Sarah Blanchard MSN, RN, PCCN
Summary
- MSN-prepared nurse with a focus in Healthcare Systems Leadership.
- Board certified as a Progressive Care Certified Nurse with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
- Innovative healthcare leader with 15 years of progressive experience in Medical Surgical, Stepdown, Telemetry, and Intensive Care Units.
- Proven record of strategic leadership and leading high functioning teams focused on achieving scorecard outcomes, establishing and maintaining Tier I patient and staff engagement scores.
- Specialties: leadership, quality improvement, safety, financial performance, and project management.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2022 - Current
- Provides education and oversees quality for the Clinical Resource Unit (hospital float pool) capable of ED, ICU, Step-down, Medical, and Cardiac Telemetry patients. Oversees all aspects of quality improvement including monitoring, analyzing, trending, and utilizing data for improvement and to exceed DNV standards
- Develops and performs new hire orientation, training, onboarding, and continuing education programs for 250+ float pool healthcare providers to ensure availability of current evidence-based practice regarding patient care and maintenance/enhancement of clinical skills.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between staff professional development initiatives and overall Advocate Health objectives.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making to identify gaps in existing processes and focus resources on high-priority areas.
- Conducted regular benchmarking studies to ensure competitiveness of professional development offerings compared to industry standards.
- Designed and developed numerous courses, videos, simulations and online content.
- Evaluated participant feedback and learning outcomes, adjusting program design as needed to continuously improve effectiveness.
Assistant Clinical Manager
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2023 - Current
- Facilitated communication between Staffing and Expirations Coordianators and healthcare providers to promote a collaborative care environment.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners to foster collaboration on health-related initiatives.
- Created and maintained staff scheduling in Symplr Workforce and payroll/time and attendance.
- Promoted a culture of safety by implementing risk mitigation strategies and addressing potential hazards proactively.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Assisted with budget management, monitoring expenses and identifying cost-saving measures without compromising care quality.
Interim Manager of Clinical Operations
Advocate Christ Medical Center
11.2020 - 11.2021
- Managed and motivated Progressive Step-down Unit, Rapid Response Team, and Central Telemetry teammates (150+ RNs, PCIAs, and Monitor Technicians) teammates to be productive and engaged in work.
- Improved employee engagement-maintained Tier I status for Progressive Step-down Unit and improved to Tier II status for Rapid Response Team and Central Telemetry Center.
- Developed and implemented system telemetry standardization initiatives and policies to successfully transition Central Telemetry from Advocate Christ Medical Center to an off-site system location. This was the first hospital within the Advocate Health system to successfully transition central telemetry off-site.
- Provided the training and education for over 3K nurses and physicians for the transition to ZOLL defibrillators.
- RQI site lead. Provided the training and education to successfully implement the RQI program for BLS, ACLS, and PALS for over 7K teammates. System RQI representation for ACMC.
- Successfully transitioned the hospital from MXTL telemetry monitors to MX40 telemetry monitors.
- Oversee Philips monitoring for ACMC and participate in site and system telemetry standardization initiatives.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
Clinical Practice Specialist
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Clinical Practice Specialist for the Progressive Step-down Unit, Rapid Response Team, and the Central Telemetry Center (150+ RNs, Nursing Assistants, and Monitor Technicians).
- Developed simulations and implemented Blue Sky Tele-Stroke for inpatient and ED stroke alerts.
- Oversees all aspects of quality improvement including monitoring, analyzing, trending, and utilizing data for improvement and to exceed DNV standards
- Develops and provides orientation, training, and ongoing education programs for healthcare providers to ensure availability of current evidence-based practice regarding patient care and maintenance/enhancement of clinical skills.
- Certified Quality Management System Auditor performing 1-2 system QMS audits per quarter.
- DNV scribe for all mock and true DNV surveys.
Manager of Clinical Operations
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Accountable for ensuring safe patient care through direct supervision of 125 nursing personnel caring for medically complex patients including those requiring mechanical ventilation, BiPap, multiple drips, EVDs, PD, Chest Tubes, etc.
- Worked with interdisciplinary teams to ensure excellent Key Result Areas (KRAs) and patient and associate satisfaction (Tier I)
- Evaluated and analyzed patient feedback to identify gaps in service delivery, implementing effective solutions that led to increased satisfaction rates.
- Created a safe work environment by enforcing workplace safety policies and conducting regular risk assessments.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying strengths as well as areas for growth and improvement opportunities.
- Responsible for unit scheduling, recruitment, interviewing, hiring, training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions
- Created and managed unit budget and staffing.
- Implemented daily multi-disciplinary rounds to decrease LOS.
Assistant Clinical Manager
Advocate Christ Medical Center
08.2012 - 01.2015
- Created monthly schedule, bi-weekly payroll, and annual performance evaluations for the unit
- Developed an orientation plan, classes, and schedules for all new hires
- Performed daily rounds on patients, associates, and physicians
- Delivered quality care to critical care patients including patients requiring mechanical ventilation and multiple drips.
Staff Nurse
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Cared for multiple high acuity critical care patients requiring mechanical ventilation, sedation, drip titration, and medication administration via oral, IV, PEG, NG, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Holistically assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Engaged and communicated with patients and their families.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
Staff Nurse
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
Education
Master of Science in Nursing - Healthcare Leadership
Lewis University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Certification
- Progressive Care Certified Nurse-AACN
- ACLS
- BLS
- EKG
Accomplishments
- Finalist of the GEM Award for Volunteerism & Service
- Finalist for the Nursing Professional Development Nurse of the Year Award
- Recipient of the Daisy Nurse Leader Award
- Recipient of the Daisy Award for Excellence in Nursing
Affiliations
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Timeline
Assistant Clinical Manager
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2023 - Current
Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2022 - Current
Interim Manager of Clinical Operations
Advocate Christ Medical Center
11.2020 - 11.2021
Clinical Practice Specialist
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2019 - 01.2022
Manager of Clinical Operations
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2015 - 01.2019
Assistant Clinical Manager
Advocate Christ Medical Center
08.2012 - 01.2015
Staff Nurse
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2011 - 01.2012
Staff Nurse
Advocate Christ Medical Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
Master of Science in Nursing - Healthcare Leadership
Lewis University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Chamberlain College of Nursing
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