Charity Daniel, Ed.S, M.Ed
Memphis
Summary
Versatile healthcare professional offering over 10 years of experience in medical necessity and data management. Skilled in obtaining authorizations and ensuring compliance through effective process implementation. Proven ability to analyze data, manage departmental budgets, and make informed decisions to drive operational efficiency and quality patient care.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Intake Counselor
UHS: Lakeside Behavioral Health Systems
Memphis
08.2024 - Current
- Coordinate patient care with multidisciplinary teams to ensure service continuity.
- Conduct initial assessments to evaluate patient medical needs and eligibility for services.
- Develop individualized safety plans based on thorough patient evaluations.
- Maintain accurate electronic health records (AS400) of patient information and history.
Corporate Project Admissions Director
Acadia Healthcare
Memphis
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Sustained a 98% plus prior-authorization completion rate by spearheading strategic workflow optimizations and leading clinical training for staff on medical necessity screening, documentation, and benefit coverage.
- Drove 20% departmental revenue growth in collaboration with CFOs, by establishing and achieving key revenue cycle goals.
- Decreased departmental overtime by 55% via effective FTE management and optimized schedule balancing.
- Delivered 100% compliance with HIPAA, TJC, and CMS regulatory standards by implementing proactive auditing processes and enhanced patient privacy safeguards.
Assistant Director/Interim Director of Admissions
UHS: Parkwood Behavioral Health System
OLIVE BRANCH
04.2022 - 01.2023
- Oversaw the departmental budget, managed staffing ratios (FTEs), and liaised with insurance payers for prior authorizations and medical necessity determinations.
- Developed and executed processes that support the hospital's strategic goals and patient-centered intake systems.
- Supervised a multidisciplinary team of specialists, counselors, and registered nurses through hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management.
- Partnered with Business Development and Marketing directors to drive census growth through community relationship building, managing referral sources, and analyzing intake data.
- Ensured 100% adherence to regulatory standards (CMS, HIPAA, TJC/JCAHO), and developed departmental policies and procedures for maximum efficiency and audit readiness.
Intake Counselor Shift Supervisor
-
09.2021 - 04.2022
- Trained staff on accurate documentation of medical necessity, boosting hospital profit through increased admissions and reduced front-end denials.
- Completed one-on-one evaluations and tailored training to lower barriers for meeting Average Daily Census and budget requirements.
- Monitored daily inquiry volume and deflections to enhance operational efficiency.
- Achieved 75% reduction in margin error via real-time auditing and ongoing re-education initiatives.
Professional School Counselor Advisor
Shelby County Schools
Memphis
11.2017 - 02.2022
- Directed the design and launching of a comprehensive onboarding framework focused on relationship-based classroom management, significantly enhancing student engagement and instructional efficacy across the district.
- Drove measurable gains in academic performance by managing and consulting with over 45 educational institutions on the execution of multi-tiered intervention strategies.
- Leveraged data-driven insights from weekly trend monitoring (behaviors and attendance) to decrease disciplinary incidents and boost overall student retention rates.
- Presented findings in meetings, facilitating discussion among stakeholders and decision-makers.
Intake Counselor
-
11.2013 - 09.2021
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments to determine appropriate initial treatment plans and optimal levels of care, effectively enhancing positive patient outcomes.
- Verified insurance eligibility and coverage details prior to the submission of precertification requests, minimizing authorization denials, and billing errors.
- Resolved authorization discrepancies through detailed analysis, meticulous follow-up protocols, and cross-functional communication with payers and clinical teams.
- Provided crisis intervention support during high-stress situations for clients.
Professional School Counselor
-
07.2011 - 11.2017
- Conducted assessments to identify student needs and develop tailored support plans.
- Facilitated individual counseling sessions for students experiencing personal challenges.
- Collaborated with teachers to address behavioral and emotional issues affecting students.
- Led workshops on college readiness and career exploration, enhancing student preparedness.
School Counselor/State Test Coordinator
Tunica County School District
Tunica
08.2009 - 06.2011
- Spearheaded the development of district-wide state testing policies and procedures, ensuring 100% alignment with state regulatory mandates, and standardized administration protocols.
- Reduced student conflict by 20% by designing and executing comprehensive anti-bullying campaigns, and targeted group counseling sessions.
- Facilitated professional development for over 50 educators during monthly sessions, focusing on instructional best practices and classroom management strategies.
- Elevated standardized test scores by implementing personalized, one-on-one tutoring programs that significantly enhanced student reading comprehension, and literacy skills.
Mental Health Therapist
Region 3 Mental Health Facility
Tupelo
07.2007 - 08.2009
- Ensured 100% billing accuracy for mental health services by meticulously verifying treatment plans and ICD-10 codes, significantly reducing claim denials and accelerating the revenue cycle.
- Administered comprehensive clinical assessments to determine the scope of clients’ mental health conditions, informing evidence-based treatment strategies.
- Developed and executed customized, recovery-oriented treatment plans for individuals and families to address complex behavioral and mental health challenges.
- Evaluated and measured counseling outcomes through rigorous treatment planning and data collection, consistently demonstrating improved client well-being and treatment efficacy.
Education
Educational Specialist - Professional School Counseling
University of Mississippi
University, MS12.2008
Master of Education - Mental Health Counseling
University of Mississippi
University, MS05.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Mississippi
University, MS12.2003
Skills
- Medical necessity screening
- Electronic healthcare records
- Patient assessment
- Compliance auditing
- Revenue cycle management
- Budget oversight
- Training and development
- Public speaking
- Database management
- Multicultural competence
- Data analysis
- Treatment Planning
- Treatment Authorization
- HIPAA compliance
- Multidisciplinary teamwork
- Collaborative teamwork
Affiliations
School Counselor License in TN - License # 000579564
School Counselor License in MS - License # 201086
Special Education License in MS - License # 201086
Certification: CPR
School Counselor License in MS - License # 201086
Special Education License in MS - License # 201086
Certification: CPR
Timeline
Intake Counselor
UHS: Lakeside Behavioral Health Systems
08.2024 - Current
Corporate Project Admissions Director
Acadia Healthcare
01.2023 - 01.2024
Assistant Director/Interim Director of Admissions
UHS: Parkwood Behavioral Health System
04.2022 - 01.2023
Intake Counselor Shift Supervisor
-
09.2021 - 04.2022
Professional School Counselor Advisor
Shelby County Schools
11.2017 - 02.2022
Intake Counselor
-
11.2013 - 09.2021
Professional School Counselor
-
07.2011 - 11.2017
School Counselor/State Test Coordinator
Tunica County School District
08.2009 - 06.2011
Mental Health Therapist
Region 3 Mental Health Facility
07.2007 - 08.2009
Educational Specialist - Professional School Counseling
University of Mississippi
Master of Education - Mental Health Counseling
University of Mississippi
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Mississippi