Raquel (Kelly) Simon RN
Altamonte Springs,FL
Summary
Accomplished Hospice Team Manager with 21 years of experience with hands on patient care as well as guiding and developing employees.
Of my 21 years in Hospice, I have been a Team Manager for nearly 10 years.
I was hired as a Team Manager over a Home Team and held that position from Dec 2015-Oct 2018. In Oct 2018, I transferred to being a Team Manager over the On-Call/Weekends/Flex Team.
I currently work Fridays to Mondays to ensure that the weekend staff get to where they need to go. As our census grows and we open new teams, I manage anywhere from 16-24 Nurses making scheduled visits, manage 16-20 Hospice Aides and help manage 12-16 on-call nurses who are dispatched to urgent patient needs.
Proven leader with strong background supervising daily activities and leading teams to meet operational goals.
Stellar problem solver with excellent judgment and professional attitude. Motivational leader and organizational problem-solver with advanced supervisory, team building and customer service skills. Experience stepping into roles and quickly making positive changes to drive company success. Focused on using training, monitoring and morale-building techniques to maximize employee engagement and performance. Dedicated employee known for punctuality, pursuing employment options where good customer service and positive attitude will make a difference. Flexible hard worker ready to learn and contribute to team success.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Hospice Team Manager
VITAS Healthcare
Maitland, FL
12.2015 - Current
- Solved problems, handled escalated issues and mitigated risks.
- Oversaw daily workloads and workflow for smooth operations.
- Delegated work assignments and prioritized tasks.
- Conducted regular employee performance evaluations to offer constructive feedback and solutions to propel improvements and growth.
- Initiated training sessions and coached employees to develop effective staff.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and when dealing with unhappy customers, effectively diffusing situations.
- Treated associates with fairness and respect, providing recognition of accomplishments.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Recruited, hired and trained new employees, including monitoring and review of individual performance.
Case Hospice Registered Nurse
Samaritan Care Hospice Of Florida
Orlando, FL
02.2015 - 12.2015
- Listened to patients and loved ones, offering emotional support and kindness to help with end-of-life transition.
- Guided patients' loved ones and caregivers in pain management, wound care and medication dosing.
- Created and applied tailored care plans that would meet each patient's individualized needs.
- Delivered respectful, compassionate care to each patient and family through dedicated listening, kind words and utilizing the IDG team to meet all the needs of the patient and family.
- Performed 24-30 patient assessments weekly.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviors and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Trained new Hospice Nurses on Hospice assessments and Medicare guidelines.
- Trained nurses on clinical skills such as PCA set up and monitoring, pleurex drains, supra pubic catheters, etc..
Hospice Admissions Nurse
Hospice of the Comforter
Altamonte Springs, FL
01.2014 - 10.2014
- Listened to patients and loved ones, offering emotional support and kindness to help with end-of-life transition.
- Delivered respectful, compassionate care to each patient and family through dedicated listening, kind words and explanation of their Medicare or Commercial Insurance Hospice Benefit Coverage.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
Hospice Team Lead RN
Vidant Hospice
Greenville, NC
08.2010 - 12.2013
- Listened to patients and loved ones, offering emotional support and kindness to help with end-of-life transition.
- Guided patients' loved ones and caregivers in pain management, wound care and medication dosing.
- Created and applied tailored care plans that would meet each patient's individualized needs.
- Delivered respectful, compassionate care to each patient and family through dedicated listening, kind words and ongoing education and by utilizing all the members of the IDG/IDT team to meet all the needs of the patients and families.
- Assisted terminally ill patients with bathing, grooming and dressing.
- Performed 24-30 patient assessments weekly.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Trained all new nursing staff members on Hospice assessments and Medicare guidelines along with clinical skills such as PCA set up and monitoring, pleurex drains, supra pubic catheters, etc..
- Mentored Student Nurses during their Hospice rotation.
- Made joint visits with internal and external auditors.
- Was selected to sit on an RCA board and 2 PIP boards.
- Ran the weekly IDG/IDT meeting as well as the morning staffing meeting.
- Selected to attend monthly Managerial meetings.
- Selected to help train Home Health Nurses in above clinical skills as we were bridging Hospice and Home Health under the Vidant Medical Center umbrella.
- Took On-Call every other weekend (Friday-Monday) and 2-4 times per week.
- Did admissions for our patients as we did not have an Admissions Team.
Registered Nurse ICU/PCU
Terre Haute Regional Hospital
Terre Haute, IN
2003 - 2004
- Administered medications per established guidelines while monitoring for side effects.
- Delivered emergency responses to critically ill patients using effective interventions.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments, notifying physicians of changes and initiating interventions.
- Facilitated transitions of care to ensure consistency in treatment across services.
- Educated patients and caregivers on wound management and discharge objectives.
- Promoted safety culture through hazard identification and participation in quality improvement initiatives.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for enhanced safety and accuracy.
- Managed patient recovery from surgical procedures, ensuring holistic care delivery.
Hospice Triage Nurse
Hospice On-Call
Chicago, IL
02.2010 - 06.2011
- Answered incoming patient calls, gathering history and symptoms to determine scope of medical complaints.
- Rendered telephone advice according to established guidelines and protocols.
- Maintained confidentiality in matters related to patient, family and client facility staff.
- Communicated triage information to primary care team to discuss disposition.
- Documented services discussed and provided details in electronic medical records.
- Cultivated professional conduct operating under triage nursing care guidelines.
- Attended educational workshops to maintain current competency and licensure in nursing specialty.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
Hospice Registered Nurse
VistaCare Hospice
Terre Haute, IN
09.2004 - 02.2010
- Listened to patients and loved ones, offering emotional support and kindness to help with end-of-life transition.
- Guided patients' loved ones and caregivers in pain management, wound care and medication dosing.
- Created and applied tailored care plans that would meet each patient's individualized needs.
- Delivered respectful, compassionate care to each patient and family through dedicated listening, kind words and utilizing the entire IDG/IDT team to meet all of the needs of the patients and families.
- Worked as an RNCM with a caseload of 12-24 patients and making anywhere from 20-30 visits per week.
- Admitted our own patients.
- Followed our own patients to the Hospital
- Did admissions in the Hospital (GIP).
- Rotated on the ON-CALL schedule for every 6-8 weeks on the weekends. Took 1 night of weekly call.
- Rotated out for the Crisis Care rotation.
- Trained new nursing staff on Hospice assessments, Medicare guidelines, admissions, Crisis Care shifts, on-call shifts as well as clinical skills such as PCA pump set up and monitoring, pleurex drains, supra pubic catheters, etc...
- Left RN Case Management and began the Weekend On-Call team to help reduce the fatigue of On-Call for my fellow nurse co-workers.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN05.2003
Certificate - Medical Coding
Indiana Business College
Terre Haute, IN06.1994
Skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- IT skills
- Relationship building
- Skill development
- Analytical capabilities
- Customer care
- Time optimization
Affiliations
Featured in the VIDANT Hospital Newsletter for observing a wrong dose of narcotic in a PCA that was sent to a patient's home. The PCA pump setting was not cleared out by the pharmacy and upon arrival, the dose was set below the starting dose level. This would have under treated my patients pain.
Personal Information
I take time to reflect and re-energize myself by spending time with my family and friends, attending church and church events, going to the beach, attending 49er football games with my son or visiting amusement parks; reading books and writing poetry.
Education and Training
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
Graduation date: 05.10.2003
Degree: Associate
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Hospice Team Manager
VITAS Healthcare
12.2015 - Current
Case Hospice Registered Nurse
Samaritan Care Hospice Of Florida
02.2015 - 12.2015
Hospice Admissions Nurse
Hospice of the Comforter
01.2014 - 10.2014
Hospice Team Lead RN
Vidant Hospice
08.2010 - 12.2013
Hospice Triage Nurse
Hospice On-Call
02.2010 - 06.2011
Hospice Registered Nurse
VistaCare Hospice
09.2004 - 02.2010
Associate of Science - Nursing
Indiana State University
Certificate - Medical Coding
Indiana Business College
Registered Nurse ICU/PCU
Terre Haute Regional Hospital
2003 - 2004