Sarah Herrera
Clinical Initiatives Manager
Grand Junction,US
Summary
Collaborative leader with dedication to partnership and collaboration to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Organized and dependable leader successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Consummate, epistemic learner.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeEducation
Master of Healthcare Administration - Population Health
Colorado State University
Global Campus02-2023
Bachelor of Science - Exercise Physiology
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, Co06-2000
Work History
Clinical Initiatives Manager
Intermountain Healthcare- Peaks Region
Peaks Region
04.2025 - Current
- Designed and operationalized a comprehensive quality assurance program.
- Collaborated with regional and enterprise level teams to harmonize job descriptions, enhancing alignment with organizational standards.
- Established procedure-specific, collaborative quality assurance meetings across the organization.
- Maintains ongoing partnership with Clinical Programs to assist with service line initiatives.
- Collaborates with executive and clinical leadership both regionally and across the enterprise, to implement and sustain initiatives.
- Actively monitors, audits and reports on quality data.
- Partners closely with data analytics teams to develop and maintain end-user focused reporting.
- Collaborates with service line leadership and site level directors to create, support and monitor annual KPIs.
- Create/maintain performance board in CI portal.
- Communicates regularly with site level leadership to partner on quality initiatives.
- Works closely with service line medical directors and physicians to provide quality updates and support initiatives.
- Currently working on Six Sigma Green Belt
Manager Clinical Cardiology Services
Intermountain Healthcare- St. Mary's Regional Hospital
Grand Junction, CO
12.2023 - 05.2025
- Responsible for departmental operations for Echocardiography in hospital and outpatient clinic, EKG/Stress testing services, Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, in addition to maintaining Cardiology Program Coordinator position.
- Performed outreach and assisted with process improvement to rural referral facilities to assist with protocols, data tracking and outcomes.
- Collaborated with Colorado Mesa University to create Echocardiography program.
- Created interdepartmental student pathways for Echocardiography students.
- Continually monitor and analyze business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Increased echocardiography exams 14%
- Created contract labor free department, in a department that has utilized contract labor for over 10 years, utilizing independent recruitment and retention strategies.
- Recruitment and hiring of caregivers, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to caregivers.
- Established and maintained effective communication with caregivers, physicians, and community organizations to promote high-quality patient care.
- Defined testing protocols, quality assurance initiatives, and clinic policies and procedures.
- Perform quarterly caregiver check-ins to support growth and development.
- Work closely with senior leadership and medical staff leadership to develop and maintain relationships.
- New program/service development and implementation.
- Participate directly in strategic planning and growth initiatives.
Operations Manager CV/Neuroscience/Ortho Svs Lines
Intermountain Healthcare- St.Mary's Regional Hospital
Grand Junction, co
08.2020 - 12.2023
- Responsible for departmental operations for Echocardiography, EKG/Stress testing services, EEG and sleep lab services, in addition to maintaining Cardiology Program Coordinator position.
- Performed outreach to rural referral facilities to assist with protocols, data tracking and outcomes.
- Created interdepartmental student pathways for sleep and EEG technicians.
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Recruited and hired caregivers, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Established and maintained effective communication with caregivers, physicians, and community organizations to promote high-quality patient care.
- Defined testing protocols, quality assurance initiatives, and clinic policies and procedures.
- Combined clinic and hospital department functions for cardiac testing.
- Completed quarterly caregiver check-ins to support growth and development.
- Worked closely with senior leadership and medical staff leadership to develop and maintain relationships.
- New program/service development and implementation.
- Implemented same-day discharge program for cardiac procedures
- Re-opened epilepsy monitoring unit post-Covid.
- Participated directly in strategic planning and growth initiatives.
Cardiology Program Coordinator
Intermountain Healthcare- St.Mary's Regional Hospital
Grand Junction, Co
08.2019 - 05.2025
- Provided community education and quarterly community health screenings.
- Plan, host and participated in community health events
- Community health outreach to rural facilities.
- Spearheaded quality and process improvement initiatives.
- Collaborated closely with physicians and other caregivers.
- Monitor metrics relating to patient care from EMS first contact to post hospital discharge services.
- Navigate and utilize registries and registry data for reporting and quality purposes.
- Create and institute caregiver education.
- Develop and maintain relationships with external partners to facilitate program operations.
- Create and deliver program training and education to keep participants knowledgeable about programs and provide necessary skills to participate productively.
- Translated and relayed data metrics to stakeholders.
- Organized and managed program development from conception through successful execution.
- Created/ led quality committee for cardiac joint venture.
- Maintain ACC Chest Pain Center accreditation.
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Intermountain Healthcare- St.Mary's Regional Hospital
Grand Junction, Co
03.2001 - 12.2019
- Educated patients and family members regarding diagnosis, recovery and prevention.
- Created, monitored and instituted individual treatment plans in partnership with medical director.
- Managed patient outcome data.
- Provided inpatient ambulation and education with respect to procedure and diagnosis.
- Communicated with physicians and referral partners to manage patient care.
- Tracked and evaluated patient progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Reviewed medical records to determine exercise precautions and contraindications prior to patient visit.
- Supported patients' progress and physical health by prescribing and demonstrating at-home exercises.
- Demonstrated clear written and oral communications skills when working with health care professionals, patients and caregivers.
- Recorded patient prognosis, treatment and responses into reports and patient charts.
- Monitored patient for ECG changes, cardiac arrhythmias, blood pressure and symptoms before, during and after exercise.
- Tested patients using various exercise and physical testing protocols for cardiac and pulmonary evaluation.
- Treated each patient according to written plan of care to meet predetermined goals.
- Recognized contraindications and abnormal patient responses to exercise and revised plan accordingly.
- Participated in patient safety, risk management, and infection control policies and procedures.
- Provided exercise information for patients, peers and community through public speaking and education classes.
- Developed risk factor modification strategies, counseling plans and nutrition education for cardiac patients.
Business Owner
Herrera Enterprizes, LLC/Sunstop
Grand Junction, Co
01.2006 - 08.2023
- Owned and operated retail establishment..
- Designed and launched targeted marketing initiatives aimed at customer acquisition and sales growth.
- Facilitated training sessions for new employees on established protocols and customer service standards.
- Addressed challenging customer interactions to support team members and ensure high-quality customer service delivery.
- Optimized employee shift scheduling based on customer traffic patterns and individual strengths.
- Responsible for all recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Administered accounts payable and receivable functions to maintain accurate financial records.
- Responsible for product selection and inventory management.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
Certification
- ACLS- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- CCRP- Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional
- Six Sigma- Yellow Belt
Skills
- Operations leadership/management
- Interpersonal relationship building
- Priority management/reliability
- Complex problem-solving
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Positive attitude/Adaptability
Hobbies
Mountain biking, paddle boarding, skiing, reading, spending time with my husband and two daughters.