Laura C. Michalek

Conducted routine quality audits to ensure compliance with AAAHC standards and regulatory requirements.

• Served as a subject matter expert on best practices in nursing care delivery during accreditation visits from external agencies, securing ongoing recognition of the department's commitment to quality.
• Conduct quarterly Quality Improvement Focus Group meetings with clinical leadership and staff members to discuss the status of the clinic and quality assurance initiatives.
• Administered 4 training sessions annually for staff on best practices in quality assurance and patient safety protocols.
• Improved patient care quality by conducting thorough audits of nursing practices and documentation.
• Monitored patient complaints and grievances, using data-driven insights to develop targeted interventions for improving service delivery.
• Reviewed patient care documentation for accuracy and completeness, ensuring adherence to HIPAA regulations.
• Contributed to the development of clinical pathways for common medical conditions, ensuring a standard approach to care was consistently applied across all units within the organization.
• Conducted root cause analyses on adverse events, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines and protocols.
• Evaluated incident reports and developed action plans to address quality improvement opportunities.
• Supported 5 continuous improvement initiatives, leading to higher patient satisfaction scores and overall better care outcomes.
• Facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration for the development and implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines, promoting consistency in patient care delivery.
• Provided ongoing education and support for 2 nursing staff, 10 contractors and 30 military clinical staff in understanding and adhering to quality assurance standards, fostering a culture of excellence within the department.
• Conducted regular risk assessments to proactively identify potential hazards or vulnerabilities within the department''s processes, ensuring prompt remediation efforts were undertaken when needed.

Certified Registered Nurse in a busy Ambulatory Care Center. Designated facility educator for clinical and non-clinical staff at River Valley ASC.

• Managed learning management system (LMS and UKG) identified educational needs and coordinated training sessions.
• Developed unit specific orientation, annual curriculum, and competencies to meet the requirements set forth by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), Surgical Care Associates LLC (SCA), and the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
• Precepted 8 registered nurses transitioning into the peri-anesthesia units.
• Developed teaching aids for 10 new nurses and 15 physicians orienting to River Valley ASC.
• Guest lecturer at Three Rivers Community College as a perioperative subject matter expert.
• Managed and implemented patient care, providing clinical skills including injections, respiratory treatments, airway management, cardiac monitoring, minor surgical/orthopedic procedures, and facilitating patient teaching.
• Maintain crash carts, defibrillators and emergency equipment and supplies.
• Supervise 3 patient care technicians.
• Access and update patient records including vital signs, conditions, adverse reactions, medications in accordance with HIPAA and AAAHC requirements.
• Assisted unit educator in developing unit-based competencies including written examinations and skills station for validation.
• Developed post-op teaching handout for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries.
• Initiated acquisition of Doppler to replace faulty unit for PACU. Conducted research, contacted vendors, and developed presentation package for my clinical director to purchase replacement unit.

• Qualified Registered Nurse in a busy Post Anesthesia Care Unit. Delivered patient care for pediatric to geriatric patients in an 18-bed unit, conducting general surgery, gynecological, orthopedics, bariatric and thoracic surgeries.
• Managed and implemented patient care, providing clinical skills including IV infusions, injections, respiratory treatments, airway management, cardiac monitoring, minor surgical/orthopedic procedures, transport services for critical care patients, and facilitating patient teaching.

• Experienced with HP Patient monitoring system and associated equipment. Familiar with Hospital Materials Management system. Duties include material procurement, inventory materials, and maintenance of unit supply Pyxis.

• Qualified and experienced in troubleshooting, isolation, analysis, and repair of electrical, electro-optical and mechanical systems down to the component level on current submarine periscopes and associated subsystems.
• Conducted Safety and Personal Protective Equipment training for NUWC Periscope Facility.
• Completed training and designated as a NUWC Periscope Quality Assurance Inspector and Craftsman.

• Acted as a liaison between maintenance facility and customer to ensure on-time critical maintenance/upgrades of 20 eye boxes.
• Familiar with State Environmental Protection Agency regulations hazardous waste use and disposal procedures.

• Managed navigational instrument repair facility, Subase New London. Performed check in procedures, casualty analysis, repairs, shipping, and parts inventory.
• Familiar with the Navy Stock System when acting as Repair Parts Petty Officer at Subase New London. Duties included; parts procurement, inventory materials, shipping, and maintaining periscope inventory.