Brigitte Thomasma

I currently work as an On-Site Specialist in the SPD Department at University of MIchigan Health West. This role is customer facing with various responsibilities that require patience, good communication, teamwork, and great attention to detail. As an On-Site Specialist I perform the following duties:

• Provide case support for Stryker Endoscopy, which includes, assisting OR staff and Surgeons with Stryker equipment questions, issues, or needs.
• Serve as the SME in Stryker SPY-PHI cases.
• Travel to other accounts for coverage.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Surgeons, Sales Representatives, and OR staff.
• Collaborate with the other Specialists in order to complete the days tasks efficiently.
• Turn on and plug in the necessary equipment needed for surgeries such as monitors, cameras, light cords, and insufflation.
• Reprocess instruments from orthopedic and MIS cases as well as daVinci scopes and arms in SPD (according to product IFU's).
• Assemble trays in sterile processing.
• Pull both hard and soft supplies for all surgical cases.
• Work closely with Sales Representatives to make sure we have the necessary surgical trays for next day cases.

I worked in the Pediatric Sedation Department at Helen Devos Children's Hospital in a dual role as a Nursing Technician and Department Secretary. Being in a dual role required me to be extremely organized and a good multi-tasker. Each role had different duties and expectations. One was very hands on and clinical while the other was administrative. Critical thinking, exceptional customer service skills, and problem solving were very important while performing both of these roles. Being personable, professional, a team player, and strong communicator were all key factors in my success.

• Nursing Technician - set up rooms for sterile procedures, sterile processing of endoscopes used in EGDs and Colonoscopies (yearly competency required), assist Physicians while using proper sterile technique during procedures, tidy up/strip/flip rooms, assist Nurses as a second set of hands when needed, shut down/stock rooms, bring patients/families back to their rooms and get them settled, chart in Epic, and various other duties. This was a very hands on role.
• Department Secretary - answer phone and triage calls, chart in Epic, notify staff of all patient arrivals, took and sent out daily huddle notes to all staff, sent faxes, placed work orders for broken equipment, ordered supplies and documents, orient new hires to the department, and various other administrative tasks. Communication, attention to detail, and organization were all very important in this role.

I was fortunate to begin my Nursing Technician career in the inpatient world, first as a resource NT, floating around the whole hospital. Then, on one of the floors of HDVCH. I found this role to be both challenging and rewarding. This role required me to be efficient, detail oriented, and a strong communicator, as I worked alongside Doctors, Nurses, and patients and families. One of my Clifton strengths is "empathy" which I found to be evident when performing this role.

• Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
• Performed routine patient care tasks such as taking vitals, blood sugars, daily weights.
• Aided patients with personal hygiene by giving baths, dressing and assisting in feeding.
• Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage, and other areas to meet typical patient loads.
• Documented patient information and care activities in electronic health record.
• Corresponded with appropriate RN's and doctors to report any changes occurring in patients' health.

• Became certified in and taught a wide variety of group fitness classes.

• Provided administrative support for the department, including answering the phone, responding to emails, and taking reservations for all Kent County Parks.