Cefeney Garcia
*************@*****.*** 832-***-**** Houston, TX linkedin.com/in/cefeney-garcia-a2920755 SUMMARY
Dedicated Legal Assistant with a year of experience in legal intake and a thorough understanding of insurance disputes, policy and claims investigation, and contract review. Extensive 16-year background in roles requiring meticulous data entry, eligibility assessments, and client-centered services. Eager to bring strong administrative skills to a Legal Assistant position, with a commitment to improving efficiency and productivity. WORK EXPERIENCE
Manuel Gonzales PC Houston, TX
Legal Assistant Jun 2023 - Oct 2023
• Responded to incoming inquiries, conducted initial interviews, and provided professional support to potential clients seeking legal assistance in Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury cases.
• Evaluated potential cases for viability, documented all relevant case details accurately, and collaborated with legal teams to determine the most appropriate course of action.
• Maintained organized records of client interactions and case assessments while assisting in the preparation of necessary documentation for new client engagements, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.
• Built and maintained positive relationships with potential clients, provided clear and accurate information about the legal process, and addressed client questions and concerns with professionalism and courtesy. Career and Recovery Resources, Inc.
Intake/Eligibility and Enrollment Specialist SSVF Mar 2023 - Jun 2023
• Facilitates housing placement services for veterans, involving intake, outreach, and file review, ensuring efficient client-centered services for suitable interventions or referrals.
• Collaborates with team members to fulfill Veteran Services goals, serving as the main contact for the Central Veterans Help Line.
• Manages and maintains participant data entry into HMIS and relevant spreadsheets, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
McClenny, Moseley & Associates Houston, Texas
Legal Assistant Jan 2022 - Feb 2023
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of first-party insurance disputes and commercial exterior building materials, effectively interpreting insurance contract coverages and exclusions.
• Conducted meticulous policy and claims investigations, including interpreting affected building materials and investigating prior claims under property.
• Engaged in comprehensive communication with referral sources and clients, conducting thorough telephone interviews, providing updates on claims status, and building strong relationships with firm's referral sources.
• Supervised claims intake specialists, reviewing and investigating potential tenant issues, logging and reporting any concerns to the legal team, and ensuring consistent provision of updates to referral sources. BakerRipley
Intake Eligibility Specialist Feb 2021 - Dec 2021
• Evaluated customer financial records and performed mathematical calculations to determine eligibility for financial assistance, ensuring adherence to specific policies and procedures.
• Maintained a well-organized approach to tasks and effectively communicated with team members, management, and clients to resolve issues and enhance service delivery.
• Managed data entry tasks across Excel, Word, and several databases, ensuring accuracy and orderliness of files, and processed eligibility data in a timely manner using various software platforms.
• Delivered policy and procedure training to peers, functioned as a liaison within the program and with external agencies, and oversaw caseload maintenance to ensure compliance with timeframes and file requirements. Temporary Intake Eligibility Specialist Dec 2020 - Jan 2021
• Managed comprehensive eligibility screenings for applicants, ensuring accurate intake through assessment of various personal documents, with a focus on program compatibility.
• Streamlined client data management by proficiently inputting required information into Salesforce, improving data accuracy and efficiency.
• Fostered client relationships through prompt follow-ups to address application issues, while maintaining current knowledge of program enrollment targets to aid in achieving departmental goals. City of Houston
Administrative Specialist Apr 2019 - Apr 2020
• Evaluated and processed key documents to assess household income and duplication of benefits, ensuring strict adherence to program requirements and regulations.
• Efficiently communicated application statuses and required documentation, promptly addressing or escalating any eligibility concerns.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve eligibility issues, offering technical assistance when necessary. The Alliance
Disaster Case Manager Jul 2018 - Apr 2019
• Advocated for services and resources for underserved populations, aiding in individual and community relief and recovery initiatives.
• Ensured equitable access to holistic services and resources for individuals and families affected by Hurricane Harvey, promoting recovery and self-sufficiency.
• Provided specialized assistance to clients in Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris County, addressing unique regional recovery and redevelopment needs.
City of Houston
Customer Service Representative II Apr 2018 - Jul 2018
• Leveraged effective communication and problem-solving skills to address customer inquiries and resolve concerns related to the Inspections and Public Service Division, ensuring a positive and proactive approach in line with division goals.
• Collected, processed, and maintained data from field investigations, facilitating the preparation of written records of proceedings and original customer correspondence.
• Managed and monitored various records and reports, utilizing platforms such as SAP and InFor to maintain data accuracy and efficiency, contributing to the successful execution of programs like CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT. Community Relations Specialist Jan 2018 - Apr 2018
• Acted as an intermediary between the community and municipal human services, ensuring efficient and accurate information exchange and referrals.
• Assisted community members with form completion and provided clarification on program rules and applications, enhancing understanding and engagement.
• Conducted community needs assessments and orchestrated supportive programs and activities, serving as a reliable resource for the community.
Swift Transportation
Administrative Assistant Aug 2017 - Dec 2017
• Streamlined logistics by leveraging network balance capacity tools to efficiently locate trucks and allocate customer loads, ensuring optimal planning that met regional requirements.
• Skillfully utilized Network Decision Support tools, such as MicroMap, Plus One, Network Balance, and Capacity Management, to assign loads to trucks, ensuring customer service requirements were consistently met.
• Ensured compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations & Safety Compliance guidelines, including validating driver hours of service and resolving non-compliance issues, enabling safe and legal load delivery.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston)
Sr. Support Assistant, Department of Surgery Jan 2017 - Mar 2017
• Managed and responded to non-routine correspondence and inquiries, ensuring adherence to established guidelines and maintaining confidentiality where required.
• Developed and presented comprehensive reports, utilizing graphs, tables, and manuscripts to communicate complex information effectively.
• Coordinated scheduling and logistical arrangements for meetings and travel, ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and guidelines, while also maintaining and reconciling assigned financial records. University of Houston-Clear Lake
Senior Secretary Aug 2016 - Jan 2017
• Managed, updated, and monitored client files, schedules, and fee records, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Supported the Annual Symposium for Mental Health, assisting in all phases from application processing to logistics, demonstrating strong administrative and coordination capabilities.
• Handled daily client communication, ensuring the smooth functioning of appointment schedules and effectively managing potential crisis situations, exemplifying excellent communication and crisis management skills. Houston ISD
Administrative Assistant II-Leadership Development Oct 2014 - Aug 2016
• Managed and maintained databases, effectively processed payroll documents, and rectified discrepancies, ensuring accurate records and smooth operational flow.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills by coordinating administrative tasks, overseeing appointment schedules, and handling department-wide communications.
• Handled travel logistics, supply management, and transcriptions while maintaining positive relationships through consistent and effective interpersonal skills.
Robert Half
Temp to Vendor Assignment Nov 2013 - Oct 2014
• Managed and optimized global inventory controls, implementing industry best practices and policies across all areas of logistics and trade compliance, leading to enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Fostered global relationships with freight forwarders and customs agents, ensured adherence to standardized export procedures, and maintained service levels of third-party logistics providers, contributing to continuous improvement in global freight and document savings.
• Designed and implemented internal controls, documentation, and reporting systems for logistics and compliance, conducted thorough analyses of transactions and reports, and executed global training to address process, system, and training deficiencies.
Meador Staffing Services
Temp to Vendor Assignment Sep 2010 - Jul 2013
• Successfully managed and allocated clerical, administrative, and secretarial tasks among office staff, resulting in optimized efficiency and increased team productivity.
• Implemented robust filing systems and record-keeping procedures, ensuring data security and confidentiality, thereby enhancing the overall operational efficiency.
• Monitored office supplies inventory, approved acquisitions, and maintained a safe working environment, contributing to a well-organized and secure workplace. Harlingen Medical Center
Central Scheduler, Pre-Registration, Case Management Mar 2008 - Sep 2010
• Streamlined communication as the primary liaison between clients, physicians, and hospital staff, efficiently obtaining necessary documentation according to procedure protocol and relaying critical appointment and procedure details to patients.
• Identified and rectified potential duplications in medical records, improving record accuracy, and solely maintained the hospital-wide Physician Order database.
• Initiated a comprehensive organizational system for the Insurance Verification Department while consistently adhering to all legal policies as outlined by hospital compliance. Valley Baptist Health System
Registration Coordinator Jan 2008 - Feb 2008
• Coordinated the admission and registration process for hospital patients, ensuring the swift assignment of inpatient rooms and accurate entry of vital demographic and billing data into the computer system.
• Oversaw all switchboard operations, including receiving incoming calls, paging, placing outgoing calls, and monitoring alarm systems, while also managing the safe and prompt transportation of patients to their designated areas.
Penn Aluminum International LLC
Temp. Shipping / Receiving Clerk Jun 2007 - Dec 2007
• Managed account reconciliation and assigned purchase orders, ensuring efficient and accurate financial operations.
• Coordinated logistics through scheduling carriers and creating requisitions, additionally handled administrative tasks such as directing phone calls and overseeing the purchase and distribution of office/factory supplies. MD Anderson Cancer Center
Secretary Jan 2005 - Jun 2005
• Managed intricate administrative tasks, including the preparation and submission of institutional and governmental grants, which involved meticulous document formatting, image manipulation, and tracking of submission stages.
• Undertook comprehensive secretarial duties, such as drafting complex word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations, along with supervising secretarial workflow, training support staff, and maintaining a wide range of professional documents, including manuscripts, protocols, abstracts, and CVs. Dufry Group
Temp. Human Resources Administrator Nov 2004 - Jan 2005
• Managed and streamlined scheduling processes for senior leadership, demonstrating proficiency in administrative management and coordination.
• Efficiently coordinated onboarding procedures for new hires, including preparation of essential documents, verification of employment, and distribution of benefits information, while assisting with payroll and timekeeping tasks.
Memorial Hermann Health System
Office Asst. II Nov 2002 - Sep 2004
• Managed administrative functions, including lab order entry, calendar coordination for medical directors and patients, and distribution of inter-office memos and presentations. Streamlined corporate compliance through meticulous record-keeping and data collection, and ensured accurate charges for hospital services and supplies.
• Facilitated efficient office operations through purchasing and distributing office and medical supplies, maintaining a comprehensive file system for patients, and acting as a liaison between medical directors, scheduling, and nursing teams. Demonstrated familiarity with Texas Department of Health and AMIE standards for Dialysis, Water Disinfection protocols, and Equipment Disinfection, coordinating unit activities to maintain highest standards of patient care.
EDUCATION
San Jacinto College
Associate of Applied Science, Health Information Management 2017 - 2022
San Benito Adult Learning Center
High School Diploma
1997 - 1997
SKILLS
Notary