Jennifer Mehrstedt
Waukesha,WI
Summary
Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and ensure positive positive patient and family outcomes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Director of Professional Services
Promedica Hospice (formerly Heartland Hospice)
08.2015 - Current
- Responsible for directing clinical activities of parent agency and branch office, including but not limited to planning and evaluating professional health services and conferring with leadership and other staff to ensure services are provided at quality levels consistent with professional standards and goals.
- Provide clinical oversight and support for nursing, social work, spiritual care, bereavement, and volunteer services as well as care transition coordinator roles (nursing and non-nursing).
- Provide oversight for the hospice program regarding admission, death, and care processes including facilitation/participation in interdisciplinary group meetings. Conduct on-site staff and patient clinical assessment and reassessments as needed. Communicate with physicians and mid-level providers, monitor direct patient care, creates and/or implement staff education, help deliver cost-effective, high quality care to patients and families.
- Responsible for ongoing review of patient eligibility for hospice level of care, including in-depth investigation of patients who are long length of stay (LLOS) and clinical deep dives for patients who may be a live discharge for extended prognosis.
- Provide support for palliative program, including review of hospice-eligible patients through the interdisciplinary group process and develop strategy to transition those patients to the appropriate level of care.
- Coordinate overlapping needs for hospice, palliative, and home care services.
- Supervise leadership /coordinator/team leads and the programs they oversee, provide assistance with development, implementation, and evaluation of supportive processes for all team members. Provide coaching/staff development opportunities.
- Develop/oversee/guide direct care staff performance development in conjunction with Patient Care Managers, including participation in counseling and disciplinary actions as needed.
- Monitor compliance with rules and regulations of federal and state regulatory agencies and accreditation bodies. Assure completeness and accuracy of the medical record. Co-responsibility for quality assurance (QAPI) program.
- Work to define quality metrics and implement programs to address quality indicators set by CMS. Work closely with agency and regional/divisional administration to develop and implement best practices to improve patient outcomes. Increased patient satisfaction scores with Would Recommend now at 89% (previously in 70s) and Hospice Compare Star Rating of 3 (was 2).
- Investigate clinical concerns and events, including conducting interviews and creating chronology of events. Report findings and recommendations to divisional leadership as needed.
- Participate in growth activities to ensure profitability of agency including community outreach and education and sales/marketing strategy development.
- Oversee and approve recruitment, hiring and orientation of new staff.
- Ongoing development of positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
Patient Care Manager
Heartland Hospice
03.2014 - 08.2015
- Coordinated communication between patients, families, medical staff, hospice administrative staff, and outside agencies; included scheduling of visits, admissions.
- Supervision of direct care staff; provided assistance with care planning, time management, and staff performance/development activities. Completed performance evaluations, provided counseling as needed, participated in disciplinary actions as needed.
- Developed and promoted programs for continuing staff support, in-services, and education.
- Scheduled and facilitated interdisciplinary team meetings fin accordance with regulatory requirements for continual updating of care plans, promoting exchange of information, and assistance with problem solving.
- Monitored compliance needs including completeness and accuracy of the patient medical record.
RN Case Manager
Heartland Hospice
09.2013 - 03.2014
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners by verifying interventions and treatment goals.
- Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, clinical presentation, medications, and clinical changes with focus on options to maximize quality of life.
- Facilitated non-judgemental and non-discriminatory care to preserve patient autonomy, dignity, and rights through end of life. Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
- Developed and recorded treatment plans as directed by the hospice and attending physicians. Documented patient care activities and interventions, performed patient and family assessments, and liaised with multidisciplinary team to organize and coordinate care services to meet individual patient needs. Provided customized education for patients and families to address their unique symptoms, responses, and conditions.
- Maintained patient confidentiality.
- Participated in on-call rotations to deliver after-hours care.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
Staff RN
Froedtert Hospital
10.2010 - 02.2014
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound care, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Monitored patient conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Provided patient advocacy including attendance at physician rounds to ensure patient and family understanding of clinical status, plan of care, and treatment options presented.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Coordinated admissions, transfers, and discharges for floor.
- Assumed role of Shift Coordinator/Lead on rotating basis.
- Participation in Joint Committees to assist in development of of systems and work processes for nursing unit; developed and implemented education on fall safety, participated in development and presentation of communication-based education at Nursing Grand Rounds.
- Research team participant for project investigating how communication practices impact discharge planning/successful patient outcomes
Staff RN
Luther Manor Nursing Home
01.2010 - 02.2011
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound care, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
Education
Master of Science - Legal Studies - Health Care Law
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK12.2023
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Bryant And Stratton College
Wauwatosa2016
Associate of Science - Nursing
Bryant And Stratton College
Wauwatosa, WI2009
Skills
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
- Extensive leadership background with proven agency growth and employee retention
- Excellent communication skills, able to speak engagingly with patients, families, and professionals from a variety of backgrounds
- Critical thinker with a strong problem solving background Logical, able to understand global picture while still addressing individual needs Solution-focused
Accomplishments
Engaged 2 struggling agencies with significant turnover and unfavorable culture and created agencies with strong leadership, excellent employee retention, positive work cultures, and clinicians who provide quality, compassionate care at end of life. Adherence to compliance and associated staff trainings has resulted in successful accreditation and state agency survey results with no condition level deficiencies, and in 0% financial liability for SMRC audit.
Certification
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
Timeline
Sr. Director of Professional Services
Promedica Hospice (formerly Heartland Hospice)
08.2015 - Current
Patient Care Manager
Heartland Hospice
03.2014 - 08.2015
RN Case Manager
Heartland Hospice
09.2013 - 03.2014
Staff RN
Froedtert Hospital
10.2010 - 02.2014
Staff RN
Luther Manor Nursing Home
01.2010 - 02.2011
Master of Science - Legal Studies - Health Care Law
University of Oklahoma
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Bryant And Stratton College
Associate of Science - Nursing
Bryant And Stratton College
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Affiliations
- HPNA
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
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