Open To Work
Jolene Knauss
Lehighton,Pa
Work Preference
Summary
Experienced Registered Nurse with a Master's degree, skilled in coordinating operations and managing clinical staff to enhance patient care. Led initiatives to implement nursing standards and regulations, fostering a collaborative work environment. Focused on improving patient satisfaction through effective nursing practices and teamwork.
Overview
1
1
Certification
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse Unit Manager
TELEVERA
10.2025 - Current
- Delivered direct patient care in long-term care setting, enhancing quality of life for residents.
- Coordinated patient admissions, transfers, and discharges with interdisciplinary teams.
- Assessed and evaluated patient care needs, developed plans of care, and implemented nursing interventions.
- Collaborated with physicians, other healthcare professionals, patients, families and community resources to meet individualized patient needs.
- Facilitated communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers.
- Provided leadership by setting standards for professional practice and role modeling behaviors.
- Reviewed incident reports involving patients to determine appropriate corrective action.
- Investigated any incidents reported within the unit promptly according to established guidelines.
- Managed employee relations activities, including performance appraisals and corrective action plans.
- Educated nursing staff on changes in protocols or practices based on current evidence-based research.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory standards related to patient safety and clinical practice guidelines.
- Oversaw ordering of supplies and equipment necessary for successful unit operation.
- Provided support to nurses during stressful situations or emergencies on the floor.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehensible terminology.
- Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care.
- Ensured that all documentation was completed accurately in a timely manner according to facility policy.
- Prepared reports summarizing data from patient charts regarding diagnosis, treatments administered.
RN Supervisor
GENERAL HEALTHCARE RESOURCES (GHR)
12.2021 - Current
- Supervised and guided nursing staff, enhancing team cohesion and clinical practice.
- Assigned daily nursing personnel based on facility needs to ensure optimal patient care.
- Monitor patient health status and communicate findings to the healthcare team.
- Educated staff on best practices and procedures to improve patient outcomes.
- Train and mentor new nurses, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Assisted unit nursing staff with daily tasks to enhance workflow efficiency.
- Documented reportable events in detail to maintain compliance with regulations.
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure compliance with healthcare standards and protocols.
- Conducted performance evaluations to assess nursing staff competencies and development needs.
- Monitored patient outcomes and quality indicators to maintain high care standards.
- Resolved conflicts among nursing staff in a timely manner while promoting positive working relationships.
- Provided clinical leadership and direction for nursing staff, ensuring that all tasks were completed in accordance with accepted standards of care.
- Responded promptly to inquiries from physicians or other healthcare providers regarding changes in medication orders or treatments.
- Coordinated staffing schedules to meet patient needs while adhering to budgetary constraints.
- Implemented training programs to enhance team skills and knowledge in patient care.
- Actively listened to concerns from both patients and staff members regarding issues related to patient care.
- Maintained current knowledge of healthcare regulations and best practices in order to promote compliance within the organization.
- Investigated incidents involving patients or staff members, documenting findings as necessary.
- Liaised between patients and families by providing health information and addressing questions and concerns.
- Built work schedules and staff assignments, taking workload, space and equipment availability into consideration.
- Established solid relations with leadership and staff by attending board meetings and coordinating interdepartmental information exchanges.
Covering ADON/Infection Preventionist/Scheduling Manager
GENESIS HEALTHCARE-LEHIGH CENTER
05.2003 - 08.2021
- Provided direct patient care on transitional care unit (TCU) and long-term care unit.
- Performed charge nurse duties across TCU and long-term care unit.
- Collaborated with medical providers to ensure optimal patient care.
- Executed unit manager responsibilities, including individualized care plans and compliance audits.
- Managed in-house COVID testing lab, overseeing procedures and documentation.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on protocols and best practices.
- Developed educational programs for staff to enhance nursing skills and knowledge.
- Monitored healthcare regulations compliance for quality assurance and safety standards.
- Coordinated nursing staff schedules to ensure adequate patient coverage and support.
- Implemented educational programs for staff to enhance skills and knowledge in nursing care.
- Evaluated patient outcomes regularly to identify areas for improvement in care delivery.
- Served as a resource person for questions related to professional practice issues within the facility.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care issues.
- Conducted quality assurance audits to evaluate adherence to standards of care.
- Trained new nurses on proper documentation techniques according to established protocols.
- Ensured compliance with state and federal regulations related to nursing practice.
- Maintained current knowledge of trends in healthcare by attending conferences, seminars, webinars.
- Facilitated monthly meetings with nursing staff to review changes in policies, procedures, or standards of care.
- Developed and maintained staffing schedule in accordance with contract terms, budget mandates and accreditation standards for nursing coverage.
- Implemented changes needed to correct deficiencies found during government inspections.
- Reviewed daily documentation of dispensing of controlled substances, immediately noting discrepancies from shift to shift.
- Monitored inpatient bed use, facilities and staff to provide optimal use of resources.
- Established solid relations with leadership and staff by attending board meetings and coordinating interdepartmental information exchanges.
- Built work schedules and staff assignments, taking workload, space and equipment availability into consideration.
- Conducted regular training sessions on infection control practices for staff members.
- Monitored compliance with infection prevention standards and regulations.
- Investigated infection outbreaks and coordinated response efforts effectively.
- Provided education to staff on the principles of infection prevention and control.
- Provided guidance on proper use of personal protective equipment by healthcare personnel.
- Investigated potential sources of infectious disease transmission in the facility.
- Responded to suspected or confirmed cases of communicable diseases within the facility setting.
- Managed files on procedures, infection rates and patient outcomes.
- Developed educational programs for healthcare workers on preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
- Ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements related to infection prevention and control.
- Led working groups, investigations and continuous surveillance with specific focus on minimizing or eliminating infection spread.
- Investigated clusters and outbreaks to identify source of infection, educating healthcare personnel regarding short and long term control measures.
- Consulted with local and state health departments to report infectious cases.
- Identified trends for hospital infections, interpreting surveillance data to develop risk reduction strategies.
- Analyzed data from various sources such as laboratories and public health agencies to monitor emerging threats from infectious agents.
- Upheld requirements for data collection, reporting and quality control for duration of investigations.
- Advised management on ways to reduce labor costs while maintaining quality service.
- Scheduled and confirmed appointments for clients, ensuring calendar accuracy.
- Verified system information accuracy and integrity, identifying and rectifying missing details.
- Provided training to new staff on scheduling policies, procedures, and software systems.
- Monitored employee absences and tardiness to ensure adequate coverage for shifts.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local labor regulations.
- Developed effective scheduling processes to achieve production objectives.
- Coordinated logistics for company events, including scheduling venues, transportation, and accommodations.
- Developed and maintained a comprehensive database of employee availability and preferences.
- Responded to emergency scheduling changes promptly, minimizing disruptions to operations.
- Led weekly scheduling meetings to address concerns, distribute assignments, and gather feedback.
- Read through contracts, regulations and procedural guidelines to verify comprehension and compliance.
- Oversaw paper and electronic filing systems, ensuring proper documentation and organization.
- Assisted with various office tasks during peak times and staff shortages, enhancing workflow.
- Represented work unit at meetings or conferences to serve as liaison for requests or complaints.
Education
Graduate Degree - MSN
Chamberlain University College of Nursing
Addison, Illinois04-2026
Associates Degree - Nursing
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA05-2023
Practical Nurse Certificate -
Northampton Community College
Bethlehem, PA08-2001
Skills
- Team collaboration
- Staff training
- Documentation accuracy
- Leadership skills
- Multitasking Abilities
- Training and Development
- Infection control
- Quality improvement
- Stakeholder coordination
- Employee performance evaluations
- Employee recruitment and hiring
- Budget management
- Patient advocacy
- Employee supervision
- Staff scheduling
- Attention to detail
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Nursing expertise
- HIPAA compliance
- Nursing documentation
Certification
- Registered Nurse, Pennsylvania, 01/01/23, Present
- Licensed Practical Nurse, Pennsylvania, 01/01/02, 12/31/24
Professional Memberships
President, Northampton County Community College Nursing Student Organization (NSO), 01/01/00, 12/31/01
Accomplishments
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lehigh Carbon County Community College, 05/01/23
- Graduated with High Distinction Honors from Chamberlain University College of Nursing, 04/01/26
Timeline
Nurse Unit Manager
TELEVERA
10.2025 - Current
RN Supervisor
GENERAL HEALTHCARE RESOURCES (GHR)
12.2021 - Current
Covering ADON/Infection Preventionist/Scheduling Manager
GENESIS HEALTHCARE-LEHIGH CENTER
05.2003 - 08.2021
Graduate Degree - MSN
Chamberlain University College of Nursing
Associates Degree - Nursing
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Practical Nurse Certificate -
Northampton Community College