Natasha Kern
East Meadow,New York
Summary
Dedicated, enthusiastic, and outcomes-driven RN leader offering comprehensive administrative, homecare and hospital experience. Adept in oversight of quality patient services, supply management, cost-saving measures, developing teams' clinical knowledge, decision-making skills and performance standards and metrics. Seamless communication with stakeholders using emotional intelligence, a growth mindset and agility for effective and efficient resolutions. Proficient in conducting data analysis, development and implementation of policies and procedures to close gaps and improve outcomes. Focus on developing strong teams, finding creative solutions to administrative issues while serving as positive role model.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Director
VNS Health Hospice
08.2022 - Current
- Directed and supervised hospice clinical operations to optimize patient care and service delivery.
- Participated in nursing research and evidence-based clinical audits, leveraging data to improve quality of patient care within clinical areas.
- Collaborated on regulatory compliance efforts, maintaining a high level of preparedness for inspections and audits.
- Developed, implemented, revised, and evaluated policies and procedures. Educated staff on changes.
- Enhanced patient care quality through regular staff training and performance evaluations.
- Implemented new technologies to enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
- Reduced operational costs through effective resource allocation and budget management.
- Achieved financial objectives within assigned region by diligently monitoring expenses and optimizing revenue streams.
- Interviewed and hired highly talented individuals bringing great skills and passion to daily jobs.
- Coached and trained newly hired employees so that each understood job responsibilities and requirements of positions.
- Analyzed data on clinical outcomes to identify trends in patient populations, informing decisions on targeted interventions or program adjustments as needed.
Clinical Review Manager
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York
08.2019 - 08.2022
- Clinical utilization performed to ensure documentation meets regulatory standards and organizational policy and procedures
- Guidance provided to staff to ensure clear and appropriate visit utilization using evidence-based practices to provide positive clinical outcomes and efficient use of resources
- Identify inter-professional performance issues related to documentation and provided individualized performance evaluation assessments to clinical leadership and staff
- Work closely with hospice homecare teams, intake, admission, and revenue departments to monitor, process and ensure completion, accuracy and timeliness of admission forms including consents, Election of Benefit forms, Notice of Election addendums, certificates of terminal illness (CTIs), and hospice plan of care for all levels of care
- Participate in special projects with organizational compliance department to perform chart audits including review of telephonic triage and documentation to ensure regulatory compliance and quality outcomes
- Provide feedback and recommendations to leadership for performance and quality improvements
- Provide insights into day-to-day operations and performance management of staff to support hospice goals, objectives and fiscal targets
- Performed as interim hospice team manager in Queens during the pandemic while performing current role
- Worked closely with Queens staff to engage teams in quality initiatives and improved the percentage of visits in last three days of life.
Manager, Hospice After Hours and Crisis Care
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York
01.2016 - 08.2019
- Led efficient operations of the Hospice After Hours (AH) and Continuous Care (CC) Teams
- Maximized staffing and coverage to ensure needs of hospice patients and caregivers effectively managed through telephonic consultation and in-person visits
- Collaborated with senior leadership to create and update job descriptions.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained clinical and non-clinical staff
- Performed field supervision visits and completed annual performance evaluations
- Worked collaboratively with senior leadership, Interdisciplinary Teams, AH and CC staff to develop and refine guidelines and standards for efficient care
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- In conjunction with hospice education developed and performed in-services to IDTs regarding AH and CC
- Led and completed new departmental policy and procedure for CC
- Developed electronic tool for CC referral
- Worked with CC Director and Education Director to update forms within EMR ensuring regulatory compliance met.
- Strategized and marketed CC with resulting increased efficient utilization
Hospice After Hours Supervisor
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York
05.2013 - 01.2016
- Clinical supervisory role for hospice operations during evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Included patients from home care, multiple inpatient facilities, and an eight-bed residence
- Responsible for telephonic triage of all hospice patients on service, coordinated clinician visits efficiently, and acted as a resource for licensed and non-licensed employees, paraprofessional and non-clinical supportive staff
- Knowledge of 1199 and UFT union contracts
- Coordinated Continuous Care cases
- Worked with the Referral Department to facilitate admissions to hospice during the after hours
- In absence of After Hours Manager, performed interim managerial duties including timesheets, payroll approvals and scheduling
- Maintained workflow in collaboration with administrative and management staff operating during all business hours.
RN Team Facilitator
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York, CHHA
01.2011 - 05.2013
- Supervised and coordinated weekend and holiday operations
- Secured appropriate staffing for regional adult certified home health program
- Triaged clinical calls with timely follow up
- Performed direct patient care through in-home visits per operational needs
- Established professional relationships with internal and external customers to enhance strong support services and increase customer satisfaction
- Evaluated RN admission OASIS assessment and documentation to prepare record for billing
- Completed OASIS edits in collaboration with individual clinicians and organizational coders to ensure accuracy for compliance and billing
- Participant of medmax team as part of a special project to conduct monthly chart reviews for the region
Coordinator of Care, Public Health Nurse
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York, CHHA
04.2008 - 01.2011
- Maintained a caseload of 20-30 adult patients in acute home care setting
- Provided high quality, cost effective direct patient care
- Performed community case-finding with successful referrals increasing census and revenue
- Practiced with attention to organizational mission, goals, policies, and objectives including federal and state regulations
- Maintained a community presence for the organization through participation as the VNSNY nurse for a local NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) site
- Provided resources and partnered with other local agencies maximizing services available to the community
- Facilitated referrals and performed admissions to our Certified Home Health Agency adult acute care program
- As a representative in the NORC on behalf of VNSNY, initiated, participated, coordinated and lectured in community activities such as health fairs, wellness groups including Tai Chi, Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, COPD, Nutrition, Respite, Grief and Long-Term Planning
- Increased awareness of epidemics, promoted health and wellness
- Mentored and oriented nursing students and new graduates. Established interest in home care to future nurses.
Clinical Staff Nurse
Mount Sinai Medical Center
09.2005 - 04.2008
- Responsible for direct care on a 35-bed fast-paced, acute medical-surgical unit specializing in HIV/AIDS, End of Life, and Palliative Care
- Unit chart reviews and audits for compliance
- Performed physical and cognitive assessments, labs interpretation, tracheostomy care, ventilator support, skilled wound care, venipuncture, EKGs, infusion therapy including subcutaneous, venous and central line access and care
- Acted as an advocate and liaison
- Completed discharge planning
- Performed charge nurse duties, ensured adequate staffing, coordinated admissions, discharges, and other activities within patient care area
- Assigned by senior leadership to direct and set up Emergency Room overflow
- Precepted nursing students and new hires on unit.
Education
MBA - Strategic Healthcare Management
Hofstra University
Uniondale, NY12.2025
ACE Alum- HEALTH CARE LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT PROGRAM -
Visiting Nurse Service of New York
New York, NY01.2018
Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Minor in Psychology -
Long Island University
Brooklyn, NY05.2005
Skills
- Clinical Leadership
- Operational Excellence
- Patient Safety
- Clinical Quality Improvement
- Case Management
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Resource Coordination
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Attention to Detail
- Critical Thinking
- Relationship Building
- Task Prioritization
- Analytical Skills
- Risk Management
- Quality Control
- Interpersonal Communication
- Continuous Improvement
- Employee Work Scheduling
- Problem Identification
- Profitability Strategies
Affiliations
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Association
- American Nurses Association
- Sigma Theta Tau
Awards
- ABCD Award, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Queens, NY, 2021
- AQUA Award, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Queens, NY, 2009
- Applause-O-Gram, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, 2006 to 2007. Patient satisfaction
- Excellence in Teaching, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, 2005
Timeline
Clinical Director
VNS Health Hospice
08.2022 - Current
Clinical Review Manager
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York
08.2019 - 08.2022
Manager, Hospice After Hours and Crisis Care
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York
01.2016 - 08.2019
Hospice After Hours Supervisor
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York
05.2013 - 01.2016
RN Team Facilitator
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York, CHHA
01.2011 - 05.2013
Coordinator of Care, Public Health Nurse
Visiting Nurse Service Of New York, CHHA
04.2008 - 01.2011
Clinical Staff Nurse
Mount Sinai Medical Center
09.2005 - 04.2008
MBA - Strategic Healthcare Management
Hofstra University
ACE Alum- HEALTH CARE LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT PROGRAM -
Visiting Nurse Service of New York
Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Minor in Psychology -
Long Island University
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