Kirk Nichols
Fort Gratiot,MI
Summary
Accomplished Clinical Operations Leader with 20+ years of progressive acute healthcare experience, specializing in bridging the gap between clinical staff needs and administrative goals. Expert in analyzing, designing, and optimizing Clinical Workflows, ensuring rigorous Regulatory Compliance, and maximizing patient throughput across high-acuity settings. Deep technical proficiency and EMR Superuser experience in major platforms including Meditech, Epic, and Cerner. Proven record of accomplishment of quick integration and high-impact leadership in diverse health systems.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Travel Registered Nurse | Critical Care & ICU
Various Healthcare Systems
09.2021 - Current
- Functioned as a key clinical resource and liaison, integrating quickly into diverse hospital workflows across multiple systems.
- Rapidly adapted to and mastered distinct clinical EMRs (Epic and Cerner) to serve as a real-time workflow troubleshooter and educator for permanent staff, maintaining zero gaps in patient care or documentation.
- Act as a mentor and clinical resource for permanent staff during high-acuity situations, utilizing advanced cardiac support devices and hemodynamic monitoring in CVICU, MICU, and SICU environments.
Clinical Operations & Nursing Leader (Progressive Roles)
McLaren Port Huron Hospital
01.2005 - 12.2021
- Compliance & Diversion Control: Coordinated closely with Pharmacy to troubleshoot medication workflow discrepancies, actively identifying and signaling out potential instances of substance diversion to maintain security and regulatory integrity.
- EMR Training & Workflow Troubleshooting: Served as a Meditech Computer Superuser for the ICU, providing hands-on training and real-time troubleshooting for all new hires and permanent staff on complex clinical documentation systems, ensuring compliance and optimizing system usage.
- Staff Development & Precepting: Oversaw the staff-training pipeline, serving as a Preceptor for new ICU and PCU nurses, providing structured orientation and hands-on workflow instruction to accelerate team integration into specialized unit protocols.
- Workflow Design & Efficiency: Consolidated and streamlined patient flow processes across Emergency, Observation, and Intensive Care Units while in a Supervisory role, resulting in significant improvements to patient throughput and operational efficiency.
- Compliance Oversight: Directed unit-wide adherence to HCAHPS and regulatory standards. Implemented new safety protocols based on analysis of Core Measure audit results and daily review of internal incident reports.
- Clinical Management: Provided specialized procedural support as a Cardiovascular Lab RN and served as the Rapid Response Team Leader (first responder) during hospital-wide emergencies, managing critically ill patients with advanced monitoring.
Education
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE - NURSING
Saint Clair County Community College
Port Huron, MIBACHELOR OF ARTS - YOUTH PSYCHOLOGY
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MISkills
- Clinical Workflow Optimization
- Process Improvement
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Operational Audits
- Staff Training & Mentorship
- Workflow Troubleshooting
- Clinical Documentation Education
- Regulatory Compliance & Quality
- Incident Reporting & Root Cause Analysis
- Diversion Detection
- Epic, Cerner, Wellsky, Meditech, Gems and Paragon EMR
Certification
CCRN, ACLS, BLS, NIHSS Certified, ESI Triage Trained, Post-op Open Heart Care Trained, IV Ultrasound Trained
Timeline
Travel Registered Nurse | Critical Care & ICU
Various Healthcare Systems
09.2021 - Current
Clinical Operations & Nursing Leader (Progressive Roles)
McLaren Port Huron Hospital
01.2005 - 12.2021
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE - NURSING
Saint Clair County Community College
BACHELOR OF ARTS - YOUTH PSYCHOLOGY
Cornerstone University