Lauren Cherwinski
Nescopeck,Pennsylvania
Summary
Knowledgeable and results driven Patient Safety, Quality, and Clinical Risk Specialist with over 8 years combined in healthcare equipped with strategic planning and program leadership abilities honed in diverse industry environments. Establishes strong and successful policies to mitigate risk at each level and establish clear procedures for assessments, prevention and containment. Familiar with regulatory requirements to maintain strict controls. Eager to assist a team achieve company goals.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
1
1
Language
Work History
Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Specialist
Evangelical
10.2023 - Current
- Promotes enterprise-level risk management practices and helped instill strong culture focused on protective policies and procedures.
- Reviewes contracts and agreements to identify potential risks and ideal mitigation strategies.
- Develops short-term goals and long-term strategic plans to improve risk control and mitigation.
- Teaches employees how to control risks at front line.
- Advises senior managers on policy strategies for reducing liability and preventing losses.
- Institutes regular safety inspections and hazards management strategies to keep operations compliant.
- Investigates allegations to check validity and recommend actions to minimize risk.
- Identifies incident reports requiring further investigation including physician/committee review.
- Manages and leads Pennsylvania Department of Health (PaDOH) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) inspections for licensure certification, and for cause (i.e. allegations, complaints, etc.). Serves as a liaison with those agencies. Organize and submit a Plan of Correction via the state's online portal for any cited deficiencies. Track and ensure compliance with accepted corrective measures.
- Actively chairs the Patient Safety Committee.
- Handles various legal claims according to internal risk management policies, keeping liability minimized by leveraging expertise and available tools.
- Enhances communication channels across departments by facilitating open discussions on emerging risks and mitigation strategies.
- Reviews organizational policies and procedures to identify gaps in risk management strategies and recommended improvements accordingly.
- Implements data-driven approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of existing risk management initiatives, leading to more informed decision-making processes.
- Conducts regular training sessions on risk awareness and best practices for employees at all levels of the organization.
- Collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify and address potential risks within various departments.
- Facilitates enhanced collaboration between departments by serving as a liaison between functional groups on matters related to risk management.
- Ensures timely and accurate reporting of risk-related incidents, allowing for prompt remediation efforts and minimizing potential impacts on business operations.
- Evaluates third-party vendors for potential risks, ensuring compliance with established industry standards and regulations. Including but not limited to routinely monitoring hospital recall notices and evaluating their impact to patient safety and implementing necessary action plans. Maintains records in accordance with the Safe Medical Devices Act. Performs mandatory and voluntary medical device recall reports to the FDA via MedWatch and ECRI.
- Produces and filed reports to inform senior management of current activities and progress with investigations.
- Participation in key organizational committees.
- Liaison and lead for all communication, dealings, and work projects related to Patient Safety, Quality, and Risk events in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Attorney General, Department of Health, Bureau of Enforcement and their affiliates.
- Led training courses for employees at all levels.
Nursing Supervisor and Clinical Office Manager
Geisinger Medical Center
10.2021 - 10.2023
- Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration by fostering strong relationships with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Mentored new nursing staff members to promote adherence to established best practices and foster professional growth.
- Followed all HIPAA rules and regulations regarding patient confidentiality.
- Delegated tasks and provided leadership for 37 nurses and support personnel.
- Discussed patient care and treatment with care team members to optimize intervention plans and care delivery.
- Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures.
- Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
- Contributed to positive team dynamics as an approachable supervisor who actively listened to concerns from both patients and nurses.
- Answered questions and addressed concerns from employees via email, phone and in person.
- Streamlined workflow for nursing staff by conducting regular unit assessments and process improvements.
- Managed staffing needs efficiently by creating flexible schedules that maximized coverage during peak times without exceeding budget constraints.
- Provided direct nursing care to patients when personnel was short-staffed.
- Organized department in accordance with administrative guidelines in order to provide specified nursing services to meet legal, organizational and medical staff guidelines.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards through regular audits of documentation, policies, and procedures.
- Managed inventory and supply chain operations to achieve timely and accurate delivery of goods and services.
- Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements.
- Developed and maintained relationships with external vendors and suppliers.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by establishing clear communication channels and addressing concerns promptly.
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
- Oversaw facility maintenance, ensuring optimal functionality of equipment and infrastructure at all times.
Team Lead, Licensed Practical Nurse
Geisinger Medical Center
01.2021 - 10.2021
- Trained new team members by relaying information on company procedures and safety requirements.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and employee recognition initiatives.
- Served as a role model for the team by demonstrating commitment to excellence, professionalism, and adherence to company values at all times.
- Coached team members in techniques necessary to complete job tasks.
- Enhanced overall team performance by providing regular coaching, feedback, and skill development opportunities.
- Collaborated with other department leads to streamline workflows, improve interdepartmental coordination, and achieve business goals collectively.
- Worked different stations to provide optimal coverage and meet production goals.
- Evaluated employee skills and knowledge regularly, training, and mentoring individuals with lagging skills.
- Increased customer satisfaction by ensuring timely completion of projects and adherence to high-quality standards.
- Influenced positive change within the organization through strategic thinking, innovation, problem-solving abilities, and consistent leadership style.
- Managed schedules, accepted time off requests and found coverage for short shifts.
- Conducted regular progress reviews with individual team members to identify areas for improvement and provide guidance on career development opportunities.
- Established clear performance metrics for the team which helped in tracking progress towards set targets effectively.
- Nurtured long-term partnerships with clients by understanding their needs accurately, delivering projects on time, and providing exceptional customer support.
- Improved team productivity by implementing efficient project management strategies and streamlining communication channels.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful project execution while maintaining strong collaboration among team members.
- Optimized resource allocation by analyzing team member skills and project requirements, resulting in increased efficiency.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Geisinger Medical Center
06.2020 - 10.2021
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Demonstrated excellent technical skills in wound dressing changes, IV therapy administration, catheter insertion, and other routine nursing procedures.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
- Obtained patient vital signs and input/output measurements from inpatients.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Adapted quickly to changing patient needs, adjusting care plans accordingly to ensure optimal outcomes in diverse clinical scenarios.
- Administered prescribed medications within scope of practice, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
Education
Clinical Psychology - Clinical Psychology
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PennsylvaniaLicensed Practical Nursing -
Hazleton Area Career Center
Hazel Township, Pennsylvania05.2020
Skills
- Operational Management and Clinical Leadership
- Time Management Competence and Organization
- Compliance Monitoring and HIPPA Regulation
- Patient Safety Procedures and Risk Analysis
- Workplace inspections and Hazard Identification
- Problem Solving, Cross-Functional Teamwork, and Positive
Certification
Basic Life Support, 06/06/2022, 06/2024
Personal Information
Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
References
Available Upon Request
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteHybridImportant To Me
Company CultureWork-life balanceCareer advancementPaid sick leaveHealthcare benefitsPaid time offTeam Building / Company RetreatsFlexible work hoursWork from home optionPersonal development programsTimeline
Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Specialist
Evangelical
10.2023 - Current
Nursing Supervisor and Clinical Office Manager
Geisinger Medical Center
10.2021 - 10.2023
Team Lead, Licensed Practical Nurse
Geisinger Medical Center
01.2021 - 10.2021
Licensed Practical Nurse
Geisinger Medical Center
06.2020 - 10.2021
Clinical Psychology - Clinical Psychology
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Licensed Practical Nursing -
Hazleton Area Career Center
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