Karin Swinney

Lead statewide education initiatives to support nursing staff through virtual and in-person platforms. Develop and implement evidence-based training programs, including RN Residency, clinical upskilling, and Telehealth-specific competencies. Provide expert consultation in regulatory compliance, chronic care models, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Design curricula aligned with NCCHC standards and Title 15, enhancing clinical readiness and patient care quality. Serve as a clinical resource and mentor, supporting new and seasoned staff in correctional health environments. Recognized for innovation in virtual education delivery and program sustainability.

• Special Recognition Award – Life-Saving Response (2022)
  Awarded for rapid assessment and emergency intervention that saved a physician’s life.

Nurse Instructor – CDCR/CCHCS Norco, CA
Designed and implemented training programs for nursing staff, covering clinical protocols, mental health services, and infection control. Led in-service workshops, conducted competency assessments, and ensured alignment with Title 15, NCCHC, and federal healthcare standards. Collaborated with institutional leadership to develop policy and procedure updates based on evolving regulatory requirements.

Mental Health Educator – CDCR/CCHCS- Lancaster, CA
Developed targeted mental health education programs, conducted data-driven evaluations, and facilitated staff development through tailored training sessions. Led competency testing, produced regulatory compliance reports, and supported institutional readiness for audits and inspections.

Registered Nurse – CDCR/CCHCS- Lancaster, CA
Delivered comprehensive direct care across medical and mental health units, including assessment, triage, and chronic care management. Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to support patient safety and care continuity. Recognized with the 2022 Special Recognition Award for life-saving intervention during a medical emergency. Participated in performance improvement efforts and institutional audits.

Provided direct care in a high-acuity psychiatric setting with a focus on crisis stabilization, medication education, and therapeutic communication. Designed and implemented nursing education curricula tailored to psychiatric care, delivering clinical instruction to new and existing staff. Mentored nursing personnel and reinforced best practices to support patient safety and care continuity. Played a key role in achieving JCAHO accreditation through quality improvement initiatives. Skilled in de-escalation, patient education, and interdisciplinary collaboration—core competencies for remote clinical education and patient engagement roles.

Provided vigilant post-anesthesia care, monitoring recovery and managing pain to reduce patient discomfort scores by 15%. Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to enhance care transitions, contributing to a 25% improvement in patient satisfaction. Led quality assurance audits and supported evidence-based practice initiatives to ensure compliance with perioperative standards. Actively promoted patient education and safety protocols, reinforcing best practices in surgical recovery.

Led interdisciplinary teams in internal medicine and emergency care, ensuring regulatory compliance and high-quality patient outcomes. Revised consent forms, improving satisfaction and understanding by 20% and 25%, respectively. Trained staff on clinical procedures, compliance, and communication. Conducted performance evaluations and drove quality improvement initiatives using data to optimize care and workflow. Fostered collaboration across departments to enhance efficiency and service delivery.