Ciara Smith, MBA

Supervisor Medical Clinical Operations | MBA in Healthcare Management

Greater St. Louis

About

I am a healthcare leader with a passion for delivering high-quality care and service to diverse and underserved populations. I am currently pursuing my MBA in Health Care Management, and I have a BA in Psychology from Saint Louis University. My core competencies include customer service, talent acquisition, management, budgeting, analytical skills, Microsoft Office, several electronic medical record platforms, and crisis intervention. I have strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, and I have contributed to multiple projects and initiatives that improved the patient, customer and provider satisfaction, retention, and outcomes. I am also committed to advancing DEI in the healthcare industry, and I have completed several courses on Project Management from Coursera.

Experience

  • Supervisor Medical Clinical Operations at Optum
    Oct 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 9 mos

    • Supervised a dedicated team in clinical operations to support Medicare and Medicaid members. • Facilitated access to essential health resources for members, ensuring their needs were met effectively. • Collaborated with healthcare professionals to enhance service delivery and improve patient outcomes.

  • Clinical Supervisor at Optum (UnitedHealthcare)
    2021 - Present · 5 yrs 6 mos

    Lead and coach clinical and administrative teams, ensuring productivity, quality, and service metrics are consistently met. Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and performance gaps; deliver insights and recommendations to clinical and business leaders. Oversee daily workflows across multiple platforms, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards, HIPAA requirements, and internal policies. Partner with cross-functional teams including case management, claims, quality, and customer experience to improve processes and resolve operational barriers. Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions that reduce rework, improve accuracy, and enhance service delivery. Develop and refine clinical workflows, documentation standards, and process improvements to support operational excellence. Manage competing priorities in a matrixed environment while meeting deadlines, deliverables, and organizational KPIs. Support change management initiatives, ensuring team engagement, adoption, and sustained performance.

  • Senior Administrative Coordinator at Optum
    2020 - 2021 · 1 yr

    Analyzed member data to identify care gaps and support primary care and behavioral health access. Assisted in resolving issues related to social determinants of health and coordinated with clinical teams to support member needs. Provided training, mentoring, and workflow guidance to new and existing team members to strengthen operational consistency.

  • FMLA Customer Experience Specialist at ComPsych
    Mar 2020 - Nov 2020 · 9 mos

    supported 100s of companies with managing employee leaves during COVID

  • Claims Processor II at Magellan Health
    Jun 2017 - Mar 2020 · 2 yrs 10 mos