Cynthia Kernea
Summary
Transformational Director of Nursing Services experienced in elevating patient care quality through innovative clinical operations. Developed policies that enhanced patient safety and satisfaction while leading teams to exceed operational targets. Fostered a culture of mentorship and development, resulting in improved patient outcomes and enhanced interdisciplinary communication.
Overview
1
1
Certification
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Nursing Services and Quality
Fleming County Hospital
Flemingsburg, KY
01.2024 - Current
- Day-to-day Operations of all inpatient services and ER
- Oversaw clinical operations to ensure quality patient care and compliance.
- Managed staff scheduling and performance evaluations for clinical teams.
- Developed and implemented policies to improve patient safety standards.
- Collaborated with physicians on treatment protocols and clinical guidelines.
- Facilitated training sessions for clinical staff on best practices and procedures.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary meetings to enhance communication among departments.
- Analyzed patient feedback to drive targeted service improvement initiatives.
- Led strategic planning to align clinical services with hospital goals and enhance operational effectiveness.
- Maintained confidentiality of patient information according to HIPAA regulations.
- Actively participated in strategic planning initiatives designed to improve overall operations of the facility.
- Supervised the daily operations of assigned departments, such as nursing, medical records and laboratory services.
- Developed and implemented clinical policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to develop effective treatment plans for patients.
- Analyzed data from reports related to clinical services, including patient satisfaction surveys.
- Implemented strategies to ensure efficient utilization of available resources while meeting organizational goals.
- Managed budgets and resources for departments within the facility.
- Represented the organization at various professional meetings or conferences related to healthcare industry topics.
- Created training programs to enhance employees' knowledge base in their respective fields.
- Established performance objectives and evaluated staff performance regularly.
- Monitored quality assurance initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and ensure compliance with standards.
- Ensured that all department personnel maintained a high level of professionalism and customer service standards.
- Investigated complaints from patients or families regarding clinical services provided by the facility.
- Developed strategies for improving communication between departments within the facility.
- Participated in committees related to healthcare regulations, accreditation processes, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Assessed staffing needs within the facility and recruited qualified personnel when necessary.
- Utilized active listening and interpersonal communication skills to build professional relationships with patients, clinical staff and other stakeholders.
- Improve policies and procedures through development, implementation, revision and evaluation of new protocols.
- Recruited individuals bringing talent, well-developed skills sets and passion for helping others, effectively building exceptionally gifted team of personnel.
- Developed nursing protocols to enhance patient care and safety standards.
Organizational Throughput/Float Pool Manager
Hamilton Medical Center
Dalton, GA
09.2011 - 07.2023
- Completed multiple tasks within established timeframes to ensure operational efficiency.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Enhanced team performance by monitoring daily activities and providing mentorship to team members.
- Evaluated employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training.
- Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands.
- Analyzed performance data to assess productivity, track goal progress, and evaluate activity levels.
- Maximized productivity by keeping detailed records of daily progress and identifying and rectifying areas for improvement.
Director of Nursing Services
Putnam Care And Rehabilitation
Hurricane, WV
01.2004 - 06.2009
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents and families.
- Collaborated with staff, management and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Developed employee relations and recognition programs, fostering teamwork and mutual respect among staff.
- Established and monitored infection control programs, ensuring a safe and sanitary environment that prevented disease transmission.
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes and resident complaints or concerns.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports, identifying trends and implementing targeted actions to control and prevent infections.
- Recruited and developed quality individuals to develop accountable top quality staff.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with statutory, regulatory and local, state and federal guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Created customized care plans, working with hospital staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
- Implemented successful healthcare program through professionalism, quality of care, medical teaching and patient satisfaction.
- Monitored and inspected staff processes to eliminate hazards posed for both residents and staff while ensuring continuous compliance with regulations.
- Designed and introduced leadership development, coaching and team management model, resulting in promotion of employees into increased levels of responsibility.
- Organized and facilitated department head meetings weekly, discussing current census, admissions and discharges and residents' Medicaid applications.
Unit Manager
Genesis Rehabilitation Services
Hurricane, WV
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Assisted in development and implementation of policies, procedures and regulations for unit operations.
- Handled complaints from patients and families and immediately took steps for quick resolution and to prevent reoccurrence.
- Oversaw RNs, LPNs, nursing aides, medical clerks and support staff and performed staffing scheduling duties.
- Met with nursing staff and support personnel to plan services, programs and activities.
- Coordinated nursing with other services to promote continuity of total regimen of care.
- Protected patients and employees by developing and interpreting infection-control policies and protocols and maintained patient confidence by monitoring confidential information.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Supervised, directed and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Assessed patients to determine individual needs and develop care plans in coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
Registered Nurse, ICU
Charleston Area Medical Center Health System Inc.
Charleston, WV
05.1992 - 08.2001
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Coordinated patient care throughout hospital stay, ensuring seamless transitions from admission to discharge.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
- Monitored patient reactions to medications, documenting findings to inform treatment adjustments.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Performed arterial cut-downs, inserted central lines and inserted endotracheal tubes as part of trauma team.
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Coordinated and supervised patient care for various therapies and medical procedures.
- Evaluated healthcare needs and treatment goals for each patient, connecting them with optimal providers and resources.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients on medical-surgical unit, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments, and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians and unit clerks.
- Administered medications and IV treatments, performed catheter insertions, and managed airways.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
Travel Nurse, Adult ICU
Cross Country Healthcare
Raleigh, NC
01.1998 - 12.2000
- Documented patient interactions and interventions in EPIC EMR.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and manage personalized care plans, addressing patients' individual needs.
- Documented all elements of care and updated patient charts and confidential files to reflect changes in care plans, interventions applied and observations.
- Provided comprehensive care to patients with diverse diagnoses, overseeing treatment from initiation to completion.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Educated patients and families on effective treatment options and at-home care strategies, promoting improved long-term outcomes.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing Science
University of Charleston
Charleston, WV05-1992
High School Diploma -
Nitro High School
Nitro, WV06-1988
Medical Assistant -
Ben Franklin Career & Technical Education Center
Dunbar, WV05-1988
Skills
- Nursing
- ICU Experience
- Critical Care Experience
- Patient Care
- Clinical operations
- Quality assurance
- Regulatory compliance
- Patient care coordination
- HIPAA
- Policy writing
- Resource management
- Strategic planning
- Staff development
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Leadership
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Team building
- Conflict resolution
- Clinical system monitoring
- Injection administration
- Hospital Experience
- Team management
- Data entry
- Written communication
- Interpersonal communication
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Verbal communication
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Clerical support
- Patient advocacy
- Performance evaluation
- Budget management
- Healthcare regulations
- Staff training
- Patient safety
- Data analysis
- Organization and time management
Certification
- RN License, July 2023 to July 2027
- PALS Certification
- BLS Certification
- ACLS Certification
- Compact State Nurse License
- Kentucky Nursing License, August 2023 to January 2025
Timeline
Director of Nursing Services and Quality
Fleming County Hospital
01.2024 - Current
Organizational Throughput/Float Pool Manager
Hamilton Medical Center
09.2011 - 07.2023
Director of Nursing Services
Putnam Care And Rehabilitation
01.2004 - 06.2009
Unit Manager
Genesis Rehabilitation Services
01.2001 - 01.2004
Travel Nurse, Adult ICU
Cross Country Healthcare
01.1998 - 12.2000
Registered Nurse, ICU
Charleston Area Medical Center Health System Inc.
05.1992 - 08.2001
Associate of Science - Nursing Science
University of Charleston
High School Diploma -
Nitro High School
Medical Assistant -
Ben Franklin Career & Technical Education Center