Hi, I’m
Pamela Comerford
RN, MSN, CCDS
Byron,NY
Summary
As a NYS Licensed Registered Nurse with 29 years of diverse inpatient and outpatient nursing experience, I bring a wealth of pathophysiology and pharmacology knowledge from across the life span to the clinical documentation specialist role. I am proficient with thorough review of the medical record and compliant query writing for the purpose of ensuring a complete and accurate document, as well as reviews that focus on mortality, quality, and patient safety indicators. Reliability and independence complement my role as a desirable teammate with a track record of working collaboratively with co-workers and providers in an atmosphere that promotes team education as well as self-learning.
Overview
25
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Highland Hospital
Clinical Documentation Specialist
03.2022 - Current
Job overview
- Completes thorough reviews of inpatient and outpatient medical records for clarity regarding diseases, diagnoses and procedures related to inpatient admission for the purpose of ensuring complete and accurate record
- Communicates with physicians to establish the most comprehensive and accurate documentation during patient admission
- Writes clear, concise, compliant queries for providers to obtain clarification of diagnoses for accurate reporting.
- Managed electronic clinical documentation and uploaded changes or updates using Epic, Chartwise, Iodine, and 3M Encoder.
- Maintains current knowledge, practice skills , and certification through attendance of webinars and conferences
Rochester Regional Health System
Clinical Documentation Specialist
06.2019 - 03.2022
Job overview
- Completed thorough reviews of inpatient and outpatient medical records for clarity regarding diseases, diagnoses and procedures related to inpatient admission for the purpose of ensuring complete and accurate record
- Queried physicians and mid-level providers regarding missing or unclear health record documentation and requested further information for clarification purposes with focus on improving mortality index of the cardio-thoracic surgery service.
- Communicated with physicians and mid-level providers to ensure correct interpretation and data collection from the medical record
- Managed electronic clinical documentation and uploaded changes or updates using Epic and Clintegrity (JATA/Nuance).
- Met 100% of expected metrics including query capture audits, minimum reviews per day, query rate, query response rate, and query agreement rate.
Rochester Regional Health System
Non-Invasive Cardiology Nurse
05.2017 - 06.2019
Job overview
- Administered nursing care to cardiac patients undergoing Stress Echo, Nuclear Stress, and Transesophageal Echocardiography with and without synchronized cardioversion.
- Conducted initial assessments, documented findings in patient records and notified physicians of abnormal findings.
- Assisted in diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as unstable angina, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and cardiac dysrhythmia.
- Cared for culturally-diverse patients, liaising with family members and specialists to address changing needs and enhance individual experience.
- Assessed patients, collecting data and prioritizing cases in accordance with standards, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
Rochester Regional Health System
Emergency Nurse
10.2014 - 05.2017
Job overview
- Communicated openly and collaboratively with all healthcare staff to organize successful patient care in 300 visit/ day tertiary care Emergency Department
- Collaborated with physicians and mid level providers to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Maintained triage, BLS, and ACLS credentials.
- Provided patient and family centered care in diverse community from newborn to centenarian,
- Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis and treatment using innovative methods to accommodate learning needs.
Orleans Community Health
Infection Prevention Manager
04.2013 - 10.2014
Job overview
- Ensured infection prevention policies and procedures for rural hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center, dialysis centers, ambulatory care facility, and home care service were compliant with state and federal regulatory agencies.
- Provided healthcare provider and staff education regarding infection prevention and control in line with Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) guidelines
- Reviewed all admissions for reportable infectious processes and reported required data to national (NHSN) and state regulatory agencies.
- Worked across multiple departments (facilities, nutrition services, pharmacy, and sterile processing) to ensure infection prevention standards were maintained.
Unity Hospital Rochester
Emergency Nurse
09.2012 - 04.2013
Job overview
- Evening and night shift Emergency staff nurse in community hospital
- Applied excellent knowledge of emergency nursing care across the life span to deliver efficient, safe diagnostics and treatments for patients in Emergency Department environment
- Utilized critical thinking and prioritization skills to plan appropriate care across rapidly changing patient assignment
Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center
Manager
02.2011 - 08.2012
Job overview
- Lead and managed nursing and patient care staff along with interdisciplinary team in a unique, freestanding, 11 bed in-patient Hospice Care Center.
- Fostered home-like, family centered atmosphere for patients and families facing end- of -life with dedicated nursing and aide staff
- Collaborated with inter-disciplinary team of social workers, religious services, doctors, emergency service and medical transportation providers, respiratory, pharmacy, and durable medical equipment providers to support patient and family needs
University Of Rochester
Ambulatory Pediatric Nurse
09.2008 - 01.2011
Job overview
- Helped young patients feel comfortable with procedures and immunizations.
- Cultivated rapport with patients and caregivers, utilizing proactive communication with parents and children.
- Provided educational support to patients and families to inform them of procedures.
- Performed telephone triage to answer questions and assess the healthcare needs of sick children
- Developed a a patient-centered follow-up program for children with ADD/ADHD
University Of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital
Emergency Nurse, Nurse Leader, Nurse Manager
06.1998 - 09.2008
Job overview
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Developed strategy utilizing LEAN and Six Sigma practices to target nursing and patient satisfaction issues, improve response and patient care quality and suggest actionable improvements to promote hospital-wide quality and safety initiatives .
- Established and continuously optimized unit schedules and individual work assignments.
- Assessed patients to determine individual needs and develop care plans in coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
Education
Benedictine UniversityLisle, IL
Master of Science from Nursing Education
06.2020
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
05.1994
Cornell UniveristyIthaca, NY
Bachelor of Science from Animal Science
05.1992
Skills
- Critical care and advanced pathophysiology knowledge across all age and body systems
- Proficiency with developing and fostering professional relationships and providing education and leadership, especially in remote setting
- Proficiency with 3M Encoder, Epic and Cerner EMR, Iodine, Chartwise and Clintegrity (Nuance/JATA) CDI software
- Expertise with Coding Guidelines and Coding Clinics, use of DRG Expert and ICD-10 DX/PCS code books
- Strong, professional communication and writing skills with an easy going approachable personality and ability to foster collaborative relationships with co-workers, providers, and leaders
Certification
Current CCDS Certification
Previously CCRN, PCCN, Med-Surg, Gerontology, Cardiovascular Nursing, and Vascular Access certified
Affiliations
ACDIS
Timeline
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Highland Hospital
03.2022 - Current
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Rochester Regional Health System
06.2019 - 03.2022
Non-Invasive Cardiology Nurse
Rochester Regional Health System
05.2017 - 06.2019
Emergency Nurse
Rochester Regional Health System
10.2014 - 05.2017
Infection Prevention Manager
Orleans Community Health
04.2013 - 10.2014
Emergency Nurse
Unity Hospital Rochester
09.2012 - 04.2013
Manager
Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center
02.2011 - 08.2012
Ambulatory Pediatric Nurse
University Of Rochester
09.2008 - 01.2011
Emergency Nurse, Nurse Leader, Nurse Manager
University Of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital
06.1998 - 09.2008
Benedictine University
Master of Science from Nursing Education
Syracuse University
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
Cornell Univeristy
Bachelor of Science from Animal Science
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