Annette Downes

Highly organized and detail-oriented administrative professional excels in office management and special projects. Resourceful and adaptive team leader with expertise in project management, financial tracking, customer relationship management and marketing. Results-oriented strategic planner with extensive knowledge of State practices.

Health Information Administrator at IDOC Centralia Correctional Center (2021-07 – 2023-12)

• Assisted in the development of new administrative systems, procedures and policies.
• Managed office supplies inventory and placed orders when necessary.
• Maintained filing system for important documents such as contracts and invoices.
• Coordinated meetings for health care unite
• Provided general administrative support to staff members.
• Prepared reports on various projects for management review.
• Updated databases
• Created presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint for senior management team members.
• Performed data entry tasks into computer databases from paper documents.
• Developed spreadsheets to track project progress, budgets and other related data.
• Monitored emails, sorted mail and distributed correspondence accordingly.
• Compiled statistical data from a variety of sources for analysis purposes.
• Ensured that all paperwork was completed accurately before submission deadlines.
• Designed forms and templates to streamline workflow processes within the organization.

Health Information Management Technician at IDOC Menard Correctional Center (2014-09 – 2021-06)

• Reviewed medical records for accuracy and completeness, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Maintained a secure database of patient information, including diagnoses, treatments, insurance information, and other health data.
• Performed quality control checks to ensure accuracy of data entry into electronic health record system.
• Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure accurate coding of medical records according to ICD-10 guidelines.
• Conducted audits of medical charts to identify deficiencies in documentation or coding accuracy.
• Generated periodic reports summarizing patient care activities across multiple departments within the organization.
• Retrieved medical records upon request from patients or authorized personnel.
• Prepared release forms for transferring confidential medical records between providers.
• Tracked requests for medical records from third party payers and other organizations.
• Updated patient files with current medications prescribed by provider orders.
• Worked with physicians and nurses to find methods to improve quality of patient health documents and records.
• Protected medical information against unauthorized access, loss or corruption by consistently following security protocols.

Medical Records Director at Wexford Health Services (2013-08 – 2014-09)

• Developed, implemented and maintained medical records policies and procedures.
• Reviewed medical records for accuracy, completeness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Conducted audits of medical records to identify areas needing improvement or corrective action.
• Trained staff on proper use of the electronic health record system.
• Ensured timely release of information in accordance with federal and state laws, accreditation standards, organizational policy and other regulatory requirements.
• Maintained accurate inventory control systems for all paper-based medical records.
• Analyzed data from various sources including physician orders, laboratory results, radiology reports, to ensure complete documentation within patient's chart.
• Identified opportunities for improvement in processes related to medical records management.
• Developed workflow processes that ensured efficient utilization of resources while maintaining high quality standards.

Administrative Staff Assistant at Wexford Health Services (2012-04 – 2013-08)

• Maintained records management systems by filing documents, retrieving data as requested, and ensuring accuracy of information.
• Prepared correspondences such as memos, letters, reports, emails, faxes and other documents for internal use or external distribution.
• Scheduled meetings and appointments for staff members as needed.
• Created purchase orders in accordance with approved budget guidelines.
• Provided administrative support to executives by preparing agendas for meetings; taking minutes; organizing paperwork; maintaining calendars; scheduling appointments; making travel arrangements; coordinating events.
• Performed general clerical duties such as photocopying, scanning, faxing and mailing documents.
• Received incoming mail and packages daily and distributed accordingly.
• Managed office equipment maintenance contracts with external vendors.
• Developed filing systems for hard copy documents to improve efficiency of document retrieval process.

Medical Records Director at Wexford Health Services (2011-08 – 2012-04)

• Developed, implemented and maintained medical records policies and procedures.
• Reviewed medical records for accuracy, completeness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Evaluated patient care documentation to ensure accuracy of data entry.
• Conducted audits of medical records to identify areas needing improvement or corrective action.
• Collaborated with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to improve quality of patient care documentation.
• Ensured timely release of information in accordance with federal and state laws, accreditation standards, organizational policy and other regulatory requirements.
• Provided education on HIPAA regulations related to access and disclosure of protected health information.
• Resolved complex issues related to medical record retrieval requests from external sources such as attorneys, insurance companies or government agencies.

CDI Specialist at SIH Herrin Hospital (2009-09 – 2011-08)

• Researched and analyzed customer feedback to identify areas of improvement.
• Reviewed medical records to ensure accuracy and completeness of clinical documentation.
• Conducted patient interviews to obtain additional information for medical record entries.
• Analyzed data from multiple sources including laboratory, radiology and pathology reports.
• Identified discrepancies in documentation with providers and resolved inconsistencies in a timely manner.
• Monitored compliance with regulatory standards for the Clinical Documentation Improvement program.
• Developed and implemented policies and procedures related to clinical documentation improvement initiatives.
• Provided education to healthcare professionals on proper utilization of ICD-10 codes and other relevant coding guidelines.
• Reviewed all discharge summaries to ensure they meet quality standards as defined by the Joint Commission.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to identify opportunities for improvement in clinical documentation processes.
• Generated monthly reports that reflect performance metrics related to CDI activities.
• Identified areas of risk related to incomplete or inaccurate documentation practices.
• Participated in regular meetings with physicians, nurses, case managers, coders, therapists to discuss changes or improvements needed for clinical documentation processes.
• Maintained current knowledge of ICD-10 coding requirements, CPT and HCPCS coding systems, DRG assignment criteria and CMS regulations.
• Compiled data from various sources such as EMRs, physician notes and other documents into a single source document.

Associate of Applied Science in RHIT – Rend Lake College (2009-05)