Kitty C. Thomas
Westchester,IL
Summary
Driven and self-motivated professional Nurse, searching for a position as a CNA instructor to demonstrate my leadership skills, reliability, respect of core values merged with a sense of accountability to create clinical cohesion and excellence in nursing care while maintaining the ability to recognize whole system functioning.
Experienced nursing professional with proven teaching expertise and devotion to building up new nurses with skills necessary to excel in today's healthcare settings. Top-notch clinical expertise, sound judgment and strengths in workflow optimization and strategic planning. Vigilant and conscientious about isolating and resolving concerns.
Overview
2024
2024
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Clinical Nurse Manager
Acting Clinical Nurse Manager, PACT C Team, Resident Clinic, Home Telehealth Care Coordinator Nurse (CCHT) and Outreach Nurse
Edward Hines VA Hospital
05.2022 - 08.2023
- Accomplishments in the Acting Chief role 12/4/2022-01/06/2023: 1. Collaborated with the Facility Telehealth Coordinator NM to have the Aurora CBOC start training staff for Telehealth visits. 2. Developed the new ePerformance templates for Home Telehealth Program Support Assistance (PSA) 3. Negotiated with SEIU regard the GS staff who would be affected by the ePerformance measures. 4. Assisted with the change in lab slots in the Aurora CBOC from 10 minute slots to 15 minute slots. 5. Selected a detailed Acting Nurse Manager for the Aurora CBOC. a. Created a comprehensive orientation folder for new staff to follow and accomplish needed required training in Home Telehealth (HT). b. Redesigned and structured weekly meetings, with an emphasis on conducting business at hand in an effective time. HT staff are kept informed about the goings on at the VISN and National level. In addition, detailed minutes binder with updated information available. c. An open-door policy and entertains all questions by the home telehealth RN's. d. Redesigned the entire marketing and face of HT with creation of a new logo, posters, and brochures. e. Collaborated with Patient care coordinator (PCC) to add HT on the CPRS nursing discharge to empower nursing to refer patients to HT resulting in 121 enrollments. Results of best practice is being disseminated at Nurses week and Nurses Week best practice poster. For the C Team Resident Clinic responsible for planning, organizing and overseeing a staff of 4 RN and 4 LPN, 50 Resident providers. Provide leadership in clinical problem solving. Assist with staff recruitment. Evaluate and schedule in-services, training as needed. Ensures that department’s activities and records are in compliance with various regulatory requirements. Responsible for implementing and interpreting organizational policies, procedures, nursing standards and regulation for the Primary Care outpatient department. Perform annual staff reviews. Reviewed staffing and nursing assignments revised as needed to meet specific patients’ needs on the shift to shift bases. Identified and resolved complaints, concerns, from physicians, patients or family members. Performed annual staff performances and evaluations. Conducted staff meeting and assisted with special projects.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary care for diverse patient populations using Home Telehealth technology.
Clinical Nurse Manager, PACT Primary Care Clinic
Edward Hines Jr, Hines VA Hospital
Hines, Illinois
11.1992 - 08.2023
- Responsible for planning, organizing and overseeing a staff of 47 employees of RNs, LPNs, HT and Clerks. Oversees the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model daily for staffing requirement. Provide leadership in clinical problem solving. Assist with staff recruitment. Evaluate and schedule in-services, training as needed. Ensures that department’s activities and records are in compliance with various regulatory requirements. Responsible for implementing and interpreting organizational policies, procedures, nursing standards and regulation for the Primary Care outpatient department. Perform annual staff reviews. Reviewed staffing and nursing assignments revised as needed to meet specific patients’ needs on the shift-to-shift bases. Identified and resolved complaints, concerns, from physicians, patients or family members. Performed annual staff performances and evaluations. Conducted staff meeting and assisted with special projects. Instrumental in having the only unit without cross infection for 2nd quarter of 2016 won Golden Hand award. Guided the development of skills and capabilities of staff in decision making; proactively encouraged staff in personal development leading to increased number of certified Case Management RN in Primary Care. Developed processes to improve performance measures including depression screen, PTSD and Alcohol reminders in the Primary Care clinic. During the 2020 unprecedented pandemic increase the education of VA Video Connect (VVC) for patients by becoming the VVC Manager Champion eliciting both RNs and LPN staff to become proficient in the process an easy to learn plan was developed with a competency. Interacted with union partners in a collegial and productive manner. Implemented Tier Huddle as directed from leadership. Supported the transplant unit by adding a vaccine clinic for patients to receive shingle vaccines instead of being walk-ins for an improved patient flow. Developed a nurse triage protocol for the RN staff.
Adjunct Faculty
Triton College
River Grove, Illinois
01.1994 - 01.2020
- Basic lab instructor for ADN nursing program in Nursing 130, 135, 145, 155. Introduced the principles and skills of beginning patient care via the lab and clinical. Provided theoretical concepts and corresponding practical skills of body mechanics, medical asepsis, hygiene, elimination, documentation, vital sign assessment and nursing roles instructions. Planned, implement, and evaluate the student nurse’spatient care, prepared, administered, and graded exams and trial exams preparing students for the next level of education.
Adjunct Faculty
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Sims lab instructor for ADN nursing program in Nursing. Introduced the principles and skills of beginning patient care via the lab and clinical. Provided theoretical concepts and corresponding practical skills of body mechanics, medical asepsis, hygiene, elimination, documentation, vital sign assessment and nursing roles instructions. Planned, implement and evaluate the student nurse’s patient care, prepared, administered, and graded exams and trial exams preparing students for the next level of education.
Acting Chief Nurse Outpatient Nursing Service
Acting Chief Outpatient Nursing Service (ONS)
Edward Hines VA Hospital
04.2018 - 07.2018
- Accomplishments in the Acting Chief role 4/30/2018-7/30/2018 1. Implemented the Function Assessment changes 2. Assisted in the Surgery Process Improvement Project to reduce readmission plan for her RN Care Managers. 3. Participated in the Suicide Risk Screening and Assessment Requirements 4. Organized nursing PACT SOP Fair 5. Collaborated with the chief of PAS to revise the PACT SOP for Walk-ins 6. Notified both NNU and SEIU of new national directives 7. Implementation and Monitoring of the new National Colon Cancer Screening Surveillance Clinical Reminder (CRC) 8. Expansion of Telehealth Services into the Home and other non-VAsettings (Telehealth)
Acting Clinical Nurse Manager
Acting Clinical Nurse Manager, Medicine Subspecialty Clinic (MSSC)
Edward Hines VA Hospital
01.2017 - 03.2017
- Served as the Acting CNM for MSSC until a new manager was hired while continuing to maintain current unit. Manage 19 Medicine Sub-Specialty outpatient clinics, managing 19 clinics including the 2nd busiest Dermatology Clinic in the VA Manage, motivate, coach and evaluate employees in the MSSC with a staff of 34 FTEE (20 RNs, 9 LPNs, and 5 HCTs) Facilitate/conduct monthly and impromptu staff meetings to communicate policies and procedures, discuss hospital activities, mission and goals, develop quality programs, ensure safe and quality patient care and resolve patient, providers and staff concerns. Create staff schedules while staying on budget, ensuring proper staffing, and certify official timecards.
Staff Nurse/Case Manager/Team Leader
Primary Care Clinic
Edward Hines VA Hospital
1993 - 01.2009
- Coordinated daily health care needs for a large outpatient population of veterans with multiple diagnoses. Assisted with patient referrals and follow-up care. Developed and implemented educational programs for patients and families. Conducted morning attendance reports when in charge. Assigned daily tasks for LPN, NA, and HCT staff for clinic operations. Managed monthly EPRP review and chart audit processes. Acted as case manager for a multidisciplinary team, ensuring follow-up care through patient traffic control reports. Performed phone triage, including screening calls for medication refills and advocating for patient care needs. Participated in discharge planning and ongoing patient assessments. Supported adherence to clinical and Joint Commission guidelines in the outpatient clinic. Held administrative control over GMC primary care clinic, CCHT program, women's health clinic, and telephone triage activities. Managed a clinical and support staff of 38, including nurses, healthcare technicians, and medical support assistants. Directed staffing distribution, quality assurance, budget management, and development of performance improvement initiatives. Trained staff on computer systems, policies, patient care, and OSHA regulations.
- Streamlined telephone triage call processes to improve patient flow and reduce wait times during peak hours.
Staff Nurse
Extended Care Center
Edward Hines VA Hospital
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Planned, implemented and evaluated geriatric veterans. Provided education to patients/families. Participated in patient treatment planning and multidisciplinary staffing. Education Facilitator- developed educational programs and provided onsite in-services.
Education
Masters of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona01.2009
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Rush University
Chicago, Illinois01.1990
Skills
CPRS super user
Microsoft word, excel, access, power point, vista, typing 55 wpm
Blackboard, Evolve
LEAF program
VVC
Acustaf
Epic
ePerformance
Triton College CNA Instructor Course for RN’s including Alzheimer’s Component and the Evaluator’s Workshop (8/9/2019)
Staff education
Electronic charting
Patient advocacy
Care coordination
Patient education
Team development
Staff development
Recruiting and training
Compliance monitoring
Performance improvement
Infection control
Training staff
Certified in CPR/AED
Multitasking
Reliability
Excellent communication
Critical thinking
Telephone Triage
Classroom management
Lesson planning
Conflict resolution
Student mentoring
Course planning
Curriculum planning
Performance evaluation
Student evaluation
Managing simulation equipment
Simulation training
Operating simulation equipment
Affiliations
- Black Employment Program (BEP)-Co Chair
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) Committee
- PACT Steering Committee
- Outpatient Steering Committee
- Nursing Professional Development Council (NPDC)
- Nurse Residency Advisory Council Meeting (RN-TTP & PB-RNR)
- Patient Safety Committee
- CNM Council
- EEO Advisory Council Member
- Collateral duties EEO Program Manager
Publications
Schmitt, B., Hoffstadter, L., Greider, S., Thomas, K., et al (2008). Usingpatient traffic control to reduce treatment delays for high-risk patient at a VA hospital. Joint Commission Resources, 14: 203-206.
Timeline
Acting Clinical Nurse Manager
Acting Clinical Nurse Manager, PACT C Team, Resident Clinic, Home Telehealth Care Coordinator Nurse (CCHT) and Outreach Nurse
05.2022 - 08.2023
Acting Chief Nurse Outpatient Nursing Service
Acting Chief Outpatient Nursing Service (ONS)
04.2018 - 07.2018
Acting Clinical Nurse Manager
Acting Clinical Nurse Manager, Medicine Subspecialty Clinic (MSSC)
01.2017 - 03.2017
Adjunct Faculty
College of DuPage
01.2017 - 01.2019
Adjunct Faculty
Triton College
01.1994 - 01.2020
Clinical Nurse Manager, PACT Primary Care Clinic
Edward Hines Jr, Hines VA Hospital
11.1992 - 08.2023
Staff Nurse
Extended Care Center
01.1992 - 01.1993
Staff Nurse/Case Manager/Team Leader
Primary Care Clinic
1993 - 01.2009
Masters of Science - Nursing
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Rush University