Nkechi Kimberly Ekweogwu
Houston,TX
Summary
Dynamic Nurse Care Manager with extensive experience in optimizing clinical workflows, enhancing EMR utilization, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Recognized for identifying documentation inefficiencies and driving system improvements that significantly enhance patient throughput and outcomes. A strong background in coordinating patient care and implementing health management plans complements a proven ability to advocate for patients while effectively communicating across multidisciplinary teams. Eager to leverage expertise in a Nursing Informatics role to further advance clinical systems and improve overall patient care.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Care Manager
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights
Houston, TX
12.2020 - Current
- Orchestrated interdisciplinary collaboration to design and implement comprehensive care plans tailored to address specific patient requirements.
- Developed individualized treatment strategies, focusing on enhancing patient engagement and promoting positive health outcomes.
- Implemented evidence-based practices to optimize care delivery, ensuring adherence to established clinical guidelines.
- Evaluated patient progress regularly, adjusting care plans based on ongoing assessments and feedback from stakeholders.
- Educated patients and families about disease management, empowering them to take an active role in healthcare decisions.
- Evaluated and enforced regulatory compliance measures, fostering a proactive safety and accountability culture within the care team.
- Spearheaded quality improvement initiatives to elevate patient satisfaction and optimize service delivery processes.
- Facilitated effective communication among healthcare providers, patients, and families to coordinate seamless transitions of care.
- Championed health promotion activities that educated the community about preventive measures and available resources for wellbeing.
- Coordinated and analyzed sustainable person-centered care plans involving internal and external providers.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by closely monitoring patients'' progress and adjusting care plans as needed.
- Guided and assessed clinical and support staff on adherence to care quality management regulations and standards.
- Worked with providers to define quality metrics and outcome reporting process.
- Coordinated referrals to specialists, hospitalizations, ER visits, ancillary testing, and other enabling services for patients.
- Arranged transportation and documented details of discharge transition plans.
- Facilitated assessment of individual physiological, psychological, financial, cultural and family situation and coordinated social services to address individual and family needs.
- Conducted assessments of healthcare needs and monitored progress plans to achieve targeted health outcomes.
- Identified opportunities to optimize communication within inpatient and cross-continuum teams to drive effective patient flow and sustainable care transitions from hospital and home, within community care settings and implement supplemental care and services for high-risk patients.
- Collaborated with community organizations to connect patients to additional resources for further support in achieving their health goals.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing comprehensive care plans and coordinating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
- Evaluated effectiveness of care plans regularly, making necessary adjustments based on changing patient needs or status updates from other providers involved in the case management process.
- Drove inpatient staff and physician groups to determine goals for level of care to promote length-of-stay management and coordinate post-acute transitions.
- Managed complex caseloads for high-risk patients, ensuring timely delivery of appropriate interventions and services.
- Streamlined workflow efficiency by collaborating with team members to optimize utilization of resources and prevent gaps in care.
- Conducted thorough assessments of patients'' physical, emotional, social, and environmental needs to develop tailored care plans.
- Coordinated communication of patient information across multiple healthcare settings to support uninterrupted continuity of care during provider transitions.
- Coordinated comprehensive care plans by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to address patient needs effectively.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Memorial Herman Greater Heights
Houston, TX
02.2018 - 12.2020
- Delivers safe and appropriate care to patients, according to the nursing skills inventory and the age and needs of the patient/population served.
- Coordinates the planning for the delivery of nursing care with an interdisciplinary team and administers appropriate clinical decisions in the delivery of patient care.
- Collaborates with, directs, and may delegate to the healthcare team in the attainment of positive outcomes based on data, research, evidence, and professional standards of care. Coordinates treatment plans; develops/implements discharge and/or transfer plans.
- Participates in a systemic, interdisciplinary, and ongoing evaluation of programs, process improvement and desired client-centered outcomes.
- Considers the diverse needs of each patient through the entire continuum of care, providing and ensuring the highest level of service according to established service standards, optimizing the patient experience.
- Adheres to all regulatory and Texas Board of Nursing standards.
- Ensures safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards, within budgetary specifications, including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.
- Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; may serve as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.
- Leadership Roles:
- Engagement Champion—representative for 6 North in increasing engagement and morale for the hospital and on the unit
- Social Committee Chair—leads the social committee in arranging events and activities for the unit
- Falls Committee Member- governance committee that reduces patient injury
- Clinical Coach- precept new nurses to get them acclimated to the hospital
RN
Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care
Houston, TX
08.2017 - 11.2017
- Performed trach care, suctioning and connected/disconnected to vent per schedule.
- Performed daily assessments and documented all care and treatments.
- Communicated with supervisor and/or physicians as needed.
- Referred disciplines including all therapies and social work as appropriate to patients and families as well as provided coordination of care and management of disciplines.
- Experienced with many styles of modified/customized assisted devices, i.e., standing devices, sitting apparatuses, wheelchair, Hoyer lift, and AFO's (leg braces). Reinforced physical therapy exercises daily with use of equipment like wedges and bolsters
- Administered daily medications via Mic-key button, analyzed daily intake of nutrition/fluids to determine if bolus supplementation/hydration is needed
- Monitored Mic-key button balloon fluid level weekly and replaced Gastrostomy Feeding Tube every six months
- Evaluated for any safety hazards within the environment.
- Proficient in working with ventilator patients, hospice patients, tracheostomy care, suctioning, gastrostomy tube, catheters, wound care.
- Provided comfort while developing and encouraging independence.
- Educated patients and families regarding the importance of health promotion and disease prevention.
Program Coordinator I
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX
02.2016 - 08.2017
- Research Study on Uncontrolled Asthma in African American Children
- Coordinated scheduling for patient educational sessions with pharmacy consultants
- Maintained logistics associated with educational sessions.
- Coordinated weekly debriefing meetings.
- Created invoices for pharmacy consultants
- Kept track of information and data obtained for each patient
- Managed office supplies distribution
- Contributed to maintaining and managing budget
- Research liaison between Community Health Choice and Texas Southern
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
University of California
Los Angeles01-2014
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of California
Los Angeles01-2008
Skills
- Clinical judgment
- Care coordination
- Quality improvement
- Organizational skills
- Discharge Planning
- Detail-oriented
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs
- Proficient in EPIC
- Proficient in Availity and Careport
Accomplishments
Leadership Recognition
Multiple "You Got Caught Caring" acknowledgement
Nurse Excellence Award Nomination
Daisy Award
Certification
- Accredited Case Manager - 2021-present
- Licensed Registered Nurse - 2017-present (License #925025)
Timeline
Nurse Care Manager
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights
12.2020 - Current
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Memorial Herman Greater Heights
02.2018 - 12.2020
RN
Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care
08.2017 - 11.2017
Program Coordinator I
Texas Southern University
02.2016 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of California
Master of Science - Nursing
University of California