Heather Hargis
West Harrison,IN
Summary
Enthusiastic Senior Lean Consultant excelling in optimizing processes to address department needs, improve collaboration between departments and strengthen safety and improve productivity. Weighs crucial business and department needs against procedural limitations to assess and improve processes for improved outcomes and satisfaction for both patients and team members.
I have led both project management and improvement projects that have ranged from departmental level work to system level change. My customers, internal and external, have left positive reviews of the work and continue to reach out as additional needs are realized.
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Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
TriHealth Way Validator
TriHealth
07.2023 - Current
- Improved validation accuracy by diligently reviewing and analyzing bedside shift report for completeness and correctness.
- Reduced misses in hourly safety rounding by implementing comprehensive validation checks and procedures with feedback in the moment.
- Streamlined validation processes with the use of efficient tools and feedback loops, increasing overall patient satisfaction scores.
- Service recovery in the moment as needed to ensure that patient and family needs are met and if not, escalated appropriately
Senior Lean Consultant
TriHealth
01.2019 - Current
- Increased project efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing best practices in consultation.
- Developed strong client relationships through effective communication and understanding their business needs.
- Delivered successful outcomes for clients by identifying opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction.
- Managed cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and teamwork to drive project success.
Manager, Performance Improvement
UC Health
02.2017 - 01.2019
- Increased team productivity by implementing streamlined processes and effective communication strategies.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing improvement plans and performance metrics.
- Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.
- Improved patient safety goals by resolving problems promptly through Rapid Improvement Events (SWARMS) with multi disciplinary teams present and engaged in finding the root causes and areas of opportunity.
Manager, Lab Quality and Performance Improvement
UC Health
01.2014 - 02.2017
- Increased team productivity by implementing streamlined processes including an automation line.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management including Kanban and 5S in reagent storage.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving issues promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery in patient results, critical values and blood products.
Manager Laboratory Operations
UC Health
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Increased team productivity by implementing streamlined processes and reducing redundancies and converting the lab from full service to Point of Care testing.
- Achieved system level goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics including reduction in overtime, shifting of schedules and staff to other lab sites and balanced scheduling for phlebotomy staff.
Education
Master of Science - Healthcare Administration
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN02.2018
Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH06.1997
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH06.1995
Skills
- Technical Expertise in Lean Tools
- Process Improvement Methodology
- Ethical Conduct
- Training and Development
- Project Management
- Time Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Stakeholder Engagement
Accomplishments
During my time at TriHealth, I have been been blessed and awarded with a Pillar award for work in collaboration with Nursing Leadership on Throughput and Productivity, a Golden shovel award for a grant from the Good Sam foundation for fidget blankets for our confused, anxious and agitated elderly patients and the Compassionate Caregiver of the Year award for my work at Good Samaritan Hospital during the Catholic Core Commitment Assessment in 2023
Affiliations
- Volunteer and primary trainer for Meaningful Connections
- Serve as a peer interviewer for departmental hiring needs
- Serve as Vice-President Band Boosters East Central High School
Timeline
TriHealth Way Validator
TriHealth
07.2023 - Current
Senior Lean Consultant
TriHealth
01.2019 - Current
Manager, Performance Improvement
UC Health
02.2017 - 01.2019
Manager, Lab Quality and Performance Improvement
UC Health
01.2014 - 02.2017
Manager Laboratory Operations
UC Health
01.2012 - 01.2014
Master of Science - Healthcare Administration
Walden University
Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology
University of Cincinnati
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Cincinnati
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