JAMES R. OLIVER
Collinsville
Summary
Nurse Professional Development Practitioner and former Rapid Response / Trauma ICU leader with 15+ years of high-acuity clinical and operational experience. Expert in onboarding and training 60+ clinicians per month, system-wide policy and SOP alignment, risk recognition, incident response, and multi-site education across the Ascension St. John market. Known for calm, structured leadership under pressure, quickly analyzing complex situations, identifying root causes, and driving safer, more consistent practices. Currently completing OSHA 30-Hour General Industry and preparing for the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) exam, with strong interest in transitioning into formal Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) leadership.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Professional Development Practitioner (Clinical Nurse Educator)
Ascension St. John Health System
02.2025 - Current
- Lead onboarding and orientation for 50+ nurses and allied health professionals each month across the Ascension St. John market (Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks, Sapulpa, and Bartlesville/Jane Phillips, and Nowata).
- Deliver system-wide competency validation, policy/compliance education, and emergency readiness training to new hires and existing staff.
- Develop and refine education pathways, learning materials, and clinical SOP-aligned training to ensure consistent practice across multiple facilities.
- Provide in-service sessions on procedures, device use, patient safety considerations, and workflow updates, often at the unit level.
- Partner with nursing leadership and other departments to identify gaps, address recurring issues, and support safer, more reliable processes.
- Recognized for calm, clear communication and the ability to simplify complex topics for diverse audiences.
Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Coordinator
Hillcrest Medical Center
09.2024 - 02.2025
- Served as MCS Coordinator for the Advanced Heart Failure program, overseeing education and day-to-day coordination related to LVAD and mechanical circulatory support devices.
- Provided structured education to staff, patients, and families on high-risk equipment safety, emergency actions, and complication recognition.
- Participated in policy and SOP revisions for the MCS program, helping to improve clarity, standardization, and safety alignment.
- Supported cross-department communication between cardiology, ICU, surgery, and ancillary teams to maintain safe and consistent care workflows.
Registered Nurse, Vascular Access Team
Indiana University Health
09.2023 - 09.2024
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Provided ultrasound-guided, difficult IV insertions and phlebotomy coverage at two IU Health hospitals.
- Educated nurses on vascular access best practices, sterile technique, device selection, and complication prevention.
- Served as a clinical resource to physicians and staff to ensure appropriate, safe IV access for high-risk, or complex patients.
Registered Nurse, Home Health
Ascension at Home with Compassus
07.2023 - 09.2023
- Conducted home safety assessments, medication management, wound care (including drains and wound vacs), and PICC line care in the home setting.
- Coordinated with physicians, PT/OT/ST, and other RNs to ensure safe transitions and ongoing care in non-hospital environments.
Registered Nurse, Rapid Response Team
Ascension St. John Medical Center
08.2019 - 07.2023
- Responded to all Rapid Response and Code Blue events hospital-wide in a 495-bed facility, providing calm, decisive leadership during high-pressure emergencies.
- Performed early assessment and intervention on decompensating patients across all inpatient units, collaborating with physicians and interprofessional teams.
- Functioned as a clinical resource nurse and 'go-to' provider for difficult peripheral IV access throughout the hospital.
- Assisted with staff education, reinforcing protocols, safe practices, and early recognition of clinical deterioration.
- Known for maintaining composure, quickly determining priorities, and coordinating interventions in chaotic situations.
Travel Registered Nurse, ICU
Cherokee Nation W. W. Hastings Hospital
01.2022 - 11.2022
- Concurrent with the Ascension role.
- Provided ICU and step-down care as a travel RN while maintaining full-time employment at Ascension St. John.
- Supported high-acuity critical care workflows, contributing to safe, effective care in a new environment.
Registered Nurse, Neuro Trauma Surgical ICU (NTSICU)
Ascension St. John Medical Center
08.2016 - 07.2019
- Served as Charge Nurse in a 22-bed Neuro/Trauma/Surgical ICU, caring for Level I trauma patients, overseeing shift operations, and staff assignments.
- Managed patients following brain and spinal surgeries, traumatic injuries, and other high-risk conditions requiring invasive monitoring and intensive support.
- Enforced adherence to unit protocols, coordinated with multiple specialists, and supported newer nurses in developing critical care skills.
Remote Monitoring Technician
Helmerich & Payne
06.2015 - 07.2016
- Worked on an innovative team monitoring live oil and gas drilling operations, identifying problematic drilling behaviors and potential risks.
- Communicated with rig personnel to adjust practices, optimize performance, and reduce the likelihood of unsafe conditions or costly downtime.
- Gained valuable exposure to industrial operations, risk monitoring, and safety-focused decision support in a non-healthcare environment.
Registered Nurse, Infusion Team
Overlake Hospital Medical Center
06.2014 - 05.2015
- Worked on the Infusion Team covering a 281-bed hospital, performing difficult IV starts, port access, central line dressing changes, and competency check-offs.
- Served as a resource for vascular access and infusion-related safety practices across multiple units.
Travel Registered Nurse, ICU/Stepdown
Highline Medical Center
04.2014 - 06.2014
- Provided full-spectrum ICU and stepdown care as a travel nurse, adapting quickly to local protocols and high-acuity patient needs.
- Via Accountable Healthcare
Registered Nurse, Neuro Trauma Surgical ICU
Ascension St. John Medical Center
05.2012 - 03.2014
- Staff RN in NTSICU, caring for trauma and neurosurgical patients; floated to Medical ICU and Cardiac ICU as needed.
- Obtained CCRN certification during this period, reflecting advanced critical care expertise.
Registered Nurse, Medical/Surgical ICU
Minden Medical Center
06.2010 - 05.2012
- Worked in a Med/Surg ICU, managing high-acuity patients and occasionally floating to ER and stepdown units.
- Acted as Charge Nurse as needed, coordinating staff and patient assignments.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK01.2018
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - Nursing
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA01.2010
Skills
- Employee Training Facilitation (50Monthly)
- Policy & SOP Development / Alignment
- Risk Recognition & Hazard Controls Awareness
- Incident Response & Root Cause Thinking
- JHA / JSA Fundamentals (Conceptual)
- Emergency Preparedness & Crisis Leadership
- Safety Culture Coaching & Behavior Reinforcement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration (Multi-Site)
- Standardization & Regulatory Compliance Support
- Clinical Education & Competency Validation
- Process Improvement & Change Support
- Risk Assessment & Data Analysis
- Compliance Training & Policy Development
- Emergency Preparedness
Affiliations
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- International Consortium of Circulatory Assist Clinicians (ICCAC)
Certification
- CCRN – Critical Care Registered Nurse
- ACLS / BLS
- NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry – In Progress
- Associate Safety Professional (ASP, BCSP) – Exam Preparation In Progress
AWARDS
Daisy Award – Individual Recipient, Team Daisy Awards – NTSICU & Rapid Response Team, Louisiana Tech University Student Award for Leadership
Timeline
Nurse Professional Development Practitioner (Clinical Nurse Educator)
Ascension St. John Health System
02.2025 - Current
Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Coordinator
Hillcrest Medical Center
09.2024 - 02.2025
Registered Nurse, Vascular Access Team
Indiana University Health
09.2023 - 09.2024
Registered Nurse, Home Health
Ascension at Home with Compassus
07.2023 - 09.2023
Travel Registered Nurse, ICU
Cherokee Nation W. W. Hastings Hospital
01.2022 - 11.2022
Registered Nurse, Rapid Response Team
Ascension St. John Medical Center
08.2019 - 07.2023
Registered Nurse, Neuro Trauma Surgical ICU (NTSICU)
Ascension St. John Medical Center
08.2016 - 07.2019
Remote Monitoring Technician
Helmerich & Payne
06.2015 - 07.2016
Registered Nurse, Infusion Team
Overlake Hospital Medical Center
06.2014 - 05.2015
Travel Registered Nurse, ICU/Stepdown
Highline Medical Center
04.2014 - 06.2014
Registered Nurse, Neuro Trauma Surgical ICU
Ascension St. John Medical Center
05.2012 - 03.2014
Registered Nurse, Medical/Surgical ICU
Minden Medical Center
06.2010 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Northeastern State University
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - Nursing
Louisiana Tech University