KAREN GARRETT-WELLS
Union City,USA
Summary
- Industrious healthcare professional seeking a position to improve the health and well-being of the people, patients, and community by obtaining a permanent position in an organization where teamwork, compassion, and professionalism are practiced and expected. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and support implementation of a patient-focused program in healthcare setting. Background includes 30+ years of experience in nursing, healthcare management and education. A leader with excellent clinical, organizational, and communication skills with an orientation towards goals achievement and outcome assessment. A resourceful problem solver and self-starter able to implement solutions with success:
- Project management
- Team building
- Change management
- Organizational design
Healthcare professional skilled in managing nursing operations and optimizing patient care. Adept at implementing healthcare protocols and improving patient outcomes through effective leadership. Focused on team collaboration and achieving results, with reputation for reliability and adaptability.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Manager/Administrative Nurse II
Santa Clara County-Custody Health Services
09.2022 - Current
- Provides overall leadership and direction to adult custody mental health, quality improvement and infection control staff; Evaluates program plans and determines mental health program needs for incarcerated persons; Gathers information and prepares budget requests; Negotiates with department management for personnel and fiscal resources; Meets with other agencies to develop agreements for the provisions of services; Serves on various committees related to providing mental health services in a correctional setting; Consults with other professionals and various boards and organizations to determine program needs; Participates in contract development and manages contract compliance to promote effective working relationships; Collaborates with appropriate levels of staff to determine policies and procedures to be used; Participates in long-range planning and establishes goals and objectives to facilitate the delivery of quality mental health services; Participates in resolving unusual or complex interdepartmental problems as they relate to the delivery of quality mental health
Administrative Supervisor/Nurse Educator
Sutter Health
09.2016 - Current
- Directs the operation and supervises personnel in all departments on shifts when leadership does not present in the facility. Oversees staff to ensure patient family care is delivered according to the Sutter Difference standards. Actively oversees management of the patient/family plan of care throughout the hospitalization to achieve optimal transition and progression toward discharge for patient/family.
- Alta Bates/Summit Medical Center/Mills Peninsula
Adjunct Professor Faculty Member /Nurse Educator
Dominican University
08.2012 - Current
- Organize, prepare and revise (as needed) course materials; ensure content level of course materials in exams has been covered in class; design, administer and grade examination papers; schedule and provide post academic care to students; facilitate online discussions with student; assess student learning through various methods. incorporate a variety of teaching methodologies within a class. Provide clinical instruction to cohorts; as needed, engage with appropriate administrators to support the student experience and to ensure student needs are being addressed; effectively use a mentor/coach approach to build productive educational relationships with students; participate in Simulation Lab, Skills Lab, and tutoring sessions.
- Department of Nursing San Rafael, Ca
- Mental Health and Medical/Surgical Nursing Instructor
Clinical Nurse IV/Nursing House Supervisor
Alameda Health Systems
11.2010 - Current
- Manages the off-hours and weekend patient care activities. Ensures staff provides highest quality of care and is in compliance with the Nurse Practice Act, Joint Commission, federal, state, and local requirements. Coordinates and monitors staffing for all shifts and maintains appropriate staffing levels and skill mix.
- Highland Hospital/John George Psychiatric Oakland, CA
Director of Nursing Services
Crestwood Behavioral Health, INC. – Crestwood Center/Mental Health
06.2015 - 01.2017
- Directs and coordinates all aspects of nursing, including, but not limited to, infection control, pharmacy, laboratory, quality assurance, medical records, and staff education. As the director, ensures compliance with established policies and procedures of the overall program and timely completion of respective reporting requirements.
- Rehabilitation Center San Jose, Ca
Patient Care Manager
Stanford Hospitals and Clinics
10.2013 - 05.2014
- Accountable for the effective delivery of competent, compassionate, and efficient care for specific patient care unit(s) on a 24-hour basis. Provide leadership and direction for the staff while supporting and actualizing the goals of the department, division, service, and hospital.
Director of Behavioral Health Services /Behavioral Health Day Program
Dignity Healthy-Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
04.2006 - 10.2013
- Accountable for the effective delivery of competent, compassionate, and efficient care for specific patient care unit(s) on a 24-hour basis. Provide leadership and direction for the staff while supporting and actualizing the goals of the department, division, service, and hospital. Monitors the fiscal budget to control operational and capital expenditures while monitoring and adjusting staffing patterns to improve unit productivity. Implement instructional strategies appropriate for the learner and content, differentiating instruction to meet diverse learner needs.
Short Hour Staff Nurse II to Nursing House Supervisor
Kaiser Permanent-Richmond Medical Center
03.2007 - 02.2009
- A professional caregiver who assumes responsibility and provides care to patients via the therapeutic use of self, the nursing process, the environment and instrumentation, and other health care team members. Manages the off-hours and weekend patient care activities.. Participates in developing, reviewing, and updating departmental policies and procedures.
Staff Nurse II to Senior Nurse Manager
University of Texas Houston Harris County Psychiatric Center
12.1989 - 04.2006
- Responsible for coordinating all clinical activities; providing leadership in a collaborative environment, recruiting, interviewing, recommending, hiring, counseling, disciplining employees, supervising nursing unit operations, coordinating work schedules, managing numerous projects, auditing charts and maintaining records according to JCAHO Standards. Accountable for cost-effective utilization and management of resources while maximizing quality care and provider/vendor negotiations. Monitors the fiscal budget to control operational and capital expenditures while monitoring and adjusting staffing patterns to improve unit productivity.
- UT-Medical Branch Galveston, Texas
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital
- Nurse Manager/Head Nurse
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas
05.1988
Masters in business administration (MBA) - undefined
University of Phoenix
09.2004
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ03-2016
Skills
- Staff supervision
- Quality improvement
- Critical thinking
- Operational oversight
Accomplishments
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
- Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
Certification
- Registered Nurse, State of Texas 2013
- Registered Nurse, State of California 2024
- Crisis Prevention Training CPI/Pro Act 2024
- BLS/PALS/ACLS 2025
Timeline
Nurse Manager/Administrative Nurse II
Santa Clara County-Custody Health Services
09.2022 - Current
Administrative Supervisor/Nurse Educator
Sutter Health
09.2016 - Current
Director of Nursing Services
Crestwood Behavioral Health, INC. – Crestwood Center/Mental Health
06.2015 - 01.2017
Patient Care Manager
Stanford Hospitals and Clinics
10.2013 - 05.2014
Adjunct Professor Faculty Member /Nurse Educator
Dominican University
08.2012 - Current
Clinical Nurse IV/Nursing House Supervisor
Alameda Health Systems
11.2010 - Current
Short Hour Staff Nurse II to Nursing House Supervisor
Kaiser Permanent-Richmond Medical Center
03.2007 - 02.2009
Director of Behavioral Health Services /Behavioral Health Day Program
Dignity Healthy-Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
04.2006 - 10.2013
Staff Nurse II to Senior Nurse Manager
University of Texas Houston Harris County Psychiatric Center
12.1989 - 04.2006
Masters in business administration (MBA) - undefined
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
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