Cecilia Houston

Leader serving the USAR in multiple roles while supporting the command's mission. In addition to fulfilling my military duties for a rank of a Major, my additional duties were Logistics Officer, Nurse Director, and Safety Officer.
Received awards and recognitions during missions.

• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
• Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
• Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Worked within applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
• Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
• Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement.
• Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting.

• Applied knowledge of human resources and leadership while managing the performance of a team of nurse managers in the corporate office
  These nurses' managers were responsible for oversight of over 1000 plus international nurses placed in different facilities in the United States and maintaining business relationships with the clients
  Implemented a professional development plan for nurse managers, provided education resources and material for nurse managers to permeate diversity and cultural competency principles using evidence- based practice.
  Received several awards and recognitions by peers and managers.
• Promoted high morale and staff retention through dynamic communication, prompt problem resolution, proactive supervisory practices, and facilitation of a positive work environment.
• Managed daily operations of clinical nurse managers supporting nurses placed in other states.
• Implemented ongoing learning strategies such as tutorials and instructional modules.
• Identified nurses' and staff training needs and devised training programs to close gaps.
• Facilitate hiring of qualified clinical personnel by interviewing applicants and making recommendations for employment.
• Delivered effective onboarding and training to new and existing employees and cross-trained staff members in other job roles to maximize coverage.
• Implemented onboarding for new employees, which enabled each to learn tasks and job duties effectively.
• Developed, implemented, revised, and evaluated policies and procedures.
• Managed employees with various personalities and from different cultures.
• Communicated effectively with staff members and clients, employing active listening and interpersonal skills.
• Monitored all phone calls and scheduled appointments.
• Handled job duties for unavailable staff members out of the office.
• Worked with nurse manager to develop nursing staff through education, evaluation, performance management, and competency improvement.

• Responsible for directing, organizing, and supervising an offsite nursing staff, which includes registered nurses (RNs) on long-term contract assignments for client companies located throughout the United States
• Received several awards and recognitions by peers and managers.
• Supervised, directed and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff
• Developed strategy to target nursing and patient satisfaction issues, improve response and patient care quality and suggest actionable improvements to promote hospital-wide quality and safety initiatives
• Investigated and independently resolved complaints from clients by leveraging clinical judgment and management expertise
• Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities

• Nurse manager responsible for the daily workflow for a group of virtual HCM -RNs (Humana at Home Care Managers- Registered Nurses) across the USA, following patients with high of utilization risk and in the special needs program.
• Promoted teamwork and collaboration among the nurse’s care managers who monitored patients with high utilization risk.
• Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols
• Supervised, directed, and motivated, high-quality performance of nursing staff
• Developed strategy to target nursing and patient satisfaction issues, improve response and patient care quality and suggest actionable improvements to promote hospital-wide quality and safety initiatives.
• Received awards and recognitions issued by the organization.

• Registered nurse care manager responsible for coordinating the care of patients with chronic conditions.
• Coordinating treatment plans with primary care providers, completing assessments, developing care plans, monitoring compliance with medications, educating patients about their chronic condition management
• Promoted relationship building, serving as nurse advocator for improving patient health and preventing readmissions.
• Received awards and recognitions issued by the organization.
• Identified opportunities to optimize communication within inpatient and cross-continuum teams to drive effective patient flow and sustainable care transitions from hospital and home, within community care settings and implement supplemental care and services for high-risk patients
• Drove inpatient staff and physician groups to determine goals for level of care to promote length-of-stay management and coordinate post-acute transitions
• Arranged transportation and documented details of discharge transition plans
• Coordinated referrals to specialists, hospitalizations, ER visits, ancillary testing and other enabling services for patients
• Facilitated assessment of individual physiological, psychological, financial, cultural and family situation and coordinated social services to address individual and family needs
• Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches

• Worked as the registered nurse coordinating all aspects of the patient's home care, interacting with other disciplines as needed, and provided care following physician's orders, agency policies, State and Federal laws, and regulations
• Assisted Patriot Home Health Nursing as the only RN working for the company on successfully passing CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Program) State inspection and obtaining State License.

ICU contract nurse working for multiple HCA hospitals in Brandon, Sun City Center, Saint Petersburg area

• Provided initial patient assessment to evaluate patient's care needs while carrying out physician orders
• Administered prescribed oral, IV, and IM medications, changed dressings, and monitored vital signs.
• Served as an agent to meet the staffing needs and to provide care to patients in multiple facilities located in different counties in Florida
• Always willing to work to meet the needs of the organization and staffing needs for the facilities.
• Delivered age-appropriate medical care for adult, adolescent, and geriatric ICU patients.
• Monitored patients' respiratory status and ventilator operation and made adjustments to promote stabilization.
• Maintained a respectful treatment environment that honored patients' and families' cultural and religious traditions and preferences.

• Operated critical care equipment to keep patients stable and promote recovery.
• Administered medications to treat patients' symptoms and address underlying disease progression.
• Managed needs of chronically ill and acute patients with well-coordinated treatment strategies.
• Completed diagnostic tests and patient assessments to evaluate treatment progress.
• Protected critically ill patients from unnecessary risks by limiting visitors, using proper PPE and using strong infection control procedures.
• Counseled patients and families on treatments, care options and discharge instructions.
• Delivered top-notch care exceeding department, hospital and Joint Commission standards.
• Assisted patients to maintain current understanding of conditions and presentations.
• Responded rapidly to critical codes to coordinate stabilization treatments and restore vital functions.
• Documented work in hospital system and updated patients' charts with orders and observations.
• Personalized bedside care and interactions based on cultural backgrounds of different patients.
• Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
• Provided targeted care and treatment to burn and trauma patients.
• Trained and coached new employees on protocols and best practices to promote ideal patient outcomes.

• Documentation of vital signs was done timely.
• Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
• Provided activities of daily living by assisting with serving meals, ambulating, turning, and positioning patients.
• Maintained patient stability by checking vital signs and weight.
• Assisted patients with mobility by providing physical support and pushing wheelchairs.
• Provided personal hygiene assistance, giving baths and performing dress changes for patients.
• Worked with staff to develop and implement treatment plans.
• Helped over 10 to 12 patients per day, both psychologically and emotionally, to facilitate quick recovery.