Dayna Dirkintis BSN, RN CHHPO
Surprise,AZ
Summary
Accomplished Registered Nurse with over 20 years of healthcare experience, including 15+ years as an RN, and years in progressive nursing leadership roles. Most recently, I served as Head of Nursing for a multi-state healthcare startup, leading clinical operations, regulatory strategy, and team development during rapid expansion.
CHAP-Certified Home Health Professional Operator (CHHPO) with deep expertise in CMS and state compliance, survey readiness, quality improvement, and policy development. Currently consulting with healthcare organizations on regulatory alignment, clinical infrastructure, and nursing leadership coaching. Known for driving operational excellence, scaling compliant systems, and empowering clinical teams through periods of growth and change.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Healthcare Consultant
Self-Employed/ Independent Consultant
Remote
06.2025 - Current
- Delivered clinical and regulatory consulting services to home health agencies and startups, enhancing compliance and operational scaling
- Supported organizations in preparation for CHAP, ACHC, CMS, and state surveys, focusing on sustainable compliance infrastructure
- Advised healthcare leaders on policy development, workflow optimization, and team structure for high-quality care delivery
- Provided fractional Head of Nursing and QA support during leadership transitions and organizational restructuring
- Conducted training and coaching for new Directors of Nursing, QA nurses, and interdisciplinary teams to foster leadership skills
Head of Nursing
Abby Care
Remote
08.2024 - 06.2025
- Supervised clinical operations across 5 states, including 5 DON's, more than 30 RN's, and over 800 CNA's and HHA's
- Oversaw the daily operations of the nursing department, including staffing, performance evaluations, budgeting, and resource allocation
- Streamlined organizational processes, achieving exponential rise in census, tripling nursing team capacity, and preserving retention rate above 95%
- Increased nursing caseload utilization by partnering with the operations team on optimized administrative and scheduling workflows
- Led four successful audits by the state and CHAP surveyors, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to drive the identification of improvement areas and implement corrective actions, resulting in enhanced compliance and quality outcomes
- Successfully launched operations in four new states by partnering across four service lines, providing strategic leadership, designing operational frameworks, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards
- Established policies and procedures to ensure ethical behavior, patient safety, and quality outcomes, in line with federal and state regulations, and best practices
Director of Compliance & Clinical Excellence
Abby Care
04.2024 - 08.2024
- Development and implementation of robust compliance program, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and mitigating risks across multiple healthcare facilities
- Supervised a Quality Assurance team, including a Compliance Nurse Manager and an RN QA team, to oversee chart audits, incident reporting, and QAPI initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and improving overall care quality
- Oversaw the Performance Improvement Committee, driving the development and execution of performance enhancement strategies based on audit findings and incident trends.
- Manage quality assurance processes, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in clinical operations.
- Established policies and procedures to promote ethical behavior, patient safety, and quality outcomes, aligning with state and federal regulations and industry best practices
Director of Nursing
Abby Care
02.2024 - 04.2024
- Appointed as Director of Nursing to lead operations in a startup expansion state, establishing clinical protocols, building a high-performing team, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards to support successful market entry
- Partnered with the Director of Nursing in an existing state to provide clinical expertise on home health regulations, ensuring adherence to CMS, CHAP, and state guidelines, and supporting operational compliance and quality standards
- Collaborated extensively with engineering and product design teams to develop and implement a new EMR system, applying professional nursing knowledge to ensure functionality, compliance, and user-centered design that supports efficient care delivery
Registered Nurse, Occupational Health
On-Site Medical
Phoenix, AZ
02.2023 - 11.2023
- Served as RN Case Manager at the largest construction site in North America with over 13,000 workers.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions
- Implemented job modifications and updated care plans for employees who were ill, injured, or having personal medical conditions
- Collaborated with healthcare teams, safety officers for 3 general contractors and over 20 subcontractors, to improve care quality, reduce costs and manage patient progress
- Supported senior leadership with supply chain management, scheduling, and implementation of process improvements for continuation of care
- RFL: To complete BSN and pursue leadership opportunities
Clinical Nurse Manager
Providence Health and Services
Lacey, WA
10.2020 - 11.2022
- Worked in remote/hybrid capacity to serve in leadership role overseeing 40 home health clinicians including RN's, LPN's, PT's, PTA's, OT's, COTA's, HHA's, schedulers, and triage department and administrative staff
- Participated in quarterly QAPI and Utilization Review meetings to meet HEDIS, OASIS and CMS guidelines
- Assigned and provided consultative support for referrals as appropriate to clinicians based on clinical skill set, and staffing census
- Collaborated with hospital and community liaisons to convey staffing availability, services offered, and care efficiency to referral sources.
- RFL: Husband retired from U.S. Army and family relocated to AZ
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Madigan Army Medical Center
Tacoma, WA
06.2019 - 05.2020
- Served as liaison for four orthopedic surgeons, surgical residents, PA's, LPN’s and MA’s to oversee patient care
- Provided case management services for total joint replacement patients both inpatient and in clinic
- Presented health education at training workshops in local area with average of 15-30 participants
- RFL: COVID-19 pandemic started, husband was deployed and obtained remote leadership role
Director of Nursing
Springs Ranch Memory Care
Colorado Springs, CO
02.2018 - 11.2018
- Budgeted, managed, trained and scheduled staff of over 50 RN's, LPN's, CNA's and caregivers
- Achieved state licensure as newly established 80+ bed assisted living/memory care following strict adherence to CO state regulations
- Administered fiscal operations for accounting, budget planning, authorizing expenditures and reporting
- RFL: Active duty military family, orders received to move from CO to WA, stepped down from position once replacement was hired to ready family for move
Nurse Unit Coordinator
St. Francis Medical Center
Colorado Springs, CO
09.2016 - 02.2018
- Managed staffing, scheduling, patient placement, and charge Nurse duties to optimize workflow.
- Assisted in interviews and served as liaison between doctor’s office and upper management.
- Performed as procedural RN during diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures for inpatient and outpatient cases.
- Ensured compliance with Centura Health policies and CRISSIE values at all times.
- Acted as EPIC super user, enhancing system utilization among staff.
- Collaborated closely with Infection Preventionist for three months to review charts for CDC and NHSN standards.
- RFL: Obtained nursing leadership position as a DON at Springs Ranch
PACU Registered Nurse
The San Antonio Orthopedic Group
San Antonio, TX
03.2014 - 08.2016
- Monitored anesthesia processes and patient recovery from orthopedic surgical procedures in PACU phase I & II, and 23-hour observation unit
- Attended to physical, mental, and emotional needs of patients post-surgery
- Administered medications and assisted with nerve blocks for patients across pediatric to geriatric age groups, ensuring tailored support
- RFL: Active duty military family, orders received to move from TX to CO
Education
Bachelor's Degree - BSN-Nursing
11.2023
Associate’s Degree - ADN-Nursing
05-2010
Licensed Practical Nurse Certification - LPN-Nursing
11-2008
Skills
- Daisy Nursing Award nominee
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Quality improvement
- Project management
- Regulatory knowledge and expertise of CHAPS, ACHC, OASIS, and CMS guidelines
- Nurse education and staff development
- Strategic risk management
Certification
- Arizona State Board of Nursing (Multistate Compact License) License Number: RN164241
- California State Board of Nursing License Number: RN95373644
- CHAP Certified Home Health Professional Operator (CHHPO)
- IHSS Provider Certificate
- Colorado Basic 8-hour Administrator/Manager Training Certificate
- BLS, ACLS, PALS Certification
Timeline
Healthcare Consultant - Self-Employed/ Independent Consultant
06.2025 - Current
Head of Nursing - Abby Care
08.2024 - 06.2025
Director of Compliance & Clinical Excellence - Abby Care
04.2024 - 08.2024
Director of Nursing - Abby Care
02.2024 - 04.2024
Registered Nurse, Occupational Health - On-Site Medical
02.2023 - 11.2023
Clinical Nurse Manager - Providence Health and Services
10.2020 - 11.2022
Registered Nurse Case Manager - Madigan Army Medical Center
06.2019 - 05.2020
Director of Nursing - Springs Ranch Memory Care
02.2018 - 11.2018
Nurse Unit Coordinator - St. Francis Medical Center
09.2016 - 02.2018
PACU Registered Nurse - The San Antonio Orthopedic Group
03.2014 - 08.2016
Grand Canyon University - Bachelor's Degree, BSN-Nursing
Glendale Community College - Associate’s Degree, ADN-Nursing
Maricopa Skill Center - Licensed Practical Nurse Certification, LPN-Nursing
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