C. Alexis Smith
Opelika,Alabama
Summary
Dedicated professional with demonstrated strengths in patient-centered care, quality service, and strategic growth. Great at troubleshooting problems and executing successful solutions. Excellent verbal and written communicator with a strong background in cultivating positive relationships and exceeding goals.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Interim Director of Cardiovascular Services
Piedmont Columbus Regional
11.2023 - Current
- Cardiovascular Service Line includes Interventional Cath Lab, Echo, EKG, Vascular, and Clinical Support Unit (Pre/Post Cath & IR)
- Evaluate organizational/physician performance through metrics and utilized insights to drive action through monthly CV Operations Council
- Worked with HR department to recruit candidates, improve company operations, and decrease travel contract labor
- Manage legal contracts and financial agreements for CV services.
EEG Manager
Piedmont Columbus Regional
06.2023 - Current
- Execution of equipment conversion project from Natus to Cadwell EEG equipment
- Oversee scheduling of inpatients and outpatients for EEG across the care continuum and increased volume of inpatient and outpatient referrals by 50% in 3 months
- Organized training for new team members and routine retraining for established employees while cross-training staff in secondary roles within hospital to expand operational diversity
- Developed policies and procedures for the local hub.
Stroke Program Manager
Piedmont Columbus Regional
07.2021 - Current
- Transitioned stroke program from Primary Stroke Center to only Thrombectomy Capable Center in GA and first in Region 5 for AL
- Oversee the overall care and management of 1000+ strokes annually & supervise the Stroke Coordinator
- Reduced door-to-needle times by 20 minutes and increased metric compliance by >40%
- Designed and implemented updated forms, policies, education, and order sets system-wide
- Improved care delivery by monitoring daily performance and optimizing strategies for improving metrics
- Served as community outreach representative and liaison between EMS and hospital
- Worked cohesively with stroke managers/leaders and Neurologists across system.
Interventional Radiology Nurse
Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown
12.2018 - 08.2021
- Provided intra-procedural care for inpatients and outpatients in large-volume Interventional Radiology department covering body and neuro
- Charge Nurse duties June 2019- August 2021
- Supervised team of nurses and radiology technicians to deliver quality patient care
- Assisted with designing and implementing the 4th procedure room, which maximized unit efficiency and improved departmental throughput.
ER Charge Nurse
St. Francis Hospital
09.2018 - 03.2019
- Improved ER efficiency by effectively managing staff resources and coordinating patient flow.
- Assessed staffing needs proactively, adjusting schedules to meet fluctuating patient volumes effectively.
- Reduced patient wait times with streamlined triage procedures and prioritization of critical cases.
PI Quality Education Coordinator Emergency Department
St. Francis Hospital
03.2018 - 12.2018
- Applied regulatory compliance knowledge and quality expertise to implement process improvements, including lean six sigma patient throughput project
- Worked in collaboration with other key operational departments to resolve complex quality and operational issues
- Devised metrics for measuring staff, customer service, and business outcomes and tracked performance.
Neurology Program Coordinator
St. Francis Hospital
12.2012 - 03.2018
- Maintained Primary Stroke Center certification with TJC for 7 consecutive years, overseeing overall care and management of 400+ strokes annually
- Designed and implemented Stroke Clot Box, reducing overall door-to-needle times by 20+ minutes
- Served as community outreach representative and liaison between EMS and hospital as well as Quality Improvement Lead for initiatives across hospital.
Registered Nurse Neuro/Oncology
St. Francis Hospital
02.2010 - 10.2012
- Managed direct care of patients, conducted assessments, and implemented care per physician's orders and nursing judgment upon admission and throughout patient stay
- Administered chemo and monitored stroke, dementia, and continuous EEG patients in busy neuro/oncology unit.
- Charge Nurse duties June 2010 - October 2012
Education
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) - Health Care Administration -
Post University
Waterbury, CT05.2025
Bachelor's Degree - Nursing -
Columbus State University
Columbus, GA2021
Associate's Degree - Nursing -
Columbus Technical College
Columbus, GA2009
Skills
- Data Analysis & Performance Monitoring
- Program Development & Leadership
- Project Coordination & Implementation
- Attention to Detail
- Decision-Making & Execution
- MS Office Applications
- Specialty Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance: DNV & TJC
- Excellent Physician Relationships
- Strategic Planning
- Operations Management
Certification
- NIHSS Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Accomplishments
- Requested, developed and onboarded the Stroke Coordinator position, 2023
- A team lead on development and execution of STAT team at the local level, 2022
- Successfully led stroke team transition from TJC Primary Stroke Certification to DNV Primary Plus Stroke Certification, 2022
- Assisted taskforce with successful Chest Pain Certification from American College of Cardiology, 2018
- Using Lean Six Sigma principles successfully redesigned the structure and throughput of the triage process in Emergency Department, 2018
- Led a Primary Stroke Center certification visit with zero findings or opportunities for improvement, 2015
- Pioneered a Morbidity and Mortality Review Committee starting with stroke/cardiology that grew to hospital wide M&M, 2014
- Led successful TJC Primary Stroke Center Regulatory Certification visits, 2012-2018
- Assisted with all Regulatory Certification Visits; Team successfully obtained TJC Disease Specific Certification: Diabetes & Total Joint, 2012 - 2018
Affiliations
- Piedmont Columbus Regional
- Member Daisy Committee
- Member Diversity Equity & Inclusion Council
- Member First Friday Hero Committee
- Emergency Services
- GA: Member Region 7 Regional EMS Advisory Council
- AL: Member Region 5 EMS Council
- Stroke/Neurology
- Member, American Heart/American Stroke Association
- Member, Association of Neurovascular Clinicians
- Member, Georgia Stroke Professional Alliance
Credentials - Registered Nurse License
Georgia License # RN207790
Awards
- Daisy Nurse Leader Award Winner, 2023
- American Heart/American Stroke Association Silver Plus Target Stroke: Honor Roll Elite Plus, 2023
- Promise 360 Nomination, 2022
- American Heart/American Stroke Association Gold Plus Target Stroke: Honor Roll Elite Award, 2018 & 2021
- Coverdell's 20% Door to Needle Improvement Award, 2015
- American Heart/American Stroke Association Gold Plus Target Stroke: Honor Roll, 2015
- Quality Improvement Award for Individual, 2014
- Patient Safety Award, 2010
Timeline
Interim Director of Cardiovascular Services
Piedmont Columbus Regional
11.2023 - Current
EEG Manager
Piedmont Columbus Regional
06.2023 - Current
Stroke Program Manager
Piedmont Columbus Regional
07.2021 - Current
Interventional Radiology Nurse
Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown
12.2018 - 08.2021
ER Charge Nurse
St. Francis Hospital
09.2018 - 03.2019
PI Quality Education Coordinator Emergency Department
St. Francis Hospital
03.2018 - 12.2018
Neurology Program Coordinator
St. Francis Hospital
12.2012 - 03.2018
Registered Nurse Neuro/Oncology
St. Francis Hospital
02.2010 - 10.2012
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) - Health Care Administration -
Post University
Bachelor's Degree - Nursing -
Columbus State University
Associate's Degree - Nursing -
Columbus Technical College