Cassandra Overholt
Tucson,AZ
Summary
Knowledgeable MDS Coordinator with deep understanding of compliance and assessment processes in healthcare settings. Successfully coordinated interdisciplinary teams to ensure accurate patient assessments and care plans. Demonstrated proficiency in clinical documentation and regulatory standards, showcasing strong analytical and organizational skills.
Diligent Assistant Director of Nursing with solid foundation in managing nursing teams and developing patient care protocols. Proven track record in improving patient outcomes and enhancing staff efficiency. Demonstrated leadership and strategic planning abilities.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
MDS Coordinator
Pueblo Springs Rehabilitation Center
12.2024 - Current
- Coordinated comprehensive assessments to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and improve patient care plans.
- Led interdisciplinary team meetings to evaluate resident needs and enhance individualized care strategies.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives that streamlined documentation processes and improved accuracy of MDS submissions.
- Trained nursing staff on MDS protocols, enhancing understanding of assessment requirements and optimizing workflow efficiency.
- Analyzed patient data trends to identify areas for clinical intervention, driving targeted care improvements across facilities.
- Developed educational materials for staff regarding changes in federal regulations impacting MDS reporting procedures.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to facilitate communication regarding resident care goals and progress updates.
- Oversaw scheduling of assessments, ensuring timely completion while aligning resources with facility needs and priorities.
- Set schedules for staff to start and complete MDS assessments and care plan meetings.
- Ensured timely completion of all MDS assessments, maintaining full compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on CMS guidelines and changes to ensure accuracy in reporting and reimbursement processes.
- Verified prompt and accurate completion of MDS activities for billing.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to provide accurate and timely clinical assessments for each resident, leading to improved overall care.
- Assessed electronic medical record for required documentation to support MDS coding.
Assistant Director of Nursing Services
Pueblo Springs Rehabilitation Center
04.2023 - 12.2024
- Directed nursing staff to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and organizational policies.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance clinical competencies of nursing personnel.
- Oversaw patient care assessments, ensuring timely interventions and optimal outcomes for residents.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create individualized care plans tailored to resident needs.
- Streamlined communication processes among nursing staff, improving information flow and team collaboration.
- Conducted performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to promote professional growth within the team.
- Led quality improvement initiatives that enhanced patient satisfaction and safety standards within the facility.
- Ensured compliance with healthcare regulations by conducting regular audits, updating policies, and addressing areas for improvement.
- Improved patient care quality by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and guidelines.
Nurse Unit Manager
Santa Rosa Care Center
10.2022 - 04.2023
- Led nursing staff in implementing best practices for patient care delivery.
- Developed and managed operational budgets to optimize resource allocation.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives enhancing patient safety and satisfaction.
- Mentored nurses and certified nursing assistants, fostering professional development and improving team cohesion.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between shifts, ensuring seamless continuity of care for all patients on the unit.
- Actively sought out opportunities for continuing education within the field of nursing management, staying up-to-date on current trends and best practices.
- Established a strong rapport with patients and their families, addressing concerns and providing valuable support throughout the treatment process.
- Collaborated with administrators to evaluate nursing policies and procedures for potential improvements regularly.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to streamline care coordination processes.
- Analyzed patient data to identify trends, informing strategic decision-making for unit improvements.
Director of Care, Licensed Practical Nurse
Catalina Village Assisted Living
06.2020 - 10.2022
- Served as liaison between resident, family, physician, and other health care providers. Performed resident rounds to monitor and evaluate quality and appropriateness of care. Collaborated with physicians, pharmacies, and other medical professionals to promote quality care and independence of residents. Assisted with analysis of incident and accident investigation reports to determine cause, implementing corrective actions when appropriate. Conducted comprehensive resident pre-admission, admission and bi-annual assessments. Confirmed accurate completion of reports for admission and discharge of residents. Oversaw maintenance of patient clinical records, statistics, and reports for purposes of evaluation and reporting. Negotiated managed care agreements in accordance with contracts. Maximized services for revenue growth by reviewing and approving cases and potential care plans. Processed medical record requests for insurance companies and medical providers. Communicated with patients with compassion while keeping medical information private. Collaborated with multi-disciplinary staff to improve overall patient care and response times. Directed, supervised, and evaluated medical, clerical or maintenance personnel. Monitored inpatient bed use, facilities, and staff to provide optimal use of resources. Established solid relations with leadership and staff by attending meetings and coordinating interdepartmental information exchanges. Explained policies, procedures, and services to patients. Recruited, hired, and trained new medical and facility staff. Maintained awareness of government regulations, health insurance changes and financing options. Maintained communication and transparency with governing boards, department heads and medical staff. Built work schedules and staff assignments, taking workload, space, and equipment availability into consideration.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Haven of Tucson
10.2018 - 06.2020
- Collected and documented vital signs to track current patient conditions. Monitored patient's respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration. Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers. Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures. Looked for physical, emotional, and symptomatic changes in patient condition and obtained necessary care for medical concerns. Promoted patient satisfaction by assisting with bathing, dressing, and exercising. Followed rehabilitation and treatment care plans to accelerate patient recovery, minimize pain and optimize patient outcomes. Assisted physicians with examinations and patient scans during diagnostic processes. Prevented drug interactions and contributed to correct diagnosis by recording patient health information, monitoring vitals, and updating patient files. Collected biological specimens and packaged for laboratory transport to complete diagnostic tests. Examined and treated patient lacerations, contusions and physical symptoms and referred patients to other medical professionals. Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients. Administered prescribed medications or started intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patient charts. Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider. Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds, and managed catheters. Cared for patients' acute and chronic wounds by changing dressings and applying medicated compounds. Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information. Answered patient calls, identified issues, and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Santa Rosa Care Center
06.2014 - 10.2018
- Monitored patient's respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration. Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers. Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures. Looked for physical, emotional, and symptomatic changes in patient condition and obtained necessary care for medical concerns. Followed rehabilitation and treatment care plans to accelerate patient recovery, minimize pain and optimize patient outcomes. Prevented drug interactions and contributed to correct diagnosis by recording patient health information, monitoring vitals, and updating patient files. Collected biological specimens and packaged for laboratory transport to complete diagnostic tests. Examined and treated patient lacerations, contusions and physical symptoms and referred patients to other medical professionals. Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients. Administered prescribed medications or started intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patient charts. Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider. Cared for patients' acute and chronic wounds by changing dressings and applying medicated compounds. Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information. Answered patient calls, identified issues, and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor. Worked as a Unit Coordinator on a 37 bed lock down unit, attending weekly Behavioral Health Team meetings to assist psychiatry in developing an appropriate plan of care for each individual resident.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Sabino Canyon Rehabilitation & Care
06.2009 - 05.2014
- Collected and documented vital signs to track current patient conditions. Monitored patient's respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration. Communicated concerns regarding patients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers. Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures. Looked for physical, emotional, and symptomatic changes in patient condition and obtained necessary care for medical concerns. Followed rehabilitation and treatment care plans to accelerate patient recovery, minimize pain and optimize patient outcomes. Assisted physicians with examinations and patient scans during diagnostic processes. Prevented drug interactions and contributed to correct diagnosis by recording patient health information, monitoring vitals, and updating patient files. Collected biological specimens and packaged for laboratory transport to complete diagnostic tests. Examined and treated patient lacerations, contusions and physical symptoms and referred patients to other medical professionals. Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients. Administered prescribed medications or started intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patient charts. Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider. Cared for patients' acute and chronic wounds by changing dressings and applying medicated compounds. Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information. Answered patient calls, identified issues, and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor. Worked as a Weekend Supervisor and assisted nurses on the floor with any incidents that came up, provided customer service with patients and family members, and worked with other managers to ensure patient satisfaction.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ05.2008
Skills
- HIPAA compliance
- Electronic health records proficiency
- Medical record management
- Research and data collection
- Staff training and development
- Continuous learning commitment
- Clinical documentation accuracy
- Delegation and supervision
- Care planning
- Care plan development
- Clinical leadership
- Mentoring staff
Timeline
MDS Coordinator
Pueblo Springs Rehabilitation Center
12.2024 - Current
Assistant Director of Nursing Services
Pueblo Springs Rehabilitation Center
04.2023 - 12.2024
Nurse Unit Manager
Santa Rosa Care Center
10.2022 - 04.2023
Director of Care, Licensed Practical Nurse
Catalina Village Assisted Living
06.2020 - 10.2022
Licensed Practical Nurse
Haven of Tucson
10.2018 - 06.2020
Licensed Practical Nurse
Santa Rosa Care Center
06.2014 - 10.2018
Licensed Practical Nurse
Sabino Canyon Rehabilitation & Care
06.2009 - 05.2014
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Pima Community College