Linda DiPalmo
Indianapolis,IN
Summary
To secure a position as an Executive Leader for a well-known company where experience, partnership, and specialty skills can be of value. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Strong leader in outstanding patient safety and accountable to standards.
Overview
43
43
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Interim Director Perioperative Services
HCA
10.2022 - 02.2024
- Launched staff engagement, gender diversity and cultural programs in addition to robust reporting tool that increased operational quality.
- Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms. Over $15,000.00 month in expired products reduced to below $100.00 in 6 months
- Spearheaded change management initiatives, guiding staff through transitions smoothly and efficiently: HCA affiliation to LCMC affiliation,Meditech to EPIC EMR, Smart track staffing schedule, ADP time clocks, warehouse decommission and transfer to new system, workday, trach core, preference card creation; upload and maintenance, policy stat, provation, KRONOS, started UPC, created Cath Lab closed unit, combined PAT and Outpatient surgery.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail. patient safety and standards of care was top priority.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.Increased on time starts from 14.1%-49.6% in 6 months (Staff and Anesthesia improvement by 88-98%)
- Decreased room turnover from above 45 minutes to 23 minutes consistently in 8 months
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring smooth workflows and timely completion of tasks.
- Led the development of strategic initiatives, resulting in increased revenue and improved customer satisfaction.
Interim Director Perioperative Services, Central Sterile, OR Supply Chain, Ambulatory Surgery Center, Pain Management, EBUS, Endo,( ED and Cath Lab One Day Per Week and Vacations)
Hendricks Regional Health
02.2018 - 10.2022
- Immediate change in any safety issue
- Quality/Safety and Risk Management initiatives/follow through
- HFAP Regulatory Compliance
- Comprehensive fiscal responsibility of 6 departments
- Standards and Compliance of governing bodies
- Comprehensive knowledge of legal aspects
- Covid 19 guidelines and CDC recommendations initiated and followed
- COVID 19 Surgical Scheduling CDC guidelines instituted, followed, and updated as required by governing bodies
- Opened second ICU for COVID 19
- KPI’s/ LEAN/PDSA/DMAIC
- RN Turnover- hired qualified RN’s with specific orientation guidelines
- Mentor, Coach, Preceptor
- Decreased overtime by 60% to below 1-1.6%
- Successful Magnet re-designation
- Successful HFAP certification
- Successful Gold Baldridge
- Successful On-Time Starts/Room Turnover
- Successful reorganization of Block schedule
- Surgeon/Associate Satisfaction
- Increased Volumes
- Recovered 3 million dollars in charges with successful 1.9 million revenue (2 month’s)
- STRATA/ KRONOS/Workday conversion
- Associate hiring/terminating/evaluation
- Implementation of EPIC 9/2018
- Cross training of associates in Perianesthesia
- CSS standardization, training, certification
- Successful scheduling and call changes
- Successful reorganization of 5 OR/20 bay Perianesthesia/CSS Ambulatory Surgery Center
- Increased patient Satisfaction from 70tth percentile to 89th percentile
- Implementation of new RN OR orientation Program
- Implementation of successful CNOR review Course
- Implementation of successful CSFA Program
- Implementation of successful Perioperative 101 program
- Implementation of Workday/EPIC supply chain conversion
- Contract negotiations
- Implementation of new EBUS Program
Interim Director Surgical Services/Change Agent
Avera Health Minnesota
02.2016 - 12.2017
- Immediate change in several patient safety issues
- Immediate employee support and action of bullying surgeons
- Decrease in overtime and time and attendance issues by $30,000.00 in 6 weeks
- Employee expectations, accountability and discipline
- Several SPD initiatives with standards of practice and decrease in instrument turnover
- Proposed and majority Surgeon accepted new block scheduling according to OR usage
- Successful Patient flow and throughput revision
- Initiated Budget and finance cost and revenue per case
- Implementation of patient readiness, staffing of SPD, compliant and proper usage of OR suites
- Increased caseloads during business hours and decreased non emergent/urgent cases after business hours (cost is being tracked)
- Creation of 42 policies and procedures to meet standards, guidelines, patient safety
- CNO/COO coverage and mentoring
- Seamless staff transition for ED flow, traumas, and throughput
- Decreased patient time in ED
Interim PACU Manager/Consultant
GLENS FALLS HOSPITAL
06.2015 - 01.2016
- Interim PACU Manager for 30 inpatient/outpatient bays, two Stage I, one Stage II 45-60 cases/day, 37 FTEs
- Manager of daily operations; mentor and advisor to new leadership; change agent for patient throughput, productivity, patient satisfaction, employee satisfaction, MD satisfaction, HCAHPS, SCIP, Core Measure Initiatives, Best Practice, and National Patient Safety Goals
- Perioperative mentor and advisor to hospital seeking Magnet status
- Responsible for budget analysis and critiquing
- Provided manager coverage for surgical admissions three days per week.
Interim Perioperative Leader/Project Manager
EASTERN MAINE MEDICAL CENTER
11.2014 - 05.2015
- Managed135 FTEs, (4 Centers), 12 Main OR’s, eight OSC OR’s, two Operating L&D suites, and an offsite Eye Center
- Mentored and advised new Perioperative Leadership (10) to include 42 Pre/Post-Op Bays, five Endoscopy Suites/four Pre-op, six Post-op
- Process Improvement; recommendation, implementation, and change agent for capacity planning, block scheduling, urgent/emergent cases, intake, navigation, efficiency, accountability, patient throughput
- KPI’s, Life wings
- Revision of policies/procedures and job descriptions.
Interim Surgical Services Leadership/Endoscopy Manager/Cover and Mentor Manager of OR, PACU and Ambulatory Surgery
WYCKOFF HEIGHTS MEDICAL CENTER
04.2014 - 08.2014
- Successful reorganization of the endoscopy unit to include retraining staff for accurate on time starts and room turnover, expectations and accountability of staff, safe patient care.
- Established Patient and family privacy
- Accountable metrics
- Continuous monitoring and training of new PACU, OR, SPD, and Ambulatory Surgery Managers
- Executive Consultant Coverage
- Mentoring, Coaching Executive Leadership
Clinical Operations Manager, Glen Lehman Endoscopy Suite @ Beltway Surgery Centers, LLC
IU HEALTH SYSTEM/INDIANA UNIVERSITY
04.2005 - 04.2014
- Vigorous organizational changes to a struggling team and facility, turning it around to be efficient, profitable, organized, and increased patient satisfaction with a 98.8% NRC Picker Score.
- Separation and reconstruction of an existing inpatient/outpatient center to a hospital leased outpatient facility.
- Accountabilities:
- Clinical Operations redesign; ensuring customer satisfaction, cost reduction, and facility up sell.
- Strong and expert knowledge of ambulatory service operations.
- Produced outcome focused deliverables.
- Oversees Staffing, Budget, business growth, and financial solvency.
- Achieved Patient, MD, and Employee Satisfaction above 98%.
Interim Manager, Weekends, Evenings, Nights
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
04.2011 - 09.2011
- Operational care and delivery of level I tertiary care perioperative services
- 24/7 coverage of 26 OR’s, 15 PACU bays and 100+ FTEs
- Sustained off shift and weekend operational functioning of scheduled surgical services and Level I traumas
- Accountable for TJC and DOH standards, execution of facility performance improvement, quality and safety practices, excellence in standards and expectations
- Expert in communication, collaboration, team play and respect of other’s expertise.
Night Shift Facilitator
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
01.2008 - 04.2011
- Managed entire perioperative suite
- Responsible for 24/7 care delivered from Pre-op/PACU; AM Surgical Case Coordinator
- On call 24/7 on weekends
- Ensured that standards of practice were developed, reviewed, and maintained among staff and that safe, effective, efficient, and patient-centered care were within the scope of practice
- Coordinated efficiently with doctors to provide safe continuity of patient care in an efficient and timely manner
- The goal and outcome was to have collaboration, compassion, and credibility between all parties
- Gained expertise in clinical area of practice
- Effectively and skillfully directed and organized staff and services
- Demonstrated respect and understanding of the diverse cultural customs and religious belief of our patients, family, community and staff
- Ability to maintain credibility among all members of the multidisciplinary team
- Effective prioritization, organization, and management of competing demands within an unpredictable environment
- Weekend Manager Call, Kronos, Cerner scheduling, staff scheduling, contribution management, time and attendance management.
Staff Nurse, Resource Operating Room
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Functioned in any circulating role and/or scrub role
- Able to accept a new assignment at any given moment wherever the need is greatest
- Flexible and independent.
Staffing Coordinator, Operating Room
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Maintained complete staffing needs for the unit
- Worked closely with the Registry Pool in order to keep the appropriate amount of staff on the unit 24/7
- Recruited and retained staff
- On call at all times to facilitate the needs of the other shifts and weekend staff
- Trouble shooter with any issues regarding staffing and proper coverage for each individual service
- Supported staff with all aspects of ensuring smooth running of the OR
- Worked with education as to the needs of all new personnel
- Demonstrated flexibility in my role as coordinator.
Operating Room Nurse
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Circulating Nurse in all surgical procedures and Scrub Nurse in most surgical procedures
- Interim Coordinator of Thoracic Service from August 2005 – May 2006
- As CVT Coordinator, performed clinical care activities and was responsible for the coordination of a specialty perioperative service for patients, physicians, and other acknowledged customers
- Collaborated with director and provided support for achieving financial goals established for the service.
Interim Operating Room Resource Pool
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
04.2005 - 06.2005
- Assignment at Indiana University Hospital in the Operating Room
- Circulated all cases
- Scrubbed most.
Peri-Op Service Staff Scheduling Leader
SUNY STONY BROOK HEALTH SYSTEM/SUNY STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
01.1999 - 01.2005
- Computerized development of peri-op staff using the Per-Se’ scheduling system according to the needs of each unit
- OR=158 FTEs, PACU=36FTEs and ASU=15 FTEs Endoscopy=6 FTEs
- Responsible for all aspects of staffing, including reports, overtime, staff movement, workman's compensation, timesheets, budgeting, FMLA and immediate changing needs
- Worked closely with upper management, timekeeping, payroll, labor relations, human resources, anesthesia and all three bargaining unions
- Back up coverage for QAs, incident reports, policy, and procedure
- Educated and trained nursing and ancillary staff, interviewed and hired OR staff
- Responsible for coordinating the complete functioning of the OR/PACU, triage of emergent cases, coordination of patient care with the surgical/anesthesia team
- Coordinated coverage of day/evenings as needed
- On call 24/7.
Charge Coordinator
SUNY STONY BROOK HEALTH SYSTEM/SUNY STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Provided coverage of PACU/ASU
- Ensured efficiency to first case starts to include assisting the staff in getting the patients ready on time for the OR
- Maintained the movement of scheduled and/or emergent cases on the night shift
- Managed all personnel in the perioperative areas
- Available to staff during the morning to help with any issues until day manager came in
- Available 24/7.
Staff Registered Nurse, Operating Room
SUNY STONY BROOK HEALTH SYSTEM/SUNY STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
01.1991 - 01.1996
- Provided direct patient care in both the scrubbing and circulating role
- Services included General, GYN, Pediatrics, Open Heart, Plastics, Burn, Urology, and some experience in Neuro, and minor ortho cases
- Fluent in circulating, scrubbed most cases
- Floated to L&D
- Ambulatory Surgery and Holding Room Charge Nurse for two years with the responsibility of preparing the patient preoperatively for their procedure, and post operatively for their recovery period
- Provided patient and family support
- Responsible for six RN’s and two Nurses Aides.
Staff Registered Nurse, Surgical Floor
SUNY STONY BROOK HEALTH SYSTEM/SUNY STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
01.1988 - 01.1991
- Surgical Floor Nurse in Oncology, Kidney Transplant, Orthopedics, and Burn units
- Charge Nurse during absence of clinician.
Staff LPN
PILGRIM PSYCHIATRIC CENTER
01.1981 - 01.1988
Education
Master of Science in Nursing -
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN01.2010
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN01.2008
Bachelor in Health Administration -
Empire State College
Riverhead, NY01.2002
Associate Degree in Nursing -
Suffolk Community College
Selden, NY01.1988
DIPLOMA in PRACTICAL Nursing -
Boards of Cooperative Educational Services
New York, NY01.1981
Skills
- Quality and Risk Management
- LEAN
- Magnet
- Joint Commission, HFAP,AAAHC, and State regulatory compliance
- Delegation
- Business Development
- Organizational Structuring
- Performance Improvements
- Financial Administration
- Effective leader
- KPI Tracking
- Inventory Control
- Cost analysis and savings
- Inventory Tracking and Management
- Organizational Development
- Business Leadership
- Staff Scheduling
- Customer Service Management
- Staff Development
- Employee Motivation
- Strategic Planning
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Certification
- Nurse Executive Advanced- Board Certified
- Nurse Executive-Board Certified
- Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
- Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Certification
- Basic Balloon Pump Certificate
- Conscious Sedation Certificate
Affiliations
- American Nurses Association (ANA) and Indiana Local Member
- Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Member
- Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) Member
- Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) Promoter and Supporter
- AONL/IONL
Awards
- Methodist Scholarship, 2010
- Joint Commission Regulatory Best Scribe, 2010
- IU Health System Gold Award for Service Excellence for Magnet Re-designation, 2009
- IU Health System Silver Awards for Service Excellence (11), 2007 – 2010
Volunteer Experience
- Veterans Hospital, Northport, NY
- Northport Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary
- Boy Scouts- NY and Indiana
- Girl Scouts- NY and Indiana
- St Johns Roman Catholic Church, Wading River NY
- St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church, Brownsburg, Indiana
- St. Christopher Roman Catholic Church, Speedway, Indiana
- Hendricks Regional Health
- Covid Vaccine Clinic
Timeline
Interim Director Perioperative Services
HCA
10.2022 - 02.2024
Interim Director Perioperative Services, Central Sterile, OR Supply Chain, Ambulatory Surgery Center, Pain Management, EBUS, Endo,( ED and Cath Lab One Day Per Week and Vacations)
Hendricks Regional Health
02.2018 - 10.2022
Interim Director Surgical Services/Change Agent
Avera Health Minnesota
02.2016 - 12.2017
Interim PACU Manager/Consultant
GLENS FALLS HOSPITAL
06.2015 - 01.2016
Interim Perioperative Leader/Project Manager
EASTERN MAINE MEDICAL CENTER
11.2014 - 05.2015
Interim Surgical Services Leadership/Endoscopy Manager/Cover and Mentor Manager of OR, PACU and Ambulatory Surgery
WYCKOFF HEIGHTS MEDICAL CENTER
04.2014 - 08.2014
Interim Manager, Weekends, Evenings, Nights
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
04.2011 - 09.2011
Night Shift Facilitator
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
01.2008 - 04.2011
Staff Nurse, Resource Operating Room
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
01.2007 - 01.2008
Staffing Coordinator, Operating Room
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
01.2006 - 01.2007
Clinical Operations Manager, Glen Lehman Endoscopy Suite @ Beltway Surgery Centers, LLC
IU HEALTH SYSTEM/INDIANA UNIVERSITY
04.2005 - 04.2014
Interim Operating Room Resource Pool
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
04.2005 - 06.2005
Operating Room Nurse
Methodist IU Operating Rooms, Level I Tertiary Care
01.2005 - 01.2006
Peri-Op Service Staff Scheduling Leader
SUNY STONY BROOK HEALTH SYSTEM/SUNY STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
01.1999 - 01.2005
Charge Coordinator
SUNY STONY BROOK HEALTH SYSTEM/SUNY STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
01.1996 - 01.1999
Staff Registered Nurse, Operating Room
SUNY STONY BROOK HEALTH SYSTEM/SUNY STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
01.1991 - 01.1996
Staff Registered Nurse, Surgical Floor
SUNY STONY BROOK HEALTH SYSTEM/SUNY STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
01.1988 - 01.1991
Staff LPN
PILGRIM PSYCHIATRIC CENTER
01.1981 - 01.1988
Master of Science in Nursing -
University of Indianapolis
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
University of Indianapolis
Bachelor in Health Administration -
Empire State College
Associate Degree in Nursing -
Suffolk Community College
DIPLOMA in PRACTICAL Nursing -
Boards of Cooperative Educational Services