Margaret Baca
Thornton,CO
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse with 19 years of diverse experience across multiple healthcare settings, including acute care, long-term care, behavioral health, and case management. Proven expertise in coordinating patient care, developing individualized care plans and leading multidisciplinary teams to ensure high quality of care. Strong background in clinical assessments, chronic disease management and patient education. Skilled in mentoring and educating staff, implementing healthcare policy and procedures, and improving care delivery through strategic planning and data analysis. Known for excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership abilities, with a commitment to patient advocacy and continuous improvement in healthcare outcomes.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN Case Manager
Optum
01.2023 - Current
- Manage complex cases involving multiple comorbidities, requiring close monitoring and coordination of various healthcare services.
- Collaborated closely with providers, members, and families to develop individualized treatment plans, supporting optimal patient outcomes.
- Assist with developing, implementing, and monitoring individualized care plans for members based on their health assessments and needs.
- Perform regular health assessments to evaluate the members medical, physical, and mental health status.
- Review members medication regimens, usage, side effects, and potential interactions to ensure safety, effectiveness, and compliance.
- Update care plans as needed based on assessments and changes in health conditions.
- Facilitate smooth transitions between different levels of care, such as from hospital, skilled nursing facility, assisted living, or home.
- Communicate with discharge planners, hospital staff, skilled nursing facility, and community resources to ensure continuity of care.
- Act as an advocate for members healthcare needs, ensuring their preferences and best interest is prioritized.
- Provide education to members and families on available community resources, facilitating access to necessary support services.
- Offer support and guidance to the member and families on disease management, preventative care, healthy lifestyle choices to help the member and or family make informed healthcare decisions.
- Review reports and track members health status, outcomes, and program effectiveness.
- Collect and analyze data to monitor care quality, identify trends, and make improvements as needed.
- Ensure that all case management activities comply with company regulations and standards.
- Participate in regular care team meetings to review complex cases and provide feedback to assist with the adjustment of care plans as needed.
- Serve as a key liaison between patients, families, and healthcare providers, fostering open communication and trust among all parties involved in the care process.
Director of Nursing
Vivage
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Directed care for a 103-bed facility providing skilled, long-term, memory, and behavioral health care services
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while maintaining a high standard of care ensuring patient safety
- Develop and implement nursing policies and procedures
- Facilitate and participate in meetings that contribute to the strategic planning of the facility
- Plan, organize, develop, audit, and direct all daily nursing operations.
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Support the nursing team and provide direct nursing care as needed
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Oversee nursing staff including hiring, training, orientation of new nursing staff, and conduct performance evaluations
- Communicate with residents' families regarding care plans, progress, and any changes.
- Set and track departmental goals, implement and manage quality improvement initiatives, and ensure that all guidelines, regulations, and standards are followed
- Manage the nursing department budget including staffing, equipment and supplies.
ADON-Assistant Director of Nursing
Vivage
01.2015 - 05.2022
- RN Assistant Director of Nursing for a 103-bed facility providing skilled, long-term, memory, and behavioral health care
- Assisted the DON with planning, organizing, developing, and directing overall operations of the nursing department
- Acting DON when the DON is unavailable
- Support the nursing team and provide direct patient care as needed
- Assist with hiring, training, and performance evaluations of nursing staff
- Assisted in developing nursing policies and procedures that were in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, maintaining accreditation standards for the facility.
- Managed staffing needs effectively, ensuring appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios during all shifts.
- Oversee patient care to ensure compliance with care plans and best practices
- Assist in the development and implementation of nursing policies and procedures
- Assist in the coordination of care between various departments and healthcare providers
- Ensure seamless communication and care continuity for patients
- Monitor patient outcomes and identify areas of improvement
- Conduct audit's prepare reports, and maintain patient records
SDC-Infection Prevention Nurse and Staff Development Coordinator
Vivage
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Staff Develop Coordinator in charge of implementing, managing, and maintaining an infection prevention program for approximately 70 residents and 80 employees
- Conduct regular monitoring and surveillance of infections within the facility ensuring the facility complies with federal, state,and local infection control regulations
- Track infection rates, identifying trends and taking action to prevent and manage outbreaks.
- Prepare reports regularly for facility leadership and regulatory agencies
- Lead the response to infection outbreaks, including containment, treatment coordination, and communication with staff, residents, and families
- Performed accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in compliance with regulatory standards
- Educated patients and families on disease management, self-care techniques, and wellness strategies to improve long-term health outcomes.
- Worked closely with healthcare professionals to promote effective infection practices
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on emerging trends in nursing practice to enhance effectiveness in delivering quality care
- Provide training on infection prevention, immunizations, hand hygiene, use of PPE, and other infection prevention protocols ensuring all staff are informed about merging infectious diseases and prevention measures
- Regularly assess the facility for potential infection risks and vulnerabilities
- Implement strategies to minimize or eliminate identified infection risks
- Provide all staff education, training, new employee orientation, and coaching of new and current employees
LPN Charge Nurse
Vivage
01.2006 - 01.2010
- LPN charge nurse directing the care of 40 patients and supervising a CNA team
- Providing direct patient care including medication administration, treatments, wound care, and comprehensive assessments
- Coordinated care with providers, and worked with health care professionals including providers, vendors, and other care partners to ensure quality patient care was delivered
- Delegated tasks effectively, optimizing staff productivity and maintaining a well-organized nursing unit.
- Documented vitals and medical histories in patient charts when assessing patients and communicated patient information to physicians and other nurses for care continuity.
- Analyzed patient assessments and laboratory data to bring any issues to attention of physicians
- Managed complex wound care cases, applying advanced knowledge of wound healing principles to achieve optimal results.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make sound clinical decisions in high-pressure situations, minimizing risks and ensuring patient safety
- Promoted continuity of care by thoroughly documenting shift-to-shift communication in nursing reports.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to optimize patient outcomes and deliver high-quality care.
- Enhanced staff morale by fostering a supportive work environment, recognizing outstanding performance, and addressing concerns effectively
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Capella University
10-2025
ADN -
Denver School of Nursing
01.2013
AAS of Science -
Front Range Community College
01.2011
LPN certificate -
Community College of Denver
01.2006
Skills
- Case Management
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Care Coordination
- Patient Care Assessment
- Accurate Documentation
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Critical Thinking
- Clinical assessment
- Compassionate and Caring
- Chronic Disease Management
- HIPAA Compliance
- Multidisciplinary Approach
References
Available upon request
Certification
- RN Compact License - current
- RN Oregon License- current
Timeline
RN Case Manager
Optum
01.2023 - Current
Director of Nursing
Vivage
05.2022 - 01.2023
ADON-Assistant Director of Nursing
Vivage
01.2015 - 05.2022
SDC-Infection Prevention Nurse and Staff Development Coordinator
Vivage
01.2010 - 01.2015
LPN Charge Nurse
Vivage
01.2006 - 01.2010
ADN -
Denver School of Nursing
AAS of Science -
Front Range Community College
LPN certificate -
Community College of Denver
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Capella University
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