Deborah Powers
Gresham,Oregon
Summary
Experienced Deputy Director and Nurse with a wealth of continual process and operation improvement experience. Offers over 25 years in Healthcare. Successfully oversees FQHC operations, planning and quality and develops and monitors resources. Actively engages direct reports to achieve goals. Experienced at effectively working with Labor Unions to meet employee and programmatic objectives.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director, Clinical Operations and Integration
Multnomah County Health Department
06.2021 - Current
- Deputy to the FQHC Chief Operating Officer
- Senior level Director with oversight of the FQHCs 7 Primary Care Health Centers, 1 Primary Care Health Center specializing in the care of clients living with HIV, 9 Student Health Centers and 7 Dental Clinics
- Fosters a positive work environment by promoting collaboration, transparency, and open communication among team members
- Monitors performance metrics, analyzing trends to identify areas requiring attention or improvement.
- Co-develops the annual Strategic Operational Plan and its implementation
- Monitors monthly financial reports and ensures grant supported programming and financials are meeting targets
- Retains all tasks inherent to the below ICS Clinical Operations Deputy Director role with increased responsibility to include Laboratory and Dental programming.
- Collaborates with other department heads to ensure smooth functioning of organizational activities.
- Coordinates cross-functional teams to successfully execute large-scale projects on time and within budget constraints.
- Manages budgets and financial resources effectively, optimizing resource allocation for maximum impact.
- Liaise between organization and affiliates and managed networking relationships with funders, partners and vendors.
- Determines agenda, developed plans and oversaw implementation of programs and updates.
Interim Chief Operating Officer
Multnomah County ICS
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Executive level Leader responsible for the administration and operation of the FQHC Medical, Dental, Laboratory program.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations to keep organization running smoothly while working toward goals.
- Mentored team members by sharing knowledge, offering guidance, and providing constructive feedback; fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the organization.
- Guided teams through periods of significant change by providing clear communication and decisive leadership during transitions.
- Monitored and analyzed industry trends to identify opportunities for organizational growth and competitiveness.
- Managed crisis response to minimize potential negative impacts on company.
ICS Clinical Operations Deputy Director
Multnomah County Health Department
10.2018 - 06.2021
- Deputy to the FQHC Integrated Clinical Services Director
- Worked with the ICS Senior Leadership Team on strategy and operations to ensure successful, sustainable FQHC programming
- Provided programmatic oversight for the nurse leadership team via weekly huddles and bimonthly Nurse Executive Committee Meetings
- Retained roles inherent to a Nursing Director in the absence of a Nursing Director
- Led emergency response planning huddles and assists with emergency response activities
- Represented the Health Center on workgroups, task forces, and committees with internal and external partners
- Participated as the leadership representative on NERC (Nurse Employee Relations Committee) and ERC (Local 88 Employee Relations Committee) and in bargaining and grievances.
- Worked closely with HR/LR on high risk employee relations issues and participates in bargaining
- Presented to The Board of County Commissioners and Community Health Center Board for budgetary approval such as budget modifications, grant submission authority, policy changes, and changes in scope
- Managed the Leading with Race curriculum presented by colleagues or myself at each quarterly leadership meeting.
- Leaded bi- monthly operational meetings and participates in role based huddles
- Monitored the progress on projects included in the ICS Annual Operations Plan and ensures that activities are in alignment with the ICS Strategic Plan
- Shared accountability for ensuring compliance with multiple agencies including Joint Commission, HRSA, OSBN, and OHA
- Directly supervise the Nurse Development Consultants, the Population Health Program Supervisor, and the Lab Director and Central Lab Supervisor along with their portfolio of work
- Led pandemic related strategy and implementation activities centered on testing, treatment, infection prevention, and workforce retention
- Participated on the Covid Incident Command team as Operations Section Chief
- Covered as the Interim Health Center Manager for Mid County Health Center between 5/2020-2/2021
- Interim Integrated Clinical Services (ICS) Services Director 2/21-6/21
Rockwood Health Center Program Manager
Multnomah County Health Department
04.2014 - 10.2018
- Managed the Rockwood Health Center Health Center Medical Program and provided support to co-located Dental and Pharmacy Leadership
- Responsible for campus management, ensuring the environment of care conditions were up to standards, emergency preparedness plans were in place and trained to, and Joint Commission standards were met
- Led staff recruitment, retention, engagement, training/competencies, adherence to standard work, and all HR related activities
- Monitored and shared productivity and quality metric goals with leadership and staff
- Collaborated with teams on process improvement for our areas of risk
- Provided training, monitoring, and feedback to staff on customer services expectations
- Provided service recovery and response to client concerns
- Staff development (many frontline staff have since become managers and supervisors)
- Led and supported the work of the Sustainability Group and Safety Committee
- Created the Health Center budget and adjusted programming and positions as needed based on fluctuations in the budget
- Reproductive Health Coordinator for Multnomah County
ICS Operations Manager
Multnomah County Health Department
10.2013 - 04.2014
- Supervised a team of program specialists and the CHW supervisors along with their portfolio of work
- Facilitated collaboration between diverse teams to achieve common goals and drive project success.
- Conducted thorough post-project evaluations to identify areas for improvement in future initiatives.
- Recruited and oversaw personnel to achieve performance and quality targets.
Northeast Health Center
Multnomah County Health Department
05.2012 - 10.2013
- Supervised the Northeast Health Center LPNs, RNs, MAs, and Lab Tech
- Responsible for all training, competencies, performance improvement efforts, staff development activities, staff scheduling, and HR responsibilities
- Led team meetings and participated in Safety Committee, Building Management, Infection Prevention, and Client Advisory meetings
- Managed the North Portland Health Center during this time in the absence of their leadership team.
- Led a CDC grant funded Colorectal Cancer Screening project focused on targeted outreach to Black/African American clients.
Community Health Nurse
Clackamas County
07.2006 - 05.2012
- Provided nurse triage and managed all client calls for the team with the exception of scheduling only calls
- Kept a schedule of visits including reproductive health, immunizations, refugee screening, prenatal initial visits, STD screening/treatment, and health education
- Worked in collaboration with the Behavioral Health Provider to provide care coordination for high risk clients including those experiencing mental health crisis
- Participated in ongoing professional development and training opportunities to stay abreast of best practices and emerging trends in community health nursing.
- Communicated with physicians and practitioners for patient care concerns to obtain orders and intervention protocols.
- Employed critical thinking and problem-solving skills when faced with complex or ambiguous patient situations, leading to the identification of creative solutions that promoted optimal health outcomes.
Nursing Supervisor
Northwest Primary Care
07.2002 - 07.2006
- Supervision of the non-provider clinical staff including all HR responsibilities, training, scheduling, and quality improvement work
- Served on the policy review committee and held responsibility for annual competencies and training on updated policies and procedures
- Maintained clinic supply and pharmaceutical sample supply
- Ensured infection control standards were adhered to and quality control on reusable sterile equipment
- Direct patient care, minor surgical support
- Responded to client concerns and provided service recovery.
Agency RN
Maxim Healthcare
01.2001 - 06.2002
- Agency staff nurse, floated to medical/surgical, respiratory, post operative orthopedic, and cardiac floors at Providence Portland Hospital.
Medical/Surgical RN
Harbor UCLA Hospital Torrance California
04.2000 - 12.2000
- Limited duration float nurse assigned to the ICU Step down unit at the County hospital in Torrance California.
LVN Lead
Bay Shores Medical/Memorial Medical Group/Healthcare Partners
06.1996 - 06.1998
- Nurse leader for a busy Family Practice clinic
- Led a team of Certified Medical Assistance and was responsible for hiring, training, and scheduling of the team
- Helped to run the lab and performed all nurse treatments such as IV therapy, catheterization, and wound care
- This position was the only nurse at the site.
Education
ADN -
Long Beach City College
12.1999
Vocational Nursing Certificate -
Long Beach City College
12.1995
Dominican College of San Rafael
01.1993
Skills
- Operations Management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Program coordination
- Program Oversight
- Grants
- Employee Relations
- Crisis Management
- Task Delegation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Workforce Planning
- Budgeting expertise
- Google platform
- Ochin Epic
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Client Relationship Building
Committee Membership
Health Share-Operational Excellence MAC
Oregon Primary Care Association Steering Committee
References
- Fred Dolgin, 503-957-9589, frederickdolgin@gmail.com
- Bernadette Thomas, 503-577-2528, bernadette.thomas@multco.us
Training
- LEAN Green Belt
- Ochin Epic proficient
Timeline
Interim Chief Operating Officer
Multnomah County ICS
01.2023 - 06.2023
Deputy Director, Clinical Operations and Integration
Multnomah County Health Department
06.2021 - Current
ICS Clinical Operations Deputy Director
Multnomah County Health Department
10.2018 - 06.2021
Rockwood Health Center Program Manager
Multnomah County Health Department
04.2014 - 10.2018
ICS Operations Manager
Multnomah County Health Department
10.2013 - 04.2014
Northeast Health Center
Multnomah County Health Department
05.2012 - 10.2013
Community Health Nurse
Clackamas County
07.2006 - 05.2012
Nursing Supervisor
Northwest Primary Care
07.2002 - 07.2006
Agency RN
Maxim Healthcare
01.2001 - 06.2002
Medical/Surgical RN
Harbor UCLA Hospital Torrance California
04.2000 - 12.2000
LVN Lead
Bay Shores Medical/Memorial Medical Group/Healthcare Partners
06.1996 - 06.1998
ADN -
Long Beach City College
Vocational Nursing Certificate -
Long Beach City College
Dominican College of San Rafael