Andrea Simmonds
Summary
To obtain a position that will allow me to continue to advance my knowledge and further my experience in nursing leadership. Combined with my degree in accounting, and certificate in Legal Nurse Consulting, has enhanced my understanding of fiscal responsibility. Afford me the opportunity to enhance and enrich the quality of patient care through empowering the nursing profession.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Nursing
Liberty Endoscopy Center
03.2022 - Current
- Preparation of statistical reports for analytical purposes
- Responsible for the cost containment and efficient use of center resources
- Coordinate purchasing of clinical equipment and supplies to provide optimum patient care within budget allowances
- Analyze work area for recommendations to promote potential cost-effective improvements
- Develop and analyze new and on-going projects to maximize financial efficiency of allocated budget and funding
- Maintain compliance with DOH, CMS and Joint Commission standards required for accreditation
- Determine and schedule staffing assignments appropriately to support the flow of patients through the procedural areas with consideration of budgetary constraints
- Assess, evaluate, and ensure the clinical competency of all clinical and ancillary staff in the clinical and procedural areas
- Work closely with the Administrator, Medical Director and Physicians in maintaining the entire medical record system
- Assure compliance to all clinical policies and procedures to identify any issues and/or gaps in practice and process
- Responsible for employee reviews and disciplinary actions while adhering to institutional and union policies and procedures.
Quality Assurance Department Consultant
The Brooklyn Hospital Center
04.2022 - Current
- Led root cause analyses on major incidents, resulting in actionable insights that prevented future occurrences of similar issues.
- Collaborated with C-Suite to apply root cause analysis guidance and establish effective corrective action plans.
- Analyzed staff performance and suggested improvements to daily functionality.
- Provided expert guidance on best practices for QA documentation, improving accuracy and completeness of documentation.
- Collaborated with leadership to provide training on improved processes and assisted with creation and maintenance of quality training.
- Edited, proofed and critiqued internal documents to improve clarity.
- Recorded, analyzed, and distributed statistical information.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements by staying current on relevant laws, guidelines, and standards affecting practice quality.
- Addressed non-conformance to policy issues.
- Created and revised procedures, checklists and job aids to align with policy and reduce errors.
- Analyzed quality and performance data to support operational decision-making.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Clinical Nurse Manager/Assistant Director – Operating Room/ Cystoscopy/ Endoscopy/ Day Surgery
The Brooklyn Hospital Center
12.2018 - 03.2022
- Responsible for the efficient operation of the surgical areas of the perioperative services
- Managed a staff of 75 RNs, CSTs, PCAs and Ancillary Staff
- Maintained the scheduling of staff to minimize overtime expenses while promoting maximum efficiency of nine operating suites, three cystoscopy suites, three endoscopy suites, post-anesthesia care unit and day surgery areas to promote and maintain both patient and surgeon satisfaction
- Prepared clinical statistical reports for analysis of efficiency and early identification of trends
- Developed new projects to maximize financial efficiency of allocated budget and funding
- Maintained clinical compliance with DOH, CMS and JCAHO standards required for accreditation
- Responsible for employee reviews and disciplinary actions while adhering to institutional and union policies and procedures.
Per Diem Staff Nurse – Circulator, Operating Room
- Experienced circulating in all services with a specialized focus in Neurosurgery, Spine, Thoracic, Head and Neck, Orthopedics, Urology and Plastics Reconstruction
Senior Staff/Charge Nurse – Circulator, Operating Room
New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
04.2016 - 07.2020
- Managed and trained staff in Neurosurgery, Thoracic and orthopedic services
- Maintained a positive relationship between surgeons, administration and staff to ensure patients safety and quality of care standards were met
- Experienced in Neurosurgery, Spine, Thoracic, Head and Neck, Orthopedics, Urology, Plastics Reconstruction, General, Laparoscopic and Robotics procedures
- Prepared operating rooms as per surgeon specifications and ensured all supplies were obtained prior to procedures
- Performed safety checks of all equipment to be utilized in procedures
- Responsible for troubleshooting unforeseen issues during procedures to promote proper functioning of equipment and maintain patient safety
- Worked directly with surgeons and the surgical team to develop the most appropriate plan of care for patients during all phases of their surgical experience
- Ensured the sterile field was not compromised prior to, during, and immediately after the procedure, prior to the recovery of the patient as recommended by AORN Standards of Care
- Maintained constant communication between the surgical team and the recovery room to ensure continuity of care
- Provided training, supervision and support for both the main operating room and ambulatory surgery staff.
Staff/Charge Nurse – Circulator, Operating Room
Lenox Hill Hospital
01.2015 - 04.2016
- Experienced in Head and Neck, Orthopedics, Urology, Plastics Reconstruction, General, Laparoscopic and Robotics procedures
- Prepared operating room as per surgeon specifications and ensured all supplies were obtained prior to the start of procedures
- Performed safety checks of all equipment to be utilized in procedures
- Responsible for troubleshooting unforeseen issues during procedures to promote proper functioning of equipment and maintain patient safety
- Worked directly with surgeons and the surgical team to develop the most appropriate plan of care for patients during all phases of their surgical experience
- Ensured the sterile field was not compromised prior to, during, and immediately after the procedure, prior to the recovery of the patient as recommended by AORN Standards of Care
- Maintained constant communication between the surgical team and the recovery room to ensure continuity of patient care
- Provided training, supervision and support for the operating room staff.
Nurse Manager/Neurosurgery Coordinator – Operating Room
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
05.2013 - 01.2015
- Organized and developed the Neurosurgery Service for current and incoming surgeons
- Assessed needs of the service and requirements of surgeons for submission of purchase orders as per policies
- Organized, coordinated and scheduled surgical procedures, necessary personnel and equipment required to contribute to positive patient outcomes
- Assessed patients preoperatively, intra-operatively and postoperatively
- Worked closely with the surgical team to develop the most appropriate plan of care for the patient during all phases of the surgical procedure
- Assessed and advocated for the needs of the patient during the procedure and adjusted the plan of care appropriately to ensure the best outcomes
- Ensured the sterile field was not compromised prior to, during, and immediately after the procedure, prior to the recovery of the patient as recommended by AORN Standards of Care
- Maintained constant communication between the surgical team and the recovery room to ensure continuity of patient care.
Senior Staff Nurse, Neurosurgery – Circulator, Operating Room
Long Island College Hospital
02.2007 - 05.2013
- Specialized in neurosurgery and spine with rotations in other services when needed
- Ensured the sterile field was not compromised prior to, during, and immediately after the procedure, prior to the recovery of the patient as recommended by AORN Standards of Care
- Prepared patients for procedures and handled the preparation of the operating room prior to surgery
- Documented intraoperatively using ClinDoc on the Centricity System and completed paper charting when necessary
- Maintained the standards of infection control and organized the surrounding surgical areas for the surgeons and scrub technicians
- Performed initial, ongoing and final counts and tracking of instruments, sponges and items as they were used and/or discarded during the procedures.
Registered Nurse
- Provided immediate care of Adult, Cardiac and Pediatric patients as they arrived to the emergency department both through the main entrance and ambulance bay
- Triaged patients in all areas of the emergency department
- Provided emergency care and assistance in the stabilization of the critically ill
- Performed initial and ongoing assessment of patients, including education to both patients and caregivers
- Performed admissions and discharges of patients
- Performed Narcotics counts, reconciliations and verifications
- Verified and administered medications as per physician orders
- Performed intravenous insertions, port access, blood draws, transfusions and arterial blood gases when ordered by physicians and as per policy
- Continuous assessment of insertion and access sites for signs and symptoms of possible infiltration and/or infection
- Performed care of monitored ventilator dependent and pre/post-operative patients
- Performed care of patients with PEG Tubes, Tracheostomy, Colostomy and/or Gastrostomy
- Entered patient information into HMED, PRISM and Healthmatic systems for computerized documentation and charting as well as written entries into charts using the FOCUS charting method.
Community Registered Nurse – Per Diem
Excellence Home Care
02.2007 - 02.2009
- Assigned to Adult Homes with a mixed population including the mentally disabled and the elderly
- Performed on-going assessments of patient's health status in response to physician ordered treatment modalities
- Administered physician ordered skilled interventions including, but not limited to, subcutaneous and intra-muscular injections and wound care
- Completed State required documentation for admissions and re-certifications including 485's, 60 Day Summaries and OASIS Reporting
- Served as a coordinator between patient services and physician ordered care (i.e
- Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Supervision of Home Health Aides and Personal Care Assistants).
Senior Accountant/Interim Controller – Accounting and Finance Department
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.
03.1999 - 05.2007
- As Security Administrator for the JPMorgan Business Banking System, responsible for the liquidity of all daily cash and investments with the use of JPMorgan Treasury and Securities Service System
- Coordinate and manage daily deposits from all areas of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc
- And its subsidiaries
- Administrator and Coordinator for the Gift Certificate Program
- Responsible for the monthly closing of all cash accounts, preparation of monthly and quarterly financial statements and various asset account reconciliations
- Assist in the maintenance of the Collier Jackson General Ledger and Accounts Receivable automated accounting systems
- Assigned to Special Projects and Reports, including tax returns (990 and 5500's), Administrative Overhead Analysis, Grant Reporting and Statistical Analysis
- Assist in accounting for Endowment, Pension and Short-Term Investments.
Senior Student Accounts Manager – Finance Department
Katherine Gibbs School, Inc.
04.1997 - 03.1999
- Supervised a staff of eight employees
- Managed all Cash Collection and Reconciliation of student's accounts
- Handled the posting of electronic federal funds from HESC and inter-company wire transfers to ensure for accuracy
- Responsible for the certification and decertification of all students within Federal Guidelines for the receipt of various Government Funds
- Analyzed all bad debt accounts monthly for recommendations
- Continuously reviewed all students' accounts to make certain all refunds were made within the allowable time set by the Federal Government.
Assistant Controller/Interim Controller – Finance Department
- Managed all areas of corporate financial reporting, strategic planning and forecasting
- Supervised billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, facilities management and contract negotiations
- Worked closely with internal and external auditors both at the home and corporate offices
- Responsible for all G/L Closing Entries and Month End Reporting with the use of Great Plains Dynamic Accounting Software
- Responsible for the preparation and analysis of all financial statements
- Handled the reconciliation of all Cash Accounts and Inter-Company Accounts on a month-to-date and year-to-date basis
- Approved all disbursement checks to vendors and students.
Education
Legal Nurse Consultant -
Center for Legal Studies
Dallas, TX06.2020
MSN in Nursing -
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Downers Grove, IL12.2019
BSN in Nursing -
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Downers Grove, IL04.2014
Registered Nurse -
State of New York
02.2007
AAS in Nursing -
Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY01.2007
AAS in Accounting -
Kingsborough Community College
New York, NY06.1995
Academic Employment
- 07/21 to Present Long Island University
Adjunct Clinical Professor of Nursing
- 09/23 to Present Borough of Manhattan Community College
Adjunct Clinical Professor of Nursing
Certification
- Registered Nurse NYS License # 584297
- Basic Cardiac Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Pediatric Cardiac Life Support
Memberships Awards
- American College of Healthcare Executive
- National Association of Healthcare Quality
- Sigma Theta Tau International
- Recipient of the DAISY Award for Nursing Leadership
References
References furnished upon request.
Timeline
Quality Assurance Department Consultant
The Brooklyn Hospital Center
04.2022 - Current
Director of Nursing
Liberty Endoscopy Center
03.2022 - Current
Clinical Nurse Manager/Assistant Director – Operating Room/ Cystoscopy/ Endoscopy/ Day Surgery
The Brooklyn Hospital Center
12.2018 - 03.2022
Senior Staff/Charge Nurse – Circulator, Operating Room
New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
04.2016 - 07.2020
Staff/Charge Nurse – Circulator, Operating Room
Lenox Hill Hospital
01.2015 - 04.2016
Nurse Manager/Neurosurgery Coordinator – Operating Room
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
05.2013 - 01.2015
Senior Staff Nurse, Neurosurgery – Circulator, Operating Room
Long Island College Hospital
02.2007 - 05.2013
Community Registered Nurse – Per Diem
Excellence Home Care
02.2007 - 02.2009
Senior Accountant/Interim Controller – Accounting and Finance Department
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.
03.1999 - 05.2007
Senior Student Accounts Manager – Finance Department
Katherine Gibbs School, Inc.
04.1997 - 03.1999
Per Diem Staff Nurse – Circulator, Operating Room
Registered Nurse
Assistant Controller/Interim Controller – Finance Department
Legal Nurse Consultant -
Center for Legal Studies
MSN in Nursing -
Chamberlain College of Nursing
BSN in Nursing -
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Registered Nurse -
State of New York
AAS in Nursing -
Borough of Manhattan Community College
AAS in Accounting -
Kingsborough Community College