Deborah Benton
Snow Hill,MD
Summary
Accomplished Director of Nursing with a proven track record in, enhancing clinical outcomes through strategic planning and quality improvement. Expert in healthcare regulations compliance and adept at fostering multidisciplinary collaboration. Increased patient satisfaction scores significantly by implementing innovative care standards and fostering a culture of continuous professional development among staff. 20 Years experience in Alzheimer's Care and Short Term Rehab Nursing and Management.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Nursing /Director of Quality Assurance
Communicare
10.2021 - Current
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Streamlined nursing operations by optimizing staffing schedules, resource allocation, and workflow processes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients with complex needs.
- Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Facilitated continuing education and training programs to drive staff competency and professional development.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners to facilitate continuity of care for patients transitioning between healthcare settings.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
- Conducted regular risk assessments within the department to identify areas of potential vulnerability and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates through effective discharge planning and patient education.
- 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.
Director of Nursing / Quality Assurance /Infection Preventionist
Harrison Senior Living
06.2019 - 10.2021
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
- Discussed patient care and treatment with care team members to optimize intervention plans and care delivery.
- Designed and implemented standards of care for nursing and patient care.
- Followed all HIPAA rules and regulations regarding patient confidentiality.
- Investigated and reported all incidents per hospital policies.
- Answered questions and addressed concerns from employees via email, phone and in person.
- Developed and implemented new nursing protocols to improve patient outcomes while minimizing medical errors.
- Interviewed, hired, instructed and mentored employees and promoted high level of care quality to patients.
- Evaluated clinical performance data to identify areas for improvement and develop targeted action plans.
Quality Assurance Director /Registered Nurse Supervisor, Wound Care
Communicare
01.2018 - 07.2019
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Provided ongoing education and support for nursing staff in understanding and adhering to quality assurance standards, fostering a culture of excellence within the department.
- Conducted regular risk assessments to proactively identify potential hazards or vulnerabilities within the department''s processes, ensuring prompt remediation efforts were undertaken when needed.
- Improved patient care quality by conducting thorough audits of nursing practices and documentation.
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives, leading to higher patient satisfaction scores and overall better care outcomes.
- Facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration for the development and implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines, promoting consistency in patient care delivery.
- Evaluated nursing competencies through regular assessments, identifying areas for professional growth and development opportunities.
- Conducted root cause analyses to identify factors contributing to adverse events, enabling timely corrective action and reducing future risks.
- Treated and carefully tended to vascular and diabetic ulcers.
- Assessed and treated draining of wounds and burns.
- Prevented skin deterioration against formidable odds using ground-breaking technology.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of patients'' wounds, determining appropriate interventions for optimal healing.
- Streamlined documentation processes for efficient tracking of patient progress and better communication among team members.
- Supported staff development through ongoing education and training sessions on wound care best practices.
Chief Nursing Officer /Director of Quality Assurance
Hartley Hall
07.2015 - 05.2017
- Discussed patient care and treatment with care team members to optimize intervention plans and care delivery.
- Designed and implemented standards of care for nursing and patient care.
- Followed all HIPAA rules and regulations regarding patient confidentiality.
- Provided direct nursing care to patients when personnel was short-staffed.
- Answered questions and addressed concerns from employees via email, phone and in person.
- Coordinated patient care services and managed clinical cost control.
- Developed and implemented new nursing protocols to improve patient outcomes while minimizing medical errors.
- Interviewed, hired, instructed and mentored employees and promoted high level of care quality to patients.
- Optimized workflow processes by integrating advanced technology systems into daily operations.
- Served as a liaison between nursing staff, physicians, administration, and other stakeholders for effective communication and collaboration.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements through regular audits, policy updates, and ongoing education for staff members.
Director of Nursing /Chief Nursing Officer /Director of Quality Assurance
Cadia Healthcare Renaissance
08.2011 - 01.2015
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Performed rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, and families.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Conducted regular risk assessments within the department to identify areas of potential vulnerability and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning by promoting professional development opportunities for nursing staff, including in-house training programs, conferences, workshops, and online resources.
Education
MSN - AGPCNP
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN01.2025
Associates of Nursing - Nursing - RN
Wor-Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD08.2005
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing- LPN
Wor- Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD02.2004
High School Diploma -
Washington High School
Princess Anne, MD05.1994
Nursing Assistant
Tawes Technology & Career Center
Princess Anne, MD05.1994
Skills
- Nurse Education and Training
- Leadership and Guidance
- Quality Improvement
- Strong Work Ethic
- Professional Development
- Process Improvements
- Policies Compliance Enforcement
- Staff recruitment and retention
- Long-Term Care
- Healthcare Regulations Compliance
- Critical Thinking
- Clinical Documentation
- Policy Development
- Documentation And Reporting
- Issue Resolution
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Strategic Planning
- Effective Multitasking
- Process Improvement
- Patient Safety Protocols
- Quality Assurance
- EMR Software
- Risk Management
- Quality Control
- Clinical judgment
- Suicide Risk Assessment
- Dementia Care
- Depression Management
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Safety Planning
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Strong Clinical Judgment
Accomplishments
- Achieved both State and Federal Surveys through effectively leading buildings in non-harm surveys.
Timeline
Director of Nursing /Director of Quality Assurance
Communicare
10.2021 - Current
Director of Nursing / Quality Assurance /Infection Preventionist
Harrison Senior Living
06.2019 - 10.2021
Quality Assurance Director /Registered Nurse Supervisor, Wound Care
Communicare
01.2018 - 07.2019
Chief Nursing Officer /Director of Quality Assurance
Hartley Hall
07.2015 - 05.2017
Director of Nursing /Chief Nursing Officer /Director of Quality Assurance
Cadia Healthcare Renaissance
08.2011 - 01.2015
MSN - AGPCNP
Walden University
Associates of Nursing - Nursing - RN
Wor-Wic Community College
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing- LPN
Wor- Wic Community College
High School Diploma -
Washington High School
Nursing Assistant
Tawes Technology & Career Center