ANDREA DELMARMO HICKS
Caldwell,NJ
Summary
Accomplished Quality Improvement Specialist with a proven track record at Hackensack University Medical Center, enhancing patient safety and streamlining workflows. Leveraged data analytics and Lean Six Sigma methodologies to drive significant improvements in healthcare delivery. Adept at fostering professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration, consistently advancing patient care standards.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Quality Improvement Specialist
Hackensack University Medical Center
07.2022 - Current
- Provide direct quality and patient safety support for Neuroscience Service Line.
- Chaired Stroke Performance Improvement Committee.
- Led weekly Code Stroke Workgroup team meetings.
- Assumed additional responsibilities to support Comprehensive Stroke designation.
- Managed Clinical Excellence Quads for Back Surgery and Stroke aimed at improving US News and World Report rankings.
- Implemented Neurology and Neurosurgery Quality Council.
- Utilized various databases and Stroke Registry to drive improvements by the Neurology and Neurosurgery Quality Council, Stroke Performance Improvement Committee, and Clinical Excellence Quads.
- Identified performance metrics to track progress towards key performance indicators.
- Enhanced the efficiency of healthcare services by streamlining processes and reducing redundancies
- Facilitated communication between departments to address gaps in communication/processes and enhance collaboration among team members.
- Analyzed and investigated event reports related to assigned clinical area in accordance with following safety algorithm.
- Increased transparency, reinforced high reliability and advance the safety culture within the hospital by acting as a High Reliability trainer.
- Coordinate and lead Root Cause Analysis, Apparent Cause Analysis, and debriefs as indicated.
Lead Nurse Specialist, Emergency & Trauma Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
09.2019 - 07.2022
- Responsible for all Joint Commission Disease Specific, Magnet, Society for Chest Pain, and Geriatric Emergency Department survey readiness.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making techniques to optimize resource allocation, improving overall performance metrics within the department.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
- Streamlined nursing processes for efficiency, allowing for optimal patient care and time management.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives that had positive impacts on door to EKG and troponin turn around times.
- Responsible for all policy updates and policy integration.
- Participated in the development of departmental goals and objectives, contributing insights gleaned from frontline experience to inform strategic planning initiatives.
- Mentored Clinical Nurse Leader and Clinical Nurse Specialist students to perform rapid cycle PDSA projects.
- Oversaw educational plans and staff development activities for approximately 300 team members.
- Developed Emergency Nursing Academy for new graduate and inexperienced nurses.
Nursing Instructor, Emergency & Trauma Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
03.2013 - 09.2019
- Developed ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current with best practices in nursing education and ensuring high-quality instruction.
- Coordinated clinical rotations for students, ensuring they gained valuable hands-on experience in various nursing specialties.
- Served as a mentor to students and team members, offering guidance on academic, career-related matters and professional development matters.
- Implemented innovative teaching methods such as simulation-based learning, which improved student competency and critical thinking skills.
- Contributed to accreditation efforts by maintaining thorough documentation of team members competencies and training.
- Developed and implemented patient experience training that was adopted by Network as best practice.
- Primary Crisis Prevention Intervention trainor.
Staff Nurse, Emergency & Trauma Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
11.2008 - 03.2013
- Conducted quick and thorough assessments for prompt intervention in a Level I trauma center.
- Collaborated with trauma team to ensure coordinated and comprehensive patient care.
- Maintained accurate and detailed patient records, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
- First nurse to achieve Clinical Level IV status.
- Chair of Unit Based Practice Council.
- Participated in Nursing Quality Council.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
St. Vincent's Medical Center
04.2007 - 10.2008
- Provided nursing care within Level 1 Trauma Center.
- Collaborated with various ER professionals to ensure effective patient care.
- Applied expertise in prompt patient condition assessment on patient arrival at the ER during initial phases of acute illness or trauma.
- Monitored ER patients, including alerting physicians or charge nurses to changes in patient status, communicating with patients and their family members in a variety of traumatic situations.
- Performed medical procedures, such as EKG, venipuncture, cardiac monitoring, taking vital signs, urinalysis, UCG testing, or administering medications.
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Northwell Health System-Valley Stream
06.2005 - 04.2007
- Successfully completed New Graduate Nurse training program.
- Obtained information from patient interview and observation and documented vital signs, weights and heights to facilitate patient care activities.
- Maintained accurate and timely documentation of patient care activities, ensuring proper communication among healthcare team members.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
Education
Certificate of Completion - The Integrative Healing Arts
The BirchTree Center
06.2023
Certificate of Completion - Data Analytics
Google
12.2022
Certificate of Completion - Project Management
Google
11.2022
Certificate of Completion - Infection Prevention
Northeastern Infection Control Educators
New Jersey 12.2020
Certificate of Completion - Dyad Performance Improvement Advisor
Hackensack Meridian Health
Edison, NJ06.2019
Certificate of Completion - Simulation Training
Harvard University
Boston, MA05.2019
Certificate of Completion - Lean Six Sigma
Villanova University
05.2012
Master of Science - Clinical Nurse Leadership
University of Medicine And Dentistry
Newark, NJ01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY05.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY05.2000
Skills
- Workflow Optimization
- Data Analytics
- Lean Six Sigma
- Policy Development
- Patient Experience
- Patient Safety
- Direct Patient Care
- Professional Development
- Quality Improvement
- Curriculum Planning
- Project Management
- Regulatory Knowledge
Certification
- Certified Patient Safety Professional (CPPS)
- Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
- Clinical Nurse Leadership (CNL)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Geriatric Emergency Nursing (GENE)
- New Jersey State Nursing License(26NR12933900)
Awards/Academic Affiliations
Ellen Casapulla Memorial Scholarship, Hackensack University Medical Center
Daisy Award
Stroke Hero by the American Heart Association
Monocole Award
Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, Inductee
Hobbies
Tap dancing and Jazzercise
Computer Skills
EPIC, MS Office, Google Suite, PolicyStat, Looker, American Heart Association Stroke Registry, Joint Commission Resource AMP
Timeline
Quality Improvement Specialist
Hackensack University Medical Center
07.2022 - Current
Lead Nurse Specialist, Emergency & Trauma Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
09.2019 - 07.2022
Nursing Instructor, Emergency & Trauma Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
03.2013 - 09.2019
Staff Nurse, Emergency & Trauma Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
11.2008 - 03.2013
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
St. Vincent's Medical Center
04.2007 - 10.2008
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Northwell Health System-Valley Stream
06.2005 - 04.2007
Certificate of Completion - The Integrative Healing Arts
The BirchTree Center
Certificate of Completion - Data Analytics
Google
Certificate of Completion - Project Management
Google
Certificate of Completion - Infection Prevention
Northeastern Infection Control Educators
Certificate of Completion - Dyad Performance Improvement Advisor
Hackensack Meridian Health
Certificate of Completion - Simulation Training
Harvard University
Certificate of Completion - Lean Six Sigma
Villanova University
Master of Science - Clinical Nurse Leadership
University of Medicine And Dentistry
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Adelphi University
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
Adelphi University