JASON BJELKENGREN
2908 N 74th St., Milwaukee,WI
Summary
Seeking a challenging and fulfilling role in healthcare administration and management. Eager to utilize meticulous planning, organizational, communication, and team-building skills to effectively support the organization's clinical operations and business needs. Strong passion for healthcare, committed to ensuring seamless coordination and efficient delivery of services, while maintaining a patient-centered approach. Goal is to contribute to the success of the organization by implementing strategic initiatives and fostering a collaborative work environment that promotes excellence in patient care.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations, Solid Organ Transplant Service Line
Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin
06.2023 - Current
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Revolutionized customer service protocols, significantly improving customer satisfaction ratings.
- Improved team morale and productivity by implementing comprehensive professional development program.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making by implementing advanced analytics and reporting tools.
- Transformed organizational culture to embrace continuous improvement, leading by example and mentoring teams.
Director of Nursing, Inpatient Acute Care Services, Dialysis & Wound Care Services
MultiCare Deaconess Hospital
06.2021 - 06.2023
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss patient status, census changes, and patient complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Designed and introduced leadership development, coaching and team management model, resulting in promotion of employees into increased levels of responsibility.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Evaluated emerging technologies in healthcare, recommending appropriate innovations for adoption within the department to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.
- Contributed to organizational strategic planning efforts by providing insights on nursing best practices, workforce development issues, and healthcare trends affecting service delivery models.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning by promoting professional development opportunities for nursing staff, including in-house training programs, conferences, workshops, and online resources.
Associate Director, Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplant & MCS Programs
University of Washington Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medicine Heart Institute
07.2018 - 06.2021
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and providing resources for professional development.
- Prioritized tasks and allocated resources appropriately to keep teams focused and productive.
- Assisted senior leadership in managing all aspects of operations.
- Trained and developed department leaders and management staff for specific projects and ongoing operational needs.
- Established strong relationships with key industry partners, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Improved overall team efficiency by streamlining project management processes and implementing new collaboration tools.
- Oversaw annual budget planning processes, ensuring financial goals were met while maintaining optimal resource allocation across departments.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making strategies, leading to more informed business choices and positive outcomes.
- Maintained compliance with industry regulations while adapting to changes in legislation or best practices as needed.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
Nurse Manager, Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplant & MCS Programs
University of Washington Medical Center, Regional Heart Center
07.2015 - 07.2018
- Mentored new nursing staff members, fostering teamwork and improving program efficiency.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on emerging trends in nursing practice to enhance effectiveness in delivering quality care.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing program operations.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
Consultant, Business Partner
The VAD Consulting Group, LLC
07.2012 - 08.2015
- Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for each consulting engagement.
- Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Managed client relationships through regular check-ins and updates on project progress.
- Assisted clients in navigating complex industry challenges with strategic recommendations.
- Identified areas of improvement for clients'' operations, implementing targeted solutions to increase productivity.
- Developed innovative strategies for clients, resulting in increased revenue and business growth.
- Streamlined internal processes to enhance team efficiency and improve overall project outcomes.
- Conducted thorough market research and analysis, providing valuable insights for client decision-making.
- Directed market entry strategies for clients looking to expand into new territories, ensuring compliance and cultural alignment.
- Conducted in-depth market research to identify emerging trends, enabling clients to adapt and stay ahead in competitive industries.
Registered Nurse, VAD Coordinator, Heart Transplant & Mechanical Heart Program
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
10.2008 - 07.2015
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
Registered Nurse, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
08.2007 - 09.2008
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
Registered Nurse, Adult/Neuro Intensive Care Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
10.2006 - 09.2007
Charge Nurse, Advanced Cardiac Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
07.2000 - 07.2005
New Staff Preceptor, Advanced Cardiac Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
07.2000 - 07.2005
Registered Nurse, Advanced Cardiac Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
08.1999 - 07.2005
Registered Nurse, Pediatric Home Healthcare
A New Hope, Inc.
06.1997 - 08.1999
Education
Master of Science - Nursing, Administration & Management
Aspen University
Phoenix, AZ04.2025
Bachelor of Science - Nursing, Magna Cum Laude
Minnesota State University School of Nursing
Mankato, MN06.1997
Skills
- Operational efficiency
- Workforce planning
- Risk mitigation
- Resource allocation
- Staff training/development
- Customer service management
- KPI tracking
- Administrative management
- Change management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Strategic planning and execution
- Financial oversight
Computer Technology Skills
Microsoft Office for PC and Mac, Centricity, Meditech, Epic, PSN, MeQuim, HeRO, MyMap, Workday, Infor, Lawson, Concur, Tract Manager, OnBase
Professional Societies Membership
- The International Consortium of Circulatory Assist Clinicians, 2014 - present
- Mu Lambda Chapter, Minnesota State University School of Nursing, 1997 - present
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 2003 - 2016
Professional Publications
- Bjelkengren J, Dardas TF., Hardwiring Heart Transplant Volume Growth., JAMA Netw Open., 2020, 3, 9, 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.17595
- Li, Song & Beckman, Jennifer & Welch, Nathan & Cheng, Richard & Rockom, Sunny & Levy, Wayne & O'Brien, Kevin & Dardas, Todd & Lin, Shin & Leary, Peter & Kirkpatrick, James & Mccabe, James & Bjelkengren, Jason & Chassagne, Fanette & Aliseda, Alberto & Zimpfer, Daniel & Mahr, Claudius., Accuracy of Doppler blood pressure measurement in HeartMate 3 ventricular assist device patients., ESC Heart Failure., 2020, 7, 10.1002/ehf2.13056
- Li, Song & Beckman, Jennifer & Cheng, Richard & Ibeh, Chinwe & Creutzfeldt, Claire & Bjelkengren, Jason & Herrington, Joni & Stempien-Otero, April & Lin, Shin & Levy, Wayne & Fishbein, Daniel & Koomalsingh, Kevin & Zimpfer, Daniel & Slaughter, Mark & Aliseda, Alberto & Tirschwell, David & Mahr, Claudius., Comparison of Neurologic Event Rates Among HeartMate II, HeartMate 3, and HVAD., ASAIO Journal., 2019, 66, 1, 10.1097/MAT.0000000000001084
- Wilcox, Jane & Cameron, Kenzie & Harap, Rebecca & Shanklin, Kerry & Grady, Kathleen & Cohen, Elaine & Abicht, Travis & Adler, Eric & Alexy, Tamas & Alonso, Windy & Beckman, Jennifer & Bjelkengren, Jason & Cagliostro, Barbara & Cogswell, Rebecca & Colombo, Paolo & Cotts, William & Haglund, Nicholas & Haverstick, Stacy & Kiernan, Michael & Barsuk, Jeffrey., Ventricular Assist Device Driveline Dressing-Change Protocols: A Need for Standardization. A Report from the SimVAD Investigators., Journal of Cardiac Failure., 2019, 25, 10.1016/j.cardfail.2019.06.009
- Li, Song & Beckman, Jennifer & Welch, Nathan & Bjelkengren, Jason & Masri, Sofia & Minami, Elina & Stempien‐Otero, April & Levy, Wayne & O'Brien, Kevin & Lin, Shin & Farris, Stephen & Cheng, Richard & Wood, Gregory & Koomalsingh, Kevin & Kirkpatrick, James & McCabe, James & Leary, Peter & Chassagne, Fanette & Chivukula, Venkat Keshav & Mahr, Claudius., Accuracy of Doppler blood pressure measurement in continuous‐flow left ventricular assist device patients., ESC Heart Failure., 2019, 6, 10.1002/ehf2.12456
- Kirkpatrick, James & Mahr, Claudius & Beckman, Jennifer & Bjelkengren, Jason & Dudzinski, Denise., Responding to Ventricular Assist Device Recalls: An Ethical Guide for Mechanical Circulatory Support Programs., ASAIO Journal., 2019, 66, 1, 10.1097/MAT.0000000000001005
- Dudzinski, Denise & Mahr, Claudius & Bjelkengren, Jason & Mokadam, Nahush., The Ethical Conundrum: Conflicting Advocacy Positions in Advanced Heart Failure Therapy., Clinical Transplantation., 2019, 33, 10.1111/ctr.13489
- Schmitt, A. & Anders, S. & Lewey, S. & McLaughlin, B. & Bjelkengren, Jason & Schaefer, S. & Sato, David & Nair, Nandini & Sandler, D. & Icenogle, Tim., Characterization of readmissions in the LVAD-supported heart failure population., Cardiology., 2014, 128, 117-117
- Nair, Nandini & Schmitt, A. & Anders, S. & Schaefer, S. & Bjelkengren, Jason & Lewey, S. & McLaughlin, B. & Sato, David & Sandler, D. & Icenogle, Tim., Can blood type O patients on LVADs be at increased risk for GI bleeds?, Cardiology., 2014, 128, 118-118
- Schaefer, S.A. & Schmitt, A.A. & Bjelkengren, Jason & Lewey, S. & McLaughlin, B. & Sato, David & Puhlman, S. & Pyo, S. & Oberst, R. & Lawrence, E.A. & Hester, P.D. & Sparks, C. & Kaley, P.J. & Blevins, S. & Sandler, D.D. & Icenogle, Tim., Meeting INR Targets for the Left Ventricular Assist Device Patient., The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation., 2013, 32, S116-S117, 10.1016/j.healun.2013.01.246
- Icenogle, Tim & Sandler, D. & Schmitt, A.A. & Sato, David & Bjelkengren, Jason & Schaefer, S.A. & Lewey, S., Initial Experience – Cost Adjusted Quality of Life Years for Patients Supported by Ventricular Assist Devices for Destination Therapy Indication., The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation., 2012, 31, S191, 10.1016/j.healun.2012.01.563
- Icenogle, Tim & Sandler, D. & Schmitt, A. & Sato, David & Puhlman, Mark & Bjelkengren, Jason & Schaefer, S. & Rodenberger, H., Destination Therapy for Failed Fontans: Case Report and Study Description., Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - J HEART LUNG TRANSPLANT., 2011, 10.1016/j.healun.2011.01.337
Professional Leadership Accomplishments
- Built a strong quality and compliance team to oversee the solid organ transplant service line and the ventricular assist device program’s regulated activities.
- Co-led the implementation of a remote/virtual nursing team staffing model.
- Operationalized the use of a fleet of delivery robots which led to significant institutional cost savings and improved staff satisfaction.
- Significantly reduced patient fall rates by effectively instituting a virtual telesitter program.
- Directed the design and implementation of teleneurology and telestroke programs for a 388-bed acute care hospital.
- Provided comprehensive oversight of a successful Core Total Joint (knee and hip) Program Joint Commission reaccreditation survey.
- Coordinated and provided oversight for multiple successful Prevalence Skin Studies.
- Operationalized multiple patient flow and progression initiatives that effectively reduced length of stay.
- Implemented a hallway bed project to offload the Emergency Department and Perioperative Services during high patient census conditions.
- Provided comprehensive program operations, including all human resources, risk management, strategic planning, program development, and marketing/outreach, for one of the largest heart transplant programs in the U.S.
- Acquired extensive policy development experience for a high-volume cardiac transplant center (top 10 in the U.S. for volume for 5 consecutive years) and the largest MCS program on the West Coast.
- Co-chaired multiple clinical pathways of care development task forces that led to significant reductions in length of stay and overall cost.
- Developed and managed the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs for the advanced heart failure, cardiac transplant, and MCS programs at a nationally renowned academic medical center.
- Developed multidisciplinary cardiac transplant and VAD implantation clinical care pathways which led to significant reduction in both cost and length of stay.
- Operationalized start-up and participation in multiple national, FDA-regulated MCS device clinical trials.
- Led efforts to develop an alternate heart transplant waitlist to serve advanced-age patients.
- Co-developed Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) positive donor to naïve recipient utilization program.
- Co-managed the operational and financial aspects of an independent healthcare consulting firm.
Awards
- Daisy Leadership Award, 2022, MultiCare Deaconess Hospital
- Foundations Leadership Award, 2022, MultiCare Deaconess Hospital
- Golden Eddy Award, 2019, Patient & Family Education Services
- Excellence in Caring Practice Award, 2008, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Inland Northwest Chapter
Credentials
Wisconsin Registered Nurse License 1105043-30 Expiration Date - 28/02/2026
Basic Life Support Provider Certification JE332H Expiration Date - 15/07/2025
New Zealand Nursing Council Registration No. 368086 APC Expiry - 31/12/2025
Timeline
Director of Operations, Solid Organ Transplant Service Line
Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin
06.2023 - Current
Director of Nursing, Inpatient Acute Care Services, Dialysis & Wound Care Services
MultiCare Deaconess Hospital
06.2021 - 06.2023
Associate Director, Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplant & MCS Programs
University of Washington Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medicine Heart Institute
07.2018 - 06.2021
Nurse Manager, Advanced Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplant & MCS Programs
University of Washington Medical Center, Regional Heart Center
07.2015 - 07.2018
Consultant, Business Partner
The VAD Consulting Group, LLC
07.2012 - 08.2015
Registered Nurse, VAD Coordinator, Heart Transplant & Mechanical Heart Program
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
10.2008 - 07.2015
Registered Nurse, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
08.2007 - 09.2008
Registered Nurse, Adult/Neuro Intensive Care Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
10.2006 - 09.2007
Charge Nurse, Advanced Cardiac Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
07.2000 - 07.2005
New Staff Preceptor, Advanced Cardiac Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
07.2000 - 07.2005
Registered Nurse, Advanced Cardiac Unit
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
08.1999 - 07.2005
Registered Nurse, Pediatric Home Healthcare
A New Hope, Inc.
06.1997 - 08.1999
Bachelor of Science - Nursing, Magna Cum Laude
Minnesota State University School of Nursing
Master of Science - Nursing, Administration & Management
Aspen University
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