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Joel Mccandless

@joelmccandless

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Senior full-stack developer building secure healthcare web apps with Ruby on Rails, React, and robust APIs.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a Senior/Full-Stack role where I can build secure healthcare web apps and APIs with Rails + React, lead quality with RSpec/TDD, and ship reliably through CI/CD in an Agile, collaborative team.

I’m an experienced full-stack developer with 9+ years of expertise in web application and API development, specializing in Ruby on Rails, React.js, and SQL databases. I’ve focused on designing and implementing robust healthcare-focused solutions using Agile methodologies, with a strong commitment to quality and reliability.

In my Senior Full Stack Developer role, I developed dynamic, mobile-friendly applications end-to-end and designed RESTful APIs to connect front-end and back-end components for healthcare needs. I optimized PostgreSQL data structures and queries, and I improved code quality through automated testing with RSpec and Test-Driven Development practices.

I also led cross-functional development efforts, including micro-frontend frameworks, and mentored junior developers to strengthen team performance. I built secure authentication and authorization using CanCanCan, JWT, and Devise, deployed Rails applications on Heroku and AWS, and contributed real-time capabilities using WebSocket for over 10,000 healthcare professionals.

Across projects and roles, I’ve stayed hands-on with scalable architecture, performance optimization, and dependable CI/CD workflows. I enjoy partnering with UX designers and using analytics to drive data-informed decisions, ensuring the final product feels intuitive, fast, and secure.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Senior Full Stack Developer

Emerline

Sep 2020 - Apr 2025 (4 years 7 months)

Developed responsive web applications and RESTful healthcare APIs using Ruby on Rails, PostgreSQL, and React. Implemented RSpec-based automated testing, secure authentication/authorization, and deployed services on Heroku and AWS, including a WebSocket chat used by over 10,000 healthcare professionals.

Ruby on Rails RESTful APIs PostgreSQL RSpec React JWT Devise CanCanCan AWS WebSockets

Back-end Developer

MLSDev

Sep 2014 - Aug 2017 (2 years 11 months)

Built scalable Ruby on Rails back-end services and RESTful APIs for healthcare systems, optimizing performance with SQL and Redis caching. Architected microservices with event-driven patterns and improved system stability and user experience for millions of users using automated RSpec testing and robust error handling/logging.