Dena Sooby
Registered Nurse
Austin,TX
Summary
Seasoned Clinical Nurse Manager offering 25 years' nursing experience and success in leading teams while providing exceptional care to patients. Experienced in all aspects of patient care and highly adept in working closely with physicians to achieve optimal patient outcomes and a stellar patient experience. Proven leader focused on developing clinically competent, patient-focused teams. Accomplished in improving delivery of care, patient outcomes and nursing staff performance. Goal driven, hardworking and passionate nurse looking for a new opportunity that will utilize my enthusiasm for health care. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges.
Overview
1
1
Certification
7
7
years of post-secondary education
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Nurse Manager
North Austin Surgery Center
Austin, TX
08.2008 - Current
- Supervise, direct and motivate high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Interact effectively with department managers and physicians to promptly correct problems and improve services.
- Seek opportunities to improve patient care, outcomes and nursing staff performance.
- Review department performance and adjust coverage to compensate for changing conditions.
- Evaluate nursing staff's performance and develop education programs and professional development opportunities to improve individual and team competencies, clinical knowledge and delivery of care.
- Administer medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Oversee training, staffing and education of pre-op and PACU staff
- Establish and continuously optimize unit schedules and individual work assignments.
- Review charts daily to complete quality control checks.
- Take vitals and assess patients in recovery room following surgical procedures.
- Evaluate patients' pain levels, implementing correct dosage of medication to alleviate discomfort.
- Together with management team, develop and update policies and procedures maintaining compliance with statutory, regulatory and local, state and federal guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
- Generate and review variance reports, including employee write-ups, initiating appropriate corrective action plans and process improvement strategies.
- Implement successful healthcare programs through professionalism, quality of care, medical teaching and patient satisfaction.
- Motivate and supervise 15 RN's in delivering quality patient care.
- Foster excellence by example by "setting pace" and being hands on mentor to clinical staff.
Staff RN IV PACU
Methodist Hospital
San Antonio, TX
06.2002 - 08.2008
- Provided peri-operative care in a 25- bed unit to a variety of patient populations undergoing surgical procedures, including ambulatory, post trauma, acute and chronic conditions.
- Involved in Process Improvement and Resuscitation committees.
- Functioned regularly as relief charge and interim assistant nurse manager.
- Managed elements of patient care from admission to discharge or transfer to other units.
- Remained calm during high-stress, critical situations, demonstrating sustained focus and problem-solving in real-time.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring and specimen collection.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures and nursing best practices.
RN PACU Traveler
American Mobile Healthcare
Austin Tx And Boston Ma
03.2001 - 05.2002
- Assigned to 17 bed intermediate care unit-Brackenridge Hospital (12/01-5/02)
- Assigned to 25 bed PACU at Brigham and Women's Hospital (6/01-12/01)
- Assigned to 35 bed PACU at Massachusetts General Hospital (3/01-6/01)
Charge Nurse/Staff Nurse
Bailey Square Surgery Center
Austin, TX
09.1998 - 03.2001
- Managed admissions and patient care areas.
- Responsible for direct supervision of personnel and staffing needs for high volume center.
- Trained and evaluated staff.
- Recognized and responded to emergency situations and participated in support and comfort and comfort of patients and their families.
- Responsible for clinical assessments of adult and pediatric patients, including respiratory and circulatory status, physical assessments and administration of testing or medication.
Staff RN II-ICU
Brackenridge Hospital
Austin, TX
02.1998 - 09.1998
- Provided critical care to trauma, neurological, medical and surgical patients; including assessments, care planning and advanced nursing skills
- Involvement in quality improvement, peer review and preceptor for the University of Texas Nursing program
Staff RN-SICU
Scott And White Hospital
Temple, TX
01.1996 - 02.1998
- Provided skilled nursing in a level II Trauma Center in the areas of surgical, neurological, medical, and cardiac.
- Extensive experience with advanced medical equipment, pain assessment ad medication. Cross trained to assist in six different units following a 6 month interneship.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas
Austin, TX 08.1988 - 12.1995
Skills
Employee Performance Evaluations
Process Implementation
Decision Making
Verbal and Written Communication
Employee Supervision
Risk Management
Critical Thinking
Employee Work Scheduling
Policy and Program Development
Employee Recruitment and Hiring
Clinical Quality Program Standards
Clinical Staff Management
Certification
BLS (8/22) ACLS (6/23) PALS (1/23)
Timeline
BLS (8/22) ACLS (6/23) PALS (1/23)
08-2021
Clinical Nurse Manager
North Austin Surgery Center
08.2008 - Current
Staff RN IV PACU
Methodist Hospital
06.2002 - 08.2008
RN PACU Traveler
American Mobile Healthcare
03.2001 - 05.2002
Charge Nurse/Staff Nurse
Bailey Square Surgery Center
09.1998 - 03.2001
Staff RN II-ICU
Brackenridge Hospital
02.1998 - 09.1998
Staff RN-SICU
Scott And White Hospital
01.1996 - 02.1998
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas
08.1988 - 12.1995