Karen Tvedt
Sioux Falls,South Dakota
Summary
Healthcare professional with solid background in providing high-quality patient care and clinical support. Recognized for collaborative teamwork and results-driven approach, consistently adapting to changing medical needs and priorities. Skilled in patient assessment, medication administration, and maintaining accurate medical records.
Qualified Registered Nurse with proven track record in patient care and clinical excellence. Successfully managed complex patient cases and coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Demonstrated strong communication and problem-solving skills in fast-paced healthcare environments.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Air Ambulance & Out of Country Nurse
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
01.2020 - Current
- Air Ambulance and Out of Country hospitalizations, Case management, Prior Authorizations, and Specialty Services management for all lines of service for a variety of emergent and non-emergent patients
- Clinical collaboration with medical facilities worldwide, multilingual and state service systems to evaluate, treat and mobilize patients.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on emerging trends in nursing practice to enhance effectiveness in delivering quality care.
- Utilization review and repatriation in accordance with directive and fiscal responsibility.
- Collaborate with Medical Directors, AMTs, CMOs on process improvement and evidence based practice.
- Performed accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in compliance with regulatory standards.
Off Tour Nursing Coordinator
VA Sioux Falls Health Care System
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Responsible for the leadership, management/operations of facility in the absence of the Executive Team
- Assist the Nurse Executive in off tour management of Nursing service as assigned
- Oversee staffing methodology, correcting staffing deficiencies, infection prevention, safe patient handling, utilization review and evidence-based practice in accordance with directive and fiscal responsibility
- Instrumental in 68% completion of staff survey on off tour hours on Pathway to Excellence Journey resulting in Pathway to Excellence Designation 2019
- Evaluation of staff and adherence to clinical practice based on standards of care and regulatory compliance
- Participated in recruitment efforts identifying top talent within the nursing field to strengthen overall service quality.
- Enhanced staff efficiency through the coordination of schedules, assignments, and workload distribution.
Registered Nurse (PRN)
Storm Clinic
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Practice focused on Infectious Disease and IV therapies
- Responsible for operations, IV therapies and nursing care on weekends
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
Director of Nursing
Sanford Chamberlain
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Responsible for the leadership, management/operations of the Care Centre/Hospital 44-beds on a dual campus facility with a 25-bed hospital
- Required coverage for hospital administration and staffing
- Sixty direct reports; budget of 30M
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to improve patient care and operational effectiveness
- Decreased contract staffing by 26% in six months; cost savings of 3.9M
- Attained deficiency free survey 2018, prior survey G level tag (before my appointment)
- Implemented and monitored QAPI projects
- Responsible for professional development, education and management of Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
Off Tour Nursing Supervisor/Administrator
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System
08.2016 - 12.2018
- Responsible for the leadership, management & operations of facility in the absence of the Executive Team
- Supervised Medical Residents, Clinical Coordinators, Nurse Managers, Nursing and SPS/EMS staff
- Oversee staffing methodology
- Utilization based on InterQual criteria and guidelines
- Evaluation of staff and adherence to clinical practice based on standards of care and regulatory compliance
- Chair of Fall Prevention committee; decreased falls by 19% (facility wide)
- Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration by fostering strong relationships with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Mentored new nursing staff members to promote adherence to established best practices and foster professional growth.
Registered Nurse Medicare Medical Review Nurse II
NCI Advanced Med
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Contracted position to review Standard Claims Processing Files to detect potentially fraudulent or abusive practices or vulnerabilities in Medicare payment polices
- Coordinates and complies with PI Investigator or OIG; written investigative summary reports in compliance with regulatory laws
- Identified and recouped over $6M in first quarterly reviews
- Leadership and communication skills to collaborate with external health professionals, regulatory agencies and law enforcement personnel
- Utilized extensive knowledge of ICD-10, HCPCS Level II and CPT coding to analyze and process Medicare claims to determine coverage determinations
Registered Nurse Charge Nurse
Nebraska Medicine
04.2015 - 06.2016
- Practice based on Orthopaedics/Medical Surgical/Trauma
- Monitored adherence to organizational, community and state guidelines
- Maintained performance measures, audited charts, quality assurance measures
- Educated staff on new policies and procedures
Registered Nurse Systems Redesign
VA Nebraska Western Iowa Medical Center
10.2013 - 06.2015
- Responsible for facilitating and driving opportunities to create organizational culture of continuous improvement which ultimately leads to improved quality, efficiency, and satisfaction in services provided by the healthcare system
- Six Sigma Green belt; facilitated process improvement
- Independently analyzes, evaluated and coordinates process improvement activities using lawn principle model
- Maintain the Systems Redesign flow of information process to Executive Leadership
- Decreased clinical cost by $19M based off RPIW with multiple clinics and healthcare professionals
- Policy and procedure development regarding new mental health initiatives within the healthcare system
- Elected Diversity Committee Chair
Off Tour Nursing Supervisor/ Administrator
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System
10.2009 - 10.2013
- Practice based on ICU/Medical Surgical/Psych/ER/CLC
- Collaborated with Executive Officers in Staff Methodology directive implementation
- Certified Hospice Train the Trainer
- Policy and procedure development regarding new SPS process from identified risk and patient safety
- Certified Fellow level Coach and Mentor
Registered Nurse
Prison Health Services
04.2008 - 10.2009
- Supervising, direction, coordinating, evaluating and participating in the corrections health care services
- Coaching, counseling and managing disciplines for work performance with nursing and administrative leadership to assure the continuity of care and compliance with the rules of licensure and practice, health department guidelines, policies, procedures and standards
- Formulates a plan of care and/or nursing care plan based upon assessment and in accordance with provider orders and/or department-standardized procedures
- Coordinates patient care in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members
Registered Nurse
Renown Regional Medical Center
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
Registered Nurse
Covington Heights
01.2005 - 01.2006
Education
MSN - Nursing and Leadership & Management
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
BSN - Nursing
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Skills
- Leadership & Management
- Coach & Mentoring
- Risk Management
- Quality Assurance
- Infection Prevention & Control
- Standards of Care
- Clinical Expertise
- Collaboration
- Process Improvement
- Policy & Procedure Development
- Cultural Diversity
- Ethics
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- Healthcare Analytics
- EMR Systems
- High level of autonomy
- Patient Care
Certification
- ACLS
- BLS
- TNCC
- Certified Fellow Coach & Mentor
- Certified Train the trainer Hospice
- PMDB
Overview - Leadershipprofile
Dynamic leadership that focuses on building leadership teams that produce excellent results. Conceptualised, developed and implemented new actions that are totally unique to VHA and have national impact. Developed administrative processes and clinical procedures that include application procedures, assessment criteria and program implementation. Coordinated and developed regulations and polices. Approved and monitored development proposals and provided budget analysis, forecasts to facilitate budget projections. Extensive research in existing laws, best practice and regulations. Participated in surveying medical centres, community living centres and residential rehabilitation treatment programs. Prepared papers for Congressional hearings and inquires for use by VA leadership, Veteran Service, & Office of Inspector General. Adopted the leading role to ensure that necessary actions are identified, and appropriate steps taken to provided effective and efficient clinical and administration services are implemented. I have established and directed work groups to assess various aspects of services, such as modification of medical record documentation requirements, medication management in residential programs, accreditation, etc. Served as a resource consultant in exploring the development of residential and vocational programs and those in various stages of implementation. Eight years of progressive management with proven strategies and innovations that facilitated improvement and enhanced patient care. Nursing expertise in mental health, medical, surgical, telemetry, oncology, orthopaedic, trauma, emergency medicine, labor & delivery, obstetrics, intensive care (ICU), hospice, geriatrics and long-term care. TNCC certification. Recognised as a trailblazer in bridging the gap between theory and practice. Rich experience leading large cross-functional and agency teams across geographies. Collaborator and mentor with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Timeline
Air Ambulance & Out of Country Nurse
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
01.2020 - Current
Off Tour Nursing Coordinator
VA Sioux Falls Health Care System
01.2019 - 01.2020
Registered Nurse (PRN)
Storm Clinic
01.2019 - 01.2020
Director of Nursing
Sanford Chamberlain
01.2017 - 01.2019
Off Tour Nursing Supervisor/Administrator
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System
08.2016 - 12.2018
Registered Nurse Medicare Medical Review Nurse II
NCI Advanced Med
08.2015 - 07.2016
Registered Nurse Charge Nurse
Nebraska Medicine
04.2015 - 06.2016
Registered Nurse Systems Redesign
VA Nebraska Western Iowa Medical Center
10.2013 - 06.2015
Off Tour Nursing Supervisor/ Administrator
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System
10.2009 - 10.2013
Registered Nurse
Prison Health Services
04.2008 - 10.2009
Registered Nurse
Renown Regional Medical Center
01.2007 - 01.2009
Registered Nurse
Covington Heights
01.2005 - 01.2006
BSN - Nursing
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
- ACLS
- BLS
- TNCC
- Certified Fellow Coach & Mentor
- Certified Train the trainer Hospice
- PMDB
MSN - Nursing and Leadership & Management
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Similar Profiles
Sandra MoralesSandra Morales
Scheduling Coordinator-HouseCalls Program at UnitedHealthcare/OptumScheduling Coordinator-HouseCalls Program at UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Kimberly P. Hess, RN, CCMCKimberly P. Hess, RN, CCMC
Registered Nurse at UnitedHealthcare/OptumRegistered Nurse at UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Naama W. GoldmanNaama W. Goldman
Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator at UnitedHealthCare OPTUM CaliforniaRegistered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator at UnitedHealthCare OPTUM California