Bernadette Tomczak
McHenry,IL
Summary
Results driven Nurse Manager with proven leadership in residential behavioral health. Leads and mentors a 27-member nursing team, improves clinical systems, and supports coordinated, high-quality care. Known for mission-driven leadership, workflow improvement and building a collaborative, patient-centered nursing culture.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Manager
Gateway Foundation
05.2021 - Current
- Provide leadership guidance to a nursing team of 27 nurses in delivering high-quality patient care and improving overall patient satisfaction scores at a 103-bed residential substance abuse and behavioral health facility.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for patients with complex needs.
- Serve as a key point of contact between nursing staff, physicians, administration, and other healthcare professionals.
- Develop and implement departmental policies to enhance operational efficiency and compliance.
- Conduct performance evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and recognition among team members.
- Lead staff meetings to keep team informed of departmental changes and provide opportunities for nurses to share ideas and concerns.
- Manage staff scheduling and time off to adequately staff nursing units and allow nurses earned time off.
- Established and continuously optimized unit schedules and individual work assignments.
- Ensure regulatory compliance by maintaining accurate records and staying up-to-date on industry standards and support multiple residential and out patient sites.
- Participate in the development of comprehensive training programs for new hires, ensuring quality care and consistency in nursing practices.
- Collaborate with leadership to devise initiatives for maintaining nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
Registered Nurse
Gateway Foundation
11.2014 - Current
- Charge Nurse responsibilities including providing supervision, guidance, support, and education to RN’s, LPN’s, Medical Technicians, and CNA’s.
- Coordinate clinics and work closely with medical director and psychiatrists to provide comprehensive patient care.
- Track employee immunization and TB records to coordinate, promote, and host Annual TB and flu shot clinics to keep employees up to date in accordance with organizational policies.
- Perform initial patient assessment and admission obtaining social, medical, mental health, substance abuse, and medication history and documentation in Electronic Health Record.
- Assist in identification of medical, emotional, and social needs of the client throughout the treatment process.
- Assess medical and psychological problems and report significant findings to the physician and appropriate counselor.
- Collaborate, communicate, and meet with various members of the interdisciplinary treatment team as needed and required.
- Administer comprehensive care to clients in detox from alcohol and drugs.
- Assist clients when referred by physician to the Emergency Department or outside medical, dental, or specialist appointments at other facilities, coordinating care with appropriate staff at the other facility.
- Administer medication and treatments to up to 100 clients and provide appropriate education to clients and staff in the treatment program.
- Work with pharmacies and providers in obtaining medication orders, prescriptions, refills, and prior authorizations as needed.
- Assist in teaching and providing information to individuals, families, and staff about medication assisted treatment options and educating on community access to providers.
- Assist in interviewing, orientation, and precepting of nursing staff.
Registered Nurse
Burlington Rehab and Care Center
06.2013 - 11.2014
- Charge Nurse responsibilities including providing supervision, guidance, and education to LPN’s, Medical Technicians, and CNA’s.
- Coordinate safe patient care by assessing and creating individual care plans, implementing, and delegating care using the nursing process for up to twenty-two patients per day.
- Provide nursing care for individuals with variety medical and orthopedic conditions using the nursing process for patients assigned to a busy Rehabilitation/Transitional Care Unit.
- Effectively prioritizing care during periods of staff shortages, dealing appropriately with patient concerns and complex medical issues.
- Weekly admission and discharge of patients.
- Weekly wound care including monitoring, maintaining, and changing wound vacs.
- Provide patient and family education and emotional support.
- Review, transcribe, communicate and implement physician orders.
- Complete documentation in accordance within agency guidelines using Point Click Care.
- Promote continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other health care team members changes in patients' health status to all health care providers involved in patient care.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Burlington Rehab and Care Center
09.2008 - 06.2013
- Assist residents with bathing, dressing, hygiene and grooming in accordance with established care plan.
- Assist residents with nutritional needs including serving, feeding and providing proper fluid requirements.
- Obtain specimens, weights, and vital signs of patients.
- Measure and recorded patients’ fluid intake and output.
- Trained and fully capable of utilizing the Hoyer and stand-up lift in accordance with resident transfer status.
- Perform restorative nursing with residents to prevent decline.
- Protect and promote resident rights and assisted them to maintain independence.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Walnut Grove Assisted Living & Memory Care
06.2008 - 09.2008
- Specialization in behavioral/emotional support and supervision for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
- Assist with Activities of Daily Living.
- Facilitate games and activities to engage clients.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana10-2019
Associate Degree of Nursing - undefined
Gateway Technical College
Burlington, Wisconsin05.2013
Skills
- Integrated substance abuse and mental health care
- Department management
- Nursing leadership and supervision
- Nurse coaching and mentoring
- Strong clinical judgment
- Multidisciplinary care coordination
- Hiring and terminations
- Quality improvement
- Policy development and optimization
- Crisis intervention
Affiliations
- American Nurses Association
- Student Nurses Association
- Gateway Technical College
- September 2010 – May 2013
Certification
- Registered Nurse State of Illinois, 10/2014 – 05/2020 License # 041425159
- Registered Nurse State of Wisconsin, 06/2013 License # 196033-30
- Current Basic Life Support Certification, 01/2019 - 01/2021
- Certified Nursing Assistant, 05/2008 Registration # 307478
Clinical Experience
- Medical Surgical II & ER, Mercy Health, Harvard, IL
- Cardiac Aurora Saint Luke’s Hospital, Milwaukee, WI
- Neurological, Aurora Saint Luke’s Hospital, Milwaukee, WI
- Medical/Surgical I, Aurora Memorial Hospital, Burlington, WI
- Maternity, Aurora Lakeland Hospital, Elkhorn, WI
- Geriatrics, State of Wisconsin Veterans Home, Union Grove, WI
Timeline
Nurse Manager
Gateway Foundation
05.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse
Gateway Foundation
11.2014 - Current
Registered Nurse
Burlington Rehab and Care Center
06.2013 - 11.2014
Certified Nursing Assistant
Burlington Rehab and Care Center
09.2008 - 06.2013
Certified Nursing Assistant
Walnut Grove Assisted Living & Memory Care
06.2008 - 09.2008
Associate Degree of Nursing - undefined
Gateway Technical College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University