Ruth Lori Cruz
Summary
Dedicated healthcare professional with 15+ years of experience who understands the importance of medical information transparency through precise medical documentation.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Customer Service High Intake
The PromptCare Companies, Inc.
Dania Beach, FL
12.2024 - Current
- Facilitated timely and precise processing of Durable Medical Equipment sales orders to support the needs of enteral and respiratory dependent patients.
- Updated patient files with accurate demographics, insurance, and benefit information. Verified insurance details to support patient care processes.
- Coordinated management of patient prescriptions, proactively requesting prior authorizations to ensure timely order fulfillment.
- Cultivated comprehensive understanding of Brightree, Medforce, Microsoft Office, MS Teams, Cardinal, McKesson, and various applications to support organizational objectives.
- Documentation and computer input of the new referral and subsequent patient admission from start to finish is critical and must always follow PromptCare’s policies and procedures
Same Day Surgery Unit Secretary
Broward Health Medical Center
Fort Lauderdale, FL
08.2022 - 12.2024
- Oversaw patient reception in department, facilitating smooth transitions for care. Gathered essential weight and allergy data. Coordinated wheelchair accessibility for patient convenience.
- Organized and outlined surgery preparation instructions for efficient nurse arrival in the operating room.
- Responded to and directed phone calls, providing timely assistance to unit members and stakeholders.
- Generated real-time charts for add-on surgery cases to enhance surgical planning.
- Streamlined filing and organization of patient records following post-operative discharge.
- Facilitated interdepartmental communication to enhance scheduling and registration processes for care services.
- Administered inventory control and supply management for department, leveraging GHX procurement suite for optimal resource allocation.
- Achieved rapid room turnover, enhancing guest experience through efficient preparation. Increased room readiness by implementing effective cleaning protocols and team coordination. Enhanced operational efficiency, resulting in improved guest satisfaction and room availability.
OR Scheduler
Broward Health Imperial Point Medical
Pompano Beach, FL
01.2022 - 08.2022
- Managed communication with surgeons by addressing calls, emails, and complaints. Delivered timely updates on surgery schedules to enhance operational efficiency.
- Created and organized daily surgery schedules and surgical logs to ensure efficient departmental coordination.
- Oversaw acquisition of patient information from physician offices. Directed verification of coding accuracy for financial department.
- Utilized InVision to generate detailed financial medical records, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
- Engaged with patient access personnel to ensure accurate billing and enhance patient satisfaction.
- Scheduled surgeries by coordinating with operating room availability and assessing patient medical conditions. Helped patients secure appointments for necessary procedures. Managed reservation system to streamline surgical scheduling process.
- Ensured effective collaboration with various hospital departments to meet unique surgical needs.
Medical Unit Secretary
Broward Health
Fort Lauderdale, FL
10.2021 - 01.2022
- Assisted patients with check-in process and collected necessary information. Helped maintain accurate patient records and ensured smooth communication. Supported healthcare team in delivering quality patient care.
- Compiled and organized patient information into charts to support accurate admissions documentation. Conducted thorough breakdown of patient charts, ensuring accurate and prompt medical record retrieval.
- Managed patient room assignments, ensuring effective communication with logistics to optimize patient flow.
- Managed administrative operations, ensuring streamlined processes for clinical staff to improve service delivery.
- Responded to and handled call light notifications, ensuring timely assistance for resident needs and improving service quality.
- Streamlined database updates for admissions and discharges to ensure accurate census reporting.
- Facilitated preparation of next shift documentation for PCA and nursing personnel to support efficient workflow.
- Collaborated with nursing supervisor to resolve patient admission discrepancies.
HR Coordinator/Scheduler/Staffer
Comfort Keepers
Hollywood, FL
10.2020 - 03.2021
- Achieved optimal caregiver-client matches through effective home health care scheduling. Maintained accurate caregiver schedule records to support staffing objectives. Increased shift coverage by implementing targeted campaigns via TextUs for open positions.
- Streamlined application monitoring from multiple sources, enhancing recruitment efficiency. Optimized recruitment ad placements on Indeed, resulting in increased candidate visibility.
- Led the recruitment process by interviewing candidates to assess qualifications and educational background. Collaborated with employers to define hiring needs and strategies. Oversaw reference checks and background investigations to ensure candidate suitability.
- Communicated position details, including working conditions, benefits, and responsibilities. Oversaw onboarding and orientation initiatives to integrate new employees effectively. Evaluated potential candidates through ACHA-approved testing modules. Recruited and referred qualified applicants to meet staffing needs. Managed uniform procurement for current staff. Monitored and updated employment and progress records to ensure compliance.
- Executed monthly newsletter preparation using Constant Contact to enhance communication with subscribers.
Care Coordinator (ER)
Good Samaritan Medical Center
West Palm Beach, FL
04.2019 - 08.2019
- Served as case management for discharged ER patients. Discussed follow-up care with discharging patients. Coordinated appointments with PCP and/or Specialist. Tracked patient's care direction after the appointment.
- Identified primary care providers and specialists for new patients based on insurance acceptance.
- Engaged with patient advocacy representatives to streamline processes for uninsured patients seeking insurance support.
- Responded to physician requests for patient: chart provision, labs, referral documents, etc.
- Confirmed patient arrival to scheduled appointments.
- Monitored changes in patient demographics and insurance.
Scheduling Coordinator
Midtown Imaging/Good Samaritan Medical Center
West Palm Beach, FL
08.2017 - 04.2019
- Coordinated patient calls and organized electronic fax folders to streamline order processing for healthcare providers.
- Managed all incoming calls and coordinated patient visit and treatment scheduling.
- Conducted thorough data gathering and validation of demographics and insurance details for four separate centers.
- Managed follow-up on unaddressed orders and prescriptions. Coordinated updates with healthcare providers.
- Utilized Excel to compile a no-show list, facilitating targeted outreach to retain clients.
Medical Office Coordinator
Center for Vein Restoration
Bronx, NY
06.2016 - 07.2017
- Supported front desk operations and assisted staff across multiple locations by managing appointment schedules using EMR software. Verified insurance information and obtained necessary referrals. Handled high volumes of calls and emails while preparing daily deposits. Reviewed codes for accuracy before closing fee tickets.
- Streamlined paperwork preparation and scanning for new clients, ensuring efficient check-in processes.
- Managed co-payment collection and ensured accurate posting of payments. Coordinated follow-up appointments and surgical procedures to enhance patient care.
- Coordinated discussions between physicians and insurance companies to address and resolve denied code issues.
- Compiled and updated daily reports and clinical checklists to ensure accurate tracking of operational metrics.
- Orchestrated weekly administrative meetings with regional operations manager to review P&L and accounts receivable.
Client Service Coordinator/Vet Assistant
Banfield Pet Hospital
Mohegan Lake, NY
09.2013 - 06.2016
- Oversaw front desk operations, greeted pet patients, observed and noted their condition. Checked in clients' pets with proper protocol. Maintained schedule for all doctors' appointments with Petware Electronic Medical Record Software. Provided executive-level assistance to Practice Manager, prepared daily deposit. Logged information of S.O.A.P. Prepared vaccines and diagnostics.
- Ensured patients, visitors, and guests, as well as co-workers, received personalized prompt attention and treated with dignity and respect, and with the utmost confidentiality.
- Functioned as patient advocate throughout visit and treatment.
- Translated in Spanish when necessary.
- Followed up with clients post appointment to ensure pet health.
- Completed pet triage; helped doctor and techs with patients; vitals, fecal exams, blood withdrawal, administer certain medications, ear cleanings, anal gland expression, prepare vaccines.
- Prepared treatment plan for patient.
Billing Assistant
PMI MEDICAL, LLC
Mount Kisco, NY
10.2010 - 09.2013
- Maintained department productivity and compliance standards. Reviewed encounters for inaccurate information such as demos, missing diagnosis, procedure codes, program specifics, coding discrepancies, benefit coverage verification, etc. Retrieved required information from review of progress and operative reports from surgeon's office. Submitted insurance claims and retrieved documents from doctors' offices.
- Provided stellar assistance to Billing Manager for doctors associated with the Hospital for Special Surgery.
- Increased reimbursements for billable charges by submitting clean claims and/or statements in compliance with correct coding initiatives and billing industry requirements.
- Followed protocol for Medicaid, Workers Comp, and other major medical insurances.
- Monitored/reported discrepancies in denial and payment trends, coding issues, and benefit changes; appealed denied codes and disputed insurances for proper reimbursement. A/R:
- Negotiated patient payment plans and coordinated follow up with appropriate team.
- Help patients and colleagues understand billing issues and handled inquiries from third parties to ensure accuracy of records and maximize collections.
- Adjusted patient balances on accounts as appropriate and resolved account questions and/or problems.
Office Assistant
Porter Main & Sewer Contractors, Inc
Brooklyn, NY
10.2008 - 10.2010
- Provided executive-level administrative support to the president. Dispatched open shifts to make sure all positions are covered. A/R and A/P. Scheduled appointments with clients for water main and sewer estimates. Handled all administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, faxing, and maintaining all office equipment.
- Organized special events, legal arrangements, and developed presentations for on- and off-site meetings.
- Received visitors with grace and patience in fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Education
Associate of Arts - Pathway To Nursing
Broward College
Weston, FLSterile Processing Technician (Career Diploma) - Sterile Processing Certification
Penn Foster
Online11-2025
GED -
Humanities High School
New York, NY10-2002
Skills
Adept working in a in fast-paced environment that demand strong organizational, technical and interpersonal skills Maintain excellent written and oral communication skills, problem resolution abilities, and a high level of confidentiality Trustworthy, ethical and discreet; committed to the medical field Confident and poised interactions with individuals at all levels
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Customer Service High Intake
The PromptCare Companies, Inc.
12.2024 - Current
Same Day Surgery Unit Secretary
Broward Health Medical Center
08.2022 - 12.2024
OR Scheduler
Broward Health Imperial Point Medical
01.2022 - 08.2022
Medical Unit Secretary
Broward Health
10.2021 - 01.2022
HR Coordinator/Scheduler/Staffer
Comfort Keepers
10.2020 - 03.2021
Care Coordinator (ER)
Good Samaritan Medical Center
04.2019 - 08.2019
Scheduling Coordinator
Midtown Imaging/Good Samaritan Medical Center
08.2017 - 04.2019
Medical Office Coordinator
Center for Vein Restoration
06.2016 - 07.2017
Client Service Coordinator/Vet Assistant
Banfield Pet Hospital
09.2013 - 06.2016
Billing Assistant
PMI MEDICAL, LLC
10.2010 - 09.2013
Office Assistant
Porter Main & Sewer Contractors, Inc
10.2008 - 10.2010
Associate of Arts - Pathway To Nursing
Broward College
Sterile Processing Technician (Career Diploma) - Sterile Processing Certification
Penn Foster
GED -
Humanities High School