HEATHER Simmons
Summary
Results-driven and organized leader with 21 years of experience in establishing and leading amazing teams focused on patient safety and satisfaction. Skilled in project management, policy/procedure implementation, and education. Excel at communication, leadership, and problem-solving to achieve goals and improve team performance.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Surgical Technologist
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN
09.2023 - Current
- Prepared operating room for surgical procedures, including setting up sterile field.
- Ensured that all equipment was functioning properly prior to use in the operating room.
- Maintained aseptic technique throughout the procedure.
- Assisted surgeons during operative procedures by anticipating their needs and passing instruments.
- Identified potential problems before they occurred by closely observing the sterile field and personnel involved in the procedure.
- Performed instrument counts before, during, and after surgeries as required by hospital policy.
- Provided instruction on proper techniques of handling instruments to new team members.
- Helped maintain an organized working environment in the OR through cleaning, stocking supplies, and organizing equipment carts.
- Set up trays with necessary surgical instruments according to established protocols.
- Assisted with scrubbing in for each case as needed.
- Performed various duties such as applying dressings to incisions sites postoperatively.
- Responded quickly to changes in patient status or emergency situations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of principles of asepsis while preparing and caring for patients undergoing surgery.
- Maintained inventory levels of medical supplies within assigned areas of responsibility.
- Participated in continuing education activities related to job responsibilities.
- Adhered to department policies regarding infection control practices.
- Provided assistance during cesarean sections, hysterectomies, orthopedic repairs, wound closure suturing techniques and other types of surgical procedures as needed.
- Used retractors, sponges and suctioning and irrigating equipment to create unobstructed operating fields.
- Used hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures and electrocautery equipment to control bleeding.
- Assisted surgeon by passing instruments and sterile supplies throughout operation.
- Reviewed surgical requirements and prepped operating room with appropriate tools, equipment and instruments.
- Organized equipment and instruments in alignment with surgical protocols and surgeon preferences.
- Set up equipment, tools and supplies for procedures and organize instruments as directed in surgeons' preference cards.
- Recounted surgical instruments and supplies at end of operation, eliminating chance of items left inside patient.
- Gathered and took inventory of equipment to confirm adequate supplies for surgery.
- Sterilized medical equipment and properly handled contaminated materials.
- Assessed procedure requirements and procured appropriate equipment and tools.
- Maintained reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment, including decontamination, cleaning, sterilizing, storing and distributing.
- Laid out all instruments, supplies and tools as directed by surgeons.
- Prepared patients for surgery by positioning on operating table and covering with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
- Handed instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants.
- Maintained proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Scrubbed arms and hands and assisted surgical team with scrubbing, masks and surgical clothing.
- Prepared dressings or bandages, applying or assisting with application following surgery.
- Collaborated with operating room staff to cultivate efficiency and prepare for scheduled and emergency procedures.
- Provided technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses or anesthesiologists.
- Held instruments and quickly handed to surgeon during procedures.
Certified Surgical Technologist
Cross Country Healthcare
Baton Rouge, LA
04.2022 - 08.2023
- Ensured that all equipment was functioning properly prior to use in the operating room.
- Maintained aseptic technique throughout the procedure.
- Assisted surgeons during operative procedures by anticipating their needs and passing instruments.
- Prepared operating room for surgical procedures, including setting up sterile field.
- Identified potential problems before they occurred by closely observing the sterile field and personnel involved in the procedure.
- Performed instrument counts before, during, and after surgeries as required by hospital policy.
- Helped maintain an organized working environment in the OR through cleaning, stocking supplies, and organizing equipment carts.
- Set up trays with necessary surgical instruments according to established protocols.
- Performed various duties such as applying dressings to incisions sites postoperatively.
- Responded quickly to changes in patient status or emergency situations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of principles of asepsis while preparing and caring for patients undergoing surgery.
- Participated in continuing education activities related to job responsibilities.
Senior Team Lead, SPD
HCA Tristar Centennial Medical Center
07.2018 - 04.2022
- Supervise and oversee all sterile processing standards in accordance with current AAMI and ANSI standards
- Responsible for quality outcomes and patient safety as it relates to cleaning, sterilization, and storage of surgical instruments
- Evaluate, maintain, and improve daily workflow processes to ensure optimal patient outcomes
- Manage schedules, training, and performance improvement plans for staff (7)
- Establish open and professional relationships with SPD/OR/Vendor team members, which has helped to resolve issues and conflicts quickly.
- Lead and contribute to biweekly huddle meetings.
Implementation Specialist
Censis Technologies
02.2017 - 06.2018
- Led implementation teams during CensiTrac training for medical facilities across the US
- Implemented CensiTrac training initiatives by incorporating industry standards
- Focused solutions on workflow, client base and protocols, tailoring implementations to meet clients specific needs
- Created support documentation that empowered clients to extend skills, leverage system features, and find resolution to questions without intervention of support team
Clinical Support Specialist
Restore Medical Solutions
09.2016 - 02.2017
- Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies to promote continuous workflow improvement
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications
- Created plans and communicated deadlines to ensure projects were completed on time
- Managed quality assurance program, including on-site evaluation, internal audits, and customer surveys
Certified Surgical Technologist
Advantage Support Solutions
03.2016 - 09.2016
- Delivered exemplary assistance and support to surgeons during GEN, GYN, ORTHO, ENT, and PLASTIC surgery cases
- Liaised between SPD and OR, ensuring availability or requisite instruments and equipment, including loaned and specialty devices
- Provided comprehensive support to surgeons, OR team, and SPD team
Certified Surgical Technologist/SPD QA Manager
St. Thomas Midtown Hospital
06.2013 - 01.2016
- Delivered exemplary assistance and support to surgeons during GEN, GYN, ORTHO, ENT, and PLASTIC surgery cases
- Liaised between SPD and OR, ensuring availability or requisite instruments and equipment, including loaned and specialty devices
- Provided comprehensive support to surgeons, OR team, and SPD team
- Responsible for quality outcomes and patient safety as it relates to cleaning, sterilization, and storage of surgical instruments
- Evaluate, maintain, and improve daily workflow processes to ensure optimal patient outcomes
- Manage schedules, training, and performance improvement plans for staff (7)
- Establish open and professional relationships with SPD/OR/Vendor team members which has helped to resolve issues and conflicts quickly
- Lead and contribute to biweekly huddle meetings
Certified Surgical Technologist
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
04.2010 - 06.2013
- Delivered exemplary assistance and support to surgeons during LEVEL 1 TRAUMA, GEN, GYN, ORTHO, ENT, and PLASTIC surgery cases
- Liaised between SPD and OR, ensuring availability or requisite instruments and equipment, including loaned and specialty devices
- Provided comprehensive support to surgeons, OR team, and SPD team
Certified Surgical Technologist
USPI St. Thomas Surgicare
05.2004 - 01.2007
- Delivered exemplary assistance and support to surgeons during GEN, GYN, ORTHO, ENT, and PLASTIC surgery cases
- Liaised between SPD and OR, ensuring availability or requisite instruments and equipment, including loaned and specialty devices
- Provided comprehensive support to surgeons, OR team, and SPD team
- Assembled necessary instruments and supplies for next day cases
Certified Surgical Technologist
Summit Medical Center
05.2003 - 05.2004
- Delivered exemplary assistance and support to surgeons during GEN, GYN, ORTHO, ENT, and PLASTIC surgery cases
- Liaised between SPD and OR, ensuring availability or requisite instruments and equipment, including loaned and specialty devices
- Provided comprehensive support to surgeons, OR team, and SPD team
- Assembled necessary instruments and supplies for next day cases
Education
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE -
NASHVILLE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
05.2003
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Creative Problem Resolution
- Effective Communication
- Effective Time Allocation
- Analytical Problem Solving
- CensiTrac Implementation
- Inventory Control
- People Management
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Complaint resolution
- Shift Scheduling
- Onboarding and Orientation
- Leading Team Meetings
- Safety processes and procedures
- Leadership
- SOP Adherence
- Giving Constructive Feedback
- Performance Evaluations
- Staff education and training
Certification
- NBSTSA Certification, #165155
- AST Member, #207542
- BLS
Volunteer Experience
- Safe Harbor Sanctuary, 06/01/19, Present, Daily feeding and routine care for horses., Organized community events.
- Walden's Puddle Wildlife Center, 10/01/18, 06/30/19, Daily feeding and routine care for sick/injured wildlife.
- Burns Cowboys PeeWee Cheerleaders, 06/01/08, 11/30/08, Led team to win the PeeWee division championship., Organized and instructed practices 3x per week., Choreographed cheer and dance routines.
- Meals On Wheels, 01/01/08, 12/31/08, Delivered meals to elderly members of my community.
Accomplishments
- HCA employee of the Quarter Q1 2020
Timeline
Certified Surgical Technologist
Vanderbilt Medical Center
09.2023 - Current
Certified Surgical Technologist
Cross Country Healthcare
04.2022 - 08.2023
Senior Team Lead, SPD
HCA Tristar Centennial Medical Center
07.2018 - 04.2022
Implementation Specialist
Censis Technologies
02.2017 - 06.2018
Clinical Support Specialist
Restore Medical Solutions
09.2016 - 02.2017
Certified Surgical Technologist
Advantage Support Solutions
03.2016 - 09.2016
Certified Surgical Technologist/SPD QA Manager
St. Thomas Midtown Hospital
06.2013 - 01.2016
Certified Surgical Technologist
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
04.2010 - 06.2013
Certified Surgical Technologist
USPI St. Thomas Surgicare
05.2004 - 01.2007
Certified Surgical Technologist
Summit Medical Center
05.2003 - 05.2004
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE -
NASHVILLE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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