Lora Merrill
Charlotte,VT
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional with extensive clinical experience across multiple specialties and a strong background in leadership, quality improvement, regulatory compliance. Skilled in collaborating across departments to ensure adherence to Conditions of Participation and Payment, while using data and quality metrics to drive meaningful change. Currently leading initiatives within UVMHN Home Health & Hospice to improve clinical outcomes and align with value-based care models through team development, education, and strategic partnerships
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager of Clinical Outcomes
University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice
Colchester , VT
08.2022 - Current
- Monitor quality and clinical outcomes through the auditing of the patient medical record.
- Effectively collected and presented data related to clinical outcomes.
- Examine cases for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
- Develop and teach training related to outcome assessment to multiple clinical groups.
- Graduate of the UVMMC Managerial Excellence Program, 2023.
- Manage the Home Health Coding auditing team within UVMHHH.
- Manage the technical support specialist team within UVMHHH.
- Review and implement compliance measures for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Conditions of Participation.
- Facilitate process improvement projects to enhance clinical compliance and outcomes.
- Member of the Adult Home Health and Hospice QUAPI Committee.
- Chair, UVMHHH Nursing Practice Council, and representing member of the UVMHN Nursing Practice Council.
- Facilitator of the Coding & Auditing Sub-group which meets bi-weekly to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
Clinical Instructor
Vermont State University
Castleton , VT
04.2025 - 05.2025
- Conducted evaluations of student performance, provided feedback and guidance on areas of improvement.
- Supervised nursing students during their clinical rotations at Porter Hospital for the spring semester of 2025.
- Upheld patient safety standards by supervising students during patient care.
Clinical Educator
Vermont State University
Colchester, Vermont
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Worked collaboratively to enhance skills of new and current clinicians.
- Able to work as support and or lead for New Employee Orientation. Collaborating with multiple departments to provide a cohesive orientation. Establish onboarding schedule with clear outcomes and directives.
- Able to provide both instructional and in person support for OASIS standard assessments.
- OASIS certification achieved 11/2021.
- Instructor AHA Basic Life Support
- Able to assist in auditing charts for discharge and transfer OASIS process measures.
- Demonstrating a broad and in-depth knowledge of both home health and hospice care.
- Open and willing to support team members in the training and in-house education of staff.
- Demonstrating a consistent commitment to the values and mission of the educational team and organization.
- Able to work collaboratively in improving quality measures in a respectful, creative and open minded process.
Hospice Registered Nurse
McClure Miller Vermont Respite House
Colchester, VT
01.2006 - 08.2021
- Created and applied tailored care plans that would meet each patient's individualized needs.
- Utilized effective interpersonal, writing and active listening skills to build and cultivate positive relationships with patients, caregivers and physicians.
- Guided patients' loved ones and caregivers in such tasks as pain management, wound care and medication dosing.
- Counseled patients and caregivers, providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support.
- Managed and provided leadership to help staff with direct and indirect patient care.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians and interdisciplinary staff with observations and concerns.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies, and standards of care.
- Certified hospice and palliative care nurse since December 2013.
- Completed AED training. December 2020.
Bookkeeper
Merrill's Auctioneers & Appraisers
Williston, Vermont
06.1999 - 04.2021
- Organized resources and staff necessary to handle requirements and maintain strong service levels.
- Integrated quality measures for staffing, upheld customer services principles, held staff to the highest standards of customer service.
- Transitioned software to Auctionflex, coordinated the update of all computer setup and staff training.
- Assisted with interviewing job applicants by asking appropriate questions and offering insight and feedback.
- Maintained accurate bookkeeping of important files, running reports and delivering updates on occupancy and revenues.
- Met budget targets and quality standards by proactively leading team members and monitoring operations. Implemented quality staffing index to limit overtime and promote staff satisfaction, while reducing labor costs.
- Orchestrated staff meetings to maintain open communication and quickly address concerns.
- Organized and produced advertising campaigns, and promotional events.
Home Care Nurse
Addison County Home Health & Hospice
Middlebury, VT
01.1996 - 12.2006
- Delivered quality patient care from admission to discharge through direct supervision of all nursing and ancillary staff.
- Managed caseload of 18-25 patients.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Cared for patients with various wounds caused by injuries, medical treatments and diseases.
- Immunized patients against influenza and pneumonia to protect vulnerable populations from serious illnesses.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches. Completing necessary paperwork in a timely manor.
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services.
- Developed and adapted individualized treatment plans according to patient recovery goals.
- Provided on call emergency care for Addison county from 4pm-8am.
Travel Registered Nurse
Bon Secours Health System Inc.
Venice, FL
01.1996 - 05.1996
- Utilized telemetry to monitor patients cardiac status.
- Educated patients on health conditions and promoted better nutrition and holistic stress relief methods.
- Performed rounds with physicians on a daily basis on cardiac floor, checking on patients' well-being.
Medical/Surgical Nurse
Springfield Hospital
Springfield , VT
01.1994 - 01.1996
- Carried out nursing tasks safely to maintain high level of care that complied with organization's procedures and regulations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to administer therapies and maintain continuum of care.
- Pitched in to assist with nursing duties in areas where healthcare teams were short-staffed.
- Distributed assignments to RNs, LPNs and resident advisors while providing guidance and training to ensure proper care was administered to patients.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
St. Anselm College
Manchester, NHAdditional Information
Second year MSN student at Vermont State University with a focus in education.
Expected Graduation December 2025
OASIS training -COS-C certified -current
BLS Certified Trainer 2022-current
Timeline
Clinical Instructor
Vermont State University
04.2025 - 05.2025
Manager of Clinical Outcomes
University of Vermont Home Health & Hospice
08.2022 - Current
Clinical Educator
Vermont State University
08.2021 - 08.2022
Hospice Registered Nurse
McClure Miller Vermont Respite House
01.2006 - 08.2021
Bookkeeper
Merrill's Auctioneers & Appraisers
06.1999 - 04.2021
Home Care Nurse
Addison County Home Health & Hospice
01.1996 - 12.2006
Travel Registered Nurse
Bon Secours Health System Inc.
01.1996 - 05.1996
Medical/Surgical Nurse
Springfield Hospital
01.1994 - 01.1996
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
St. Anselm College
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