Melissa A. Becker MSN, RN, CNOR
Buffalo,NY
Summary
With 29 years of nursing experience and 15 years of management experience in hospital and outpatient surgery settings, this conscientious unit manager takes pride in their strong knowledge of operating room procedures, workflow, and budget-conscious care. Brings a high level of organization, an outgoing personality, and energy to their role, along with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Unit Manager – Operating Room
Erie County Medical Center
01.2018 - Current
- Oversees delivery of care of 12 operating rooms and the urology department.
- Oversees RNs, OR techs, and aides - performs evaluations, disciplines, and development of improvement plans.
- Recruits and hires staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Coordinates with multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, efficient, and effective care.
- Establish and maintain effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Assists in development and implementation of policies, procedures, and regulations based on best practice and AORN guidelines.
- Handles complaints from patients and families and take steps for quick resolution and to prevent reoccurrence.
- Monthly budget reporting and yearly budget adjustments.
- Strives to be a change agent for process improvement.
- Committee member – Patient Safety Committee, Exposure Committee, Operating Room Committee, Surgical Services QAPI, Bariatric QAPI, Transplant QAPI, Cardiothoracic QAPI, Nurse Management Committee, Nurse Leadership Committee, Peri-Operative Value Analysis Committee, and Med-Surg Value Analysis Committee.
Nurse Manager
Southtowns Surgery Center, LLC
05.2016 - 01.2018
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to help start up and develop new surgery center.
- Supervised, directed, and motivated high-quality performance for pre-op/PACU, operating rooms, sterile processing department, materials management, and surgical scheduling staff.
- Oversaw infection control procedures to protect patients from infections and maintain compliance with state regulations.
- Collaborated to bring additional service lines and physicians to the surgery center.
- Coordinated with physicians to review potential procedures, as well as preferences, suture, and specialty needs.
- Coordinated surgical schedule and developed surgical blocks.
- Implemented cost savings initiatives – creating/updating custom packs.
- Responsible for human resource - interviewing potential employees and reference checks, evaluations and disciplines and ensured employee files were up to date – license verification and yearly education program compliance.
- Oversaw tissue tracking, radiation monitoring and safety, and infection control.
OR Charge Nurse/Coordinator
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to coordinate daily surgical schedule to provide high quality patient care.
- Coordinated with anesthesia to facilitate OR schedule.
- Audited first case start and turnover times – investigated reasons and solutions; reported to the Director of Surgical Services and Head of Anesthesia.
- Attend infection control meetings and offer suggestions for improvements.
- Active member of Operating Room Unit Base Council.
OR Manager/Clinical Coordinator
Buffalo Surgery Center
04.2006 - 08.2015
- Coordinated surgical schedule and ensured special equipment was ordered and available for cases.
- Supervised the work of 7 RNs, 4 OR Techs, 1 Radiology Tech, 1 central supply tech, materials manager and surgical scheduler.
- Performed monthly audits and yearly evaluations.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Regularly communicated with physicians regarding equipment and new procedures.
- Attended weekly management meetings and provide input on work flow from a clinical standpoint.
- Oversaw sharps safety program.
- Collaborated with implementation of total joint program in ASC setting.
- Implemented many cost saving ideas.
- Maintained radiation safety program in conjunction with Radiation Safety Officer, including updating policies and procedures and investigating high exposure reports
- Developed benchmark studies and infection control activities.
- Worked collaboratively with sales representatives to save money and ensure implants are readily available for cases.
- Assisted in bringing additional services to the surgery center
- Collaborated with Director by giving input/feedback on workflow and development for new building for surgery center.
- Assumed lead during 2014 AAAHC accreditation
RN – Circulator and Scrub Nurse
Buffalo Surgery Center
04.2006 - 09.2008
- Performed pre-operative and peri-operative assessments.
- Assisted anesthesia with induction and emergence of anesthesia.
- Circulated and scrubbed orthopedic and pain management procedures.
- Assumed lead role in urology department, including placing order for supplies.
- Ordered sutures, burrs and saw blades, and k-wires.
- Prepared OR by ensuring it met asepsis standards, as well as setting out, organizing and counting tools and equipment for each procedure.
- Observed surgeon's body language, movements, and demeanor during operations to anticipate needs.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
Circulating RN - Operating Room
Kenmore Mercy Hospital
08.2000 - 04.2006
- Performed pre-operative and peri-operative assessments.
- Used aseptic techniques to maintain sterile fields and actively monitored situations to prevent breaches in aseptic techniques.
- Performed instrument and sharp counts.
- Coordinated and consulted with healthcare teams to plan, implement, assess, and evaluate patient care plans.
- Positioned patients in operating rooms to prepare for surgical procedures, using supine, prone, and sitting surgical positions.
- Circulated in orthopedic, general surgery, colon surgery, GYN surgery, spine surgery, and urology procedures.
- Scrubbed basic knee arthroscopy cases, GYN cases, general surgery cases, and local cases.
- Communicated effectively with co-workers to provide continuity of care.
RN Medical Surgical Units
Kenmore Mercy Hospital
08.2000 - 06.2003
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from surgery.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Communicated effectively with co-workers to provide continuity of care.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
Education
Master's Degree - Nursing with a Specialization in Leadership and Management
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN01.2016
Bachelor of Science Degree - Nursing
Daemen College
Amherst, NY01.2007
Associate in Applied Science Degree - Nursing
State University of New York, College of Technology At Alfred
Alfred, NY01.1995
Skills
- Patient and family advocate
- High quality, efficient care
- Regulatory compliance
- Records management
- Scheduling
- Healthcare facility management
- Staff development
- Quality control
- Medical records management
- Operations management
Timeline
Unit Manager – Operating Room
Erie County Medical Center
01.2018 - Current
Nurse Manager
Southtowns Surgery Center, LLC
05.2016 - 01.2018
OR Charge Nurse/Coordinator
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
08.2015 - 05.2016
OR Manager/Clinical Coordinator
Buffalo Surgery Center
04.2006 - 08.2015
RN – Circulator and Scrub Nurse
Buffalo Surgery Center
04.2006 - 09.2008
Circulating RN - Operating Room
Kenmore Mercy Hospital
08.2000 - 04.2006
RN Medical Surgical Units
Kenmore Mercy Hospital
08.2000 - 06.2003
Master's Degree - Nursing with a Specialization in Leadership and Management
Walden University
Bachelor of Science Degree - Nursing
Daemen College
Associate in Applied Science Degree - Nursing
State University of New York, College of Technology At Alfred
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