Heather Ackman
Dundas,IL
Summary
Dedicated master’s degree prepared registered nurse, using my comprehensive healthcare experience, leadership experience, teaching experience, administrative experience, management skills, excellent communication skills, and multitasking abilities to help patients with mental health disorders.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Section Chief of Training and Technical Division
Illinois Department Of Public Health
Springfield, IL
01.2023 - Current
- Created detailed reports outlining program successes and challenges which were presented at senior management meetings.
- Monitored compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to the section's activities.
- Provided strategic direction to staff on priority projects, assigned tasks to team members, monitored progress and ensured deadlines were met.
- Served as a subject matter expert on all topics related to the section's area of expertise.
- Managed and coordinated the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs, policies, and procedures in a Section Chief role.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Conducted research on topics relevant to organizational goals.
- Verified compliance with relevant federal and state laws and regulations.
- Created targeted communication strategies and training programs to effectively engage the identified audience
PMHNP Student
Clay County Medical Center
Flora, IL
10.2023 - 08.2024
- Prescribed psychotropic medications based on patient needs and responses to treatment.
- Utilized evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy during individual sessions.
- Performed comprehensive assessments using tools such as the MMPI-2, DSM-5 criteria.
- Provided psychiatric evaluation and medication management to patients in an outpatient setting.
- Assisted in developing strategies for managing challenging behaviors or crisis situations.
- Developed individualized treatment plans for patients with mental health disorders.
- Assessed potential risk factors associated with suicidal ideation or violent behavior.
- Reviewed and interpreted diagnostic and laboratory tests.
- Diagnosed psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions through careful assessments.
Illinois Regional Manager
Wexford Health
Sumner, IL
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Provides facility level management staff with guidance, operational assistance, and strategies for growth
- Instills a sense of accountability among the sites through fair and consistent oversight of individual and organization performance standards
- Interacts with IDOC and facility authorities to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of health care services
- Monitors labor cost and overtime expenditure, ensuring sites are working within budget
- Makes sound decisions regarding management and administration of health care services throughout state
- Reviews daily, weekly, and/or monthly statistical reports
- Facilitates routine meetings and perform functions required by administrative directives, including Quality Assurance, Chronic Clinics, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, and Health Care
- Works jointly with regional training staff and Corporate Training and Program Development Specialist to ensure that appropriate training and New Employee Orientation is available to comply with contract requirements state-wide
- Performs performance management functions and supervises performance by conducting coaching “check-ins” and recommends/approves site-level employee developmental interventions when necessary
- Strives to ensure 100% compliance of Schedule E and Additional Services Request (ASR) staffing hours
- Supports the development of inter-team communication and cohesiveness, sustaining culture and supporting staff during organizational change and growth.
Facility Administrator/Registered Nurse
DaVita Healthcare Partners
Robinson, IL
11.2012 - 01.2022
- Hemodialysis within the acute hospital setting and outpatient chronic dialysis center
- Patient education and care planning
- Managed all staff at the facility, including clinical and non-clinical staff
- Received deficiency free Medicare surveys
- Oversight of all clinical, financial outcomes, and the renal network for the dialysis facility
- High performing clinic in the region on DQI
- Prepared action plans to establish procedures for various situations, including COVID 19 positive patients and cohorting within the division
- Established and developed highly efficient and dependable team by delivering ongoing coaching and motivation and fostering career advancement
- Initiated timely project management within budget constraints for multi-faceted problems within the region
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff
- Facility budgeting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff members
- Facility ninja audits within our regional area.
Assistant Professor
Illinois Eastern Community College
Olney, IL
08.2014 - 07.2018
- Nursing faculty within the Associate Degree in Nursing Program
- Taught nursing theory, campus labs, and clinicals for 1st level and 2nd level nursing students
- Taught LPN exit and LPN transition courses during the summer semester
- Chair of Technology committee
- Implemented eBooks, iPads, and online ExamSoft testing into the curriculum
- Assisted with continuous development, review, planning and outcomes evaluation to measure ADN program performance
- Evaluated student progress through analysis of test scores and homework completion
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations, including visual, aural and social learning modalities
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives
- Cochair of Assessment committee.
Registered Nurse/Nursing Student Tutor/Clinical Instructor/Simulation Lab Instructor/Certified Nurse Assistant Instructor
Illinois Eastern Community College
Olney, IL
08.2008 - 05.2014
- Nursing simulation labs, nursing skills demonstrations and practice, tutoring, teaching clinicals within the ADN program
- Taught certified nurse assistant theory courses and clinicals.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in nursing practices by attending continuing education classes or seminars.
- Developed educational materials for use in teaching sessions with patients or their families.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory agencies such as The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives within the department.
- Created, implemented and evaluated patient care plans with medical team.
- Administered medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions and side effects.
- Trained and mentored RN students on best practices, healthcare facility policies and standards of care.
Registered Nurse/Intensive Care Float Pool
Deaconess Memorial Hospital
Evansville, IN
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
- Worked in all intensive care units within the two Deaconess hospitals
- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
- Critical care assessments
- Units: Trauma ICU, Neuro ICU, Med/Surg ICU, Cardiac ICU, Cardiac/Surgical ICU, Pediatric ICU
- Duties: Central lines, Ventilators, Bi-pap, ICP monitoring, CRRT, Craniotomies, Alsius placement and monitoring, Rapid infuser, SWAN lines, CVP monitoring, Arterial line monitoring, and open heart post op care
- Certifications: ACLS, PALS, BLS, ABLS, and Trauma Nurse Core Course
- Monitored patients' respiratory status and ventilator operation and made adjustments to promote stabilization
- Participated in infection control departmental quality improvement initiatives to achieve higher standard of patient care
- Assessed and managed various patient treatments for numerous patient diagnoses from sepsis to acute respiratory distress
- Oversaw various aspects of telemetry by administering PA catheters and arterials, vasoactive drugs, titration, thrombolytic therapy, dysrhythmia interpretation and chest tubes.
Education
Master’s degree in nursing -
University of Phoenix
Lebanon, IL12.2015
Bachelor’s degree in nursing -
McKendree University
Lebanon, IL12.2012
Associates degree in nursing -
Olney Central College
Olney, IL12.2006
Skills
- Comprehensive healthcare experience
- Leadership experience
- Teaching experience
- Administrative experience
- Management skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Multitasking abilities
- Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Problem-solving abilities
- Time management abilities
Affiliations
American Nephrology Nurses Association
Registered nurse licenses
- Illinois
- Indiana
Awards
- Cum Laude Honors
- Deans List
- President’s Honor Roll
- Who’s Who Among College Students
- Richland Memorial Hospital Nursing Scholarship
- Richland Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Award
- Illinois Public Health Scholarship
Volunteer Experience
- Olney Health Fair
- Bicycle Classic first aid station
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- American Red Cross blood drives
- Christmas for the Needy
- Christmas cards for nursing home residents
- Humane Society
- Relay for Life
- Thanksgiving dinner for the needy
- St. Joe School volunteer work
- Homeless assistance in New York City
- Medical mission trip to Africa
- Medical mission trip to Dominican Republic
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
PMHNP Student
Clay County Medical Center
10.2023 - 08.2024
Section Chief of Training and Technical Division
Illinois Department Of Public Health
01.2023 - Current
Illinois Regional Manager
Wexford Health
01.2022 - 01.2023
Assistant Professor
Illinois Eastern Community College
08.2014 - 07.2018
Facility Administrator/Registered Nurse
DaVita Healthcare Partners
11.2012 - 01.2022
Registered Nurse/Nursing Student Tutor/Clinical Instructor/Simulation Lab Instructor/Certified Nurse Assistant Instructor
Illinois Eastern Community College
08.2008 - 05.2014
Registered Nurse/Intensive Care Float Pool
Deaconess Memorial Hospital
01.2008 - 01.2012
Master’s degree in nursing -
University of Phoenix
Bachelor’s degree in nursing -
McKendree University
Associates degree in nursing -
Olney Central College
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