Chadwick Lester
Prescott Valley,USA
Summary
Visionary Nurse Executive is known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Specialize in strategic planning, healthcare quality improvement, and staff leadership. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, ensuring success in fast-paced environments. Past roles have improved patient satisfaction rates, increased efficiency of nursing teams, and cost reductions through effective budgeting.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Nurse Executive/Acting Nurse Executive
Northern Arizona VA Hospital
Prescott, AZ
07.2024 - Current
- From October 2024 to January 2025, I was the Acting Nurse Executive.
- Overseeing 10 different service lines, from inpatient to outpatient units, urban to rural areas, that span over 65,000 square miles of northern Arizona. The main Medical Center includes an 85-bed community living center, a 15-bed unit for acute care, and a 120-bed domiciliary that is part of our Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program.
- Analyzed patient satisfaction survey results to identify areas for improvement in service delivery.
- Built a successful nursing team that delivers quality care, treatment, and patient services.
- Collaborated with health groups to plan or implement programs designed to improve the overall health of communities.
- Participated in committees that improved safety, quality assurance, infection control, risk management, and accreditation standards.
- Collaborated with physicians on a variety of clinical issues impacting nursing practice standards.
Chief Nurse of Emergency Department/CDU and Patient Care Support
North Texas VA Hospital
Dallas, TX
06.2022 - 07.2024
- Manage six different service lines from inpatient to outpatient units, with approximately 400 staff members: RNs, LVNs, HCTs, and NAs, on multiple campuses.
- Services included the Emergency Department with CDU, Tele-Sitter, Transport Team, Hospital Sitter Pool, Staffing Methodology for the facility, House Supervisors, Student Nurse Team, Mental Health (MH) inpatient and outpatient services, and the MH Quality and Education Team.
- Assisted in standing up the VISN 17 (State of Texas) Tele-ED Program; developing Nurse Coordinators to help manage flow, coordinate care coordination, and expedite tele-ED services for veterans.
- The Tele-Sitter Team won the AvaSure Award for innovation from the AvaSure Company. The only VA to win this award from a pool of over 1,000 hospitals (VA and non-VA hospitals).
- For two consecutive years, employees from the service were awarded the Secretary of VA Award (LVN and NA); the LVN was the national winner.
- Oversaw the successful implementation of bar code scanning in the Emergency Department (one of the largest and busiest in the VA system).
- Senior Management Advisor to the Nurse Experience Committee, Nurse Professional Practice, for the hospital.
- TNCC (Trauma Nurse Core Course) instructor and part of the National TNCC instructor group for VHA.
- I mentored two new Chief Nurses (Emergency Department and Mental Health) outside of the state, mentored one new Chief Nurse locally, and have been on multiple hiring boards for Chief Nurse and Chief of Quality, Safety, and Value selections, both inside the state and outside.
- Transitioned and opened a multistage expansion of the Emergency Department construction project, opening a new Mental Health/Fast Track Area and ED Expansion.
- Reviewed financial statements for accuracy and completeness prior to submitting them for approval by executive leadership team members.
Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service
Audie Murphy VA Hospital
San Antonio, TX
01.2021 - 05.2022
- Managed 82 staff members over four different sites.
- Incorporated disposable sets for outpatient and inpatient settings: disposable chest tubes for critical care, and disposable sets and items for podiatry, GYN, and dental services.
- Assist in managing multiple government contracts: equipment maintenance, ordering, and water quality measures.
- Assisted in managing the service line budget and expenses, including equipment and staffing. Met or came in under budget for two years.
- Participated in quality and RCA events.
- Passed the Joint Commission inspection with no findings, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the VISN 17 inspection without conclusions.
- Created an Excel tracking system to improve quality between Sterile Processing (SPS) and OR; this was the first submission in the OR Collaborative to improve OR turnover times.
- Chair the RMD (Reusable Medical Device) Committee; this is a multidisciplinary committee that ensures safe practices and delivery of use for patients.
- Revised vendor set tracking and improved the vendor set process.
- Established and monitored corporate governance practices to ensure ethical management and operational integrity.
- VA faculty instructor for TNCC virtual classes.
Manager of Emergency Room
Audie Murphy VA Hospital
San Antonio, TX
03.2016 - 12.2020
- Managed the most significant unit at South Texas (STX) VA as a manager, with 100 FTEs.
- The Emergency Room had approximately 42,000 patient visits, a 15-bed ED, with a 5-bed fast track. Improved ED metrics such as Door to Triage by 35%, Door to Provider time by 40%, and Left Without Being Seen (LWOBS) decreased by 40% in the ED.
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure efficient patient care in the emergency room.
- During the COVID pandemic, it was the first hospital in our region to train and develop SOPs for the early stages (Dec/Jan).
- I was one of the core leads for STX VA, implementing Tele-Stroke at the facility in 2019. This included education, program development, and policy creation. In collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, I helped Audie Murphy VA become a limited-hours Acute Stroke Facility.
- I worked on multiple VA collaboratives with patient flow, the ED, bed flow, and inpatient units. These collaboratives helped to improve the facility’s STAR ratings and metrics.
- Chaired both a Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) and a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) event for the hospital.
- Supports VA's emergency preparedness and response by acting as an Assistant Hospital Disaster Command Center when needed.
- During Hurricane Harvey, help to support the mission had two personnel from the ED to support Houston’s VA.
- Revised the ED triage nurse's note for the capture of medically necessary and non-medically necessary ambulance rides. Cost savings to institutions depending on ambulance traffic for FY 18, and the percentage deemed not necessary, is approximately $250,000 or more.
- Member of CONE (Center of Nursing Excellence), Patient FLOW, Patient Safety, Hospital Flow, STEMI, Stroke, Patient Safety, Critical Emergency Response Committee (Code Blue), and the Critical Care Committee.
- Implemented new processes and procedures for the ED, including EZ-IO, Lucas, and ultrasound IV; revamped on-boarding and education program; and charting/documentation practices.
Manager of Ambulatory Care Coordination and Transition of Care
University Health System (Lv 1 Trauma Adult/Peds)
San Antonio, TX
10.2014 - 03.2016
- Managed a staff of 20 people over seven different clinical sites throughout the city, providing care coordination for pediatric and adult populations.
- My department accounted for the $13 million state grant, aligning care to the community for all patients discharged and admitted in the city belonging to the healthcare system. The goal is continuity of care and keeping established patients in the health system.
- Accounting was achieved through encounters and improved healthcare metrics, such as diabetic readmissions through the ED, and a decrease in CHF readmissions through the ED.
- Help improve the case management team's patient engagement from 912 monthly contacts to 1,544 monthly patient engagements for pediatric and adult populations.
- Implemented the 'Hand Off' process for inpatient to outpatient care, using expeditors for care coordination and transition of care.
- Implemented an unfunded Congestive Heart Failure clinic with over a 90% show rate in the first year, and created a team to help secure funding for over 50% of the patients.
- Developed a tracking method for productivity for the outpatient case management team (this had never been done for this system for case management/social worker teams in the outpatient setting).
- Collaborated to lead the development of a skilled nursing facility transition process and a new flow process.
- Implemented two new Lean processes: standardized documentation and a new access database for the outpatient setting.
Clinical Nurse Manager
Baptist Medical Center
San Antonio, TX
12.2012 - 08.2013
- Managed 68 staff: RN/ Technicians/ clerks
- Chest Pain Committee
- Stroke Committee
- Sepsis Committee
- Taught ACLS, PALS, TNCC, and ENPC for RNs
- Worked collaboratively with clinicians to develop a nurse’s sepsis screening tool for improved flow track orders where sepsis compliance
- Improved process to increase HCAHPS by 5%
- Prepared the ED and passed Gold Star Certification for stroke designation
Registered Nurse Supervisor I
LSU Hospital (Lv 1 Trauma Adult/Peds)
Shreveport, LA
01.2003 - 11.2012
- Level One Trauma Center for adults and pediatrics.
- Managed 28 people per shift at a Level One Trauma Center to cover both sides (adults and pediatrics).
- Worked collaboratively with clinicians and non-clinical staff to facilitate patient care.
- Managed patient complaints and facilitated timely patient recovery.
- Preceptor for new staff on medical and traumatic emergencies.
- Additional duties included scheduling for the staff, employee evaluations, and disciplinary reporting.
- Safety Committee, Research and Patient Facilitation, PICC Line Certified, Quality Management, Patient Satisfaction Survey Reporting.
- Taught BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, and ENPC to RNs and MDs.
- Educate medical staff on 'battlefield triage' during grand rounds.
- Assisted with multiple publications.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary staff to improve overall patient care and response times.
Emergency Room Registered Nurse/Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse
Shumpert Hospital
Shreveport, LA
10.2003 - 08.2009
- Provided professional nursing care to patients presenting to the emergency center.
- I worked as a team leader for the department, as requested by management.
- Worked as a relief nurse during times of shortage in the following patient care areas: Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Adult Emergency Room, and Pediatric Emergency Room.
- Taught BLS, ACLS, TNCC, and ENPC.
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
Willis Knighton Health System
Shreveport, LA
12.2001 - 12.2002
- Provided assessments and treatment of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with life-threatening conditions or injuries.
- Assigned a level of acuity to patients presenting to the Emergency Department prior to care from a medical provider.
- Facilitated care for patients with a wide array of medical conditions assigned to my module.
Emergency Room Technician
Lincoln General
Ruston, LA
03.1998 - 12.2001
- Provided a wide array of services, including phlebotomy services, preparing IVs, EKG monitoring, inserting catheters and nasogastric tubes, and monitoring vital signs
Education
Doctor of Nursing Practice program - Doctorate of Nursing Practice
West Coast University
08-2026
Master’s - Hospital Administration
University of Phoenix
01.2015
Bachelor’s degree - nursing
Northwestern State University
01.2007
Associate degree - Nursing
Louisiana Tech University
01.2001
Skills
- Staff development
- Innovation management
- Clinical expertise
- Quality improvement
- Research utilization
- Policy improvement
- Professional networking
- Resource utilization
Certification
- Texas Board of Nursing
- Level 1 & Level 2 Sterile Processing Service Certification through the VA
- Basic Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (TNCC) and Instructor for TNCC (National VA Virtual Instructor Faculty)
- Joint Enroute Care Provider Certification (8-week course for Military Flight Nursing)
- Crucial Conversations Course
- Studer Training (AIDET)
- FEMA training on Command Center Disaster Management in Anniston, AL
- Administrative Investigation Board (AIB) trained
Military Service
US Army Reserves Retired
Awards
- Bronze Star
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- Marine Good Conduct Medal
- Army Commendation Medal x 2
- Army Achievement Medal x 4
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal x 2
- Combat Action Badge
Publications
- Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Intravenous Access in the Emergency Department Using a Modified Seldinger Technique, Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2010
- Short vs. Long-Axis Approach to Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Access: A Prospective Randomized Study, Journal of Critical Care, 2010
Community Service
- Wounded Warrior Program, 2015- Present
- Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW), Life Time Member
References
Upon Request
Degrees
- MHA
- BSN
- RN
Military Experience
- 228th Combat Support Hospital, Ft Sam Houston, TX, 2010, 2015, Assistant Chief Nurse of A Company
- 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, Ft Dix, NJ, 2008, 2010, PRT Commander
- 228th Combat Support Hospital, Ft Sam Houston, TX, 2003, 2008, Officer in Charge of ER
Accomplishments
Journal of Emergency Medicine 2010
• Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Intravenous Access in the Emergency Department Using a Modified Seldinger Technique
Journal of Critical Care 2010
• Short vs. Long-Axis Approach to Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Access: A Prospective Randomized Study
Affiliations
- Military Member of ENA (Emergency Nursing Association)
- AONL (American Organization of Nursing Leaders) Member
- Lifetime Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
- Member of Wounded Warriors
Military Service/Award
Retired US Army Officer (Major)
Enlisted Marine 1991-1995
Honorably Discharged/ Retired with 23 years of service
Combat Action Badge
Bronze Star for Combat Action
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Marine Good Conduct Medal
Army Commendation Medal x 2
Army Achievement Medal x 4
Iraq Campaign Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal x 2
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Deputy Nurse Executive/Acting Nurse Executive
Northern Arizona VA Hospital
07.2024 - Current
Chief Nurse of Emergency Department/CDU and Patient Care Support
North Texas VA Hospital
06.2022 - 07.2024
Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service
Audie Murphy VA Hospital
01.2021 - 05.2022
Manager of Emergency Room
Audie Murphy VA Hospital
03.2016 - 12.2020
Manager of Ambulatory Care Coordination and Transition of Care
University Health System (Lv 1 Trauma Adult/Peds)
10.2014 - 03.2016
Clinical Nurse Manager
Baptist Medical Center
12.2012 - 08.2013
Emergency Room Registered Nurse/Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse
Shumpert Hospital
10.2003 - 08.2009
Registered Nurse Supervisor I
LSU Hospital (Lv 1 Trauma Adult/Peds)
01.2003 - 11.2012
Emergency Room Registered Nurse
Willis Knighton Health System
12.2001 - 12.2002
Emergency Room Technician
Lincoln General
03.1998 - 12.2001
Doctor of Nursing Practice program - Doctorate of Nursing Practice
West Coast University
Master’s - Hospital Administration
University of Phoenix
Bachelor’s degree - nursing
Northwestern State University
Associate degree - Nursing
Louisiana Tech University
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