Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Skills
Affiliations
Work History
Education
Timeline
RegisteredNurse
LISA ZALENKO, RN BSN
Open To Work

LISA ZALENKO, RN BSN

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: 2 weeks notice

Desired Job Title

Nurse AuditorNurse Case ManagerTelephonic NurseUtilization Review Nurse

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

RemoteHybrid
Location: USLas Vegas, NV
Open to relocation: No

Salary Range

100000/yr - 200000/yr

Important To Me

Work-life balanceCareer advancementCompany CultureFlexible work hoursWork from home optionPaid time offHealthcare benefitsPersonal development programsPaid sick leave401k match

Summary

Registered nurse with over 20 years of experience in pediatric and clinical healthcare, specializing in NICU, PICU, and pediatric oncology. Expertise in population health initiatives, care transitions, and interdisciplinary program development for high-risk populations. Proven track record in clinical documentation, medical necessity reviews, and workflow standardization to enhance quality outcomes and operational efficiency. Results-driven nurse skilled in optimizing patient outcomes through effective collaboration and compliance with payer guidelines.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Skills

  • Pediatric Population Health
  • Care management and coordination
  • Utilization management strategies
  • Care transitions facilitation
  • Pediatric oncology and critical care expertise
  • Clinical workflow development
  • Process improvement initiatives
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration skills
  • Clinical documentation review
  • Medical necessity assessments
  • Regulatory and payer compliance
  • MCG and InterQual criteria knowledge
  • Quality improvement initiatives
  • Telephonic clinical assessments
  • Training and clinical education delivery
  • Executive and stakeholder communication
  • Prior authorization support services
  • Epic EMR and Cerner EMR proficiency
  • Microsoft Office Suite expertise

Affiliations

  • Academy of Neonatal Nursing Member -Hoag NICU
  • New gastrostomy tube parent educator -CHLA PICU
  • Social Morale Committe-CHLA PICU
  • Customer Service Committe - CHLA PICU
  • Hiking Club-Loma Linda PICU

Work History

Nurse Auditor

United Health Services
Las Vegas, NV
05.2024 - Current
  • Conduct clinical documentation reviews and utilization audits to assess medical necessity and compliance with payer, regulatory, and organizational standards.
  • Apply MCG and InterQual criteria to support accurate level-of-care determinations and appropriate reimbursement outcomes.
  • Identify documentation gaps and recommend corrective actions to improve audit defensibility, quality outcomes, and denial prevention.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary and cross-functional teams to support standardized utilization review workflows and operational consistency.
  • Support quality improvement initiatives through detailed clinical analysis and compliance-focused review processes.
  • Utilize strong analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate complex clinical cases in high-volume review environments.

Registered Nurse – NICU

Hoag Hospital Presbyterian
Newport Beach, CA
09.2021 - 03.2024
  • Managed complex neonatal cases with ventilator support and IV therapy, achieving optimal patient outcomes
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to uphold clinical protocols, improving overall patient care quality
  • Educated families on infant care and discharge planning, facilitating successful home transitions

Nurse Navigator – Hematology/Oncology

Desert Regional Medical Center
Palm Springs, CA
05.2019 - 08.2021
  • Coordinated care for 600+ oncology patients, optimizing service utilization and enhancing patient outcomes
  • Collaborated with physicians in multidisciplinary tumor boards to formulate and implement tailored treatment strategies
  • Conducted telephonic clinical assessments and triaged symptoms to inform timely patient care decisions
  • Reviewed clinical documentation to support prior authorization and ensure medical necessity for treatment plans

Nurse Navigator – Pediatric Oncology

Loma Linda Pediatric Oncology Clinic
Loma Linda, CA
04.2016 - 04.2019
  • Coordinated multidisciplinary care for more than 300 pediatric oncology patients across complex treatment pathways and transitions of care.
  • Supported pediatric population health goals through proactive care coordination, family education, and timely intervention planning.
  • Conducted telephonic triage and symptom assessments to identify patient needs and facilitate access to appropriate services.
  • Ensured compliance with authorization requirements, clinical pathways, and treatment protocols.
  • Partnered with cross-functional clinical teams to support coordinated, patient-centered care delivery and operational efficiency.

Registered Nurse – PICU

Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
Loma Linda, CA
04.2015 - 04.2016

•Delivered high-acuity critical care to pediatric patients in the PICU.
• Supported families through complex medical situations with education and emotional support.

  • Applied evidence-based practice guidelines in patient care decisions, ensuring optimal treatment outcomes.
  • Facilitated family understanding of care procedures and health management strategies, enhancing patient involvement in care decisions.

Registered Nurse – PICU

Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
03.2011 - 04.2015
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop tailored care plans for critically ill pediatric patients.
  • Administered medications and treatments, ensuring optimal care for critically ill pediatric patients.
  • Assisted in complex procedures, contributing to improved patient outcomes under supervision of physician staff.
  • Applied evidence-based practice guidelines to inform decision making for optimal patient care.

Registered Nurse – PICU

Summerlin Hospital
Las Vegas, NV
04.2009 - 03.2011
  • Provided direct care to pediatric patients with complex medical needs, effectively addressing unique health challenges.
  • Responded to acute changes in vital signs, ensuring timely interventions for optimal patient outcomes.
  • Created and assessed individualized patient care plans, actively monitoring progress to support recovery.

Registered Nurse – NICU

Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Las Vegas, NV
08.2006 - 04.2009
  • Delivered high-acuity neonatal critical care in a fast-paced NICU environment, managing ventilator support, IV therapy, and complex pediatric cases.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure adherence to evidence-based clinical protocols and quality standards.
  • Supported care transitions and discharge planning through family education and coordinated care management strategies.
  • Participated in process improvement initiatives focused on patient safety, care quality, and operational effectiveness.
  • Maintained accurate clinical documentation and compliance with healthcare regulations and organizational policies.

Registered Nurse – NICU

St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
Reno, NV
01.2004 - 05.2006
  • Monitored vital signs and assessed patient conditions in NICU, facilitating timely interventions and ensuring continuity of care.
  • Coordinated interdisciplinary team efforts to enhance patient outcomes through comprehensive care strategies.
  • Provided emotional support to families facing difficult decisions about their baby's care, fostering trust and understanding during critical moments.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

University of Nevada
Reno
05-2005

Timeline

Nurse Auditor

United Health Services
05.2024 - Current

Registered Nurse – NICU

Hoag Hospital Presbyterian
09.2021 - 03.2024

Nurse Navigator – Hematology/Oncology

Desert Regional Medical Center
05.2019 - 08.2021

Nurse Navigator – Pediatric Oncology

Loma Linda Pediatric Oncology Clinic
04.2016 - 04.2019

Registered Nurse – PICU

Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
04.2015 - 04.2016

Registered Nurse – PICU

Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
03.2011 - 04.2015

Registered Nurse – PICU

Summerlin Hospital
04.2009 - 03.2011

Registered Nurse – NICU

Sunrise Children’s Hospital
08.2006 - 04.2009

Registered Nurse – NICU

St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
01.2004 - 05.2006

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

University of Nevada
LISA ZALENKO, RN BSN