Sky Arce
Lakewood,CO
Summary
Associate of Intermountain Health legacy Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) Health Systems since 1999. Currently a Director of Critical Care including Intensive Care Unit, Neuro Critical Care Unit, Progressive Care Unit, Telemetry Unit, Respiratory Therapy, Vascular Access Team, and Wound Ostomy. Great leadership skills including activator, maximizer, adaptability, and futuristic. Strong communication skills and passionate for change in health care by enhancing both associate development and patient outcomes using evidence based practices.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Critical Care
Intermountain Health | Lutheran Medical Center
Wheat Ridge, CO
01.2022 - Current
- Direct day-to-day administrative and operational functions while providing guidance and leadership to over 300 caregivers across 7 departments.
- Introduced and supporting implementation of ICU liberation Bundle (A-F) "Awake and Walking" ICUs.
- Expanding competencies of our intermediate care units in order to care for higher acuity patients and maximizing caregivers scope of practice.
- Supported design, implementation and evaluation of care model delivery for critical patients.
- Developed, implemented and evaluated systems and practices that facilitated smooth workflow and quality patient care.
- Monitored compliance with external agency regulations regarding critical care.
- Introduced leadership development, coaching and team management model, resulting in promotion of caregivers into increased levels of responsibility.
- Involved in standardizing "staffing by acuity" across Peaks Region including workload intensity tool.
- Chair of Critical Care Collaborative meeting across Peaks Region.
Clinical Nurse Manager Critical Care
Lutheran Medical Center
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Achieved Level II Trauma Designation in 2021.
- Managing day to day operations on three critical care units beginning of COVID pandemic with up to 150 direct report.
- Opened a 12 bed COVID ICU unit while clarifying roles and responsibilities of Team Nursing in critical care units.
- Continuing to recruited, hire and train new team members, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education and support to associates.
- Introducing leadership development, coaching and team management model.
- Upholding highest standards of care to increase patient quality outcomes and decreasing hospital acquired conditions.
- Focusing on post-trauma support to increase nurse retention and patient engagement and satisfaction.
- Collaborating with multiple disciplines to decrease pressure injuries and supported updated pressure injury prevention bundle.
Clinical Nurse Manager Neurological Critical Care
Lutheran Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Achieved Comprehensive Stroke Designation in 2019.
- Increased Patient Satisfaction per Press Ganey from first percentile to over 70th percentile.
- Successfully increased growth goal by expanding Intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis services available 24/7.
- Strategically planning methods to achieve operational goals and targets.
- Skillfully developing departmental goals, objectives, standards of performance, policies and procedures.
- Cooperating and communicating effectively with physicians to ensure client satisfaction and compliance with set standards.
- Identifying process improvements in day-to-day functioning of department.
- Analyzing patient and family feedback to identify opportunities for staff recognition as well as areas for improvement.
- Monitoring Infection Control and Critical Incidents, Risk Management and Quality Improvement plans.
- Initiated audit process to evaluate thoroughness of documentation and maintenance of facility standards.
Clinical Nurse Manager Internal Medicine and Oncology Unit
Lutheran Medical Center
08.2014 - 01.2018
- Coached and mentored on average of 100 direct reports per year.
- Associate satisfaction engagement scores via Press Ganey yielded Tier II in 2015 and Tier I in 2016, and 2017.
- Decreased annual turnover from 55% down to 10%.
- Increased patient satisfaction from 30th percentile to 70th percentile via Press Ganey results.
- Skillfully developed departmental goals, objectives, and standards of performance.
- Encouraged creative thinking, problem solving, and empowerment as part of the facility management group to improve morale and teamwork.
- Achieved high staff morale and retention through effective communication, prompt problem resolution, proactive supervisory practices and facilitating a proactive work environment.
- Routinely collaborated with department managers and/or directors to correct problems and improve services including a successful Oncology Internship.
- Confidently managed the overall operation of nursing services and patient care, including financial management, quality assurance, patient care, safety risk management, and teammate satisfaction.
- Continually improved knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback and self-identified professional developmental needs.
- Participated in facility surveys and inspections made by authorized governmental agencies.
- Managed and directed fiscal operations, including planning budgets and authorizing expenditures.
Clinical Coordinator
Lutheran Medical Center
10.2013 - 08.2014
- Member of the management team directly supervise all staff members in Progressive Care Unit.
- Providing leadership to unit and managing daily operations.
- Coordinate personnel and resources while promoting teamwork, patient safety, and professional staff development.
Shift Specialty Coordinator
Lutheran Medical Center
10.2009 - 10.2013
- Managed clinical oversight for 25-bed progressive care unit and 12-bed intermediate neurology care unit.
- Implemented necessary changes based on evaluation of staffing requirements and floor assignments.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate outstanding health care teams.
Registered Nurse
Lutheran Medical Center
02.2007 - 10.2009
- Educated patients about their treatments and plan of care while admitted on a step-down ICU unit in the hospital.
- Provided treatment for patients with chronic and acute health problems including COPD, pneumonia, tracheotomy care, BIPAP/CPAP, ETOH (alcohol) withdrawal, diabetic ketoacidosis, GIB (gastrointestinal bleed), CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis), extensive wound care with wound vacs.
Registered Nurse
St. Joseph Hospital
09.2006 - 02.2007
- Supervised two-six practitioners as a charge nurse on the transition care unit (TCU) which also served hospice patients.
- Assisted patients with healing and recovery after their hospital stay.
- Assessed, treated, provided wound care and educated patients during their rehabilitation stay.
Licensed Practical Nurse
St. Joseph Hospital
06.2005 - 08.2006
- Provided treatment within scope of practice as defined by state law on a transitional care unit.
- Assessed and treated patients during their rehabilitation state including wound care.
- Also had a population of hospice patients, delivered comfort and care to patients and their family.
Telemetry Technician
St. Joseph Hospital
05.1999 - 05.2005
- Performed secretarial and nursing assistant duties on a telemetry unit.
- Worked closely with cardiovascular surgeons and post-op cardiac patients.
- Monitored, interpreted, measured and documented cardiac rhythms.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Administration And Education
Regis University
Denver, CO2018
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Regis University
Denver, CO2016
ADN - Nursing
Front Range Community College
Westminster2006
Skills
- Managerial duties
- Operational experience
- Strategic planning and development
- Financial management
- High level of autonomy
- Organizational skills
- Patient and caregiver focused care
- Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
- Problem Resolution
- Nursing Standards
Certification
- Registered Nurse in State of Colorado, License number 0177870
- AACN Certified in Progressive Care Nursing Adult
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
- Trauma Care After Resuscitation (TCAR) Certification
- Certification of NIH Stroke Scale
- Facilitator for Best Patient Experience
- Facilitator for Leading Loyalty
Professional Memberships
American Association of Critical Nurses (AACN) member
National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Denver Chapter member
National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Denver Chapter member
Additional Information
- 02/2021 Accelerating Change and Transition / Facilitation Skills for Leaders (ACTFSL)
- 08/2020 Reality Based Leadership training
- 10/2019 Coaching as a Leadership Skill workshop
- 05/2019 Neuroscience Symposium
- 04/2019 Leadership Lab with Cy Wakeman
- 12/2018 Essentials of Critical Care Online Nursing
- 08/2018 Apex Hemispheres (16hrs)
- 11/2017 Leading Loyalty workshop (2 day course)
- 06/2017 Press Ganey workshop (2 day course)
- 05/2017 Franklin Covey 4DX (2 day course)
- 03/2017 Active Shooter Training (3 day training)
Timeline
Director of Critical Care
Intermountain Health | Lutheran Medical Center
01.2022 - Current
Clinical Nurse Manager Critical Care
Lutheran Medical Center
01.2020 - 01.2022
Clinical Nurse Manager Neurological Critical Care
Lutheran Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2022
Clinical Nurse Manager Internal Medicine and Oncology Unit
Lutheran Medical Center
08.2014 - 01.2018
Clinical Coordinator
Lutheran Medical Center
10.2013 - 08.2014
Shift Specialty Coordinator
Lutheran Medical Center
10.2009 - 10.2013
Registered Nurse
Lutheran Medical Center
02.2007 - 10.2009
Registered Nurse
St. Joseph Hospital
09.2006 - 02.2007
Licensed Practical Nurse
St. Joseph Hospital
06.2005 - 08.2006
Telemetry Technician
St. Joseph Hospital
05.1999 - 05.2005
Master of Science - Nursing Administration And Education
Regis University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Regis University
ADN - Nursing
Front Range Community College