Brandi Garrett

Federal Position, Full-time (40+ hours per week), Nurse IV, Salary $143,828/year

Supervisor: Samantha Thompson, 319-338-0581 ext. 636260

• Responsible for overall administrative and clinical coordination, planning, organization and operations for the Surgery & Specialty Care Service Line; 147.7 FTEE seven FTEE as direct reports).
• Acting Inpatient Chief Nurse November 2022-August 2023 and November 2023-February 2024; added leadership responsibilities for 111.9 FTEE and three FTEE as direct reports.
• Acting Intensive Services Chief Nurse from February 2019 to October 2020.
• Act in the role of Associate Director of Patient Care Service (ADPCS) and/or the Deputy Associate Director of Patient Care Services (DADPCS) in absence of either of these leadership members.
• Attend VISN New Supervisor Training as a subject matter expert/experience leader; recommended to VISN by facility Human Resources Officer.
• Accountable for the effective performance for Clinical Managers across multiple service lines.
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, sustainment and evaluation of programs and initiatives to manage care of groups and populations.
• Approve proficiencies for frontline staff and Clinical Managers. Complete written appraisals for Clinical Managers; ECFs and nursing proficiencies.
• Collaborate with provider leadership regarding written proficiencies for Nurse Practitioners across multiple service lines; approve proficiencies as concurring nurse leader.
• Responsible for monitoring RN vacancy rates, developing requests and obtaining leadership approval for recruitment and relocation incentives. Developed spreadsheet for tracking inpatient RN vacancies per pay period. Utilized this data to develop bed capping and bed closure requests.
• Effectively manage resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies. Able to utilize available data to determine if current resources are adequate and appropriately allocated, and to forecast future needs.
• Monitor quarterly National Surgery Office (NSO) reports. Develop, disseminate and monitor multidisciplinary action plans for metrics that requirement improvement or sustainment.
• Monitor monthly clinic access reports, operating room (OR) cancellation rates, OR first time start times, OR utilization and access. Work with Chief of Surgery, Specialty Service Chiefs, Medical Support Assistant (MSA) Supervisors, Administrative Officers (AO) and Clinical Managers to develop and monitor actions plans.
• Led update to local policy for OR case scheduling; has assisted in maintaining OR cancellation rates to below national average.
• Develop "heads up" communications to VISN and work with Public Affairs to disseminate.
• Model, encourage and facilitate a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to provide high-quality care and to build positive relationships with internal and external customers. Work closely with Executive Leadership Team, Surgery and Medicine Service Lines, and other health care system leaders and teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Maintain professional communication and collaboration for employee relations/labor relations with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Union.
• Expediently provide service recovery with Veterans, staff and other internal and external customers as needed.
• Leader in developing, implementing, and reviewing nursing policies and procedures; assist staff in interpreting and implementing National, VISN and local directives, policies and procedures.
• Provide a just culture for reporting of safety and ethical issues; empower staff to address concerns and promote psychology safety.
• Nominate staff for Daisy Award, BEE Award, Great Iowa Nurses, VA Nursing Excellence Awards, Employee of the Month, Good Catch, ISHARE and other recognition opportunities as they become available.
• Solicit input from staff to address issues that impact quality of care, productivity and professional development.
• Review patient safety and incident reports for nursing services; assist to determine contributing factors and action plans; monitor for compliance and provide updates to team members.
• Member of the Surgery Workgroup; meet monthly to discuss readmissions, occurrences of post-operative infections, injuries, deaths and return to OR within 24 hours, 10 and 30 days. Review charts for each occurrence and utilize a standardized audit form to gather pertinent information to and share with key stakeholders; assess for patterns or trends and develop action plans as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Readiness Analyst to ensure compliance with quality assurances, Joint Commission and other regulatory or accreditation standards.
• Act as an escort for Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Annual Workplace Evaluation (AWE) inspectors.
• Complete action plans for assigned areas to remedy findings from quality assurance or regulatory agencies.
• Assist in the implementation and sustainment of the quarterly National Nursing Data Quality Indicators (NDNQI) Pressure Injury prevalence study; assist with data compilation and reporting to Executive Leadership.
• Co-chair of the Medication Safety Subcommittee; assist with development, approval and implementation of provider and nursing order sets. Discuss incident reports related to medication errors and assess for trends and patterns. Review weekly Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and review with nursing and providers as appropriate.
• Participate in Root Cause Analyses and Healthcare Failure, Mode and Effect Analyses (HFMEA) as a subject matter expert.
• Prepare reports for investigations and quality improvement projects or initiatives. Maintain communication with Executive Leadership Team and other leaders regarding findings and outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Education Department to develop orientation, in-services and other educational opportunities, utilizing evidence-based practice and research findings; assist staff to integrate evidence and research into daily practice.
• Key workgroup member for planning and implementation of 72/80 schedule for inpatient RNs, for RN and NA retention incentives and coordinated the initial and all follow-up recruitment/relocation incentives for inpatient RNs.
• COVID Operations: Labor Pool Coordinator, Vaccine Workgroup, Testing/Triage Workgroup, COVID Therapy Workgroup, Scare Allocation Workgroup, Assessment Clinic coordination and oversight, Incident Command, development of bed surge and staffing surge plans, Recovery Group focusing on labor needs, resumption of outpatient services considering social distancing and priority clinical priorities for each specialty, assisted in the implementation of VA Central Office (National) approval for COVID nursing documentation templates to simplify documentation while ensuring that all regulatory items were addressed.
• Contribute to the professional growth and development of local and national nursing colleagues via membership of the University of Iowa National Evidence-Based Practice Conference planning committee, the University of Iowa National Evidence-Based Practice Conference Abstract Review Committee. (2014-Present), and multiple national nursing organizations.
• Co-chair for annual national Evidence-Based Conference Planning committee; responsible for securing speakers, reviewing abstracts and posters, facilitating the conference and follow-up related to CEUs and attendee feedback. Collaborate with Office of Nursing Service and Iowa City VA facility leadership.
• Mentor for EBP projects: Visualize and Verify (published) and Aromatherapy for Post-Operative Nausea & Vomiting (published) and QI Projects: Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI) Reductions and Surgery Site Infection Prevention Program (SSIPP). Each of these projects have been presented at one or more national nursing conference and three of the four were presented at the VISN23 Research Symposium in August 2023.
• Member of multiple service line and facility committees and workgroups.

Federal Position, Full-time (40+ hours per week), Nurse IV, Salary $137,371

Supervisor: Samantha Thompson, 636260

• Responsible for the overall supervision of the Patient Care (PCS) Service Line; approximately 563.75 FTEE, with six FTEE as direct reports.
• Planning, organizing, directing and evaluating programs and outcomes.
• Provide updates to Acting Associate Director for Patient Care Service (ADPCS) regarding staffing, action items, concerns and successes.
• Solicit input from staff to address issues that impact quality of care, productivity and professional development.
• Provide a just culture for reporting of safety and ethical issues; empower staff to address concerns and promote psychology safety.
• Model, encourage and facilitate a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to provide high-quality care and to build positive relationships with internal and external customers.
• Model and encourage an environment of evidence-based, data-driven, and shared-decision making; empower staff to utilize technology and new and innovative processes to provide care and services.
• Provide guidance and oversight regarding resource utilization including, but not limited to personnel, supplies and equipment.
• Nominate staff for Daisy Award, BEE Award, Great Iowa Nurses, VA Nursing Excellence Awards, Employee of the Month, Good Catch, ISHARE and other recognition opportunities as they become available.
• Complete written appraisals for Chief Nurses.
• Collaborate with provider leadership regarding written proficiencies for Nurse Practitioners across multiple service lines; approve proficiencies as concurring nurse leader.
• Collaborate with Nurse Practitioner Council chairs to discuss scope of practice, current project and challenges/opportunities for change and improvement.

Federal Position, Full-time (40+ hours per week), Nurse III, Salary $89,000

Supervisor: Samantha Thompson, 319-338-0581 ext. 636260

• Responsible for ten outpatient specialty clinics and programs; provide leadership in the development, implementation, sustainment and evaluation of programs and initiatives to manage care of groups and populations. Direct supervisor of 24-27 FTEE.
• Coordinate and evaluate programs, care and outcomes; discuss with team noted trends, barriers and areas for improvement as well as successes and noted improvements; empower staff to utilize new and innovative ways to provide care and services.
• Assisted with the development and implementation of a new surgical site infection prevention program (EBP mentor).
• Led project to implement BCMA for retina injections. Resulted in order entry errors from an average of 2/quarter to zero (prior to implementation of BCMA throughout outpatient).
• Led nursing in the initiative to implement BCMA in all outpatient clinic settings.
• Provide a Just Culture for reporting of safety and ethical issues; empower staff to address concerns and promote psychology safety.
• Leader in developing, implementing and reviewing nursing policies and procedures; assist staff in interpreting and understanding National, VISN and local directives, policies and procedures. Ensure that policies and procedures, standards of care, treatments and services are aligned with policy and procedure; if issues noted, work with appropriate key stakeholders to investigate and implement necessary changes.
• Led the development of medicine and surgery specialty standing orders, allowing nurses to practice to the top of their license and scope of practice.
• Collaborated with MCAA to develop and maintain a clinic volume report for each stop code to assist with workload data for outpatient nursing staff. Utilized to backfill positions, request new FTEE and reallocate resources as needed/able.
• Foster a climate for practice that enhances job satisfaction through mutual responsibility for productivity and quality improvement; participate in staff development initiatives that facilitate career growth and increase productivity and overall performance.
• Review patient safety reports/incident reports for assigned departments/services; participate in Root Cause Analyses as requested by Patient Safety Department.
• Collaborate with Readiness Analyst to ensure compliance with quality assurances, Joint Commission and other regulatory or accreditation standards. Complete action plans for assigned areas to remedy any findings from quality assurance or regulatory agencies.
• Participate in mock regulatory and quality surveys and assist in completion of Joint Commission Chapter reviews and readiness assessment.
• Provide guidance and oversight regarding resource utilization including, but not limited to personnel, supplies and equipment.
• Mentor and coach staff and peers to assist in determining their professional goals; meet with each staff member at least quarterly to discuss goals, new knowledge and upcoming practice changes within their specialty or population group, progress made towards goals and next steps for continued growth.
• Role model patient and family centered care model and provide guidance to staff regarding these concepts.
• Solicit input from staff to address issues that impact quality of care, productivity and professional development.
• Work with Quality Scholars and develop, conduct and evaluate current practices and research activities.
• Collaborate with Nursing Education and Professional Development for staff development including orientation, in-services, mandatory education and continuing education.
• Model and encourage an environment of evidence-based, data-driven, shared-decision making.
• Complete staffing, payroll, recruiting, interviewing and hiring duties for assigned team members and positions; complete annual proficiencies and appraisals for direct reports; maintain personnel records; ensure staff complete mandatory trainings on time.
• Maintain professional communication and collaboration for employee relations/labor relations with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Union.
• Collaborate with pharmacy and medical providers to obtain approval for new medications or treatments.
• Assist with implementation of new procedures in clinic or operating room.
• Work closely with Credentialing and Privileging to ensure staff are appropriately trained and licensed; OR and clinic providers are appropriately credentialed for procedures and services provided.
• Expediently provide service recovery with Veterans, staff and other internal and external customers as needed.
• Collect, review and analyze data for performance initiatives and measures. Utilize data to improve current and develop new programs/initiatives.
• Monitor clinic access reports, work with key stakeholders to determine barriers or concerns and discuss ideas to improve access to respective clinics.
• Assisted with implementation of specialty clinics in CBOCs: Optometry and Podiatry; improves access and decreases care in the community costs.
• Subject matter expert for University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics ENT provider contract negotiations.
• Provide leadership in evidence-based practice through the following memberships: facility EBP workgroup, facility Nurse Practice Council and the University of Iowa National Evidence-Based Practice Conference.
• Complete action plans for VISN, National and local action items.
• Nominate staff for Great Iowa Nurses, VA Nursing Excellence Awards, Employee of the Month, Good Catch, ISHARE and other recognition opportunities as they become available.
• Contribute to the professional growth and development of local and national nursing colleagues via membership of the University of Iowa National Evidence-Based Practice Conference planning committee, the University of Iowa National Evidence-Based Practice Conference Abstract Review Committee. (2014-Present), and multiple national nursing organizations.
• Trained ICARE/ITRUST Coach. Coached three teams: Human Resources, Audiology and Inpatient Pharmacy. (2016).
• Member of multiple service line and facility committees and workgroups.

Federal Position, Full-time (40 hours per week), Nurse III, Salary $68,000

Supervisor: Ann Davidshofer

• Work closely with clinical staff to provide evidence-based healthcare on Medical-Surgical inpatient units and in the Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
• Certified Coach and Mentor.
• Provide one-on-one observation and coaching to staff as needed; observe practices and cares at the bedside and provide education to nurses, providers and ancillary staff.
• Provide presence on the units to assist staff during busy periods as well as provide “just in time” training and education as needed.
• Attend daily discharge and interdisciplinary team rounds on assigned inpatient unit (Medical-Surgical Unit)
• Participate in patient and family education.
• Develop and implemented simulation orientation modules and ongoing education plans for inpatient and outpatient staff.
• Teach in-classroom courses including Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), charge nurse role, preceptorship in nursing, BLS, ACLS, basic nursing orientation courses and mandatory abuse training.
• Proctor Medication passes for new inpatient RNs, LPNs and Respiratory Therapists.
• Develop education content based on adult learning principles as well as literacy considerations and evidence-based education principles.
• Facilitate high-fidelity simulation for new Patient Care Services staff members, physicians and residents.
• Participate in the planning and execution of mock codes throughout the facility.
• Develop annual needs assessment for inpatient units; utilized data collected to develop annual review topics and competencies.
• Collaborate with other departments and disciplines to identify educational needs and clinical issues.
• Perform chart reviews for clinical documentation; provided education to clinicians regarding documentation regulations (The Joint Commission and Office of Inspector General) and expectations.
• Update documentation templates in electronic health record to meet regulatory standards as well as facility and National policy(ies).
• Review select patient safety reports/incident reports for nursing services. Assist in determining factors that may have contributed to the report and assist in developing action plans. Provide re-education and follow-up as requested by leadership.
• Participate in Root Cause Analyses as requested by Patient Safety Department.
• Participate in mock regulatory and quality surveys and assist in completion of Joint Commission Chapter reviews and readiness assessments
• Co-chair of the Nurse Professional Practice Committee; developed and updated nursing department and facility-wide policies.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team regarding patient care needs and staff education needs.
• Participate in medical resident trainings and conferences to assist with physician education, collaboration with nursing and utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to Veteran care.
• Assist staff with evidence-based projects to include literature search, completion of appropriate forms / steps, writing of the abstract and development of poster for conference presentation.
• Administrator for Iowa Board of Nursing Continuing Education for the Iowa City VA Medical Center.
• BLS Instructor and the Iowa City VA BLS Director for Resuscitation Education Initiative (REdI). Responsible for certification of all ICVA BLS instructors and the management of the Voice-Assisted Manikin (VAMS) program for BLS. Reporting responsibility to National REdI program and National Office of Specialty Care Services.
• Implemented the VAMS program, led training initiative for over 500 Iowa City VA staff members who required BLS training under VHA Directive 1177 (2014 update).
• ACLS Instructor.
• Poster presenter at the University of Iowa’s 21st Annual Evidence Based Practice Conference, “Preceptorship at the Iowa City VA”, April 24 and 25, 2014.
• Member of multiple service line and facility committees and workgroups.

October 2009 to January 2013

Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52403

Inpatient Hospice Unit, Assistant Nurse Manager, Full-time (45-50 hours per week)

Supervisor: Tammy Buseman, 319-398-6011

• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse.
• Responsible for day-to-day needs and 24-hour coverage of a 12-bed inpatient hospice unit.
• Complete annual needs assessment for education; utilize results to develop and implement mandatory annual review training and ongoing education for nursing, social work, chaplain and ancillary staff.
• Support Nurse Manager with employee development and care quality management.
• Oversee nursing operations for inpatient hospice unit, delivering leadership, assistance and management for frontline staff.
• Provide education to medical staff regarding hospice, end-of-life symptom management and opioid conversion.
• Attend hospital-wide new employee orientation to educate new staff within the hospital regarding hospice care and philosophy.
• Participate in hospital-wide staff development as a member of that committee
• Provide education to 4th year BSN students at Coe College regarding end-of-life care and symptom management (2009 and 2010).
• Lead weekly bedside interdisciplinary rounds; coordinate and facilitate patient and family meetings to discuss goals, plan of care and provide education.
• Foster climate of Just Culture and psychological safety as well as evidence-based practice and shared-decision making.
• Develop and update policy and procedures.
• Develop and implement action plan for the care of terminal wean ventilators.
• Ensure compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation for hospice care.
• Assist physicians to determine patient eligibility for hospice care.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new electronic health record (Allscripts) for Hospice and Home Care.
• Assist in the development of billing interface between Allscripts and Epic.
• Ensure accuracy and availability of SDS sheets for staff.
• Point of Care testing coordinator for inpatient and outpatient hospice (blood glucose and hemoglobin/hematocrit).
• Payroll, staffing methodology, interviewing and hiring for 40 FTEE including RNs, LPNs, CNAs, Chaplains, and Social Workers.
• Complete annual appraisals for assigned staff; maintain personnel records.
• Ensure appropriate competencies are completed for nursing and non-nursing staff, including initial competency, annual competency and re-education as appropriate.
• Provide staff with verbal and written coaching as needed; completed discipline processes per agency policy.
• Provide coverage for Nurse Manager and Hospice Program Director during their absence.
• Budgeting for supplies, equipment, facility repairs and utility billing.
• Assist billing department in determining per diem rates and room and board charges.
• Contact insurance companies to obtain prior authorization and authorization for on-going care.
• Environment of Care Safety Officer for the Joint Commission for inpatient and outpatient hospice programs.
• Chapter Champion for the following Joint Commission Chapters: Environment of Care, Emergency Management, Life Safety, Waived Testing, Medication Management and infection control.
• Point of contact for contractors, Hiawatha Fire Department, Hiawatha Water Works, Linn County and State of Iowa Fire Marshals and Mercy security team.
• Coordinate and implement plans for elopement drills, fire drills and natural disaster drills, collaborating with the Hiawatha Policy Department, Mercy Medical Center Emergency Management Coordinator and Linn County Emergency Management.
• Integral part of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and The Joint Commission visits.
• Participated in the planning and implementation of Iowa Physicians Orders for Scope of Treatment (IPOST)in Iowa.
• Co-chair of the Opioid and Equianalgesic Committee
• Member of multiple service line and facility committees and workgroups.

June 2008 to October 2009

Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52403

Charge Nurse (assigned position), Patient Care Coordinator, Full-time (40 hours per week)

Supervisor: Jo Johnson, 319-398-6011

• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse.
• Provide evidence-based, inpatient hospice nursing care to patients with various terminal diagnoses.
• Ensure appropriate level of care based on Medicare Conditions of Participation.
• Charge Nurse (assigned position) and staff mentor.
• Develop and completed mandatory annual review for staff, responsible for staff education.
• Facilitate bedside interdisciplinary team care conferences.
• Assist in coordination of patient discharges to home and nursing facilities.
• Coordinate and facilitated patient and family care conferences.
• Provide patient and family education regarding hospice philosophy and disease process and progression, including end-of-life / final stages.
• Attend new employee orientation to educate new staff within the hospital regarding hospice care and philosophy.
• Provide coverage for inpatient palliative care and outpatient hospice as needed.
• Member of multiple service line and facility committees and workgroups.
• Co-chair of the Opioid and Equianalgesic Committee

May 2005 to June 2008

Grinnell Regional Medical Center, 210 4th Ave, Grinnell, Iowa, 50112

Staff RN, Full-time (36-40 hours per week)

• Perform physical assessments, administer medications and treatments per provider orders.
• Complete admissions, discharges and transfers.
• Float to OB, PACU, ICU and ED as needed.
• Provide post-operative recovery (PACU) for after-hours / emergent cases.
• Respond to code blue, medical emergency and trauma calls.
• Preceptor for new staff.
• Charge Nurse (rotating position).
• Coordinate and teach training for EKG courses.
• Develop, update, and maintain care plans for various patient populations.
• Independently complete home visits for home care and hospice patients. Ensure compliance with Medicaid and Medicare conditions of participation.