Karen Sparks
Regional Director of Radiology
Wolverine Lake Village,MI
Summary
Ensure the success of the organization in the delivery of high quality, patient focused radiology services in an environment that is mission and value driven. Accomplished, dedicated and innovative healthcare professional, with more than ten years of progressive experience within radiology, multi-modality and multi-site management, experienced leader of a diverse workforce, organization, culture and structure. Expertise includes financial management, staff recruitment and retention, regulatory compliance, facility renovation and planning, equipment procurement and replacement. Proven track record in achieving efficiency, productivity, and excellent customer service.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Director, Radiology
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital / Northwest Region
04.2022 - Current
- Direct oversight of hospital and ambulatory operations for all modalities within Northwest region
- Chair of Radiology Nursing Forum
- Chair of Radiology Quality and Safety Committee
- Product line lead for CT throughout system
- Responsible for opening Plymouth Medical Center
- Improved access and scheduling for imaging throughout region
- Increased volumes and productivity in ultrasound, MRI, interventional radiology, mammography, PET and CT
- Increased Glint employee engagement.
Clinical Nurse Manager, Radiology
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
02.2016 - Current
- Provide 24-hour responsibility for the administrative management of 70 FTE’s in Interventional Radiology, Diagnostic Holding, IR/Cath Holding, CT, PICC, and Mammography
- Review safety events, quality metrics, and patient and employee engagement scores to drive continuous performance improvement
- Develop and implement operational and capital budget in collaboration with Radiology Director
- Manage and assure department(s) finance goals consistent with budget projections
- Explain unforeseen variances
- Maintain awareness and responsibility for divisional and global budgets and resource allocations for safe and optimal patient care
- Able to execute charge capture processes including charge reconciliation, monitoring and reconciling gross charges daily and monthly, identify, and investigate variances, and ensure resolution of issues
- Effectively communicate and coordinate appropriate activities with other hospital and corporate departments as necessary
- Manage the development, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of policies and procedures that assure professional and clinical excellence in the provision of quality care to patients
- Manage and implement an ongoing evaluation process to assure compliance with regulatory agency standards and an environment of safety
- Manage, investigate and implement strategies for resolution of documented quality and safety issues
- Develop, implement, and evaluate goals for each department
- Plan and administer directly through supervision of staff, the integration of clinical, technical, and clerical activities for multiple imaging modalities and sites of service
- Support on-going research by directing necessary resources, education, and facilitation of study in the assigned area
- Additional duties/responsibilities: Created comprehensive orientation program for Interventional Radiology; Chair HFSH CEO Advisory Board 2 years; AHA Company Lead; Implemented IR Skill Blitz for IPD Nursing; Caldwell Butler Team Leader, Implemented Hospital Employee Engagement Training Course; Primary Investigator Cancer Patient Research Study, Random Acts of Kindness, Wellness Innovator, Lean Daily Management prototype/video, designed Narcotic Pouch for safe drug storage, Employee Giving Campaign, Emerging Leader Academy presenter, extensive community service with all departments participating monthly
- Initiated midline catheters throughout hospital for vascular access/award recipient for process
- ICS 300 certification
Director, Performance Excellence and Quality
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
12.2018 - 04.2022
- Direct oversight of risk, accreditation, regulatory compliance, infection control, quality assurance, readmissions, pay for performance and clinical quality collaboratives; indirect oversight of process improvement and analytics at the West Bloomfield Campus
- Member of and presents at System Quality Safety and Reliability Council, Nursing Advisory Council, Board Quality Council, Senior Leadership Teams, Infection Control Committee and Surgical Site Infection Committee
- Leads local business unit Clinical Quality Council; Co-lead, along with System Chief of Surgery for System SSI Prevention team, oversight of event/critical event declaration and liaison to system risk finance; liaison/coordinator for JC/CMS/MIOSHA
Nursing Supervisor
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
07.2015 - 02.2016
- Provide 24-hour management responsibilities over Interventional Radiology, PICC, Diagnostic Holding, IR/Cath Holding
- Collaborate with unit director to provide unified and mutually supportive environment for staff and other team members
- Assist with the development, implementation, and monitoring of budgets, quality improvement programs, staffing levels, employee goals, objectives, regulatory compliance, and policies within the radiology department.
Clinical Coordinator, Interventional Radiology
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
10.2014 - 07.2015
- Daily coordination of lab activities involving 3 labs with the average census of 40 peripheral and 15 neuro procedures weekly
- Directly responsible for 11 FTEs and involved with support staff of 25 FTEs including hiring, scheduling, training/education, goal development, payroll, policy compliance, and employee engagement
- Facilitate communication and collaboration between multiple physicians, departments and personnel within the facility for the achievement of best practices, standardization of processes, coordination of care using internal focus metrics of measurement and participation with global organizations
- (Press Ganey 2014, 92.7% most likely to recommend)
- Implement, review, and adjustment of lean practices as they relate to department processes and inventory management through Pyxis and PSCSI
- Participate in Joint Commission and DNV surveys, with continual review of policy and process to maintain compliance with the most recent guidelines
- Responsible for industry relations, review/procurement of new equipment, introduction of new procedures/education for lab and support staff
- Additional duties: System Practice Council, WBH representative; Epic superuser; department sponsor for Adopt-a-Family, Kidney Walk, Heart Walk.
Registered Nurse, Interventional Radiology
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
05.2013 - 10.2014
- Having an extensive level of knowledge, expertise, and independence to provide services to a wide variety of critically ill patients with diverse needs
- Routinely administers procedural sedation and monitors patient response, cardiac rhythm, and capnography
- Starts/checks PIVs, access ports, monitor vital signs, suction patients, and insert foley catheters as well as assessment of neurological function and groin access site
- Assist interventionalist as scrub/monitor when needed
- Responsible for 24/7 on-call emergency service
- ACLS certified
- Familiar with Siemens, GE, 2, Syngo and EPIC medical record
- Electronic medical record super user; participated in planning phase for electronic charting, educated staff in functionality of electronic charting system, provided constant feedback related to the implementation of hospital wide computer charting, provide mentoring for staff during the implantation phase of new system
- Performance evaluation rating of ‘role model/change agent’.
GPU Clinical Coordinator, Med/Surg
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
01.2009 - 05.2013
- Coordinate patient flow and bed utilization process across patient units, use critical thinking skills to match patient needs with nursing expertise to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction
- Ensure patient safety and high-quality patient care
- Provide clinical support at the unit level including direct patient care, admissions, discharges, transfers, and technical procedures
- Respond to all clinical emergency situations on unit, assist in resolving, and reporting immediate situations that jeopardize patient rights, safety, and/or customer service
- Coach unit staff in clinical practice, critical thinking and customer service skill development
- Assess issues related to patient care through unit rounds
- Elective joint replacement instructor; weekly instruction for joint replacement candidates to prepare for surgery and recovery
- Additional duties: Team STEPPS instructor, Communication A3 participant, Clinical System Integration Team member, project manager for Delivery of Care Plan to the Patient and Multidisciplinary Rounds; LEAN methodology; presenter at Hospital Communication Council; Innovation Unit participant, Unit Governance Chair; Nursing Governance Chair, CAUTI task force member, Quality Expo Board entry; EPIC discharge process flow team member, hospital audit team member for regulatory preparedness.
Registered Nurse, Acuity Adaptable/Telemetry/Critical Care
Ascension Providence
05.2005 - 12.2008
- Provide pre- and post-operative nursing care for 6-7 adult patients with gastrointestinal, genitourinary, vascular, and cardiac disease processes
- Educate patients and families on disease processes, medical-surgical procedures, and other aspects of therapeutic regimens, including medication and pain management techniques
- Administer oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous medications including vaso-active drips
- Precept graduate nurses in areas of patient care, policies and procedures with demonstrated leadership skills
- Create orientation booklets for graduate nurses
- Fulfill the role of charge nurse, with responsibility to supervise five registered nurses and three assistive personnel, responsible for appropriately assigning acuity adaptable patients, delegating tasks to assistive personnel, facility conflict resolution, and assisting with chart audits
- Participate as Service Excellence Advisor; facilitated monthly staff meetings, tracked Press Ganey scores, collaborate with management to identify and resolve service excellence issues as well as provide staff education and training in customer service
- Electronic medical record super user; participated in planning phase for electronic charting, educated staff in functionality of electronic charting system, provided constant feedback related to the implementation of hospital wide computer charting, provide mentoring for staff during the implantation phase of new system.
Education
Master of Art - Healthcare Leadership Administration
Siena Heights University
Adrian, MIBachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Detroit-Mercy
Detroit, MIAssociate Degree - Nursing
Oakland Community College
Waterford, MISecondary Education - BiologyUnified Sciences
Wayne State University
Detroit, MIRegistered Nurse licensure -
Skills
- Public Speaking
- Staff Management
- Budget Development
- Expertise in Installations
- Customer Satisfaction
- Employee Recruitment
- Reporting Tools
- Staff Oversight
Certification
- State of Michigan Nursing License, 4704248331
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement- Patient Safety Officer, October 2019
- Duke Health Patient Safety Officer Certification, November 2021
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, February 2022
- FEMA ICS 300, Incident Commander, 2018
- BLS/ACLS Certified, 2005
- Caldwell Butler Coach/Workout Leader, 2017-Present
Accomplishments
- Shadow of a Leader Award Recipient, 2017
- Daisy Award Nominee, 2013, 2014
Service Activities
- Chair, Employee Giving HFWBH, 2022-Present
- Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, 2020-Present
- Chair, HFWBH—AHA Heart Walk, 2018-2020
- Board Member, Greater West Bloomfield Coalition, 2018-2019
- Volunteer, Gleaner’s Food Bank, monthly, 2016-Present
- Capuchin Soup Kitchen, monthly, 2016-Present
- Volunteer, Coalition on Temporary Shelter, 2015-Present
- Chair, HIV/AIDS Curriculum Development Committee, 2006-Present
Affiliations
- American College of Healthcare Executives
- American Organization of Nurse Executives
- Michigan Society of Healthcare Planning and Marketing
- National Association for Healthcare Quality
- Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing
Research
- Decreasing Anxiety Utilizing Reiki Therapy and other Non-Pharmacological Methods in Patients Undergoing Scheduled Cesarean Births, 15916, In Progress
- Decreasing Anxiety for Outpatient Mediport Placement through Relaxation, 12251, 07/02/2018 - 07/01/2019
Timeline
Regional Director, Radiology
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital / Northwest Region
04.2022 - Current
Director, Performance Excellence and Quality
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
12.2018 - 04.2022
Clinical Nurse Manager, Radiology
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
02.2016 - Current
Nursing Supervisor
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
07.2015 - 02.2016
Clinical Coordinator, Interventional Radiology
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
10.2014 - 07.2015
Registered Nurse, Interventional Radiology
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
05.2013 - 10.2014
GPU Clinical Coordinator, Med/Surg
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
01.2009 - 05.2013
Registered Nurse, Acuity Adaptable/Telemetry/Critical Care
Ascension Providence
05.2005 - 12.2008
Master of Art - Healthcare Leadership Administration
Siena Heights University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Detroit-Mercy
Associate Degree - Nursing
Oakland Community College
Secondary Education - BiologyUnified Sciences
Wayne State University
Registered Nurse licensure -
- State of Michigan Nursing License, 4704248331
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement- Patient Safety Officer, October 2019
- Duke Health Patient Safety Officer Certification, November 2021
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, February 2022
- FEMA ICS 300, Incident Commander, 2018
- BLS/ACLS Certified, 2005
- Caldwell Butler Coach/Workout Leader, 2017-Present
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