Karla Romero
Director of Patient Access and Financial Counseling
Mountain View, California, United States
Professional Overview
Karla Romero is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience in patient access and financial counseling. As the Director of Patient Access and Financial Counseling at El Camino Health, she oversees the strategic operations and leadership of these critical patient-facing functions, ensuring seamless experiences and financial support for patients.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Director of Patient Access and Financial Counseling at El Camino Health, Karla is responsible for managing the patient registration, scheduling, and financial counseling teams. She collaborates closely with cross-functional departments to streamline patient access processes, enhance financial assistance programs, and improve overall patient satisfaction. Under her leadership, the patient access and financial counseling teams have consistently exceeded key performance metrics, driving measurable improvements in operational efficiency and patient experience.
Career Progression
Karla's career in healthcare spans over two decades, during which she has steadily advanced through roles of increasing responsibility. Prior to her current position, she served as the Patient Access Manager at El Camino Health, where she led a team of over 50 patient access professionals and oversaw the implementation of advanced technologies to optimize patient flow and data management. Before that, she held supervisory roles in patient access at El Camino Health and Community Hospital of Los Gatos, as well as patient registrar positions at Regional Medical Center of San Jose and On Assignment Healthcare Staffing.
Academic Background
Karla holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University, where she graduated cum laude. Her strong academic performance and focus on healthcare management have provided a solid foundation for her career in the industry.
Areas of Expertise
- Patient access and registration management
- Financial counseling and revenue cycle optimization
- Process improvement and workflow streamlining
- Team leadership and employee development
- Healthcare technology implementation and adoption
- Regulatory compliance and patient data privacy
Professional Impact
Under Karla's leadership, the patient access and financial counseling teams at El Camino Health have achieved significant improvements, including a 25% reduction in patient wait times, a 15% increase in financial assistance program enrollment, and a 95% patient satisfaction rating. Karla's strategic vision and collaborative approach have earned her recognition as a trusted partner within the organization and the broader healthcare community.
Conclusion
With her comprehensive experience, strong leadership skills, and dedication to enhancing patient experiences, Karla Romero is a valuable asset to the healthcare industry. As the Director of Patient Access and Financial Counseling at El Camino Health, she continues to drive innovation and excellence within her areas of expertise, making a meaningful impact on the lives of the patients and communities she serves.
