Kristen Klaus
Floresville,TX
Summary
Experienced healthcare executive with a background in nursing administration and clinical expertise. Skilled in driving quality, safety, compliance, and improvement initiatives. Recognized for being a change agent and adept at leading multiple projects simultaneously. Committed to achieving hospital objectives and enhancing patient care through evidence-based practices. Seasoned nursing professional since 2001, with extensive experience in operating rooms, including specialized roles in pediatric surgery and trauma care. Nationally certified and licensed in multiple states, with a proven track record of success in healthcare quality improvement using Six Sigma Green Belt and LEAN methodologies.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Director of the Operating Room
University Health
San Antonio, Texas
03.2022 - Current
- Directed all aspects of pediatric surgical services, ensuring efficient operation of 4 operating rooms and 8 services.
- Promoted to the role of director of all surgical services in March 2022 after first year with organization to include 35 ORs and 22 services.
- Oversee surgical procedures and optimize workforce deployment.
- Advanced quality initiatives to improve patient satisfaction and employee engagement.
- Led construction of OR shell spaces, including an IMRI suite, an inpatient MRI diagnostic room, and an operating room.
- Implemented AITA system for efficient suture storage and tracking.
- Aided in crafting UKG scheduling solution specific to OR.
- Created and executed ST intern program.
- Formulated and established ST educator role.
- Increased throughput by consolidating all pediatric services in the third-floor pediatric pod.
- Formulated approaches to improve staff morale, achieving a 30% decrease in turnover and a 60% reduction in vacancies.
- Supported leadership advancement among employees by implementing a succession-planning strategy.
- Discovered pressing matters, facilitating new tissue compliance officer and capturing over a million dollars in lost reimbursement.
- Formulated strategies to meet departmental metrics.
- Evaluated cost-benefit analysis of equipment and supplies for nuss bar procedures, complex cloaca procedures and Cochlear program.
- Arranged in-house pediatric anesthesia availability at all times.
- Utilized systems thinking and institutional knowledge to train PCC.
- Implemented management positions to optimize workflow for attendants and anesthesia technicians.
- Developed strategy to improve staffing efficiency and accommodate OR growth and increased block time while aligning with productivity measures.
- Analyzes data to support clinical decision-making and error prevention.
- Inter-professional Recognition and Advancement University Health System 2021
- ST Clinical Ladder redesign University Health System 2021
Pre-Admission Testing Care Coordinator/Case Manager
Orlando VA Medical Center
Orlando, Florida
02.2018 - 03.2021
- As an OR nurse, circulate/scrub all services and relief charge in a 12 room OR averaging 150 cases/week and 40 staff/day. Plastics Service Leader.
- Catalys Laser Certified.
- Float to PreOp, EKG, PAT.
- During COVID served as Subject Matter Expert and advisor to facilitate and oversee required intake screening, assessment, planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and testing for enhanced throughout and process improvement in the PAT clinic.
- Process Improvement Committee
- Green Belt facilitator
- Blue Ribbon award 2017 and 2018
- Design and implement PAT process improvement decreasing same day cancellations and increasing FCOTS
- Assist with educating new providers in EMR
- Process Improvement Committee, Orlando VA Medical Center 2016-2018
- Infection Control Committee, Orlando VA Medical Center 2016 – 2018
- VISN8 RN First Assist job description development 2016 – 2019
Home Health Nurse
Innovative Nursing
Orlando, Florida
08.2019 - 04.2020
- Deliver comprehensive nursing care and therapeutic health services to pediatric and adult patients in home healthcare settings.
- Delivered in-home care during peak COVID period to reduce hospital and clinic congestion.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Clermont Pediatrics/Advanced Pediatrics
Clermont, Florida
04.2015 - 05.2016
- Deliver pediatric care from birth through young adulthood, utilizing extensive knowledge in primary health care.
- Created referral program connecting specialty clinics and surgeons with completed pre-admission testing.
- Operated autonomously and under supervision at Winter Garden Office, Advanced Pediatrics.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Heart Surgeons for Kids
Orlando, Florida
10.2014 - 04.2015
- Delivered thorough nursing care to patients with congenital heart disease.
- Conduct surgical consultations for congenital cardiac heart disease.
- Conducted pre-operative cardiac evaluations.
- Provided assistance during surgical procedures.
- Directed care for patients in post-operative intensive care units.
- Monitored and maintained surgical equipment and post-operative sites.
- Facilitated seamless discharge planning through effective collaboration.
- Directed extensive nursing and healthcare services for patients with congenital heart disease.
- Gathered comprehensive health and developmental histories from patients and families.
- Interpreted results from various diagnostic assessments.
- Evaluated and decided on appropriate medical and nursing care for patients.
- Publication - Mavroudis, C, Idriss, R and Klaus, K. E. (2015). The MAVID heart holder: a demonstration device to anchor cadaver hearts for surgical simulation and practical education. Cardiology in the Young, 25(8), 1626-1630
Operating Room RN III
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Aurora, CO
01.2008 - 10.2014
- Circulate and Scrub diverse surgical environments, including trauma rotations across multiple specialized rooms.
- Oversaw night shift charge responsibilities.
- Precept new staff, travelers, and students.
- Directed Smoke Evacuation Committee to strengthen safety measures.
- Led Pediatric Surgery Quality Improvement Team.
- Completed comprehensive LEAN training program during 2013-2014.
- Participated in Documentation Committee at Children's Hospital Colorado during 2008-2011.
- Chaired Smoke Evacuation Committee at Children’s Hospital Colorado from 2011 to 2014.
- Pediatric Surgery Quality Improvement Team 2013-2014
- Klaus, K (2013) Smoke Free in the OR. Children’s Hospital Colorado, Poster Presentation.
- Klaus, K. (2010). Proper Surgical Prep of a Limb. Children’s Hospital Colorado Main OR In-Service.
Operating Room RN III
Denver Health Medical Center
Denver, CO
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Circulated and scrubbed across various specialties, including trauma rotations and night shifts.
- Relief charge duties over 12 primary operating rooms, ensuring efficient management of approximately 100 cases and 40 staff members daily.
- Precept new staff, travelers, and students.
- Plastics service lead.
NICU RN
Parker Adventist Hospital
Parker, CO
10.2005 - 01.2006
- Delivered neonatal care in a high-acuity level 3 NICU.
- Assisted in all deliveries involving preterm births under 36 weeks.
- Facilitated recovery of neonates delivered before 36 weeks gestation.
- Served as night charge nurse.
NICU Travel RN
Nursefinders
Denver, CO
05.2005 - 10.2005
- Secured a contract position at Longmont United Hospital.
- Administered specialized care in level 2 NICU.
- Participated in every birth and ensured successful recovery of neonates during transition period.
- Delivered care to mother and newborn pairs as required.
NICU RN II
Kaiser Hospital Santa Clara
Santa Clara, CA
02.2002 - 05.2005
- Ensured optimal health outcomes for neonates in level 3 NICU.
- Attend all critical births and recovered neonates.
- Managed operations effectively in relief charge role.
- precept new employee, travelers and students.
- Delivered care across various units including mom/baby, well baby nursery, PICU, and pediatric floor.
- Initiated NICU graduation program. S
- Crafted unique memory photo pages for every new admission.
Pediatric Student Nurse
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Palo Alto, CA
01.2001 - 02.2002
- Delivered healthcare services to pediatric patients in a clinical environment.
- Roomed patients, measured vital signs, performed vision and hearing tests, administered injections, assisted with procedures, and completed forms.
- Designed and implemented setup of vaccine distribution site to function as an immunization fast-track clinic.
Rehabilitation Aid
Almaden Health & Rehabilitation Center
San Jose, CA
09.1997 - 09.1998
- Supported OT, PT, SLP, and CNA in providing direct care to patients.
- Oversaw daily operations of rehabilitation office.
- Executed data entry for FIM and MDS.
- Produced detailed transcriptions of doctor’s notes.
- Produced newsletter and assembled data to create graphs of patient outcomes each month.
- Implemented change to new patient data program for providers.
- Acquired proficiency in new EMR and facilitated training for rehabilitation providers and ensured seamless migration of patient records.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
05.2012
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
07.2009
GPA: Magna Cum Laude
Associate in Science - Nursing
12.2001
GPA: Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology/Athletic Training, Minor: Dance
05.1999
Skills
- Operations management
- Project management
- Creativity and innovation
- Strategies and goals
- Budget management
- Change management
- Program management
- Hiring and retention
- Financial reporting
- Rules and regulations
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Corporate communication
- Capital spending
- Multitasking and organization
- Team building
- Leadership development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Conflict resolution
- Performance management
- Process improvement
- Vendor relationship management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Staff training/development
- Performance evaluation, monitoring, and improvement
Certification
- Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) 20121997 2012-present
- Certified Nurse of the Operating Room (CNOR) 1616376 2011-present
- APRN-Colorado Board of Registered Nurses 0990511 2012- present
- RN-Colorado Board of Registered Nurses 0171567 2005-present
- APRN/RN Texas 1002756 2020- present
- Basic life support (BLS) 2000-present
- Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) 2000-present
- Pediatric advanced life support (PALS) 2002-present
- Catalys Laser Certification 2017 – present
- APRN/RN-Florida Board of Registered Nurses 9384904 2014-2022
- RN-Washington 61047477 2020 – 2021
- APRN Washington AP61047480 2020-2021
- RN-California Board of Registered Nurses 598052 2001-2005
- Neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) 2001-2015
- Emergency nursing pediatric course (ENCP) 2013-2017
Timeline
Director of the Operating Room - University Health
03.2022 - Current
Home Health Nurse - Innovative Nursing
08.2019 - 04.2020
Pre-Admission Testing Care Coordinator/Case Manager - Orlando VA Medical Center
02.2018 - 03.2021
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner - Clermont Pediatrics/Advanced Pediatrics
04.2015 - 05.2016
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner - Heart Surgeons for Kids
10.2014 - 04.2015
Operating Room RN III - Children’s Hospital Colorado
01.2008 - 10.2014
Operating Room RN III - Denver Health Medical Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
NICU RN - Parker Adventist Hospital
10.2005 - 01.2006
NICU Travel RN - Nursefinders
05.2005 - 10.2005
NICU RN II - Kaiser Hospital Santa Clara
02.2002 - 05.2005
Pediatric Student Nurse - Palo Alto Medical Foundation
01.2001 - 02.2002
Rehabilitation Aid - Almaden Health & Rehabilitation Center
09.1997 - 09.1998
De Anza College - Associate in Science, Nursing
- Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology/Athletic Training, Minor: Dance
University of Colorado College of Nursing - Master of Science, Nursing-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Regis University - Bachelor of Science, Nursing