MICHELE WHALEY
Alliance,Ohio
Summary
Diligent Forward-thinking nursing professional, with 32 years of diverse experience, looking for a change. Patient-focused Director of Nursing offering 3-year background driving quality improvements and coaching nursing staff to reach full potential. Strong organizational, communication and multitasking abilities. Expertise in managing medical records, evaluating staff performance and developing continued care plans. Brings 6-year background visiting patients in-home conducting physical assessments, dressing wounds and providing IV therapy maintenance. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader. Polite and courteous professional with in-depth knowledge of CPR and first aid. Committed to collaborating with physicians and families to provide quality patient care. Having 32 years of demonstrated expertise in Patient care, Team Management, Clinical Review, and Coordination of Patient Care. Highly organized and hardworking Army Nurse Corp Officer (Ret), with over 35 years of service. Served in Iraq in a Combat Support Hospital evaluating and managing patients with various conditions caused by blast injuries, GSW, burns, accidents, infections, and currently serving as the Safety Officer for the 256th Combat Support Hospital. Exceptional ability to apply the nursing process and evidence-based practice to facilitate collaboration amongst the multidisciplinary teams, people-centric nature, and eagerness to meet the needs of the Patients and family health educational needs has afforded me excellent leadership skills. Agile and responsive to dynamic patient needs coordinating and integrating quality health care services within The Community. Team-oriented and reliable with expert healthcare knowledge, clear verbal and written communication skills and sound clinical judgment. Dedicated to surpassing patient expectations while balancing agency standards and cost requirements.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Nursing
Union First Care
09.2025 - Current
- Evaluated work performance of 16 nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Optimized nurse scheduling processes to ensure adequate staffing levels without compromising on quality of care or employee wellbeing.
- Mentored nursing staff in clinical skills development, fostering professional growth and excellence in practice.
- Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing strict infection control measures and addressing potential hazards proactively.
- Increased compliance with regulatory standards through regular audits and ongoing process improvements.
- Enhanced staff retention and job satisfaction through comprehensive training programs and supportive leadership.
- Established effective communication channels between nursing staff and other departments, improving overall hospital functionality.
- Planned and assigned workload to 16-person nursing staff to direct patient care.
- Collaborated with staff, management, and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans for patients.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
Director of Nursing
Crystal Heritage Care LLC
12.2023 - 05.2025
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Built and maintained positive working relationships with physicians and staff to support seamless healthcare operations.
- Evaluated work performance of 5 nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Planned and assigned workload to 5-person nursing staff to direct patient care.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Mentored new nurses through orientation programs, facilitating their integration into the team and fostering their professional growth.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
Home Health RN Case Manager
Ameristar Home Healthcare
03.2021 - 10.2023
- Determined and addresses individual home care needs by completing detailed assessments and reviewing documentation.
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Provided physical assessments, medication, and chronic disease management to over 50 home health patients.
- Developed and implemented discharge plans to promote continued care after discharge.
- Coordinated with other healthcare team members to support patient needs.
- Assessed patients' health status and developed individualized care plans to suit needs.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising nurse.
- Educated patients and families on disease processes, medications and treatments.
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living to promote independence.
- Developed and implemented care plans, and documented patient progress.
- Collaborated with vendors to procure medical equipment, supplies and services.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as IV insertion, Lab draw, PICC line, CVC, Port maintenance extensive wound care Wound Vac and complex dressings.
- Provided emotional support and kind companionship to patients and families to increase overall wellness.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- 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.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Case Manager
A1 Nursing
02.2021 - 09.2022
- Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
- Identified care needs of individual patients and coordinated responses based on physician advice, insurance limitations, and procedural costs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to determine timely delivery of services.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
- Developed comprehensive discharge plans to transition clients to appropriate service providers in community.
- Evaluated treatment plans against individual goals and healthcare standards.
- Provided education on health and nutrition for over 30 patients to maintain healthy habits and wellbeing.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Provided wound care for surgical wounds, burns, and ulcers using sterile technique with wound Vacs and standard wound dressings.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, PICC line, CVC, and port maintenance, lab draws and catheter insertion.
- Traveled to patients' homes on daily basis to assess health conditions and provide superior level of nursing care.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Provided physical assessments, medication, and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Trained, guided, supported and supervised home health aide care providers.
- Contacted family immediately when issues arose with at-home patients in effort to find effective resolutions.
- Informed physicians of any changes to patients' health or concerns observed during home visits.
- Educated patients and families on disease processes, medications and treatments.
Clinical Manager, Registered Nurse
Prime Home Care
02.2020 - 02.2021
- Responsible for providing clinical oversight of all staff and all Patient care services provided by the Agency and community care providers.
- Coordinate patient referrals and patient care plans. To assure that all patients' needs are continually reassessed so all needs are met
- Inform patients and families of effective treatment options and at-home care strategies, enhancing long-term outcomes.
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion.
- Ensure the development, implementation, and updates of the patient's plan of care . Communicate effectively with patient, patient reps and care providers as well as interdisciplinary teams to create and implement Plan of care.
- Communicate effectively with patient, patient reps and care providers as well as interdisciplinary teams to create and implement Plan of care.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Provided complete care to home health patients, including physical assessments, medication and chronic disease management.
- Managed care from admission to discharge, including patient assessments, care planning, health educations and discharging support to provide comprehensive care to over 10 patients daily.
- Knowledge of OASIS charting and documentation processes. QA of charts. knowledge of insurance benefits, passport and waiver programs .
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Provide ongoing case management to all patients to implement appropriate treatment plan, adhere to quality models and maximize utilization of services needed to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare personnel to meet patients' personal, physical, psychological and cognitive needs. Work directly with case managers to ensure patients are receiving the appropriate skilled services available within the agency and community.
- Responsible to supervise clinical staff and provide ongoing education and training. Provide individual mentorship and on-site training to all staff.
- Implemented interventions, including medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Worked with DON and Compliance Officer to develop nursing staff through education, evaluation, performance management and competency improvement
- Performed ongoing assessments to evaluate health needs, working with multidisciplinary team to develop, initiate, manage and modify individualized plans of care.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Identified nurses' and staff training needs and devised training programs to close gaps.
- Communicated with patients, asked appropriate questions and employed active listening to determine best care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Acted as resource for field staff, referral sources, physicians, patients and families for clinical issues and concerns.
- Supervised daily activities and provided assistance when needed.
- Coordinated on-call calendar for internal and field staff and delivered proper staff coverage to meet business needs.
Clinical Head Nurse/Safety Officer
United States Army
10.1985 - 10.2020
- Responsible to Chief Nurse and nursing service control team for maintaining established standard of nursing care and implementation of overall nursing service policies and procedures; to include but not limited to full utilization, evaluation, and education and training of personnel, maintenance of clinical records, reports and schedules, supplies and equipment, and safe and functional patient environment.
- Responsible for planning, organizing and developing Ward SOPs as required for ensuring that unit Nursing Service SOPs are followed.
- Responsible for continuous evaluation of all patient care rendered to patients and for seeking ways to improve care given, and manage patient movement to facilitate timely and effective discharge planning.
- Advance education and professionalism though continued education and training.
- As health and safety officer, Develop and implement policies: ensure policies and procedures are in place and enforced. Inspections: inspect workplace for potential hazards, identify potential hazards, assess risks and report potential hazards.
- Identify accident causes and optimal prevention strategies by conducting thorough investigations and analysis.
- Provide detailed risk assessment and risk management procedures at Unit level.
- Integrate risk management into unit operations and activities.
- Depicts integration of risk management into the military decision-making process.
- Provides risk level matrix that combines likelihood of occurrences with potential severity to establish risk level.
- Train Army Nurse Corps Officers, civilian, and Enlisted personnel for potential deployment. Improving insights into inter personnel dynamics of Soldiers to facilitate individual growth both personally and professionally.
- With Physician's order, provides appropriate debridement and treatment of devitalized tissue. Provide consultation for individuals with altered skin integrity, draining wounds, fistula, stoma, to develop individualized plan of care.
- Utilize the Military Decision Making Process to examine situations and reach logical decisions.
- Promoted high level of care delivered to more than 1200 Soldiers to include multinational forces, host nationals, civilians, and Insurgents.
- Overcame language barriers with support of interpreters and learning the native language.
- Maintained accountability of 60 Soldiers on multi national Joint Humanitarian Civic Assistance Exercise in Panama East Region. Providing medical care to 5061 indigenous Panamanians 30% pediatric and 1789 animals.
- Briefed Brigade on readiness, equipment status every 12 hrs to enable sound decision making.
- Directed nursing activities for 40-bed ICU with 10 officers and 16 enlisted Soldiers, providing guidance to nurses/EMTs to deliver outstanding care and optimal patient satisfaction enabling the Soldier to return to duty.
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, including treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPPA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Delivered outstanding care to Soldiers with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion.
- Administered medications and treatment to Soldiers and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Supervised more than $750,000 in high-value equipment, maintaining zero loss record over 24 years.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Vaccinated Soldiers and civilians to protect individuals from measles, pneumonia, influenza and other illnesses of concern.
- Updated patient charts using JLV, MC4, TCCC with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Supported needs of 20-40 Soldiers per day with compassionate and quality care in War time environment.
Registered Nurse Clinical Coordinator
Department Of Veterans Affairs Health Administration
09.2010 - 09.2019
- Responsible for Providing the clinical leadership and expertise for the coordination of the VA Central Business Office Purchased Care (CBOPC) NON VA Care Program Adjudication and Reimbursement program.
- Possess intimate knowledge of the CBOPC Non VA Care Program (NVCC) federal regulations, Mission Act eligibility and in network providers, VHA guidelines, and medical review criteria.
- Applied nursing process to meet the needs of the CBO-PC, vendors,and Veterans working at 142%, maintaining a performance rating of high satisfactory.
- Utilize all avenues of resources available to provide safe and efficient timely coordination of quality health care and services by reviewing specific episodes of care provided by community health care providers.
- Participate in coordinating patient care and collaborating with other disciplines/departments to achieve patient care outcomes.
- Demonstrate professional, collaborative behavior and maintains positive relationships with staff, and leadership maintaining an open line of communication with all Medical Doctors and practitioners to provide the best possible care and treatment to the Veteran and Veterans family.
- Execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care within the CBOPC non-VA care program.
- Organizing and coordinate the clinical components for the authorization of Non-VA services in response to individual healthcare needs along the illness and care continuum.
- Utilize comprehensive knowledge of advanced clinical practice and case management principles to assess appropriate level of care and to ensure compliance with established CBOPC-NVCC authorities and guidelines resulting in approvals and denials for NON VA Care.
- Conduct clinical reviews to interpret and evaluate complex data directly related to diagnosis, condition, and treatment to assure appropriate medical necessity, appropriate care coordination and timely utilization of Non VA health care services.
- Compiles data and clearly communicates care coordination outcome data systematically for improvement in organizational process.
- Identifies resource utilization patterns and changes that influence efficiency, quality of service, appropriateness of care, and minimization of inappropriate expenditures.
- Served as subject matter resource and used creative thinking to develop and plan training avenues, providing information related to Non VA Care for NVCC Staff, support staff, clinicians, and management to promote the development of others through information and skill sharing on a local and national basis.
- Trained and mentored new NVCC staff both clinical and administrative on the CBOPC NVCC Payment programs and policies to build cohesive groups and promote operational performance.
- Demonstrated knowledge of complex automated data processing systems and their application for communication and data management to include CPRS, FBCS, VISTA, CITRIX, VHA Intranet, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook.
- Promote excellence in customer service, internal/external, by incorporating the VHA core values.
- Worked effectively within healthcare teams to center services around the patient and maximize efficient and cost-effective use of health care resources.
- Initiated and assisted in the development of the NON VA Care in the Community ED Consult resulting in expedited Vendor payment.
Registered Nurse
Department Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
03.1994 - 09.2010
- Have a broad-based clinical knowledge to effectively implement health promotion, prevention, management of acute and chronic illness, and care of the dying
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion to meet the needs of the client, their family , and the community.
- Function effectively in the charge nurse or leadership role, by recognizing strengths in staff and utilizing them appropriately to provide efficient and effective care to clients.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Treatment of Chronic wounds including bedsores, abscesses, and ulcerations.
- Collaborated with healthcare tema and implemented plans/interventions to prevent pressure ulcers and othe wound development.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Participated in coordinating patient care and collaborating with other disciplines/departments to achieve patient care outcomes.
- Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented all patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage and other areas to meet typical patient loads.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom re occurrence.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures, including facilitating wound care, ostomy care, pressure ulcer prevention and pain management
Education
Professional Training - Safety Officer
ARMY Learning Management System
ONLINE01-2019
Professional Studies - Army Operations
Command And General Staff College (ILE)
Ft Dix, NJ01-2013
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Akron
Akron, OH01-1993
Skills
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Risk management processes and analysis
- Quality control
- OASIS
- Seasoned in medical clinical procedures
- Develop risk assessments
- Medication and IV administration
- Wound Care debridement and dressing changes
- Wound VACs
- Burn treatment
- Appling laws, policy, and regulations
- Staff management
- Training and mentoring
- Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, Joint Legacy Viewer (JVL), Citrix
- Medical evaluation
- Charting and clinical documentation
- Patient privacy and confidentiality
- Direct patient care
- Shared governance
- Patient assessments
- Care plan development
- Patient education
- Acute care expertise
- Intravenous therapy
- Patient and family advocacy
- Patient consultation
- Case management
- Managing PPE
- Assessing risks
- Briefing leadership
- Process analysis
- Communications
- Document review
- Work site preparation
- Strong work ethic
- HIPAA regulations
- Behavioral health
Accomplishments
- Supervised and led team of 60 military medical personnel into Panama operating clinics in 2 separate locations
- Collaborated with team of 4 in the development of the VA Community Care Emergency Department Consult.
- Documented and resolved incorrect vendor payments which led to increase in funding for appropriate payment and patient care.
- Achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army.
Additional Information
Awarded the Department of Veterans Affairs Woman of the Year., Completed Graduate level Military Command and General staff College Course., Completed the Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defense course.
Certification
- Registered Nurse in Ohio
- BLS certified
Timeline
Director of Nursing
Union First Care
09.2025 - Current
Director of Nursing
Crystal Heritage Care LLC
12.2023 - 05.2025
Home Health RN Case Manager
Ameristar Home Healthcare
03.2021 - 10.2023
Case Manager
A1 Nursing
02.2021 - 09.2022
Clinical Manager, Registered Nurse
Prime Home Care
02.2020 - 02.2021
Registered Nurse Clinical Coordinator
Department Of Veterans Affairs Health Administration
09.2010 - 09.2019
Registered Nurse
Department Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
03.1994 - 09.2010
Clinical Head Nurse/Safety Officer
United States Army
10.1985 - 10.2020
Professional Studies - Army Operations
Command And General Staff College (ILE)
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Akron
Professional Training - Safety Officer
ARMY Learning Management System