Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Melissa Smith

Delavan,WI

Summary

Dynamic Simulation Education Specialist at Aurora Health Care with expertise in project coordination and training delivery for adult learners. Proven track record in enhancing patient safety through innovative simulation-based curricula and effective stakeholder engagement. Skilled in leadership development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration across diverse learning environments.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Simulation Education Specialist

Aurora Health Care
07.2022 - Current
  • Supports the development and implementation of evidence based simulation education across the Advocate Aurora system.
  • Collaboration with faculty in all phases of curriculum design from needs assessment to program evaluation.
  • Worked with medical students to support educational success, learning and achievement.
  • Provide leadership in establishing and achieving simulation-based education that aligns with strategic organizational outcomes and improves patient safety and outcomes.
  • Plans, develops, coordinates and/or implements a system-wide simulation based curriculum that promotes safety, quality and service.
  • Leads and/or delivers simulation based education based on learning objectives utilizing adult learning principles.
  • Provides system leadership and expertise in simulation based learning modalities.
  • Identifies high priority focus areas for simulation learning in conjunction with the director of simulation and simulation managers by engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Collects and evaluates data to monitor the effectiveness of simulation based training.
  • Consults with system and site team members and utilize available data to identify educational gaps where simulation would be value added.
  • Trains simulation facilitators and monitor their effectiveness in utilizing simulation modalities.
  • Maintains technical expertise for operation and trouble shooting of simulation equipment.
  • Manages internal and external stakeholder relationships.
  • Acts as a member of the Advocate Aurora Academy to develop comprehensive system wide learning strategies, ensuring simulation is represented in our direction and priorities.
  • Attended professional educational and developmental meetings to support accreditation.
  • Supported staff recruitment initiatives for high-quality program delivery.

Patient Care Manager

Aurora Health Care
07.2017 - 07.2022
  • Managed 80+ employees in two, inpatient units
  • Managed daily operations for patient care
  • Interpreted regulations to identify patient care requirement criteria to be monitored and establish systems to achieve compliance.
  • Educated and evaluated clinical and support staff regarding care quality management regulations and standards of care.
  • Worked with providers to define quality metrics and outcome reporting process.
  • Collected and aggregated data to identify problems or trends, such as turnaround time and issues with physician offices.
  • Maintained detailed records in compliance with agency standards and regulations.
  • Communicated with healthcare providers to facilitate continuity of care.
  • Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
  • Spearheaded and implemented new projects to expand scope of engagement.
  • Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
  • Designed and introduced leadership development, coaching and team management model, resulting in promotion of employees into increased levels of responsibility.

Registered Nurse

Aurora Health Care
10.2008 - 07.2017
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
  • Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
  • Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
  • Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
  • Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
  • Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
  • Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
  • Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
  • Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
  • Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
05-2008

Skills

  • Skilled in project coordination
  • Training delivery for adult learners
  • Specialist in diverse learning environments
  • Leadership skills training
  • Enhancing learner and stakeholder interaction
  • Resilience in dynamic settings
  • Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
  • Analytical problem-solving
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to organize, prioritize and delegate as appropriate
  • Knowledgeable in principles of adult learning theory to maximize learning and the application of that learning

Accomplishments

  • Achieved reduction, 21.4% to 6.7%, in first year nurse turnover in the ED at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center through effectively implementing RN Onboarding Simulation Program. Poster Presentation at Advocate Scientific Day. May 2024
  • Collaborated with Nursing Education & Professional Development group in the development of a revised nursing assessment and screening tool, Comprehensive Mobility Evaluation Tool (CMET), prior to system implementation. June 2023
  • Recipient of the Daisy Award, 2017
  • Nominee, Daisy Award, 2009
  • Nominee, Daisy Award, 2014

Certification

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers, American Heart Association


Timeline

Simulation Education Specialist

Aurora Health Care
07.2022 - Current

Patient Care Manager

Aurora Health Care
07.2017 - 07.2022

Registered Nurse

Aurora Health Care
10.2008 - 07.2017

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Viterbo University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE