care plans to ensure quality of care and compliance with regulations.
- Assessed patients' needs, developed individualized plans of care, and monitored progress towards goals.
- Ensured proper documentation of medical records in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
- Coordinated communication between physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.
- Provided guidance and support to staff members on various aspects of patient care management.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate discharge planning and post-discharge follow-up activities.
- Conducted regular meetings with clinical staff to review cases and discuss strategies for improving outcomes.
- Developed protocols for assessing level of service requirements based on acuity levels of patients served by the facility.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in processes related to patient flow, staffing models.
- Evaluated staffing patterns against current census data to ensure adequate coverage at all times.
- Implemented evidence-based practices that promote safe, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered care.
- Developed strategic initiatives aimed at increasing efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality patient care.
- Established collaborative relationships with external partners such as hospitals or clinics for referral purposes.
- Protected patient data confidentiality in alignment with HIPAA protocols.
- Utilized well-developed communication, active listening, and interpersonal talents when interacting with people on daily basis.
- Developed and implemented care management plan to address needs and goals.
- Maintained daily living standards by assisting clients with personal hygiene needs.
- Attended and actively participated in meetings to provide and receive information on patient progression.
- Promoted integrations of long-term services and support to enhance continuity of care.
- Facilitated communication between members of health care delivery while involving clients in decision-making processes to minimize service fragmentation.
Registered Nurse
Marietta Memorial Hospital
Marietta, Ohio
03.2013 - 05.2015
- Worked on Medical Surgical Unit
- Cared mainly for geriatric population
- Cared for cancer patients and helped in the transition to impatient hospice
- Provided patient care and education to patients with chronic illnesses.
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Monitored vital signs, administered injections, and provided assistance with medical procedures.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Instructed patients on proper self-care techniques at home following discharge from the hospital.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in nursing practices by attending continuing education classes or seminars.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives within the department.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Maintained a safe environment for all patients by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Provided emotional support and comfort to families during difficult times.
- Counseled patients regarding medication side effects or lifestyle changes necessary for improved health outcomes.
- Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
Utilization Review Nurse
Marietta Memorial Hospital
Marietta
07.2008 - 12.2010
- Assessed patient medical records to determine the appropriateness of requested services and procedures.
- Conducted reviews of inpatient utilization for compliance with admission criteria and concurrent review requirements.
- Analyzed data from patient surveys, interviews and other sources to assess healthcare service quality.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams on developing strategies for improving care quality and controlling costs.
- Evaluated clinical documentation for accuracy and completeness in order to make decisions about coverage determinations.
- Reviewed denial letters issued by insurance companies to ensure that they were appropriate and timely.
- Monitored pre-authorization requests to ensure that all necessary information was received prior to approval or denial of services.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of health plan benefits, policies, procedures, regulations, coding guidelines.
- Generated reports related to utilization management activities such as length of stay trends, denials rates.
- Identified opportunities for improvement within the utilization review process through data analysis.
- Facilitated communication between payers, providers and patients concerning authorization issues or concerns.
- Determined medical necessity and cost-effectiveness of services through utilization review processes.
- Applied medical criteria and clinical judgement to researched cases to evaluate and establish determinations.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Marietta Memorial Hospital
Marietta
08.1999 - 12.2010
- Performed physical assessments, including vital signs and health history documentation.
- Provided patient care in accordance with physicians' orders and nursing standards of practice.
- Assisted patients with personal hygiene activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and toileting needs.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols.
- Observed changes in patient's condition and reported any significant changes to the registered nurse or physician.
- Monitored vital signs, fluid intake and output levels, glucose levels, and other medical tests results.
- Maintained a safe environment by following infection control policies and procedures.
- Communicated effectively with patients, family members, healthcare team members, and other stakeholders regarding patient care plans or concerns.
Licensed Practical Nurse
The Inn of Marietta Assisted Living
Marietta
03.2000 - 05.2002
- Performed physical assessments, including vital signs and health history documentation.
- Provided patient care in accordance with physicians' orders and nursing standards of practice.
- Assisted patients with personal hygiene activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and toileting needs.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols.
- Observed changes in patient's condition and reported any significant changes to the registered nurse or physician.
- Monitored vital signs, fluid intake and output levels, glucose levels, and other medical tests results.
- Maintained a safe environment by following infection control policies and procedures.
- Communicated effectively with patients, family members, healthcare team members, and other stakeholders regarding patient care plans or concerns.
- Facilitated referrals for specialty services when necessary.
- Adhered to facility policies and procedures while providing quality nursing care.
- Looked for physical, emotional, and symptomatic changes in patient condition and obtained necessary care for medical concerns.
- Monitored patient's respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration.
- Interviewed patients to obtain medical history.
- Administered prescribed medications or started intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patient charts.
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Communicated with patients with compassion while keeping medical information private.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
- Answered patients' calls to determine how to assist.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Ohio University
Athens, OH05-2015
Associate of Science - Nursing
Washington State Community College
Marietta, Ohio12-2010
Certificate License Practical Nurse - Nursing
Washington State Community College
Marietta, Ohio08-1999
Skills
- Exemplary communication
- Care Coordination
- Quality Improvement
- Registration process management
- New staff mentoring
- Medical Terminology
- Patient data confidentiality
- Relationships and rapport
- Health Promotion
- Customer Assistance
- Case assessments
- Medical chart documentation
- Treatment management
- Resource Utilization
- Patient & family support
- Clinical Documentation
- Care transitions
- Referral management
- Healthcare knowledge
- Care oversight
- Care Planning
- Client assessment
- Outcome assessment
- Patient Education
- Long-term care coordination
- In-home care plans
- Discharge Planning
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Marietta Memorial Hospital
03.2013 - 05.2015
Patient Care Manager
Marietta Memorial Hospital
01.2011 - 11.2024
Utilization Review Nurse
Marietta Memorial Hospital
07.2008 - 12.2010
Licensed Practical Nurse
The Inn of Marietta Assisted Living
03.2000 - 05.2002
Licensed Practical Nurse
Marietta Memorial Hospital
08.1999 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Ohio University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Washington State Community College
Certificate License Practical Nurse - Nursing
Washington State Community College