Mietta O’Keefe
Ramsay Clinic at Albert Road - Mental Health Hospital
Sherman Oaks,CA
5
years of professional experience
As an Associate Nurse Unit Manager specializing in mental health, I am dedicated to providing participant-centered care that prioritizes the needs, preferences, and goals of each individual. My approach is rooted in authenticity, striving to build genuine relationships based on trust and respect. By recognizing the unique experiences of every participant, I deliver individualized care tailored to their specific circumstances, ensuring they remain active participants in their own care journey. Curiosity drives my desire to understand the diverse backgrounds and needs of those I serve, while creative problem-solving empowers me to address challenges with innovative solutions. I am committed to continuous improvement in mental health services, advocating for the rights and dignity of our participants and ensuring they receive the highest standard of care that supports their journey toward recovery.
Work History
Acting Clinical Nurse Educator
10 Months- Providing clinical teaching service orientation to staff, including using the online medical record tool CERNER, completing mandatory education, assessing competency and milestones for new graduates and ensuring the practices of nursing staff on the unit are meeting the standards of care set out by law in Australia.
- Responsibilities:
- Orienting and guiding new staff/graduates to WREN unit.
- Competencies assessment for graduates.
- Providing semi structured de-brief for staff working across the three pods.
- Orienting and training new staff/graduates to using CERNER, the online medical record and medication administration tool.
Associate Nurse Unit Manager: Women’s Recovery Network Unit
1 Year 6 Months- The Women’s Recovery Network (WREN) is the first of its kind in Australia which came about after the Royal Commission investigation into the Australian Mental Health Service. The findings showed that there was an urgent need for specialised women’s units, in order to provide specific recovery-oriented care tailored to women. I have been instrumental in the launch and roll out of this programme, from operational implementation such as staff resourcing and establishing clear care frameworks, to delivering the ethos of the unit to all participants, based on Open Dialogue and Safe Wards principles.
- Responsibilities:
- Oversee and manage three pods within the Women’s Recovery Network ward (general adult, perinatal, and eating disorder).
- Manage a team of 5-10 people each shift.
- Manage participant allocations based on participant need and staff skill set.
- Oversee the overall running of each shift and manage any escalated issues, including managing critical participant compromised physical health and the severe deterioration of mental health.
- Lead twice daily safety huddles and attend senior staff meetings to advocate for my team and put forward staffing recommendations.
Associate Nurse Unit Manager: Adolescent Unit
1 Year 6 Months- Manage a caseload of acutely unwell adolescents, experiencing a range of emerging mental health disorders such as psychosis, borderline personality disorder, trauma related illnesses and bipolar affective disorder.
- Responsibilities:
- Managing participant/staff allocations.
- Managing any escalated issues, such as acute self-harm incidents and family disputes.
- Liaise with hospital management and families to provide evidence-based carer education.
- Led twice daily safety huddles.
- Attend weekly Multidisciplinary Team Meetings.
Registered Nurse
2 Years 4 Months- Initially working as an RN in the acute Adolescent inpatient unit, before transitioning to Associate Nurse Unit Manager and working across the hospital, in a number of acute Adult inpatient units, of various specialities. These included addictions, trauma and geriatric units.
- Responsibilities:
- Working across various acute adult inpatient units, including addictions, trauma and geriatric.
- Managing a caseload of acutely unwell adolescents with a range of presentations.
- Working under the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy model, educating participants on therapies including Distress Tolerance, interpersonal communication, validation and mindfulness, and a range of other coping strategies.
- Working closely with doctors to find best practice strategies to prevent further distress, employ early de-escalation tactics and find a solution that accommodates all parties.
Education
Bachelor of Science
A 12-month specialised course in Open Dialogue practise, coming from the Finish model initially developed to assist those with psychotic illnesses, that trains practitioners in family/network based interventions that are always led by the person at the centre of care. Focusing on de-institutionalising and de-pathologising clients and empowering them to be at the forefront of clinical decision making, while acknowledging the role their network plays in their recovery.
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Health Science
Skills
Staff development
Quality improvement
Clinical expertise
Interprofessional collaboration
Evidence-based practice
Continuing education
Specialised Training
- Perinatal care training
- Specialised eating disorder training
- Clinical Supervision training
- Safe Wards initiative training
- Open Dialogue training
- Gender sensitivity and inclusion training
- Safe Wards specialist training
Disclaimer
Many thanks, Mietta O’Keefe.
Timeline
Acting Clinical Nurse Educator
Ramsay Clinic at Albert Road - Mental Health Hospital
08.2024 - 06.2025Read More
Associate Nurse Unit Manager: Women’s Recovery Network Unit
Ramsay Clinic at Albert Road - Mental Health Hospital
12.2023 - 06.2025Read More
Associate Nurse Unit Manager: Adolescent Unit
Ramsay Clinic at Albert Road - Mental Health Hospital
06.2022 - 12.2023Read More
Registered Nurse
Ramsay Clinic at Albert Road - Mental Health Hospital
02.2020 - 06.2022Read More
Deakin University
Bachelor of Health Science
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Deakin University
Bachelor of Nursing
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Open Dialogue Centre
Bachelor of Science
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