TARA WALKER
Hitchcock,TX
Summary
Knowledgeable laboratory professional skilled in all facets of medical laboratory testing. Familiar with TJC, OSHA and FDA guidelines. Quality-driven team player with accuracy-focused and efficient approach, offering 20+ years of industry expertise. Familiar with TJC, OSHA and FDA guidelines. Quality-driven team player with accuracy-focused and efficient approach, offering 10+ years of industry expertise.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
COVID-19 Tester
Medix Staffing
Galveston, TX
07.2021 - Current
- Answered questions and provided appropriate assistance and communication to callers.
- Conducted basic screening procedures to verify compliance with donation criteria for more than 50 patients per day.
- Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics or information such as test results into medical records.
- Obtained patient vitals such as height, weight and blood pressure.
- Monitored donors for potential reactions or contraindications.
- Maintained clean, neat and properly sterilized work area.
- Collected, verified, recorded and processed client demographics, insurance payments and referral information.
- Explained eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods and applicants' legal rights during intake assessment.
- Disinfected tools, equipment and surfaces between patients.
- Handled and stored potentially contaminated nasal, oral and blood samples to prevent compromise.
- Reported positive and negative response cases according to established protocols and reporting mandates.
- Administered and interpreted infrared temperature scans, blood samples and surveys.
- Assessed vitals while adhering to PPE requirements and other restrictions.
- Maintained strict aseptic fields when collecting biological samples, minimizing staff and patient infection risks.
- Set up, maintained and verified sterility of lab equipment and tools.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Licensed Insurance Agent
TTEC
Orlando, FL
05.2021 - Current
- Sought out new clients and developed client relationships through networking, direct referrals, lead databases and cold calling.
- Customized existing insurance programs to suit individual client needs by analyzing specific requirements.
- Recommended type and amount of coverage based on analysis of customers' circumstances using persuasive sales techniques.
- Sold Medicare health insurance plans to over 100 customer during annual enrollment period.
- Reviewed customer needs and financial means to determine appropriate policy offerings.
- Maintained detailed records of customer information and policy sales.
- Stayed in touch with clients to assess changing demands and offer new solutions.
- Connected with prospective clients to set appointments.
- Generated sales by recommending policies and add-ons.
- Drove team revenue totals by bringing in top sales numbers.
- Analyzed retention, loss ratio trends and sales volume to identify areas for improvement.
- Displayed consistent, positive attitude towards customers, peers and other personnel, even during high-stress situations.
- Achieved monthly sales goals by promoting product benefits and enrolling new clients.
- Increased sales by offering advice on purchases and promoting additional products.
- Retained excellent client satisfaction ratings through outstanding service delivery.
- Trained and mentored new sales representatives.
- Reached out to customers after completed sales to evaluate satisfaction and determine immediate service requirements.
- Increased sales by offering consultation on products and services and applying customer service and upselling techniques.
- Attended advanced training sessions and conferences to increase product knowledge and productivity.
- Cold-called leads and closed large number of new sales over several months.
- Tailored sales approaches and techniques to specific client needs to increase marketing effectiveness.
- Created professional sales presentations and seminars to effectively demonstrate product features and competitive advantages.
- Implemented marketing strategies and techniques, increasing revenue and customer satisfaction.
- Expanded customer base and boosted profit within product line.
- Exceeded goals for new accounts in single sales cycle.
- Created strategies to develop and expand sales of services to existing customer which resulted in significant increase in annual revenue.
- Served as liaison for company, clients and referred prospects regarding inquiries, issues, order management, post-sales follow-up and customer relations.
Phlebotomist
St. Joseph Hospital
Houston, TX
07.2018 - 09.2020
- Prepare and enter newborn screening results
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Used personal protective equipment correctly to protect coworkers and patients.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating and noting times of collection.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Reviewed patient records for accuracy and completeness.
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Organized daily work based on collection priority.
- Packaged and shipped specimens to central lab daily.
- Conducted venipuncture and other CT procedures.
- Monitored patients for reactions and verified sample quality.
- Promoted mission, vision and values of organization and trained new clinical staff in phlebotomy procedures.
- Followed established guidelines for reporting significant medical errors or unanticipated outcome in patient care.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles, and straight needles.
- Drew blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Protected patients by following infection control, sharps disposal and biohazardous waste disposal procedures.
- Spoke with patient to gather information for lab records, reduce fear or anxiety and optimize cooperation.
- Assembled tourniquets, needles and blood collection devices to prepare work trays.
- Validated blood and specimen collection orders, alerting nurses or physicians of discrepancies between order and nursing station logs.
- Maintained exam rooms by ordering supplies, transporting specimens, washing and packing instruments and changing solutions.
- Obtained blood specimens by performing venipunctures and finger sticks 30-60 times per day.
- Assisted with office procedures by monitoring patient flow, performing telephone screening and maintaining sample drug lists.
Phlebotomist
LabCorp
Houston, TX
11.2017 - 04.2019
- Assist with various companies health fairs with more than 500 employees.
- Assist various departments with ordering test(s)
- Assist nurses with “hard sticks”
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Used personal protective equipment correctly to protect coworkers and patients.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating and noting times of collection.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Reviewed patient records for accuracy and completeness.
Specimen Processor
Aerotek
Houston, TX
06.2017 - 06.2018
- Assist with various health fairs with 500+ participates
- Collect blood and tissue samples with focus on accuracy and adherence to aseptic techniques.
- Set up, maintained and verified sterility of lab equipment and tools.
- Analyzed experiment and test results to validate adherence to standards and specifications.
- Maintained strict aseptic fields when collecting biological samples, minimizing staff and patient infection risks.
- Assisted with safe transfusions by conducting tests and completing blood counts.
- Analyzed bodily fluids with laboratory equipment and detected anomalies related to diseased states or acute injuries.
Phlebotomist
Baptist Hospital of Southeast
Beaumont, TX
05.2017 - 01.2018
- Process payments and billing information for more than 30 customers
- Assist in STAT Lab
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Used personal protective equipment correctly to protect coworkers and patients.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating and noting times of collection.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Reviewed patient records for accuracy and completeness.
Administrator
Trinity Live-In & Caregiver Services
Houston, TX
06.2010 - 11.2017
- Provide management support for departmental co-workers
- Admit/ Discharge residents into facilities
- Collect blood and urine samples for pickup
- Perform glucose screening
- Perform insulin injections
- Prepare and refill medication for over 20 residents
- Perform venipunctures and finger sticks
- Perform day-to-day administrative operations of all three facilities
- Train and orient medical staff on policies and procedures
- Conduct individual quality assessments
- Process payments and handle collections
- Screened and transferred incoming calls, took down messages and transmitted information and documents to internal personnel.
- Computerized office activities, maintained customer communications and tracked records through delivery.
- Entered and maintained departmental records in company database.
- Collected, validated and distributed information to employees.
- Aided colleagues, managers and customers through regular communication and assistance.
- Managed agendas and calendars, boosting productivity and improving organizational initiatives.
- Confirmed accurate completion of forms and reports for admission, transfer or discharge of each program participant.
- Oversaw successful planning and execution of staff meetings, parties and events.
- Adapted to workflow changes and implemented continuous process improvements to overcome obstacles.
- Managed payroll, transactions, invoicing and budgeting to decrease financial inconsistencies.
- Assisted executive leaders in decision-making procedures by creating daily reports to advise leaders on corrective actions and process improvements.
- Reduced recordkeeping errors by precisely handling financial transactions, journal entries and accounts payable and receivable activities.
- Developed revisions for systems and procedures by evaluating operational practices and identifying improvement opportunities.
- Drove workflow improvements by streamlining processes.
Lab Assistant
CHI St. Luke Medical Center
Houston, TX
11.2016 - 05.2017
- Process and organize specimens
- Receive and transport specimens
- Assist various departments with add-on testing
- Answering telephone and data entry
- Fax and file laboratory reports
- Performed40-60 venipuncture draws in outpatient lab
- Rack and store blood samples
- Process body fluids
- Discard expired blood and fluid samples
- Schedule appointments
- Assist with Bone Marrows
- Stat Lab runner and processor
- Check-in/check-out patients
- Research records, files, electronic data banks to locate and verify information
- Provide medical administrative support
- Effectively carry out day-to-day administrative operations for outpatient clinic
Lead Instructor
First Response Medical Training
Houston, TX
04.2016 - 11.2016
- Arrange and coordinate guest speakers, community service field trips, and visits to clinics and medical offices
- Prepare lectures and practical demonstrations for students in class and individually
- Evaluated student demographics to make effective choices in class and activity development.
- Created culture focused on teaching whole student and developing individual potential.
- Motivated junior teachers to provide exceptional learning environments.
- Reviewed class and student records to look for areas in need of improvement and implement plans of action.
- Maintained master records of Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy and EKG.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Administered assessments to determine each student's specific educational and social needs.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
- Maintained accurate and complete records for 30-45 students.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's literature from world cultures.
- Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.
- Instructed up to 3-6 students individually and in groups on EKG subjects.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
- Evaluated students' understanding of course material through examinations and in-depth essay writing.
Phlebotomist
Memorial Hermann Hospital
Houston, Texas
2006.01 - 2008.09
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Received and processed stock into inventory management system.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles and straight needles.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Organized daily work based on collection priority.
- Contacted physicians, nursing stations or reference laboratories for resolution assistance with unusual test orders.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating and noting times of collection.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Logged patient information and recorded results into system.
Phlebotomist
LabCorp
Houston, TX
04.2004 - 05.2006
- Followed physician orders to correctly administer therapeutic phlebotomy.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles and straight needles.
- Promoted mission, vision and values of organization and trained new clinical staff in phlebotomy procedures.
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Obtained blood specimens by performing venipunctures and finger sticks 60-80 times per day.
- Drew blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating and noting times of collection.
- Validated blood and specimen collection orders, alerting nurses or physicians of discrepancies between order and nursing station logs.
Certified Medical Assistant
Sugar Land Family Physicians
Sugar Land, TX
01.2001 - 04.2004
- Kept medical supplies in sufficient stock by monitoring levels and submitting replenishment orders before depleted.
- Communicated clearly and effectively with patients to verify information, determine purpose of visit and record medical history.
- Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions and prepared for physician examinations.
- Assisted with routine checks and diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens.
- Enhanced patient outcomes by providing knowledgeable education on procedures, medications and other physician instructions.
- Performed or scheduled preventive maintenance on equipment to promote longevity of use, troubleshooting technical issues and coordinating repairs.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Reviewed patient records for accuracy and completeness.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating and noting times of collection.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles and straight needles.
Education
Masters - Business Administration/Health Services
Keller Graduate School of Business
2010
Bachelors - Business Management
DeVry University
2009
Associates - Criminal Justice
Remington College
2006
Certificate- Medical Assisting - undefined
National Institute of Technology
2001
High School Diploma -
Academy of Richmond County
Augusta, GA05.1989
Skills
- Automated Laboratory Testing
- Specifications Conformance
- ERP and SAP
- Quality Control Analysis
- Blood and Urine Analysis
- File Organization and Maintenance
- Medical Terminology
- Butterfly Needles
- Glucose Monitors and Meters
Timeline
COVID-19 Tester
Medix Staffing
07.2021 - Current
Licensed Insurance Agent
TTEC
05.2021 - Current
Phlebotomist
St. Joseph Hospital
07.2018 - 09.2020
Phlebotomist
LabCorp
11.2017 - 04.2019
Specimen Processor
Aerotek
06.2017 - 06.2018
Phlebotomist
Baptist Hospital of Southeast
05.2017 - 01.2018
Lab Assistant
CHI St. Luke Medical Center
11.2016 - 05.2017
Lead Instructor
First Response Medical Training
04.2016 - 11.2016
Administrator
Trinity Live-In & Caregiver Services
06.2010 - 11.2017
Phlebotomist
Memorial Hermann Hospital
2006.01 - 2008.09
Phlebotomist
LabCorp
04.2004 - 05.2006
Certified Medical Assistant
Sugar Land Family Physicians
01.2001 - 04.2004
Masters - Business Administration/Health Services
Keller Graduate School of Business
Bachelors - Business Management
DeVry University
Associates - Criminal Justice
Remington College
Certificate- Medical Assisting - undefined
National Institute of Technology
High School Diploma -
Academy of Richmond County
Similar Profiles
Rosario Mendoza-MarrufoRosario Mendoza-Marrufo
Billing Specialist at Medix StaffingBilling Specialist at Medix Staffing
EXES HANKERSONEXES HANKERSON
Billing Analyst/Charge Entry Specialist at Medix StaffingBilling Analyst/Charge Entry Specialist at Medix Staffing
Deborah CullenDeborah Cullen
Clinical Review Specialist at Medix StaffingClinical Review Specialist at Medix Staffing
DeAjia CarterDeAjia Carter
Medical Assistant at Medix StaffingMedical Assistant at Medix Staffing
Malcolm SmithMalcolm Smith
Safety Manager at Tactical Safety SolutionsSafety Manager at Tactical Safety Solutions