Ariana Chojnacki, RN
Fresno,CA
Summary
I am an experienced RN with over ten years of nursing experience. I have a diverse background in skilled nursing, outpatient surgery, hospice case management and currently regulatory work in Licensing and Certification. I am skilled in ensuring regulatory adherence. I have developed and implemented a comprehensive training program for new nurses at the district level. I have a strong background in leadership, analytical and critical thinking. I have a passion for creating consistent and efficient systems. I aim to enhance team performance and improve patient care outcomes. I am seeking a Director of Clinical Operations role in the healthcare setting. I am ready to bring a proactive and detailed oriented approach to a leadership position in a dynamic healthcare setting.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Health Facilities Evaluator II Supervisor/Training Supervisor
California Department Of Public Health
06.2020 - Current
- Responsible for surveying health care facilities and enforcing licensing and certification standards in accordance with State, Federal, and local laws and regulation
- Provide the first level of supervision to field staff Health Facilities Evaluator Nurses (HEN) responsible for surveying health care facilities and enforcing licensing and certification standards in accordance with State, Federal, and local laws and regulations
- Review reports, surveys and correspondence prepared by field staff.
- Communicate with the public and health facility operators/administrators on policy, procedures and regulatory interpretations
- Responsible for working together with all the Program personnel to ensure quality work and performance, in order to achieve established goals and objectives and fulfill the mission of the Department
- Provide supervision in the field and office setting by participating in the hiring, orienting, training, evaluation, counseling, and carrying out corrective action processes
- Establish and monitor individual performance goals for field personnel
- Ensure staff is kept current in all program areas of responsibilities and act as a resource person to all HFENs
- Provide direction in the investigatory, decision-making and report writing processes of assigned field personnel
- Monitor and evaluate work products, including surveys, citations, complaint and field visit reports
- Ensure that all assigned health facilities/entities are properly licensed and certified in accordance with Federal and State laws, regulations and Department policy
- Oversee and coordinate enforcement actions, including the citation process
- Maintain a positive public relation environment by establishing professional and community contacts that encompass educational programs, and ongoing communication with providers
- Assume District office responsibilities, Field calls from HQ, complainants, providers and sign outgoing letters
- Collect and analyze data through observations, interviews, and record review to measure facility compliance
- Review professional references (published articles, journals, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) as reference for evidence based practice
- Review patient medical records, facility policies and procedures and professional references
- Review reports, including but not limited to facility statistics, facility reported incidents, complaints, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) data and guidance, surveys and correspondence prepared by field staff
- Conduct CMS Infection Control Surveys in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) and General Acute Care Hospitals (GACH)
- Respond to Corona Virus (COVID-19) calls from all facility type providers: skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, general acute care hospitals, end stage renal disease, ambulatory surgical centers, and home health during the pandemic
- Knowledge of current COVID-19 standards per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Quality/Survey and Certification Group (QSOG), All Facilities Letters (AFLs), and current Local Health Department standards
- In depth knowledge of State operations Manual (SOM), including but not limited to Acute Care Hospitals (Appendix A), Skilled Nursing Facilities (Appendix PP), Title 22 regulations, Health and Safety Code Section 1279.1, Immediate Jeopardy (Appendix Q), and Emergency Preparedness (Appendix Z)
- Responsible to provide regulatory oversight to various facility types that include: Skilled Nursing Facilities, General Acute Care Hospitals, Intermediate Care Facilities, Home Health, Hospice, End Stage Renal Disease, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Adult Day Care Centers, and Rural Health Clinics
- Issue facilities Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) 2567 and review facility Plan of Corrections (POCs) to ensure facility compliance.
- Provide guidance to facilities on what is required for an acceptable Plan of Correction along with the facility's evidence of compliance (EOC)
- A member of the department's Quality Improvement Committee to improve department processes
Health Facilities Evaluator Nurse
California Department Of Public Health
09.2017 - 06.2020
- Conducts surveys of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, and other providers in accordance with State, Federal and local laws, regulations and departmental guidelines relating to patient care, physician, nursing, diagnostic and treatment services, dietary, pharmaceutical, medical records, social services, administrative management, and ethical practices such as handling patients' personal funds
- Conducts surveys by visiting the facility, interviewing patients, evaluating the adequacy of patient care through direct observation, inspecting the physical premises, reviewing patient and staff personnel records, and requesting and evaluating reports prepared by request to consultants available at the County or State level where an in-depth analysis by expert is necessary
- Make detailed inspections and evaluations in each patient care area such as evaluating the nursing service as to the identification of each person's care needs based on initial written and continuing assessment by all health care professionals involved in the patient's care and treatment
- Reviews the administration of treatments and medications by all health care professionals
- Review the adequacy and training of nursing personnel and other ancillary health care staff
- Evaluates the adequacy of patient care services provided to patients
- Reviews the organization of health care facilities to determine whether the structure of the organization allows for proper deployment of staff to handle all routine and emergency needs
- Reviews adequacy of diet administration
- Evaluates the adequacy and scope of rehabilitative nursing services.
- Reviews and evaluates the scope of psycho-social services provided to patients
- Reviews the completeness and appropriateness of medical record documentation
- Evaluates the ability of the administrator to handle the accountability and responsibility of running a health care facility
- Analyzes survey data and recommends approval or disapproval of license and certification of health care facilities and other providers in accordance with Federal, State and local laws and regulations
- Provides advice to facility administrators regarding deficiencies and recommends needed improvements in facility practices to ensure conformity with governmental regulations
- Makes investigations of health care facilities based upon complaints or on suspected violations of public health laws, and initiates action to secure compliance by gathering evidence against violators, preparing reports and testifying in court, at hearings, and other legal proceedings.
- Issues citations subject to civil penalties in accordance with appropriate statutory and regulatory provisions
- Makes investigations at other than normal business hours, by adjusting working hours, and is on call for emergencies
- Coordinates personnel when conducting team surveys or during facility evaluations for the purpose of achieving correction of major deficiencies, decertification actions or revocation of health facility license
- Participates in in-service training programs related to various aspects of health facilities and patient care evaluation
- Participates in the training of Health Facilities Evaluator Trainees
Registered Nurse Case Manager (RNCM)
AseraCare Hospice
07.2016 - 08.2017
- Assessed and examined patients (20-25 per case load) and documented history of current and previous conditions, diseases and injuries along with medications currently being taken
- Provide high level of quality, comfort and compassionate care to patients and their families
- Participated in the interdisciplinary team (IDT) biweekly meetings and address the patients' and their loved ones emotional and spiritual needs
- Facilitated the development of a collaborative interdisciplinary plan and ensures the overall coordination, collaboration and medical management of hospice services for patients and their significant others.
- Helped patients approach their final days with comfort, peace and dignity
- End of Life symptom management
- Took active role in patient and family planning process, detailing instructions and responding appropriately and effectively to questions and concerns
- Taught family members and caregivers various ways to manage patients' pain, how to check for vital signs and proper methods for dressing changes, end of life signs and symptoms
- Developed and implemented individualized care plan for each hospice patient while following physician instructions
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times
- Provided oversight of Hospice Aids
First Aid Volunteer
Rabobank Arena
07.2013 - 06.2017
- Provide basic first aid interventions
- Deal with injuries such as sprains, falls, cuts
- Assess the patient before further interventions
- Provide assistance with administering clients' prescription medication
Registered Nurse, Perioperative Nurse
The Regional Hand Center
04.2015 - 07.2016
- Provide direct patient care for patients before, during and after surgery.
- Completed pre-op assessments for patients before surgery and ensure pertinent labs were completed by the patient.
- Administer antibiotics per doctors orders.
- Ensure surgical consents are signed by Surgeon and patient and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) with the patient prior to surgery.
- Assesses operating room for equipment functioning and readiness.
- Prep the patient in the operating room.
- Assist CRNA's with intubation, (local blocks, moderate anesthesia care (MAC), general anesthesia) and nerve blocks.
- Circulate the operating room to ensure patient safety and maintenance of the sterile field.
- Transfer patient to the recovery unit.
- Assist in patient's recovery, administer medications for pain control.
- Ensure complete and accurate documentation is complete.
- Educate patient and family with discharge post operative instructions.
- Started IV's, administer antibiotics, administer pain medications.
- Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment.
- Communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously and as needed about patients condition and complete documentation.
- Assists with the maintenance of surgical equipment and inventory of equipment.
- Participates in performance improvement activities.
- Obtained supplies for individual cases and ensures all appropriate needs of surgical operating team are met.
- Monitors, positions and assists patient during procedure.
- Assisted as Team Lead on day to day operations to ensure surgery time scheduled ran on time.
- Ensure staff was taking appropriate lunch times.
- Ensure doctors are kept on time and seeing patients before and after surgery.
- Assist throughout the day as needed.
- Assist in pre-op, circulating the operating room and assist in recovery of patients.
- Ensure adequate staff available for the day.
Registered Nurse (RN), Charge Nurse
Hy-Lond Health Care Center
03.2014 - 04.2015
- Assess, plan and intervene to promote health, prevent disease and help patients cope with illness (8-24 Residents at a time)
- Provide direct patient care, observe, assess and record symptoms, reactions and progress, which provides the basis for care planning and intervention
- Follow instructions carefully and communicated with managers any changes in conditions
- Report labs, x-rays, change in condition to physicians and family
- Receive orders document and carry out orders given by physicians
- Responsible for starting IV’s and administering IV therapy per facility policy
- Complete daily charting and treatments on time
- Complete assignments and meet deadlines
- Review and complete incident/accident reports and conduct investigation as required
- Be present at work as scheduled
- Educate, protect patients rights and be an advocate for patients, families and communities
- Maintain confidentiality of resident care
- Admit, transfer and discharge patients
- Make rounds with physicians and follow up on new orders
- Supervise staff and ensure excellent care to patients
- Plan, direct and supervises nursing care given by Certified Nursing Assistants
Certified Nurse Assistant
Country Villa Madera Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
07.2008 - 07.2013
- Provide nursing care in accordance with resident care policies and procedures.
- Assist with patient's assessment and care planning, meeting nutrition and elimination needs, mobility, personal hygiene and grooming, comfort and anxiety relief, promote patient safety and environmental cleanliness, unit management and efficiency
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety rounding on patients every one to two hours minimum and as needed
- Participated in music, arts, exercise activities with patients to boost mood, improve overall memory and provide light entertainment
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar to stay on top of symptoms and keep Licensed Nurses informed of changes
Volunteer
Poverello House
11.2012 - 11.2012
- Assisted with food preparation
- Served meals to the homeless
- Helped clean the kitchen
Education
Associate of Science - Registered Nurse
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA12.2012
High School Diploma -
Madera High School
Madera, CA06.2008
Skills
- Clinical and Regulatory
- Licensing and Certification
- Patient Safety
- Quality Improvement
- Process Improvement
- Policies and Procedures Implementation
- Communication
- Infection Control
- Education and Training
- Computer proficiency, 50 words per minute
- Bilingual: English & Spanish (Fluent)
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with a team of six in the Quality Improvement Committee to improve department process
- Super user for Risk and Safety Solutions (RSS)(federal investigation application)
- Super user for the Long Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP) (federal surveys)
- Training Supervisor for the Fresno District Office to train newly hired Health Facilities Evaluator Nurses to conduct state and federal surveys for the state of California and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Certification
- Licensed California Registered Nurse - 8/1/2013-3/31/2025
- Surveyor Minimum Qualification Test (SMQT) - 8/2018
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Certification - 6/2020
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Health Facilities Evaluator II Supervisor/Training Supervisor
California Department Of Public Health
06.2020 - Current
Health Facilities Evaluator Nurse
California Department Of Public Health
09.2017 - 06.2020
Registered Nurse Case Manager (RNCM)
AseraCare Hospice
07.2016 - 08.2017
Registered Nurse, Perioperative Nurse
The Regional Hand Center
04.2015 - 07.2016
Registered Nurse (RN), Charge Nurse
Hy-Lond Health Care Center
03.2014 - 04.2015
First Aid Volunteer
Rabobank Arena
07.2013 - 06.2017
Volunteer
Poverello House
11.2012 - 11.2012
Certified Nurse Assistant
Country Villa Madera Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
07.2008 - 07.2013
Associate of Science - Registered Nurse
Fresno City College
High School Diploma -
Madera High School
- Licensed California Registered Nurse - 8/1/2013-3/31/2025
- Surveyor Minimum Qualification Test (SMQT) - 8/2018
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Certification - 6/2020
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