Kathleen Witcoskie
Paxinos
Summary
Skilled healthcare professional with robust background in medical and legal environments. Adept at case analysis, medical record review, and providing expert testimony. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Known for reliability, adaptability, and keen attention to detail.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Legal Nurse Consultant
VNA Health System
- Analyzed and researched case information and medical records for liability assessments; Assisted agency attorney in preparing case for litigation; Completed pre-attorney liability assessments for CEO; Completed depositions; Drafted medical chronologies; Facilitated expert witness reviews; Participated as an expert witness. Complete chart reviews including analysis of all documentation with comparison to care plan and all physician orders.
Educator/Education Program Development
VNA Health System
- Assessment of Patients; Medication Reconciliation; Conditions of Participation for Home Health; Cognitive/Pain/Ability to Perform ADL/IADL Assessments; Transition Care Programs; Chronic Disease Management Programs/Pathways; Patient Safety; Patient Teach-back Techniques; Health Information Exchange/Direct Messaging; Clinical Health Information Technology Training
Vice President Quality Management
VNA Health System
- Job Responsibilities Include: Quality Management; OASIS Specialist and Educator; OASIS reviewer; Legal Nurse Consultant; Risk Manager; Regulatory Compliance Officer; Clinical IT Specialist; Policy and Procedure Developer/Reviewer; Data Analytics and Benchmarking.
Program Development
VNA Health System
- Development of numerous programs utilizing best practice techniques regarding chronic care conditions.
- Development of numerous programs working with other healthcare entities to improve the transition of care in the post-acute settings and determining needs in these settings.
- Development of palliative care program in the home health setting transitioning to hospice.
- Development of advanced care specialist program for additional, center-focused training programs.
Clinical Vice President/Supervisor
VNA Health System
03.2020 - Current
- Supervising of approximately 90 staff, including 65 clinical staff. Management of daily operations by completing the following duties: recruiting and hiring staff, participating in patient care, preparing budgets, managing facilities, solving staff and patient complaints, finding ways to increase productivity, establishing clinic specific policies, development of programs, managing staff work/life balance, review of timecards for accuracy, solving of clinical IT issues/errors, review of documentation related to Federal Regulations.
Regulatory Compliance Officer
VNA Health System
06.2011 - Current
- Developed all processes to meet regulatory compliance for both home health and hospice. Education to staff for all regulatory needs.
- Planned, coordinated and participated in all home health and hospice surveys throughout six home health and four hospice agencies throughout our system in central PA for the past 13 years.
- Developed plans of action, process improvement plans and reviews to assure proper compliance with all regulations.
- Completed mock surveys yearly in all agencies to assure proper regulatory compliance.
- Program development to maintain the highest level of quality care.
Quality Management Specialist
VNA Health System
01.2008 - Current
- Vice President Quality Management - Leader of the quality management program throughout six agencies of central PA. Complete analysis of outcomes, patient safety, clinical effectiveness of care, patient satisfaction. Developed programs/education sessions and process improvement plans utilization ADPIE system for root cause analysis. Direct and development of processes and programs to meet the needs of the patients.
- Federal Regulatory Manager – Assure all Federal Regulations are followed and educated to all personnel. Development of yearly OIG workplan with reviews and process improvement plans developed as above. Review of audits from insurance companies and director of any State surveys for all agencies.
- Emergency Management Director – Work with local and county organizations to develop plans for emergency preparedness. Developed and uphold the in-house emergency management program. Yearly table-top exercises to develop any necessary changes in our disaster programs.
- Wound Care Specialist – In conjunction with wound product personnel developed wound protocols and programs utilizing best practices to maintain cost-effective and positive wound outcomes. Developed advance wound care protocols for our agencies.
- Risk Manager – Reviewed any issues of concerns related to admission of patient, legal issues, etc. Looking at Federal Regulations along with review of clinical documentation to develop educational and other programs to decrease risk and increase patient satisfaction and outcomes.
- OASIS Chart Reviewer – Estimated 2000+ Chart Reviews
- OASIS Educator – Approximate Clinical Staff = 150 - Education Training for all clinical staff related to OASIS rules and regulations and all OASIS questions; trained all staff for OASIS documentation including OASIS comparison assessments for staff; OASIS remedial education as necessary.
- OASIS Regulatory Compliance Officer – OASIS audits in all agencies for accuracy and compliance – approximately 100 audits conducted throughout six home health agencies; data analysis of results with training completed; OASIS outcome analysis – approximately 150 reports; development, implementation and maintenance of process improvement plans for agencies or individuals based on OASIS audits.
- Utilization Review Director – Develop quarterly utilization review outcome reports on 22 home health indicators relating to OASIS/OASIS guidelines/Conditions of Participation/Outcome Goals – approximately 150 reports throughout six home health agencies; development, implementation and maintenance of process improvement plans for improved patient outcomes and utilizing best practices for high quality care.
- Clinical Data Analyzer – Compilation and review of clinical related data via OASIS assessments and audits – determine benchmarking and goals for outcomes, compliance and financial stability of agencies – approximately 100 reports throughout six home health agencies.
- Clinical IT Specialist – Specialist in all aspects of the clinical software system, including improvements, education, consistent review, problem solving.
- Data Analytics and Benchmarking – Under my quality role, I consistently reviewed data analytics and benchmarking for all agencies throughout VNA Health System to obtain VBP scorecards, needs for improvement and review of OASIS data to determine educational needs.
Floor and Charge Nurse, Nursing Educator
Sunbury Community Hospital
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Worked on med-surg/tele floor; intensive care and ortho floors as floor nurse and charge nurse.
- 2017- 2018 – Charge nurse of ortho floor/section. Educator for floors and developed nursing education and processes looking at liability issues. Preceptor for new hires from 2016 – 2018.
Education
Associate Degree - Nursing
Luzerne County Community College
01.2005
Associate Degree - Business
Thompson’s Institute
01.1984
Skills
- Home Health/Hospice Experience/Knowledge
- OASIS knowledge and certification
- Advanced knowledge in PPS and PDGM billing/CMW/Scoring
- Regulatory Compliance Experience/Knowledge
- Leadership Skills
- Management Skills
- Dedication
- Communication Skills
- Empathy & Compassion
- Time Management Skills
- Persistence
- Problem Solving
- Multi-tasking
- Program Development
Affiliations
- CGS Home Health Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group
- CGS Hospice Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group
- Leading Age Home Health Advisory Group
- Leading Age Hospice Advisory Group
- Leading Age Managed Care Advisory Group
- Member of the PA Central Region Quality Improvement group
Certification
- Certificate of OASIS Specialist – Clinical Renewed for two years 2023
- Legal Nurse Consultant Certification (Expert Level) 2013
- Certificate in Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing 2011
- Current Pennsylvania RN license
Timeline
Clinical Vice President/Supervisor
VNA Health System
03.2020 - Current
Floor and Charge Nurse, Nursing Educator
Sunbury Community Hospital
06.2015 - 06.2018
Regulatory Compliance Officer
VNA Health System
06.2011 - Current
Quality Management Specialist
VNA Health System
01.2008 - Current
Legal Nurse Consultant
VNA Health System
Educator/Education Program Development
VNA Health System
Vice President Quality Management
VNA Health System
Program Development
VNA Health System
Associate Degree - Business
Thompson’s Institute
Associate Degree - Nursing
Luzerne County Community College
Presentations
- NAHC Conference – Health Information Exchange
- Emergency Management Conference – Smoother transitions in healthcare
Interviews/Assistance
- CMS – Bundled Care Innovations
- Avalere – Telehealth Program
- Penn State Hershey – Transitional Care for Adults and Pediatrics
- Geisinger – Health Information Exchange
- Penn State interviews – Standardizing assessment data and post-acute healthcare needs
- Several interviews with other entities regarding present and future healthcare needs
Relevant Expert Panels
- CMS Technical Expert Panel - 2018
- Penn State Hershey Bundled Payment Redesign Workgroup
- Penn State Hershey Post Discharge Transitions Planning Development Workgroup
- Penn State Hershey Six Sigma Workgroup – Reducing Returns to ED with 7 days of Discharge
- Penn State University – Assessing Preferences in Home Health Care – Managing Chronic Conditions
- Penn State Hershey – Transitional Care Program Development
- Health Information Exchange – Local and State Committees
RELATED EXPERIENCE
- Nurse Consultant – Public Health and Hospital Settings
- Clinical Consultant – Teamed with other healthcare providers to offer clinical recommendations and feedback
- Care Standards - In-depth knowledge of medical causation and medical treatment of care standards
- Medical Documentation - Knowledge of accurate medical documentation in all disciplines including legal reviews
- 30-years of experience in the healthcare field.