Brenda DuShane
Crown Point
Summary
Dynamic healthcare leader with a strong focus on policy development, compliance assurance, and patient-centered care. Proven ability to enhance outreach initiatives and drive substance abuse prevention strategies across diverse healthcare settings. Detail-oriented professional with a robust background in clinical operations and compliance assurance. Known for strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to enhancing patient care through effective substance abuse prevention initiatives. Highly-motivated employee with a desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Controlled Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
Elizabethtown Community Hospital
Elizabethtown
03.2024 - Current
- Developed policies and procedures for controlled substance prescribing best practices, including visit frequency and drug screening protocols.
- Ensured compliance with New York State PMP by verifying last visit, next visit, and signed agreements prior to prescription approval.
- Scheduled educational sessions on MAT in Epic, utilizing standardized templates for substance abuse documentation.
- Collaborated with local organizations to enhance outreach initiatives and develop effective prevention strategies.
- Conducted research on best practices for substance abuse prevention programming through chart reviews on compliance.
- Attended coalition meetings to identify service gaps in prevention efforts with the Overdose Fatality review team in Essex County and ECHO (Essex County Heroin & other coalition).
- Participated in New York State Overdose Prevention Program to improve community response to overdose incidents and secure free Narcan for all six health centers and ERs.
- We also participate with Engaged in New York State condom program to provide free condoms for health centers and clinics. where we get free condoms from NYS allowing us to remove barriers with patients with risky behaviors.They are in all six of our health centers and both ERs and clinics at both campuses.
- Contributed to opioid stewardship committee, evaluating hospital and primary care practices for improved substance use management.
Practice Leader
Hudson Headwaters Health Network
Ticonderoga
01.2020 - 03.2024
- Managed clinical operations to ensure compliance with health regulations and standards.
- Developed and implemented strategies to ensure practice standards were met.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to enhance service delivery and patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality care was provided.
- Monitored performance metrics, such as patient satisfaction scores, to evaluate progress towards goals.
- Analyzed data from clinical operations reports to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Established key performance indicators for measuring success within the practice.
- Identified and addressed issues that had an impact on the effectiveness of the practice.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary meetings to foster collaboration among healthcare professionals.
- Facilitated staff training sessions to improve service quality and team performance.
- Oversaw budgeting processes for departmental initiatives within healthcare framework.
- Assisted with recruiting initiatives by conducting interviews and evaluating potential candidates.
RN Manager
Mountain Lakes Services
Crown Point
10.2020 - 10.2023
- Managed two houses one with 12 physical and mentally disabled patients that were geriatric and a smaller house of 4 residents that were younger and more active.
- Managed all of the routine appointments and acute visits at the Dr. Office.
- Updated the MARS and TARS at both houses with updated medication changes and printed to give to staff.
- Did medication administration training and competencies.
Nurse Manager
Hudson Headwaters Health Network
Ticonderoga
12.2013 - 01.2020
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Nursing schedules for two health centers and coverage as a team.
- Work on quality measures as a team with nursing and providers.
- Staff yearly education and competencies for clinical staff and education of new processes.
- Nurse triage if only RN in the building and cross cover a provider if there were call outs.
Director of Nursing
Heritage Commons Residential Health Care
Ticonderoga
08.2009 - 12.2013
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Clinical staff schedules for 70 employees on two different units with 42 patients on each unit including 10 acute rehab beds.
- Work with Medical director and several Physicians that round 5 days a week for a cohesive team approach with residents' care.
- Work with consultants including pharmacy and dietician with resident clinical reviews.
- Routine care plan meetings with multiple disciplines including families' on discharge planning or routine care for residents that live in the facility.
- Work with Department of health on an annual survey of the facility with a variety of disciplines that would be a week long.
- Work with the Department of Health with any investigations that were called in or reported by the facility.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Heritage Commons Residential Health Care
Ticonderoga
03.2009 - 08.2009
- Work on schedules for clinical staff monthly.
- Coverage for Nurse Managers rounding with the providers on each unit.
- Staff education annually on Competencies and new procedures.
- Coverage on the unit if needed for call outs.
- Care plan meetings with the discipline teams including doing MDS and PRI for new admissions and when needed.
- Transcribing orders to go to pharmacy.
- Controlled medication disposal and counts on a routine basis.
- On call for falls and deaths when a RN was not in the building.
Director of Nursing
Heritage Commons Residential Health Care
Ticonderoga
09.2007 - 12.2008
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Clinical staff schedules for 70 employees on two different units with 42 patients on each unit including 10 acute rehab beds.
- Work with Medical director and several Physicians that round 5 days a week for a cohesive team approach with residents' care.
- Work with consultants including pharmacy and dietician with resident clinical reviews.
- Routine care plan meetings with multiple disciplines including families' on discharge planning or routine care for residents that live in the facility.
- Work with Department of health on an annual survey of the facility with a variety of disciplines that would be a week long.
- Work with the Department of Health with any investigations that were called in or reported by the facility.
Nurse Unit Manager
Heritage Commons Residential Health Care
Ticonderoga
09.2005 - 09.2007
- Round with provider 5 days a week with resident's routine care and acute visits.
- Cross cover the unit administering medications and updating care plans.
- Transcribing orders from the provider to pharmacy.
- Reviewing MARS and TARS monthly and printing for nurses. Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Work with consultants including pharmacy and dietician with resident clinical reviews.
- Routine care plan meetings with multiple disciplines including families on discharge planning or routine care for residents that live in the facility on the unit.
- Work with Department of health on an annually survey of the facility with a verity of disciplines that would be weeklong.
Durable Medical Equipment RN
Heritage Commons
Ticonderoga
10.2003 - 10.2005
- Routine monthly checks on Oxygen and CPAP patients by phone or in person.
- Routine documentation on the patients with Oxygen and CPAP machines.
- Set up new patients with Oxygen and CPAP machines.
- Patient education and routine supplies needed for their equipment.
- Distribution of Nebulizers and any other medical equipment delivery or pick up and educate the patient on how it is used.
- Triage patient on the phone and troubleshoot issues with equipment.
- Ensure the equipment is routinely inspected if it is a rental.
RM Med Surg Unit
Porter Hospital
Middlebury
12.1999 - 09.2000
- Working a med surg unit with a case mix of 5-8 patients.
- Helping LPN with their admissions and discharges on the unit.
- Helping the LPN with IV push medications as they cannot do them.
- Trained in the SCU unit on the floor of 3 beds independent study.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
North Country Community Collage
Saranac Lake, NY01-1999
Skills
- Patient education
- Compliance assurance
- Quality assurance
- Risk assessment
- Customer service
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Equipment troubleshooting
Timeline
Controlled Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
Elizabethtown Community Hospital
03.2024 - Current
RN Manager
Mountain Lakes Services
10.2020 - 10.2023
Practice Leader
Hudson Headwaters Health Network
01.2020 - 03.2024
Nurse Manager
Hudson Headwaters Health Network
12.2013 - 01.2020
Director of Nursing
Heritage Commons Residential Health Care
08.2009 - 12.2013
Assistant Director of Nursing
Heritage Commons Residential Health Care
03.2009 - 08.2009
Director of Nursing
Heritage Commons Residential Health Care
09.2007 - 12.2008
Nurse Unit Manager
Heritage Commons Residential Health Care
09.2005 - 09.2007
Durable Medical Equipment RN
Heritage Commons
10.2003 - 10.2005
RM Med Surg Unit
Porter Hospital
12.1999 - 09.2000
Associate of Science - Nursing
North Country Community Collage