Sandra Cruickshank

Delivered healthcare and clinical care to approximately 220 students spanning Kindergarten through 8th grade.

• Provided comprehensive medical care and support to students.
• Provided education and training to all staff on safety, emergency responses and medical first aid.
• Administered medications and treatments according to individual care plans and physician orders
• Collaborated with other school staff, parents, and healthcare professionals to ensure student health and safety
• Managed health office duties including maintaining student health records and documenting health-related incidents

• Supervises all GS Civilian nurses, Medical Instrument Technicians, and Dermatology Photographers at Fort Hood, which serves the Central Texas Military Health System.
• Prepared for successful National Joint Commission Inspection by ensuring all the clinical areas were ready, including Developing and updating Standard Operating Policies & Procedures and keeping consent forms up to date.
• Created a Nitrogen Safety policy for the competency of Dermatology and Neurology staff members to align with environmental services SOP.
• Implemented a new time-out policy and procedure within the Dermatology Clinic to ensure the process was successful.
• Tracks clinical outcomes for Dermatology, Neurology, and Sleep Center for optimized performance metrics and effectiveness of treatment plans.
• Educates staff members on policies and procedures throughout clinics and updates within The Joint Commission. Educates staff members on National Patient Safety Goals and applicability in practice within the clinics.
• Audits clinical areas weekly and performs walk-throughs of clinical areas with staff members from various departments to ensure compliance with regulations and local policies.
• Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and improve overall patient outcomes
• Oversaw staff training and education programs to promote professional development and enhance clinical skills
• Conducted staff meetings, coordinated in-service training with clinic leadership, and led daily huddles.
• Assign work to all personnel to optimize patient flow and clinic production throughout three clinical areas daily. Plans daily assignments to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and employees' capabilities to ensure completion of duties before the close of business.
• Makes assignments and essential duties to personnel to ensure clinical operations and checks are performed. Provides education on Dermatology, Neurology, and Sleep topics to staff members regularly.
• Submits awards utilizing appropriate forms and justification memorandums for employee recognition and understands the progressive discipline process if necessary. Familiar with and has worked with LMER labor relations during the time at CRDAMC.
• Manages referrals for the Dermatology and Neurology Clinics. Triages appropriately for capability and capacity within the scope of the registered nurse.
• Approve leave, considering staffing levels to ensure adequate staffing during vacation, illness, and holiday times to ensure patient access to the clinic.
• Handles capability and clinic capacity reporting with Officers in Charge and Administrators and makes necessary changes and adjustments to ensure mission requirements are met and metrics are optimized.
• Provides direct patient care, including Assessments, screening patients, taking vital signs, Assisting with and setting up for shave/punch biopsies, lipoma and skin cancer excisions, phototherapy treatments, patch testing, neurological assessments, allergy patch testing, and prepping for laser and surgical procedures.
• Educates patients on conditions, therapies, and treatments within the Dermatology and Neurology departments when appropriate, within the registered nurse’s scope.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care plans and facilitate efficient communication among healthcare providers
• Monitored and evaluated clinical outcomes to identify areas for improvement and implement evidence-based practices for enhanced patient care.

• Supervises all GS Civilian nurses, paraprofessionals, and second-line supervisors for administrative staff assigned to the above clinics at Fort Carson servicing the Colorado Springs Military Health System Market.
• Assigns work to all personnel in 4 clinical areas to optimize patient flow and clinic production, working with Officers in Charge.
• Makes assignments to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and employees' capabilities to ensure completion of duties before the close of business. Makes assignments and performs essential duties for personnel to ensure clinical operations and checks are being performed.
• Developed policy on Xolair administration within the Allergy Clinic, which became a standard operating procedure still being utilized along with the OIC.
• Provides education on Dermatology, Neurology, Allergy, and Sleep topics to staff members regularly.
• Developed and updated Standard Operating Policies & Procedures and kept consent forms current. Educated patients and staff members on headache modalities within Neurology Clinics and facilitated many in-services.
• Implemented a headache policy for established patients to be seen in a clinic rather than utilizing ER resources for chronic migraines: educated patients and staff members on this Neurology topic.
• Educated staff and patients on the new clinical flow with the Xolair administration within the Allergy Clinic.
• Educated patients on Allergy topics by teaching the "Allergy Shot Class" monthly to patients and family members as the RN within the clinic.
• Educated many patients and staff members yearly in May on topics of Dermatology due to it being Melanoma Awareness Month and organizing a post-wide skin check free of charge.
• Establishes performance standards, plans, and appraisals using the DPMAP system, I was a T4T trainer for the new system implementation phase at Fort Carson and am well-versed in the system.
• Submits awards utilizing appropriate forms and justification memorandums for employee recognition and understands the progressive discipline process if necessary.
• Approve leave, considering staffing levels to ensure adequate staffing during vacation, illness, and holiday times to ensure patient access to the clinic.
• Attended training for clinical knowledge and leadership based: Defense Health Agency Immunization/ Vaccination Leadership Courses, Human Resources for Supervisors & Team-Based Management of the Diabetic Patient Course.
• Educated staff members within clinical areas after attending courses on Neurology, Allergy, & Dermatology topics at bi-monthly in-services.
• Manages and triages referrals for Neurology and Allergy Clinic so that appropriate triage is given to providers and guides subordinates on referral management techniques when appropriate.
• Handles capability and clinic capacity reporting with Officers in Charge and Administrators and makes necessary changes and adjustments to ensure mission requirements are met and metrics are optimized.
• Assisted in launching the new ten-bed Sleep Lab from a four-bed unit from a logistical perspective with the Officer in Charge of Medical Specialties.
• Assisted OIC of Dermatology Clinic to implement the opening of the Dermatology Clinic from 1 clinic at the main hospital to a second site location at a Community-Based Army Medical Home embedded within Colorado Springs with access four days a week to Dermatology services within the Disease Management Clinic.
• Provides direct patient care including Botox/Xeomin administration set up, vital signs, Lumbar Puncture Procedure Set up, medication administration, Allergen Testing, Pulmonary Function Testing, Assessments, Assisting and setting up for shave/punch biopsies, setting up for lipoma excisions, phototherapy treatments, patch testing, mediafill certified, neurological triage, assessment of patients, referral management allergy immunotherapy administration.
• When appropriate, within the registered nurse’s scope, educated patients on conditions, therapies, and treatments within the Dermatology, Allergy, and Neurology departments.
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by effectively overseeing and coordinating daily nursing operations, ensuring high-quality patient care and adherence to established protocols
• Led a team of nursing staff to achieve and maintain compliance with regulatory standards, resulting in successful accreditation surveys
• Implemented evidence-based practice initiatives to improve patient outcomes and streamline clinical workflows
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement policies, procedures, and protocols to enhance patient care delivery and safety
• Conducted performance evaluations, coaching, and mentoring of nursing staff to foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement

• Administrative Supervisor for three prisons with the direct field of influence and accountability on all aspects of medical, dental, mental health, sex offender treatment, and drug & alcohol therapeutic communities. The umbrella of responsibility includes 54 full-time positions with clinical care of over 2,000 offenders.
• Certified trainer and taught multiple classes at a training academy regarding policies and clinical skills. Co-authored lesson plans are utilized state-wide for emergency/trauma training in the prison setting; the master trainer is responsible for material presentation and training the trainers.
• Trained international delegates sent to the Colorado State International Training Center in Canon City on healthcare policies, trauma response and compliance with legal entities.
• State of Colorado Auditor for the American Correctional Association compliance within various prisons and jails. Provided training for Wardens and other Health Services Administrators on compliance and action plans.
• Ensured operational and administrative compliance with Department of Corrections Administrative Regulations, Clinical Standards and Procedures, American Correctional Association Standards, State/Federal Statutes, State Licensing/Credentialing, and Regulatory Board standards affecting the provision of medical, dental, mental health, and rehabilitation services to offenders.
• Directly accountable for the daily administration of a multidisciplinary clinical services unit while working with security teams to ensure the primary safety mission is continually observed.
• On-call 24/7 for staffing issues, personnel notifications, and significant events statewide. Established systems for the coordination of care among multi-disciplinary healthcare providers.
• Fiscal and budgetary responsibilities include managing a budget, approving purchase requisitions, and ensuring appropriate and cost-effective medical resources and personnel utilization.
• Participated in and led quality assurance activities and wrote quality plans for actions and services on the peer review committee to ensure compliance of various clinical providers.
• Developed and implemented quality management programs consistent with department guidelines. Ensured the accuracy of public information and materials. Provided thorough supervision for day-to-day operations of the facility under set policies and procedures.
• Regularly evaluated employee performance, provided feedback, assisted, and coached. Disciplined staff as needed. Minimized staff turnover and maintained positive relationships with government regulators, residents, families, other healthcare agencies, and the community. Actively maintained up-to-date knowledge of applicable state and Federal laws and regulations.
• Performed direct patient care during traumatic events occurring in the prison. Took vital signs, initiated IVs and fluids, performed CPR, and assisted with inserting airways with providers.
• Managed a team of healthcare professionals, providing guidance and support to ensure quality patient care and compliance with regulations.
• Developed and implemented policies and procedures to enhance safety measures in the healthcare facility, resulting in a reduction in workplace accidents.
• Collaborated with community partners and stakeholders to coordinate outreach programs and promote health education initiatives for underserved populations.
• Conducted regular audits and assessments to monitor and improve the overall quality of healthcare services and ensure adherence to industry standards.

Nursing Manager for 2 Maximum Security Prisons, Centennial Correctional Facility and Colorado State Penitentiary. Responsible for supervising three nursing supervisors and being the second line supervisor for 22 nursing positions, dental assistant, and medical records technician. Completed over 18 annual evaluations and many personnel actions. Familiar with personnel policies, protocols, clinical standards, and departmental regulations. Responsible for overseeing two clinics' schedules for 24 hours, seven-days-a-week operations, and on-call rosters. Managed contract staffing personnel and maintained fiscal budgets with manpower hour allowances. Completed quality control audits and created better process flow systems for nursing staff to improve outcomes in patient care. Evaluated patient care procedural changes for effectiveness.

• Responsible for overseeing a team of nurses, ensuring staffing levels are adequate for optimal patient care
• Develop and implement nursing policies and procedures to improve efficiency and quality of care
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide coaching and feedback to nursing staff to promote professional growth
• Collaborate with other department heads to coordinate patient care and improve overall hospital operations

• Commissioned into the United States Military after my Bachelor of Science in Nursing through the ROTC program as a Second Lieutenant.
• Completed the New Nurse Transition Program at Fort Hood as a Second Lieutenant was assigned directly to the Mother Baby Unit upon program completion. Promoted to charge nurse within a few weeks on a high-paced floor and assisted by being selected to precept new graduates. Later, was assigned to the PACU and assumed the role of acting head nurse many times while the chief nurse was on leave.
• Planned, developed, and implemented nursing care for surgical patients based on nursing assessment and post-anesthesia care principles. Made necessary decisions and implemented correct emergency measures after identifying life-threatening situations. Documented unusual occurrences and injuries and quality management issues. Set up and operated infusion medication pumps, blood transfusions, and epidural pumps.
• Assisted CNOIC with re-writing Standard Operating Procedures.
• Department Representative during implementing the Patient Caring Touch System, Junior Officer Counsel President, & Vice-President roles at Fort Hood.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support instructor with TNCC, PALS, ACLS, NRP, STABLE, and BLS certifications during this time.
• At Fort Carson, assigned Charge Nurse in the Mother Baby Unit and Special Care Nursery, assisting with transitioning newborns in the Labor & Delivery Unit.
• Provided leadership and mentorship to staff nurses, non-commissioned officers, new nurses, enlisted soldiers, and cadets.
• Left active duty as a Captain with an honorable discharge, awarded two ARCOMs, AAM’s and Army Superior Unit.
• Collaborated with military doctors and healthcare providers to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with complex medical conditions.
• Trained and mentored junior nursing staff on military medical procedures and protocols, ensuring high standards of care and readiness.
• Conducted health assessments and provided medical support for military personnel during training exercises and deployments, ensuring optimal health and readiness of the force.
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
• Coordinated activities of subordinate personnel to support mission success.
• Prepared and delivered investigative reports and briefings.
• Handled administrative requirements, maintained records and submitted operational reports.
• Led teams in developing strategic plans to meet operational objectives.