Connie Russell
Huntington
Summary
Highly Motivated Clinical healthcare professional equipped to lead and optimize patient care operations. Proven expertise in managing clinical staff, streamlining processes, and ensuring compliance with healthcare standards. Strong focus on fostering team collaboration and adapting to evolving needs. Skilled in performance improvement, patient relations, and staff development, ensuring reliable and impactful results.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Clinical Manager for the East Texas Region (11 offices)
Heart to Heart Hospice Corporate
06.2022 - Current
- Audit patient medical records, personnel files, volunteer files and bereavement files for accuracy of documentation and clinical compliance
- Aggregate and trend data collected to correct identified problems in collaboration with management team
- Quarterly Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement meetings with all offices assigned
- Communicated effectively with staff members, physicians, and patients, employing active listening and interpersonal skills.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory guidelines and accreditation standards through consistent monitoring and implementation of corrective actions when needed.
- Enhanced staff performance through regular training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
- Fostered a positive work culture by recognizing employee achievements and addressing any concerns proactively.
- Contributed to successful accreditation reviews with thorough preparation efforts focused on documentation completeness.
Executive Director
Heart to Heart Hospice
07.2020 - 06.2022
- Responsible for all daily operations of the Lufkin & Nacogdoches offices
Area Clinical Manager
Heart to Heart Hospice Corporate
08.2018 - 07.2020
- Same job responsibilities as above
Trauma Program Manager
Nacogdoches Medical Center
06.2016 - 07.2018
- Successfully obtained Level IV Trauma Designation for the hospital
- Trained ER nursing staff to care for patients with traumatic injuries
- Collected and aggregated trauma data & reported it to the state
- Established a culture of continuous improvement within the trauma program, fostering innovation and collaboration among team members.
- Conducted regular case reviews with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate patient progress and revise treatment plans as needed.
- Facilitated ongoing communication with families during difficult times by providing updates on their loved one''s condition and addressing any concerns or questions.
- Collaborated with hospital administration to develop strategic plans for program growth and expansion.
- Enhanced the efficiency of the trauma program through regular performance evaluations and data analysis.
- Governing Board member for DETRAC (Deep East Texas Regional Advisory Council)
- Ensured compliance with state regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate documentation and reporting processes.
- Developed strong relationships with local emergency medical services, improving response times for critically injured patients.
- Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
- Planned and executed emergency drills for the hospital
- Provided emergency preparedness training for local nursing facilities
- Clinical Liaison between the hospital and Emergency Management Officials
Pediatric STAR Program Case Manager
United Healthcare
04.2016 - 06.2016
Area Clinical/Quality Manager
Heart to Heart Hospice
09.2014 - 04.2016
- Assigned offices: North Houston, South Houston, Lufkin & Beaumont
- Audit patient medical records, personnel files, volunteer files and bereavement files for accuracy of documentation and clinical compliance
- Aggregate and trend data collected to correct identified problems in collaboration with management team
- Staff Education
- Conduct quarterly QA/PI meetings
ER Staff Nurse
Helping Hands Nursing Agency
02.2014 - 04.2016
- Also worked as an agency nurse for this company from8/2004-8/2006
- Owner/Supervisor: Maureen Bidwell,409-382-5917
Admissions Nurse/RN Case Manager
Heart to Heart Hospice
04.2014 - 09.2014
- Supervisor: Lisa Powell RN, DON,903-245-6361
- Evaluate and admit patients to Hospice services
- Coordinate care with the Interdisciplinary team
- Educate patient and families about Hospice Services
- Managed a small caseload of patients
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and efficient admissions service.
House Supervisor/Trauma Program Coordinator
Memorial Health System of East Texas
03.2013 - 03.2014
- Supervisor: Laconia Blalock RN,936-215-1615
- Responsible for oversight of all hospital departments in absence of administration
- Compile all outgoing transfers to other facilities and track and trend the data to report to Administration on a monthly basis
- Complaint Resolution for staff, patients, visitors and physicians
- Perform chart audits on all Trauma patients to ensure safe and appropriate patient care
- Enter abstracted information into the state data base
- Aggregate and trend data collected to correct identified problems in collaboration with the ED Director and nursing staff
- Staff education for the Trauma Program and care of all Trauma patients
- Streamlined communication between departments for improved patient flow and satisfaction.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Audubon Behavioral Healthcare
01.2013 - 03.2013
- ADON of a 24 bed Acute Care Geriatric Psychiatric Behavioral hospital
- Infection Control Management
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Scheduling
- Collaborated with staff, management and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Management of approx.75 employees
- Chart Audits
- Risk Management
- Quality Improvement Initiatives
- Inventory Management
- On-Call Administrative Coverage every other week
Infirmary Nurse Manager
Lufkin State Supported Living Center
08.2012 - 01.2013
- Supervisor: Laura Flowers RN, COO,936-634-3353
- Immediate supervision of15 employees
- Responsible for the daily operations of a12 bed Infirmary at a Center for Developmentally Disabled Individuals who are having acute medical issues
- Rotating On-Call with Management Team
- Hiring, Disciplinary Actions, Terminations and Annual Evaluations of Employees
- Led staff meetings to keep team informed of departmental changes and provide opportunities for nurses to share ideas and concerns.
Administrative Director of Clinical Operations, Obstetrics and Emergency Management
Memorial Health System of East Texas
08.2009 - 06.2012
- Supervisor: Mario Estrella RN, CNO,936-635-6366
- Oversee the daily clinical operations of a 283 bed hospital
- Immediate supervision of approximately 40-50 employees and oversight of multiple nursing units
- Administrator on Call
- Joint Commission Preparation and Compliance
- Periodic Performance Review performed annually to ensure Joint Commission Compliance with all standards of care
- Hiring and Termination of Employees
- Quality Improvement Initiatives
- Responsible for all aspects of Hospital Emergency Management including drills, Joint Commission compliance, Annual quality reports and Performance improvement
- Writing and implementation of policies/procedures
- Review and negotiate agency contracts
- Manage agency nurses
- Implemented initiatives to decrease cost and improve patient care
- Implemented initiatives to facilitate throughput throughout the hospital
- Directly oversee Labor & Delivery, Nursery, Post-Partum and Henderson Women & Children’s units, House Supervisors and the Staffing department
Director of Clinical Operations and Obstetrics
Memorial Health System of East Texas
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Supervisor: Barbara Willis RN, CNO,936-329-8700
- Oversee the clinical nursing operations of a66 bed hospital
- Education/Nursing Orientation
- Immediate Supervision of approximately25 employees
- Administrator on Call for the hospital every sixth week
- JCAHO Preparation and Compliance
- Core Measure Data Abstraction and reporting
- Performed weekly chart checks to ensure appropriate documentation
- Hiring and Termination of Employees
- Responsible for organizing clinical rotations for nursing students
- Oversee the weekend and night shift house supervisors
- Computer Training for Employees
- Director of Obstetrics
- Hiring and Termination of employees
- Staffing and Productivity
- 90 Day and Annual evaluations
- Increased patient satisfaction to the99th percentile
Weekend House Supervisor
Memorial Health System of East Texas
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Supervisor: Barbara Willis RN, CNO,936-329-8700
- Administrative Supervisor for all hospital staff
- Oversee staffing and productivity
- Problem/Conflict resolution for patients, visitors, physicians and staff
- Assist all departments when busy or short staffed
Emergency Room Staff Nurse
Woodland Heights Medical Center
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Supervisor: Patrick Gammill RN,936-634-8311
- All Aspects of Emergent and Non-Emergent Nursing
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Contributed towards reducing overcrowding in the Emergency Room by assisting with discharge coordination allowing quicker patient turnover.
- Prevented hospital-acquired infections by strictly adhering to infection control protocols such as proper handwashing techniques and equipment sterilization processes.
- Supported quality improvement initiatives by actively participating in department meetings and offering suggestions for process enhancements.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient care records, enabling seamless communication among healthcare professionals contributing to the overall treatment plan.
- Enhanced patient care by efficiently triaging and prioritizing cases based on severity and urgency.
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing high-quality nursing care, adhering to best practices, and maintaining a clean and safe environment.
- Utilized advanced nursing skills to perform complex procedures such as IV insertions, wound dressing changes, and administering injections as required for each patient''s individual needs.
Emergency Room Staff Nurse
Memorial Health System of East Texas
01.2001 - 01.2003
- All Aspects of Emergent and Non-Emergent Nursing
- Trauma Nursing
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Contributed towards reducing overcrowding in the Emergency Room by assisting with discharge coordination allowing quicker patient turnover.
- Prevented hospital-acquired infections by strictly adhering to infection control protocols such as proper handwashing techniques and equipment sterilization processes.
- Reduced wait times for patients by streamlining the admission process and collaborating with physicians to expedite treatment
Attended Nursing School
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Break in employment
Police Communications Operator II
Texas Department of Public Safety
01.1993 - 01.1999
- Dispatched emergent and non-emergent calls for a12 county area utilizing4 different primary radio frequencies
- Coordinated response for emergency situations
- Prepared reports that were sent to Houston and Austin on fatality accidents, narcotics seizures, fleet accidents, etc
- Liaison between multiple agencies during disaster situations
Police Communications Operator
Angelina County Sheriff’s Office
01.1990 - 01.1993
- Dispatched emergent and non-emergent calls to deputies
- Monitored inmate visitation
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX05-2002
Skills
- Clinical leadership
- Training and mentoring
- Staff supervision
- Staff scheduling
- Patient flow
- Managerial experience
- Team management
- Effective communication
- Emergency situational awareness
- Compliance oversight
- Quality improvement
- Training program implementation
- Clinical operations
Timeline
Area Clinical Manager for the East Texas Region (11 offices)
Heart to Heart Hospice Corporate
06.2022 - Current
Executive Director
Heart to Heart Hospice
07.2020 - 06.2022
Area Clinical Manager
Heart to Heart Hospice Corporate
08.2018 - 07.2020
Trauma Program Manager
Nacogdoches Medical Center
06.2016 - 07.2018
Pediatric STAR Program Case Manager
United Healthcare
04.2016 - 06.2016
Area Clinical/Quality Manager
Heart to Heart Hospice
09.2014 - 04.2016
Admissions Nurse/RN Case Manager
Heart to Heart Hospice
04.2014 - 09.2014
ER Staff Nurse
Helping Hands Nursing Agency
02.2014 - 04.2016
House Supervisor/Trauma Program Coordinator
Memorial Health System of East Texas
03.2013 - 03.2014
Assistant Director of Nursing
Audubon Behavioral Healthcare
01.2013 - 03.2013
Infirmary Nurse Manager
Lufkin State Supported Living Center
08.2012 - 01.2013
Administrative Director of Clinical Operations, Obstetrics and Emergency Management
Memorial Health System of East Texas
08.2009 - 06.2012
Director of Clinical Operations and Obstetrics
Memorial Health System of East Texas
01.2006 - 01.2009
Weekend House Supervisor
Memorial Health System of East Texas
01.2005 - 01.2006
Emergency Room Staff Nurse
Woodland Heights Medical Center
01.2003 - 01.2005
Emergency Room Staff Nurse
Memorial Health System of East Texas
01.2001 - 01.2003
Attended Nursing School
01.1999 - 01.2001
Police Communications Operator II
Texas Department of Public Safety
01.1993 - 01.1999
Police Communications Operator
Angelina County Sheriff’s Office
01.1990 - 01.1993
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Angelina College
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