Tamara Lee Abers
Rice,MN
Summary
Healthcare operations leader with 15+ years of progressive experience in medical support, patient care, team supervision, scheduling, staff development, and process improvement. Skilled in directing high-volume administrative and clinical support operations, coordinating clinic flow, managing staff coverage, and maintaining accurate patient and scheduling information. Proven ability to interpret policies, monitor compliance, resolve complex service issues, train employees, analyze operational reports, and collaborate across administrative, clinical, and leadership teams. Committed to efficient, patient-centered service and reliable support of daily healthcare operations.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Medical Support Assistant
St. Cloud VA Medical Center
08.2022 - Current
- Direct administrative and scheduling operations across the service line, ensuring compliance with VHA scheduling policies and Mission Act standards.
- Assign and evaluate work for 12+ MSAs, balance workloads, and maintain staff schedules to ensure coverage across all units.
- Resolve complex operational and patient-care issues as the primary liaison among administrative staff, clinical teams, and leadership.
- Identified training needs and delivered orientation and ongoing training for new and current staff, ensuring compliance with required learning.
- Evaluate new equipment and systems, recommend process improvements, and participate in the implementation of new protocols.
- Make recommendations regarding selections, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions; assist with interviewing and staff placement.
- Conducted audits and quality reviews, monitored open encounters and compliance tasks, and analyzed operational reports to enhance service delivery.
- Maintained outpatient clinics and provided relief coverage during staff shortages.
- Assist with consults management, open encounters, and insurance capture functions.
- Served as resource to staff on scheduling procedures and clinic operations, clarifying workload priorities and administrative requirements.
- Support continuity of service by adjusting assignments, coordinating relief coverage, and responding to changing operational needs across units.
- 40 hours/week | Series 0679, Grade 7
Advanced Medical Support Assistant
St. Cloud VA Medical Center
12.2017 - 08.2022
- Scheduled, canceled, and rescheduled appointments and consults; interpreted and verified provider orders; prepared for clinic visits.
- Maintained secure messaging and documentation, updated patient demographics and insurance information, and ensured HIPAA compliance.
- Reviewed appointments and consult information for accuracy, followed provider instructions, and communicated scheduling updates to patients and care teams.
- Responded to crisis calls and provided relief coverage during high-demand periods.
- Trained new MSAs, supported check-in/check-out, and managed lab orders and VVC appointments.
- Responded to crisis calls and provided relief coverage as needed.
- Managed patient check-in, registration, and eligibility verification with accuracy and compliance.
- Coordinated appointment scheduling in VistA and CPRS, ensuring timely access to care and reduced scheduling conflicts.
- 40 hours/week Series 0679, Grade 6
Medical Support Assistant
St. Cloud VA Medical Center
06.2016 - 12.2017
- Scheduled primary and specialty appointments per provider orders; verified and completed provider tasks, cancellations, and patient notifications to enhance patient flow.
- Confirmed patient information, documented scheduling activity, and helped ensure timely communication regarding appointments and cancellations.
- Confirmed patient information and documented scheduling activity to ensure timely communication regarding appointments and cancellations.
- Delivered administrative support while maintaining patient privacy and adhering to healthcare procedures.
- Verified patient demographics, insurance details, and eligibility information to support accurate registration and intake processes.
- 40 hours/week Series 0679, Grade 5
Patient Care Assistant
St. Cloud Hospital
04.2006 - 06.2016
- Delivered direct patient care, performing vital checks, managing blood sugars, assisting with toileting, bathing, charting, ambulating, repositioning, and oral hygiene to ensure overall patient well-being.
- Facilitated activities of daily living and mobility for patients, documenting care provided and communicating relevant information to care team to enhance patient support.
- Promoted patient safety and comfort through consistent monitoring, effective repositioning, hygiene assistance, and precise charting to uphold care standards.
- 36 hours/week
Education
Medical Coding Certificate - ICD 9 Coding
Rasmussen College
St Cloud, MN12-2004
Nursing Assistant Course Certificate - Certified Nursing Assistant
Willmar Technical College
Willmar, MN02-1995
Skills
- Administrative & Scheduling Operations (CPRS, CTM, CCM, ISS)
- Regulatory Compliance (VHA, HIPAA, Mission Act)
- Quality Audits, Reporting & Process Improvement
- Clinic Flow Coordination & Outpatient Clinic Management
- Staff Assignment, Evaluation & Training
- Patient advocacy
- Staff training and development
- Insurance verification
- Cross-functional Collaboration & Leadership
- Critical thinking
- Customer service
Affiliations
VFW Auxiliary
Certification
High Reliability Leadership Academy – U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, St Cloud, MN (05/2025), Virtual Aspiring Supervisors Program – U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (78 hours Leadership Development, 09/2025)
Languages
English: Advanced (Spoken, Written, Read)
Timeline
Lead Medical Support Assistant
St. Cloud VA Medical Center
08.2022 - Current
Advanced Medical Support Assistant
St. Cloud VA Medical Center
12.2017 - 08.2022
Medical Support Assistant
St. Cloud VA Medical Center
06.2016 - 12.2017
Patient Care Assistant
St. Cloud Hospital
04.2006 - 06.2016
Nursing Assistant Course Certificate - Certified Nursing Assistant
Willmar Technical College
Medical Coding Certificate - ICD 9 Coding
Rasmussen College