Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Lisa K. Thomas

Fort Smith,USA

Summary

Experienced healthcare professional with a strong background in consulting and clinical nursing, specializing in the Federal Long Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP). Valuable resource for companies looking to establish and maintain regulatory compliance systems in long term care settings. Utilizes nursing expertise to conduct thorough reviews of medical cases, ensuring high-quality outcomes. Demonstrated success in delivering evidence-based recommendations, optimizing patient care protocols, and excelling in team collaboration within dynamic healthcare environments focused on regulatory compliance and clinical process improvement.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work History

Nurse Consultant

Votaw Law and Associates
10.2023 - Current
  • Reviewed medical records and summarized care.
  • Consulted with attorneys on malpractice, personal injury and workers compensation claims.
  • Observed and reported on independent medical evaluations.
  • Researched related literature regarding issues at hand.

Votaw Law and Associates
10.2023 - Current
  • Enhanced patient privacy by meticulously reviewing and updating medical records for accuracy and completeness.
  • Optimized database search capabilities through consistent application of indexing conventions during file storage processes.
  • Facilitated effective communication among healthcare team members by providing prompt access to pertinent patient information.
  • Effectively managed high workloads, prioritizing tasks to meet tight deadlines and maintain an efficient workflow without compromising quality.
  • Supported clinical research initiatives by supplying relevant medical record data while maintaining patient confidentiality.
  • Demonstrated strong attention to detail by identifying and addressing any discrepancies or errors within the medical records, ensuring accurate documentation for patient care.
  • Maintained confidentiality of all medical records and sensitive information to comply with HIPAA regulations.
  • Processed medical records requests from outside providers according to facility, state, and federal law.
  • Reviewed charts and flagged incomplete or inaccurate information.
  • Assisted in preparation of medical records to release to other medical facilities requesting for patient history and information.
  • Maintained patient confidence by keeping patient records information confidential.
  • Maintained accuracy, completeness, and security for medical records and health information.
  • Assisted in preparation of medical reports for external parties.
  • Used classification manuals to gain additional knowledge of disease and diagnoses processes.

Ludwig Law firm
07.2021 - Current

State Training Coordinator/Registered Nurse Coordinator

Department of Human Services/Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance/Office of Long Term Care
12.2008 - 11.2019
  • 1. Responsible for supervision of all new hire survey staff. Instruct, guide and direct to successful completion of the Federal Surveyor Minimum Qualifications Test (SMQT) utilizing in depth knowledge of the State Operations Manual (SOM), LTCSP Procedure Guide and Appendix PP, Chapter 5 (complaint survey), Chapter 7 (Enforcement), the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI), and state and local laws. Develop and revise as necessary the current training curriculum and New Employee Orientation Manual for surveyors. Evaluates on a quality assurance level through evaluations of the training program and using the feedback to improve or enhance the training curriculum. Collaborates with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Director and/or designee to make recommendations for future training needs and receiving approval for the training. Considered a Subject Matter Expert (SME) by CMS and held in high regard for Arkansas’ Training Curriculum and 100% pass rate in the federal exam for the past three years. Provide written and verbal communication to all staff on a daily basis.
  • 2. Plans all staff meetings on a quarterly basis for approximately one hundred staff and more often as needed. Create power point presentation as related to survey and obtain Continuing Education Units from the Office of Long Term Care (OLTC). Work with other Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO) to perform statewide training and education to the survey staff and providers. Directly supervise all new survey staff hires, ensuring performance evaluations, expectations for the job hired for knowledge gained in the survey process. Follow Department of Human Services (DHS) policy and procedures on performance evaluations.
  • 3. Successfully completed exams for administrative rights for the national surveyor database computer program ISTW (Integrated Surveyor Training Website) to create user accounts, assign training and audit training needs and completion per CMS mandated training. Educate long term care providers as needed in the ISTW website, navigation and information highway. Develop goals to increase productivity in the department and decrease surveyor turnover. Responsible for retrieval of these reports by individual, state and region for quality assurance purposes and the annual state Medicaid legislative audit and the annual State Agency Performance Evaluation.
  • 4. Provide technical assistance to survey and administrative staff on the appendices/chapters of the state operations manuals specifically for long term care. Developed a classroom curriculum on the Principles of Documentation to prepare surveyors in analyzing, investigating and citing sustainable deficient practices. Able to study, learn and instruct on state and local laws and regulations independently. Provide state wide training to surveyors, support staff and providers on all of the above, including culture change in long term care and compliance with the state and federal regulations.
  • 5. Using knowledge gained through DHS Supervisor Hire training, hires and trains support staff and assists with the selection of all discipline types for survey staff. Completes initial, midpoint and final evaluations in accordance with DHS policy and maintains all required supervisor training for the position of Registered Nurse (RN) Supervisor. Through knowledge of survey process and protocols and in depth knowledge of nursing practice, assist the management team in recommending preceptors to train new surveyors. Communicates with management staff on concerns, able to mediate and assist with offering potential resolutions. Approve/deny leave requests and approve/deny travel reimbursement requests.
  • 6. Conduct and monitor all types of surveys, acting as trainer and available for guidance, clarification and further training. Frequently surveys with new and seasoned surveyors to evaluate knowledge, abilities and skills to clarify and/or develop future training needs. Collaborates with CMS, the director and/or designee of potential problems and changes in the area of supervision.

Field Supervisor

Department of Human Services- OLTC
06.2007 - 12.2008
  • 1. Conducted long term care surveys, gathering information through observations, record reviews and interviews for Initial, Recertification, Complaint and Standard surveys in long term care. Evaluated facility compliance per CMS rules and regulations at the state and federal level. Used approved CMS forms to investigate, analyze and document sustainable deficient practices.
  • 2. Completed Information Analysis and Deficiency Statements, analyzing information gathered to determine facility compliance/noncompliance with the requirements of CFR 483.5 through 483.75 on a tag by tag basis individually and with the survey team daily and as indicated. Determined severity and scope of each deficient practice, wrote statements of deficiency in accordance with CMS Principles of Documentation in the correct regulatory area. Have testified and appeared per subpoena based on findings from noncompliance.
  • 3. Functioned as an effective team member and trained new staff in accordance with protocols. Performed surveys as scheduled often completing surveys ahead of schedule due to excellent time management skills. Submitted completed packets to the office for review and provided orientation and training to new staff members on all aspects of the survey process and in accordance with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations.
  • 4. Prepared for visits/surveys with required forms and data in accordance with CMS Protocol for Survey Procedures. Analyzed information gathered to determine potential areas of compliance and noncompliance. Selected case mix appropriate residents for review per CMS protocols and procedures.
  • 5. Directed and monitored the survey and certification on-site process, frequently as team leader, within state and federal regulations and guidelines. Assured state agency compliance with federal regulations for the survey and certification process. Provided management recommendations and decisions regarding substandard quality of care and/or immediate jeopardy.

Utilization Review Nurse

Department of Human Services- OLTC
10.2003 - 06.2007
  • 1. Conducted long term care surveys, gathering information through observations, record reviews and interviews for Initial, Recertification, Complaint and Standard surveys in long term care. Evaluated facility compliance per CMS rules and regulations at the state and federal level. Used approved CMS forms to investigate, analyze and document sustainable deficient practices.
  • 2. Completed Information Analysis and Deficiency Statements, analyzing information gathered to determine facility compliance/noncompliance with the requirements of CFR 483.5 through 483.75 on a tag by tag basis individually and with the survey team daily and as indicated. Determined severity and scope of each deficient practice, wrote statements of deficiency in accordance with CMS Principles of Documentation in the correct regulatory area. Have testified and appeared per subpoena based on findings from noncompliance.
  • 3. Functioned as an effective team member and trained new staff in accordance with protocols. Performed surveys as scheduled often completing surveys ahead of schedule due to excellent time management skills. Submitted completed packets to the office for review and provided orientation and training to new staff members on all aspects of the survey process and in accordance with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations.
  • 4. Prepared for visits/surveys with required forms and data in accordance with CMS Protocol for Survey Procedures. Analyzed information gathered to determine potential areas of compliance and noncompliance. Selected case mix appropriate residents for review per CMS protocols and procedures.
  • 5. Directed and monitored the survey and certification on-site process, frequently as team leader, within state and federal regulations and guidelines. Assured state agency compliance with federal regulations for the survey and certification process. Provided management recommendations and decisions regarding substandard quality of care and/or immediate jeopardy.

Programs Coordinator

Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas
11.2000 - 10.2003
  • 1. Responsible for all home and community based services at the city, county, state and federal level for eleven nursing offices in Western Arkansas.
  • 2. Collaborated directly with the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Vice President of the agency on training needs, quality assurance program and quarterly board reports on systems, training and grant programs.
  • 3. Directly responsible for the National Caregiver grant program in disbursement of funds, education of the program and approval of respite care for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients and the terminally ill.
  • 4. Responsible for In-Home Assistance monies for multiple counties and providing monthly board reports to the city and county directors.
  • 5. Coordinated the Hospice program for Sebastian, Crawford, Washington, Polk, Logan, Johnson and Montgomery counties, providing approved hospice volunteer training.
  • 6. Trained all nursing assistants in a seventy-five hour home health and hospice aide course approved by the Arkansas Department of Health on an annual basis.
  • 7. Attended and reported at the state Area Agency Directors meetings as needed for the President and CEO and Executive Vice President and reported information pertinent for the largest non-profit Home Health organization in Arkansas.

Programs Coordinator

Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas
10.2001 - 10.2003
  • 1. Responsible for all home and community based services at the city, county, state and federal level for eleven nursing offices in Western Arkansas.
  • 2. Collaborated directly with the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Vice President of the agency on training needs, quality assurance program and quarterly board reports on systems, training and grant programs.
  • 3. Directly responsible for the National Caregiver grant program in disbursement of funds, education of the program and approval of respite care for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients and the terminally ill.
  • 4. Responsible for In-Home Assistance monies for multiple counties and providing monthly board reports to the city and county directors.
  • 5. Coordinated the Hospice program for Sebastian, Crawford, Washington, Polk, Logan, Johnson and Montgomery counties, providing approved hospice volunteer training.
  • 6. Trained all nursing assistants in a seventy-five hour home health and hospice aide course approved by the Arkansas Department of Health on an annual basis.
  • 7. Attended the state Area Agency Directors meetings as needed for the President and CEO and Executive Vice President and reported information pertinent for the largest non-profit Home Health organization in Arkansas.

Director of Nursing

Covington Court Health and Rehabilitation
10.2000 - 10.2001
  • 1. Responsible for a 115 bed nursing home and approximately 75 staff.
  • 2. Responsible for regulatory compliance at the federal level in a Medicaid and Medicare certified facility.
  • 3. Responsible for staffing the facility on a 24/7 basis. Covering shifts for all disciplines as needed.
  • 4. Responsible for screening, hiring and training all nursing staff in the state and federal regulations and providing continuing education as changes in state and local regulations occurred.
  • 5. Collaborated with peers in the nursing home industry in Sebastian County and at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
  • 6. Participated in the development and approval of Northport Health Services (NHS) nursing policy and procedures for all nursing staff at a national level.
  • 7. Assisted other facilities in new hires of Director of Nursing for training and orientation.

Staff Nurse Medical-Surgical

St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center (now Mercy Hospital)
07.2000 - 10.2000
  • 1. Part of the medical-surgical team for an observation unit for new surgeries requiring a less than twenty-four hour stay in the hospital.
  • 2. Direct patient care of up to six patients, completing assessments, reviewing laboratory values and notifying the patient's physician for changes in status.

Home Health Nurse

Shawnee Regional Hospital (now Unity)
02.1994 - 02.1995

Staff Nurse Medical- Surgical

Presbyterian Hospital
05.1992 - 02.1994

Education

Associates Degree - Applied Science in Nursing

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Skills

  • Previously certified in nursing practice (expired November 30, 2022)
  • Specialized training as an Eden Educator

Timeline

Nurse Consultant

Votaw Law and Associates
10.2023 - Current

Votaw Law and Associates
10.2023 - Current

Ludwig Law firm
07.2021 - Current

State Training Coordinator/Registered Nurse Coordinator

Department of Human Services/Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance/Office of Long Term Care
12.2008 - 11.2019

Field Supervisor

Department of Human Services- OLTC
06.2007 - 12.2008

Utilization Review Nurse

Department of Human Services- OLTC
10.2003 - 06.2007

Programs Coordinator

Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas
10.2001 - 10.2003

Programs Coordinator

Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas
11.2000 - 10.2003

Director of Nursing

Covington Court Health and Rehabilitation
10.2000 - 10.2001

Staff Nurse Medical-Surgical

St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center (now Mercy Hospital)
07.2000 - 10.2000

Home Health Nurse

Shawnee Regional Hospital (now Unity)
02.1994 - 02.1995

Staff Nurse Medical- Surgical

Presbyterian Hospital
05.1992 - 02.1994

Associates Degree - Applied Science in Nursing

Oklahoma City Community College

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Lisa K. Thomas