Gabrielle Johnson
Dexter
Summary
Perioperative nursing leader with experience in strategic and operational oversight of surgical services. Proficient in delivering safe, high-quality patient care while enhancing quality, compliance, and fiscal management that align with the organization. Proven ability to optimize operating room efficiency, staffing, and performance metrics through collaboration with the surgical team and executive leadership. Committed to leadership development, shared governance, and fostering a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Operating Room Nurse Manager
Samaritan Medical Center
Watertown
04.2025 - Current
- Managed daily operations of the operating room department.
- Coordinated surgical schedules for efficient patient flow.
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Implemented infection control protocols within the operating environment.
- Trained new nurses on operating room procedures and equipment usage.
- Collaborated with surgeons and anesthesiologists to optimize patient care.
- Conducted regular staff meetings to discuss departmental updates and issues.
- Reviewed charts for accuracy to reduce errors and verify completion of updates.
- Assessed staff performance, and provided feedback.
- Evaluated new processes that could enhance patient care outcomes in the operating room setting.
- Maintained a safe environment for patients and staff by ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Oversaw surgery team assignments and staffing levels during shifts.
- Attend quarterly meetings with physicians, administrators, and other key stakeholders regarding operational matters pertaining to the Operating Room department.
- Ensured compliance with relevant regulatory standards.
- Implemented strategies aimed at reducing costs while maintaining quality of service delivery.
- Assisted with recruitment efforts by interviewing potential candidates for open positions within the department.
- Analyzed data trends from patient records to identify areas where improvements can be made.
- Created policies and procedures for the operating room nursing staff as needed.
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure proper scheduling of surgeries.
- Collaborated with hospital leadership to develop strategies that improve efficiency of operations in the OR setting.
- Monitored staff performance and provided coaching and formal counseling to staff.
- Received and investigated complaints from families, patients and clinical staff, devising solutions to multifaceted challenges.
- Communicated with patients with compassion while keeping medical information private.
- Built work schedules and staff assignments, taking workload, space and equipment availability into consideration.
- Cultivated strong interdepartmental relationships through active meeting participation and collaboration.
- Assessed need for additional staff, equipment and services based on historical data and seasonal trends.
Preoperative Registered Nurse
Samaritan Medical Center
Watertown
06.2023 - 04.2025
- Perform comprehensive pre-operative nursing assessments, including health history, medication reconciliation, allergies, and focused physical assessment.
- Verify patient identity, procedure, surgical site, and consent in compliance with the Universal Protocol.
- Review diagnostic results, labs, EKGs, imaging, and ensure required clearances are completed.
- Identify and escalate abnormal findings or potential surgical risks to anesthesia providers.
- Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, PACU, OR staff, and ancillary departments
- Adhere to the Joint Commission, CMS, AORN, and organizational policies.
- Ensure timely patient flow and readiness for scheduled procedures.
- Assume care of patients transitioned from Phase 1 PACU, or directly post-procedure, per protocol.
- Perform focused post-anesthesia assessments, including airway status, pain, nausea, hemodynamic stability, and neurologic status.
- Provide comprehensive discharge education to patients and caregivers.
- Communicate changes in patient condition promptly.
- Identify and respond to clinical deterioration, or barriers to discharge.
- Collaborate with surgeons, PACU 1, and anesthesia.
Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery
Samaritan Medical Center
Watertown
05.2018 - 02.2023
- Assisted in delivery procedures and provided immediate newborn care.
- Applied principles of trauma-informed, patient-centered care in high-stress clinical environments.
- Demonstrated strong situational awareness and prioritization in fast-paced, high-risk scenarios, supporting patient safety and timely surgical response.
- Coordinated patient flow from Labor and Delivery to the operating room, ensuring the readiness of staff, equipment, and sterile environments for urgent and scheduled surgical cases.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive, safe patient care.
- Managed obstetric emergencies requiring rapid escalation to operative intervention, including emergent cesarean sections, postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, and hypertensive crisis.
- Reviewed and tracked progress of patients in labor, interpreted fetal heart monitor and informed delivering physician of status.
- Performed emergency resuscitation measures.
- Educated patients on labor process expectations and provided emotional support throughout labor
- Maintained a safe environment for both mother, baby before, during and after labor, delivery.
- Provided assessment of obstetric patients upon admission to the Labor and Delivery Unit.
- Provided postpartum care for new mothers, including assessments, education and counseling.
- Trained staff members in obstetric nursing and care.
- Demonstrated compassion and empathy towards all patients while maintaining professional boundaries at all times.
- Identified complications during labor or delivery requiring medical attention or intervention.
- Supported the anesthesia team with the administration of epidural, spinal, and general anesthesia.
- Involvement in drills (OB hemorrhage, emergency c-section, neonatal resuscitation).
Surgical Scrub Technician License Practical Nurse
Samaritan Medical Center
Watertown
12.2014 - 05.2018
- Prepared surgical instruments and supplies for cesarean sections, vaginal deliveries, and circumcisions.
- Assisted surgeons by anticipating needs during operations.
- Maintained sterile environment and adhered to infection control protocols.
- Conducted equipment checks and reported any malfunctions promptly.
- Provided support in patient positioning and safety during surgeries.
- Educated new staff on scrub techniques and best practices.
- Reviewed patient charts for allergies, special instructions or any other relevant information prior to surgery.
- Cleaned and restocked OR rooms between cases and at end of day.
- Performed surgical counts with the circulating nurse, according to policy.
- Reported any irregularities or problems regarding equipment or supplies to supervisor immediately.
- Ensured proper handling of specimens.
- Maintained a clean, organized and sterile environment in the operating room.
- Conducted quality control checks on all sterilization equipment used in the OR.
- Verified the accuracy of medications and solutions for procedures as required.
- Instructed new staff members on proper techniques related to scrubbing, gowning, gloving.
- Ensured that all equipment was properly sterilized before use.
- Assisted surgeons during operations by passing instruments, sutures, and supplies accurately and efficiently.
- Set up equipment, supplies, and instruments for procedures as directed in surgeons' preference cards.
- Used retractors, sponges and suctioning and irrigating equipment to create unobstructed operating fields.
- Assist with emergency cesarean sections, including rapid room setup and turnover.
- Maintain readiness for obstetric emergencies (obstetric hemorrhage, uterine rupture, shoulder dystocia support).
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
State University of New York At Canton
Canton, NY05-2018
Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Quality improvement
- Infection control practices
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Trauma-informed leadership
- Employee supervision and mentorship
- Nursing operations management
- Performance improvement
- Financial acumen
Certification
Registered Nurse License Exp. 3/2027
Timeline
Operating Room Nurse Manager
Samaritan Medical Center
04.2025 - Current
Preoperative Registered Nurse
Samaritan Medical Center
06.2023 - 04.2025
Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery
Samaritan Medical Center
05.2018 - 02.2023
Surgical Scrub Technician License Practical Nurse
Samaritan Medical Center
12.2014 - 05.2018
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
State University of New York At Canton