Karen Blackwell
Claremore,OK
Summary
RN Director of Case Management with deep experience in patient advocacy, interdisciplinary coordination, and discharge planning. Known for improving care transitions, educating families, and reducing readmissions through clear communication and strong care planning.
Overview
1
1
Certification
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Director of Case Management
Select Specialty Hospital-Tulsa Midtown
Tulsa, OK
04.2019 - Current
- Educated patients and families on treatment plans and recovery expectations.
- Streamlined care coordination processes to reduce hospital readmissions and emergency department visits.
- Participated in on-call rotations to deliver after-hours care.
- Authored initial assessments of patients and family to develop plans for individual home care needs.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
- Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, performance, medications and changes.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on refining case management skills in alignment with industry best practices.
- Advocated for patients'' rights, facilitating access to necessary services and resources within the community.
- Developed professional relationships with community partners to enhance available support services for patients transitioning from acute care settings.
- Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, introducing revisions to care plans.
- Coordinated with interdisciplinary professionals to develop plans of care, administer tests and monitor patient status.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Select Specialty Hospital-Tulsa Midtown
Tulsa, OK
12.2015 - 04.2019
- Coordinated interdisciplinary discharge planning to support safe patient transitions and continuity of care.
- Collaborated with physicians, therapists, and social workers to align treatment plans with discharge goals.
- Evaluated patient progress and adjusted case management plans to address changing clinical needs.
- Completed utilization review and documented medical necessity to support appropriate level-of-care decisions.
- Educated patients and families on post-acute services, follow-up care, and recovery expectations.
- Facilitated communication with payers to secure authorizations and reduce delays in patient placement.
- Monitored complex cases for barriers to discharge and implemented solutions to improve patient flow.
RN Staff Nurse
Select Specialty Hospital-Tulsa Midtown
Tulsa, OK
10.2003 - 12.2015
- Managed ventilator-dependent patients using critical care protocols and safety standards.
- Administered medications and monitored responses for complex medical conditions.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary care with physicians, therapists, and case managers.
- Performed comprehensive patient assessments and updated individualized care plans.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Rogers State College
Claremore, OKSkills
- Patient and family advocacy
- Documentation and charting
- Care planning
- Care plan development
- Professional bedside manner
- Family education
- Intake and discharge
- Maintaining privacy
- Relationship building
- Patient relations
- Staff supervision
- Medical records management
- Managing deadlines
- Appointment scheduling
- Home health care
- Evaluations
- Setting up referrals
Accomplishments
Recently passed the CCM exam in 2026
Certification
Recently passed CCM exam in 2026
Timeline
RN Director of Case Management
Select Specialty Hospital-Tulsa Midtown
04.2019 - Current
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Select Specialty Hospital-Tulsa Midtown
12.2015 - 04.2019
RN Staff Nurse
Select Specialty Hospital-Tulsa Midtown
10.2003 - 12.2015
Associate of Science - Nursing
Rogers State College