Autumn M. Ellsworth

Leadership & Administration

• Provided strategic leadership and direction to the nursing department, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Managed and supervised nursing staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions.
• Developed and implemented nursing policies, procedures, and standards of care to ensure regulatory compliance and high-quality patient care.
• Oversaw daily nursing operations and coordinated with other departments to ensure seamless healthcare delivery.

Clinical Oversight

• Ensured high standards of patient care through regular quality audits, chart reviews, and compliance with clinical best practices.
• Monitored patient outcomes and implemented quality improvement initiatives based on data and feedback.
• Served as a clinical resource for complex cases and collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to improve care delivery.

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintained compliance with state and federal healthcare regulations, including CMS, OSHA, and Joint Commission standards.
• Led successful inspections and surveys by preparing documentation, training staff, and correcting deficiencies.
• Managed infection control programs and ensured adherence to safety protocols.

Budget & Resource Management

• Developed and managed departmental budgets, controlling costs while maintaining quality care.
• Oversaw inventory, procurement, and maintenance of medical supplies and equipment.
• Monitored staffing levels to ensure optimal coverage and patient safety.

Training & Staff Development

• Designed and implemented ongoing education programs to support staff development, licensure, and continuing education.
• Fostered a culture of professional growth, mentorship, and collaborative teamwork.

Communication & Collaboration

• Acted as a liaison between executive leadership, medical staff, and nursing teams.
• Participated in strategic planning and decision-making at the executive level.
• Addressed patient and family concerns, promoting satisfaction and trust in care delivery.

• Develop, implement, and manage the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) in compliance with CDC, CMS, OSHA, and state regulations.
• Conduct routine infection surveillance, analyze data, and maintain detailed infection control logs.
• Identify trends, outbreaks, and areas for improvement through data tracking and reporting.
• Educate and train staff on standard precautions, PPE use, hand hygiene, and infection control protocols.
• Collaborate with clinical and medical staff on antibiotic stewardship initiatives and infection-related care.
• Conduct environmental rounds and audits to ensure compliance with infection control standards across departments.
• Investigate and manage outbreaks promptly; develop and implement control measures in coordination with local health authorities.
• Maintain infection control documentation, prepare reports, and present findings to the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) committee.
• Serve as chair or active member of the Infection Control and Safety Committees.
• Strong knowledge of LTC regulatory standards and CDC infection prevention guidelines.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

• Conducted employee health screenings, immunizations, and TB testing per facility policy and CDC guidelines.
• Monitored and maintained accurate health records for all staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, CMS, state DOH).
• Coordinated COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and vaccination efforts for employees during outbreaks or public health emergencies.
• Managed annual influenza vaccine clinics for staff to ensure high compliance and infection control.
• Assessed fitness-for-duty cases and managed return-to-work protocols for staff following illness or injury.
• Collaborated with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Human Resources on staff health initiatives and outbreak investigations.
• Delivered education and training on employee health topics including hand hygiene, PPE usage, and bloodborne pathogen exposure protocols.
• Responded to workplace exposures, provided post-exposure evaluation and follow-up (e.g., needle sticks).
• Maintained confidential employee health files in compliance with HIPAA and organizational standards.

• Provide education, competencies and hands-on training to patients, families, and facility staff on:
  Tube feeding equipment and formula administration
  Ostomy care, appliance application and troubleshooting,
  Infection prevention and skin integrity maintenance.
• Conduct patient assessments to determine appropriate equipment needs and tolerance.
• Complete and maintain documentation in accordance with facility and regulatory standards.
• Verified insurance eligibility and secured prior authorizations through Medicare, Medicaid, and private payers to ensure regulatory and reimbursement compliance.
• Trained nursing and support staff on the safe use and maintenance of DME to reduce risk of injury and improve resident outcomes.

• Provide skilled nursing care to residents requiring mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy management.
• Perform routine and emergency tracheostomy care and suctioning in accordance with physician orders and facility policy.
• Monitor residents’ respiratory status, including lung sounds, oxygen saturation, and ventilator parameters; report changes promptly to the provider.
• Collaborate with respiratory therapists, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members to optimize respiratory outcomes.
• Respond to respiratory and cardiac emergencies, including ventilator malfunction and airway obstruction.
• Maintain strict infection prevention and control practices related to respiratory care and equipment handling.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning, team rounds, and resident care conferences.
• Document assessments, interventions, and resident responses accurately in the electronic health record.

• Perform and interpret pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including spirometry, diffusion capacity, and lung volume testing, ensuring accurate and reproducible results.
• Prepare and educate patients on test procedures, verifying understanding and assessing contraindications or safety concerns.
• Monitor patients throughout testing for signs of distress or adverse reactions, intervening as appropriate.
• Calibrate and maintain PFT equipment according to manufacturer and facility protocols to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with respiratory therapists, pulmonologists, and other healthcare providers to support diagnosis, treatment planning, and disease management.
• Document test results, patient responses, and clinical observations accurately in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Provide patient education regarding respiratory medications, oxygen therapy, inhaler use, and lifestyle modifications for optimal lung health.