Dawn M. Whitten
RN
South Portland,ME
Summary
To seek and maintain a full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management, and problem-solving skills. Director/Nurse Leader with 24 years of nursing experience specializing in patient-centered care. Demonstrated talents in leading application and on-site surveys for organizational certifications. Cohesive collaborator when working with team members and other department leaders to complete daily tasks and the overall mission of the organization.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Clinical Informatics and IT
New England Cancer Specialists
Scarborough, ME
07.2021 - Current
- Consulted professional standards of care, scientific evidence and practice to evaluate health care programs.
- Analyzed electronic health records to identify areas for care improvement and cost reduction.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to drive communication and coordination of health informatics activities and promote accountability.
- Developed and updated health information systems and interfaces.
- Served as liaison between end-users and health IT team.
- Integrated decision support, clinical pathways and best practices into health information technology to enhance delivery of care and workflows.
- Applied medical subject matter knowledge to improve IT systems and functions.
- Influenced care outcomes by implementing improvements and optimizing health information technology.
- Incorporated quality improvement and safety-enhancing methodologies and tools to improve workflow processes,
- Applied knowledge, data, information and workflow to develop evidence-based models for health information technology solutions.
- Used advanced health informatics knowledge and judgment to promote colleague involvement in planning, decision-making and evaluating outcomes.
Director of Quality and Patient Safety
New England Cancer Specialists
Scarborough, ME
05.2019 - 06.2021
- Directs complex initiatives and responds quickly to changing issues and priorities involving multiple departments and stakeholders
- Conducts data analysis to identify trends and patterns related to care outcomes
- Develops actions plans to address negative findings and provides monthly dashboard to Quality performance against National Standards
- Collaborates with leadership, IT and others to identify and implement key process changes required for efficient practice operations and adherence to best practice standards -Works with clinical staff to implement streamlined and efficient workflow changes
- Member of monthly NECS Quality Committee, monthly NECS Safety Committee, bi-weekly Oncology Care Model workgroup, bi-weekly leadership meetings and monthly Specialty Solutions Quality Committee
- On-site leader responsible for facilitating any QOPI, Oncology Medical Home, ACHC, Dana Farber on-site visits or MIPS audits
- Incorporates evidence-based research into clinical practice to improve patient experience
- Coordinates, integrates, and completes compliance reviews of new clinical policies as set forth by Leadership within NECS
- Partners with outside healthcare partners (MMC, Dana Farber, etc.) as needed to support practice initiatives and strategic objectives
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, personal networking and participation in professional societies
- Meets with Leadership regularly to keep them informed of NECS' performance against quality and patient safety performance metrics
Clinic Director
New England Cancer Specialists
Scarborough, ME
09.2015 - 05.2019
- Coordination of Clinic and flow; manages all nursing and medical assistant staff
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Analyzed and reported patient data to identify areas of improvement and facilitate decision-making.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
- Conducted frequent clinic walk-throughs to maintain safe work environment.
- Leveraged patient feedback and performed continuous process improvements to streamline day-to-day business operations and patient satisfaction.
- Budgeted for resources to control expenditure and maximize profits.
- Hired, trained and supervised employees to maintain team of high performers.
- Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
Clinical Lead Nurse
New England Cancer Specialists
Scarborough, ME
05.2013 - 09.2015
- Coordination of Clinical flow/management between nursing staff and management
- In conjunction with existing RN responsibilities (listed below)
- EMR Super User/trainer, Come Home Project Training & Coordination
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to evaluate patient data and determine patient care plans.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated patients and families to increase understanding of condition and best ways to manage.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care outcomes.
Registered Nurse/Oncology Nurse Navigator
New England Cancer Specialists
Scarborough, ME
01.2001 - 09.2013
- Outpatient Oncology/Hematology; Private Physician Practice/Clinic
- Primary Clinical focus and specialty: Breast Cancer - Work directly with physician to provide holistic nursing care, answer and triage calls
- Attend Weekly Breast Center Conference- Administer medications, chemotherapy, and biotherapy regimens
- Navigate patient's through their cancer journey from diagnosis through survivorship or palliative/hospice care management
- Directly counsel/educate patients and families regarding side effects and management of their treatments
- Obtain insurance approval/authorization for necessary treatment
- Delegation and supervision of appropriate daily activities to co-workers such as Medical Assistants, Medical Secretaries and CNA's.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Educated patients on such topics as nutrition, medication side effects and proper skin treatments during anti-neoplastic therapy.
- Administered chemotherapy, pain medications and other medicines based on physician orders and patient requirements.
Registered Nurse
Maine Medical Center
Portland, ME
07.1999 - 02.2001
- Oncology/Hematology; Gibson Pavilion
- Provide complete holistic nursing care for up to eight patients, on inpatient oncology/hematology unit, including patient and family education
- IV Therapy; administering blood products, chemotherapy, and biotherapy
- Delegation and supervision of appropriate daily activities, to co-workers such as, CNA's and NUA's.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches
Education
Master of Science - DNP Path - Executive Leader
2026
Currently enrolled part time
Master of Science - Health Administration
12.2021
- Capstone Project: Breast Cancer in Women Under 40: Promoting healthcare changes for better quality outcomes.
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
05.1999
- Elected to Secretary for Student Nurses Association, 1998-1999.
- Honoree of Janet Irish Award, 1999.
Skills
- Manages multiple projects simultaneously to meet department objectives and deadlines consistently
- Sets priorities, works independently, and works well with others in demanding and changing environment
- Excellent writing, communication, assessment skills, and presentation skills
- EMR Systems: EMR Super User OncoEMR, experience with EPIC, Cerner, Mosaic, Aria, and Impax
- Regulatory Requirements
- Operational Standards
- Patient Triaging/Assessments
- Assisting Physicians
- Chronic Disease Management
- Computer proficiency including, Microsoft: Windows, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, SharePoint, Power Automate, Forms, Power Bi, Access, Google drive, and Internet
Accomplishments
- Publication: In Time of Need, Nursing 2000 , April 2000, vol. 30, #4.
- Maine Cancer Plan, Cancer Plan Committee 2021-25
- Maine Cancer Foundation: Tri for a Cure, 2008.
- American Cancer Society: Relay for Life Team Leader, South Portland, ME, 2007.
- Oncology Nursing Society, 2001-Present.
- Southern Maine Oncology Nursing Society, 2001-Present, Secretary, 2002-2004.
- South Portland Hockey Boosters, Vice President 2009 – October 2014.
- South Portland Softball Boosters, 2019- present, President 2023
Certification
- Licensed Registered Nurse - July 1999-Present
- Oncology Certified Nurse, Oncology Nursing Society, September 2002-Present.
- Certified Breast Care Nurse, Oncology Nursing Society, September 2009 – Present.
- CPR, BLS (Adult/Child) Certified, American Heart Association, June 1994-Present.
- Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy Certified, ONS/ONCC, 2000-Present.
- Oncology Nurse Navigator Certified Generalist, AONN, November 2016-December 2021.
- Certified Nursing Assistant, State of Maine, January 1997-June 1999.
Affiliations
- Novartis Speakers Bureau 2012-2019
- NNECOS Speaker & Panel Member Fall 2015
- Pfizer Speakers Bureau 2015-2019
- Heron Nurse Advisory Panel, September 2016
- Heron Speakers Bureau 2017-2020
Timeline
Director of Clinical Informatics and IT - New England Cancer Specialists
07.2021 - Current
Director of Quality and Patient Safety - New England Cancer Specialists
05.2019 - 06.2021
Clinic Director - New England Cancer Specialists
09.2015 - 05.2019
Clinical Lead Nurse - New England Cancer Specialists
05.2013 - 09.2015
Registered Nurse/Oncology Nurse Navigator - New England Cancer Specialists
01.2001 - 09.2013
Registered Nurse - Maine Medical Center
07.1999 - 02.2001
Purdue University Global - Master of Science - DNP Path, Executive Leader
Saint Joseph's College of Maine - Master of Science, Health Administration
Saint Joseph's College - Bachelor of Science, Nursing
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