Desiree Gower

• Oversaw 2 clinics with 7 providers, nursing teams, clinic teams, intake nurses, and ancillary teams at Valir PACE.
• Facilitated communication between physicians, nurses, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Maintained awareness of government regulations, health insurance changes and financing options.
• Maintained relationships with external vendors to ensure adequate supplies were available.
• Reviewed medical records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with legal requirements.
• Utilized active listening and interpersonal communication skills to build professional relationships with patients, clinical staff and other stakeholders.
• Provided onboarding and coaching to new hires to help each feel comfortable in job positions and prepared to handle various responsibilities.
• Directed, supervised and evaluated medical, clerical or maintenance personnel.
• Educated patients on their treatment plans, medications, and lifestyle changes.
• Monitored patient progress, ensuring quality care was provided.
• Evaluated clinical staff performance through regular meetings and assessments.
• Recruited individuals bringing talent, well-developed skills sets and passion for helping others, effectively building exceptionally gifted team of personnel.
• Crafted and initiated development of strategy-based plans, allowing organization to exceed objectives.
• Administered fiscal operations for accounting, budget planning, authorizing expenditures and coordinating reporting.
• Recruited, hired and trained new medical and facility staff.
• Attended conferences to stay up-to-date on best practices in healthcare management.
• Assessed need for additional staff, equipment and services based on historical data and seasonal trends.
• Conducted interviews and hired new clinicians.
• Coordinated weekly work schedules for department employees.
• Drove attainment of optimal outcomes through case management focused on appropriate treatment, clinical quality assurance and service utilization.
• Ensured compliance with all state and federal regulations related to clinical services.
• Communicated with patients with compassion while keeping medical information private.
• Resolved conflicts between staff members or departments when necessary.
• Ensured that all employees had appropriate training before working with patients.
• Provided clinical oversight for staff and services.
• Explained policies, procedures and services to patients.
• Managed the day-to-day operations of a multi-disciplinary team.

• Completion of the Universal Comprehensive Assessment Tool and initial evaluation of potential participants.
• Accession and review of medical records.
• Collaboration with OK Health Care Authority in review of participation appropriateness
• Advocated for patients by supporting and respecting basic rights, values, and beliefs.
• Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans.
• Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
• Ensured compliance with regulatory agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Conducted intake assessments with patients and relatives to gather case history.
• Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives within the department.
• Advocated for patient needs, team, and implemented outlined treatment plans.
• Updated charts throughout shifts with current, accurate information, to maintain strict record-keeping standards.
• Educated patients and families on health care needs, conditions, and options.
• Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
• Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
• Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.

• Supervision of 50 RNs and LPNs, 10 PTs and PTAs, and 20 HHAs
• Day to day operations of Home Health Agency
• QAPI program
• Chart review and QA
• Review of all patient complaints/concerns
• Payroll processing
• Assist with patient scheduling
• Management of supply chain
• Ensured compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
• Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
• Maintained accurate documentation of patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
• Carried out physician orders regarding tests or medication administration accurately and safely.
• Conducted intake assessments with patients and relatives to gather case history.
• Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through team nursing process.
• Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care.
• Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
• Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate and weight.
• Coordinated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care post-hospitalization.
• Assessed patient needs, prioritized treatment, maintained patient flows and assisted physicians with non-invasive procedures.
• Provided direct nursing care to patients, including administering medications, wound care, and IV therapy.
• Collected lab specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and lab results.
• Performed physical examinations and assessments of patients' medical histories.
• Collaborated with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization.
• Maintained personal and team compliance with medication administration standards and patient care best practices.
• Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
• Created onboarding program for new staff members, training in customer service and billing procedures.
• Managed patient care, clinic services, and handled financial management, quality assurance, safety, and risk management.
• Investigated incidents or complaints related to clinical practice.
• Oversaw clinical operations and procedures while remaining current of federal and state regulations to ensure organization processes were fully compliant with new healthcare law requirements.
• Ensured that staff members adhere to professional standards of practice.
• Managed daily operations including staffing levels, budgeting, scheduling and resource allocation.
• Managed overall operation of nursing services and patient care by handling financial management, quality assurance, patient care, safety risk management and facility maintenance.
• Attended conferences and workshops to stay abreast of changes in the field.
• Delegated tasks to each member of staff and oversaw task completion, offering assistance to promote success.

• Relief Charge Nurse
• Relief Adult Code Nurse
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Ensured proper dosage and efficacy of vasoactive drips.
• Executed continuous cardiac surveillance.
• CRRT
• Review of house Modified Early Warning Score and intervention
• House Code Nurse
• 100 Greatest Nurses Nominee
• Participated in clinical rounds with physicians, offering insights from nursing perspective to inform patient care decisions.
• Assessed patient's condition and monitored vital signs.
• Managed comprehensive care for critically ill patients, ensuring adherence to ICU protocols and guidelines.
• Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
• Helped monitor, maintain and improve nursing-sensitive indicators, core measures and other identified outcome metrics.
• Responded quickly and effectively to code blue situations for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support.
• Performed bedside procedures such as wound dressing changes, catheterizations, IV starts and changes, tracheostomy care.
• Administered medications, monitored dosages, and observed patient reactions in a high-stakes environment.
• Coordinated discharge planning, ensuring patients transitioned safely from ICU to next level of care.
• Assisted with end-of-life decisions by providing guidance and education regarding available options.
• Assisted in the performance of diagnostic tests and interpreted results to guide nursing care.
• Functioned as charge nurse and assumed patient care in absence of nurses ending or arriving for shifts.
• Monitored ventilator settings and adjusted as needed according to physician orders or established protocols.
• Supervised cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms and oxygen delivery devices.

• Supervised group of 120 professionals, encompassing both EMTs and RNs.
• Managed allocation of an $85 million budget.
• Review of all patient grievances.
• Implementation of MobiLab
• Implementation of Teletracking
• Implementation of Shared Governance Model of unit governance
• Implementation of LaborWorx electronic scheduling
• Nurse Managers Committee Chair
• Collaboration with TEAM Health Medical Director
• Supply chain management and capital acquisition
• Grant application
• Development of team education
• Quality review
• LEAN Team participation
• The Frequent Flier monthly team newsletter
• Coordinated staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage for all shifts.
• Monitored patient flow throughout the department, ensuring efficient utilization of resources.
• Conducted regular performance reviews for nursing staff in the department.
• Investigated incidents or complaints related to patient care in the department.
• Attended weekly meetings with senior management regarding operational issues within the department.
• Performed personnel interviewing, hiring, disciplinary actions and dismissals.
• Implemented new policies and procedures related to patient care in the Emergency Department.
• Provided guidance and mentorship to nursing staff in the Emergency Department.
• Created reports summarizing data collected from daily operations within the Emergency Department.
• Participated in budgeting activities related to purchasing supplies for the department.
• Jumped in to perform individual or team functions when short-staffed or advanced nursing situations required.
• Served as resource to provide comprehensive information on patient care, hospital policies, and nursing best practices to newly hired professionals.
• Managed day-to-day operations of the Emergency Department, including staffing assignments and scheduling shifts.
• Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.

• Led debriefing sessions following major incidents, contributing to an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Provided education to patients regarding disease prevention and home care instructions.
• Conducted specified laboratory tests to help detect conditions and determine diagnosis.
• Recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
• Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care.
• Prepared medical equipment and tools to aid physician during examination and treatment of patients.
• Facilitated seamless transfer of patients to other units or facilities, ensuring continuity of care.
• Collaborated with public safety and community organizations to improve emergency response and patient outcomes.
• Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care and department efficiency.
• Monitored patient conditions to identify concerning changes and mitigate symptoms.
• Responded quickly to life-threatening situations while maintaining composure under pressure.

Facility permanently closed

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Executed continuous cardiac surveillance.
• Participated in clinical rounds with physicians, offering insights from nursing perspective to inform patient care decisions.
• Assessed patient's condition and monitored vital signs.
• Helped monitor, maintain and improve nursing-sensitive indicators, core measures and other identified outcome metrics.
• Responded quickly and effectively to code blue situations for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support.
• Performed bedside procedures such as wound dressing changes, catheterizations, IV starts and changes, tracheostomy care.
• Administered medications, monitored dosages, and observed patient reactions in a high-stakes environment.
• Assisted with end-of-life decisions by providing guidance and education regarding available options.
• Assisted in the performance of diagnostic tests and interpreted results to guide nursing care.
• Functioned as charge nurse and house supervisor and assumed patient care in absence of nurses ending or arriving for shifts.

Facility permanently closed