Jennifer O’Connell
Roanoke,VA
Summary
Board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with a doctorate and experience as a nurse case manager lead analyst at Accredo Specialty Pharmacy. Expertise in care coordination and crisis intervention, with a proven ability to compose successful medication appeals and lead clinical reviews. Strong leadership skills and proficiency in patient assessment, ensuring compliance and improving patient outcomes in complex healthcare settings.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Nurse Case Manager Lead Analyst
Accredo Specialty Pharmacy
07.2019 - Current
- Led clinical criteria review as nurse analyst, ensuring compliance with insurance protocols.
- Collaborated with providers and insurance plans to secure approvals for psychiatric medications, including Spravato and Austedo, enhancing patient access to treatment.
- Composed detailed appeals for denied medications to insurance companies, effectively addressing denial reasons to advocate for patient needs.
- Completed post-shipment appeals to recover costs of shipped medications, ensuring financial accountability and resource optimization.
Registered Nurse Assessment Coordinator
Concordia of the South Hills
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
12.2015 - 07.2019
- Completed MDS assessments, certifications, authorization requests, appeals, and continued stay reviews to ensure compliance and quality of care.
- Supervise the delivery of care for all patients in a 46 bed skilled nursing facility through direct guidance to LPNS/RNs; occasionally providing direct patient care to up to 23 patients while maintaining a supervisory role.
- Partner daily with attending physicians, nurses, techs and nursing assistants to create and coordinate plans of care, including imaging, labs, surgery, and medications.
- Mediated between staff and family members/patients to resolve issues, enhancing patient and family satisfaction.
- Led collaborative case review meetings with management team to develop care plans and discharge preparations involving various department heads.
Geropsychiatric Clinical Manager
Ohio Valley General Hospital
McKees Rocks, PA
04.2011 - 01.2016
- Directed the comprehensive management of all personnel in the 21-bed Geriatric Psychiatric Unit to promote integrated care across nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social services.
- Ensured timely completion of individualized patient care plans within 24 hours of admission, screening patients for complications including suicidal/homicidal ideations and substance abuse.
- Evaluated nursing staff performance and developed education programs and professional development opportunities, enhancing competencies and clinical knowledge for improved patient care delivery.
- Advocated for patients' physical, psychosocial, developmental, spiritual and emotional needs during planning.
- Conducted weekly chart reviews to ensure adherence to quality control standards.
Charge Registered Nurse
Medi-Home Hospice
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
01.2009 - 08.2010
- Directed a group of RNs, LPNs, and CNAs in providing scheduled and urgent hospice care within a 5-county area.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans for hospice patients, ensuring team understanding and adherence to physician instructions.
- Maintained relationships with facilities, pharmacists, and physicians to enhance care for patients nearing end of life.
Staff Nurse 5E Ortho
St. Clair Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
08.2007 - 06.2009
- Managed post-operative orthopedic patients following knee, hip, neck, back, and shoulder surgeries, overseeing recovery and care plans.
- Collaborated on committee to develop and implement post-operative pain management education and protocols for new hires, enhancing pain management practices.
- Facilitated communication of patient information to physicians and nurses, ensuring continuity of care.
- Assessed CVA/TIA patients using the National Institute of Health (NIH) stroke scale and reporting any changes directly to on-call physicians.
Education
DNP/PMHNP-BC -
Maryville University
05-2025
Masters of Science in Nursing - Education
Robert Morris University
Moon Township01-2014
Bachelors of Science in Nursing -
University Of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ01-2011
Associates Degree in Nursing -
Community College of Allegheny County
South Campus01-2007
Skills
- Basic life support certification
- Utilization review
- Billing processes
- Crisis intervention
- HIPAA compliance
- Patient assessment
- Care coordination
- Clinical documentation
- Team leadership
- Group therapy
- Staff training
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Diagnostic evaluation
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
- Psychopharmacology
- Therapeutic communication
- Psychiatric evaluation
Certification
Registered Nurse 0001318177 Virginia Expiration 11/30/2027
Timeline
Nurse Case Manager Lead Analyst
Accredo Specialty Pharmacy
07.2019 - Current
Registered Nurse Assessment Coordinator
Concordia of the South Hills
12.2015 - 07.2019
Geropsychiatric Clinical Manager
Ohio Valley General Hospital
04.2011 - 01.2016
Charge Registered Nurse
Medi-Home Hospice
01.2009 - 08.2010
Staff Nurse 5E Ortho
St. Clair Hospital
08.2007 - 06.2009
DNP/PMHNP-BC -
Maryville University
Masters of Science in Nursing - Education
Robert Morris University
Bachelors of Science in Nursing -
University Of Phoenix
Associates Degree in Nursing -
Community College of Allegheny County