Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Cara Light

Colorado Springs,CO

Summary

Dynamic healthcare leader with extensive experience at CommonSpirit Health, excelling in regulatory compliance and patient care oversight. Proven track record in strategic planning and team development, enhancing customer service levels and achieving significant improvements in operational efficiency. Adept at crisis management and fostering interdepartmental communication to drive quality outcomes.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Nursing Services

CommonSpirit Health
Colorado Springs, CO
10.2023 - Current
  • Set and monitored achievement goals for nursing department consistent with established philosophy and standards of practice.
  • Provided guidance to clinical staff regarding difficult cases or treatments.
  • Implemented strategies to improve customer service levels across all areas of the Nursing Division.
  • Explained policies, procedures and services to patients.
  • Kept informed of advances in medicine and computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment.
  • Maintained communication and transparency with governing boards, department heads and medical staff.
  • Planned and implemented programs for health care or medical facilities supporting personnel administration and training.
  • Provided leadership in developing strategic plans for the Nursing Department.
  • Ensured compliance with governmental regulations related to nursing practice, staffing and education standards.
  • Investigated incidents involving improper or inadequate patient treatment.
  • Evaluated staff performance and prepared accurate reports detailing findings.
  • Assessed competency of clinical staff to promote quality, continuity, and safety.

Home Health Director of Operations (Multi-State)

Restore Home Health/CNS Cares
Castle Rock , CO
02.2022 - 07.2023
  • Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to measure productivity or goal achievement.
  • Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
  • Managed regional staff, including hiring, training, performance reviews and disciplinary actions.
  • Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
  • Assessed and evaluated business procedures and implemented structure to improve day-to-day operations.
  • Enhanced customer service and satisfaction through policy and procedural changes.
  • Identified potential risks associated with regional operations activities and developed mitigation plans.
  • Analyzed data across variety of sources to identify trends, patterns and areas of opportunity.
  • Established operational guidelines and identified opportunities for improvement.
  • Communicated clear and consistent messages regarding departmental goals to produce desired results.
  • Successfully improved employment turnover through creating incentive and training programs.
  • Responded quickly to any customer complaints or issues arising from regional operations activities.
  • Worked with management team to develop operational goals aligned with business strategy.

Home Health Director of Clinical Services

24/7 Avare Healthcare
Colorado Springs, CO
01.2019 - 02.2022
  • Interviewed applicants and made recommendations for new hires.
  • Collaborated with multi-disciplinary staff to improve overall patient care and response times.
  • Monitored quality assurance initiatives in order to improve patient outcomes.
  • Drove attainment of optimal outcomes through case management focused on appropriate treatment, clinical quality assurance and service utilization.
  • Coordinated patient care activities, including assessments, treatments and evaluations of patients' progress.
  • Provided onboarding and coaching to new hires to help each feel comfortable in job positions and prepared to handle various responsibilities.
  • Established solid relations with leadership and staff by attending board meetings and coordinating interdepartmental information exchanges.
  • Coordinated weekly work schedules for department employees.
  • Developed and implemented clinical policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Participated in committees related to healthcare regulations, accreditation processes, and quality improvement initiatives.
  • Represented the organization at various professional meetings or conferences related to healthcare industry topics.

Home Health QA/Home HealthQA/Home QA/QA Manager

Interim HealthCare
Colorado Springs, CO
04.2018 - 01.2019
  • Fostered a culture of quality across the organization by promoting awareness and understanding of quality standards and their importance.
  • Conducted internal audits to evaluate the effectiveness of existing Quality Management Systems.
  • Documented audit results, discrepancies and corrective actions taken in appropriate reports or databases.
  • Established procedures and quality standards.
  • Facilitated regular quality reviews with senior management, providing insights and recommendations for quality improvement.
  • Provided training on quality assurance procedures to staff at all levels of the organization.
  • Analyzed quality control data to identify trends, root causes of issues, and areas for improvement in processes and product quality.
  • Conducted risk assessments and validation activities to mitigate potential quality and compliance risks.

Home Health RN Case Manager

Interim HealthCare
Colorado Springs, Colorado
10.2017 - 04.2018
  • Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
  • Ensured compliance with applicable regulatory standards related to home health services.
  • Trained new home health nurses, sharing best practices and clinical expertise.
  • Provided emotional support for patients experiencing difficult diagnoses or transitions from hospital to home setting.
  • Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
  • Monitored vital signs, administered medications, and provided wound care as needed.
  • Administered medications, treatments, and injections as prescribed by healthcare providers.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of interventions by monitoring changes in patient's condition or behavior over time.
  • Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
  • Responded quickly to emergency situations involving acute illness or injury.
  • Conducted regular follow up visits with patients in order to evaluate progress towards goals set forth in their care plan.
  • Administered prescribed medications and started intravenous fluids to address patient symptoms and underlying etiologies.
  • Participated in on-call rotations and delivered after-hours care.

Telemetry Registered Nurse

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
Fayetteville, NC
10.2016 - 09.2017
  • Initiated appropriate action during code blue situations.
  • Assessed and monitored patient conditions using telemetry equipment.
  • Ensured that all necessary documentation was completed accurately and timely.
  • Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
  • Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
  • Administered medications as prescribed by physicians, following established protocols and guidelines.
  • Collaborated with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization.
  • Performed venipuncture for lab draws when needed.
  • Utilized evidence-based practice to improve clinical outcomes.
  • Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
  • Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
  • Coordinated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care post-hospitalization.
  • Monitored vital signs for critically ill patients using advanced technologies and equipment.
  • Maintained current knowledge of healthcare trends, standards of care, treatments, drugs and therapies used in the field of Telemetry nursing.
  • Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure best possible outcomes for the patient.

LPN

Multiple Employers
Multi Cities, NC
09.2000 - 06.2017
  • Maintained accurate medical records of each patient's health condition.
  • Evaluated patient care procedural changes for effectiveness and made necessary adjustments.
  • Conducted daily rounds visiting assigned patients ensuring they are comfortable and have all necessary supplies available.
  • Looked for physical, emotional, and symptomatic changes in patient condition and obtained necessary care for medical concerns.
  • Managed patient records, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with healthcare regulations.
  • Followed rehabilitation and treatment care plans to accelerate patient recovery, minimize pain, and optimize patient outcomes.
  • Provided emotional support during difficult times such as end-of-life decisions or family disputes over treatment options.
  • Evaluated nursing intervention outcomes by conferring with other healthcare team members.
  • Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
  • Answered patient calls, identified issues and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor.
  • Ensured that all medications were administered accurately and on time as prescribed by the physician.
  • Performed wound care including changing dressings, cleaning wounds, applying ointments and medications and providing other necessary treatments.
  • Delivered high-quality direct and indirect nursing care to patients.

Home Health Administrator

Professional Nursing Services Inc.
Garner, NC
09.2006 - 05.2012
  • Monitored and evaluated staff performance, providing feedback and coaching for development.
  • Reviewed patient charts periodically to ensure accuracy of information entered by clinical staff.
  • Participated in meetings with payers regarding reimbursement rates for services provided by the agency.
  • Oversaw the maintenance of medical equipment used in providing patient care.
  • Assessed staffing needs based on changing patient demographics or caseloads.
  • Created marketing materials for business development initiatives aimed at increasing referrals from physicians' offices.
  • Monitored and maintained compliance with state and federal regulations for home care services.
  • Ensured all home care activities were documented in compliance with policy and regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinated with insurance companies to verify coverage and process claims for home care services.
  • Led team meetings to discuss client progress, staff performance, and operational improvements.
  • Facilitated training sessions for home care staff on patient care protocols and safety procedures.
  • Managed budget and resources for home care programs, ensuring cost-effective operations.

Education

Master of Science - Nursing Administration

Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs, CO
05-2021

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs, CO
02-2019

Associate of Science - Nursing

Sampson Community College
North Carolina
05-2017

Practical Nursing - Nursing

Sampson Community College
North Carolina
08-2000

Skills

  • Regulatory compliance
  • Patient Care Oversight
  • Quality Assessment Proficiency
  • Healthcare Leadership
  • Team Development
  • Crisis management
  • Interdepartmental communication
  • Performance evaluation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Strategic planning
  • Customer service
  • Data analysis

Accomplishments

  • Sigma Theta Tau International Society of Nursing Member
  • American Nurses Association Member
  • Colorado Nursing Association Member

Certification

  • Registered Nurse - Colorado
  • Colorado Home Health Administrator
  • BLS/ACLS
  • NiHSS

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Director of Nursing Services

CommonSpirit Health
10.2023 - Current

Home Health Director of Operations (Multi-State)

Restore Home Health/CNS Cares
02.2022 - 07.2023

Home Health Director of Clinical Services

24/7 Avare Healthcare
01.2019 - 02.2022

Home Health QA/Home HealthQA/Home QA/QA Manager

Interim HealthCare
04.2018 - 01.2019

Home Health RN Case Manager

Interim HealthCare
10.2017 - 04.2018

Telemetry Registered Nurse

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
10.2016 - 09.2017

Home Health Administrator

Professional Nursing Services Inc.
09.2006 - 05.2012

LPN

Multiple Employers
09.2000 - 06.2017

Master of Science - Nursing Administration

Colorado Technical University

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Colorado Technical University

Associate of Science - Nursing

Sampson Community College

Practical Nursing - Nursing

Sampson Community College

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Cara Light