Stephanie Skirka
Littleton,CO
Summary
To promote the health and well being of pediatric patients by providing an exemplary level of care through collaboration with a multidisciplinary clinical team.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Coordinator- Eosinophilic Diseases Program
Children's Hospital Colorado
11.2018 - Current
- Serve as a leader and provide ongoing direction for program operations.
- Manage clinical operations meetings to discuss new ideas and update team members on program details and milestones.
- Collaborate with various teams to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions, and offer guidance.
- Develop and implement educational content for patients and other providers.
- Develop and maintain relationships with external partners to facilitate program operations.
- Collaborate with other program coordinators to achieve consistency in program objectives and services.
Level 3 Nurse- Eosinophilic Diseases Program
Children's Hospital Colorado
11.2015 - 11.2018
- Served as a resource for other departments and the Digestive Health Institute with regards to Eosinophilic Diseases.
- Collaborated with Physicians and the multidisciplinary team on patient treatment plans.
- Triaged gastroenterology patients and implemented proper course of action in accordance with protocol and guidelines.
- Provided clinical support and managed care expertise as well as physician consultation.
- Demonstrated adequate competence in computer software by pulling tailored annual Epic reports, performing SlicerDicer searches, and developing REDCap databases.
- Determined the medical necessity of services in review while utilizing computer based guidelines.
- Managed workload to ensure timely care.
- Worked closely with multidisciplinary team in outpatient clinic to assist with intake and discharge to provide the most appropriate care for our patients.
- Provided ongoing education of patient and families.
Gastroenterology Nurse
Children's Hospital Colorado
08.2013 - 11.2015
- Provided outpatient care to pediatric patients with GI disorders
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Identified and assisted with opportunities for performance improvement activities on unit and with other service areas.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Performed triage on incoming calls for GI patients and assessed and triaged urgency of need and facilitated next best steps and recommendations
Case Management
Liberty Mutual
07.2012 - 08.2013
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
- Monitored patients cases , observing and evaluating treatments and responses.
- Advocated for needed services and obtained additional resources to provide support .
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
- Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
- Liaised with social worker to expedite financial assistance not covered by insurance.
Pediatric Surgery Nurse
Children's Hospital Colorado
01.2007 - 07.2012
- Assisted pediatric surgeons for pre-operative and post-operative care of their patients.
- Served as a resource for other departments, clinical staff and physicians.
- Connected with patients and families from variety of cultural and economic backgrounds to establish and maintain open communication for improved patient outcomes.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Provided education to patients and families on g-tube care and management prior to discharge.
Pediatric Nurse
Denver Health and Hospitals
11.2004 - 01.2007
- Acted as a pediatric nurse for well child care and specialty clinics i.e. surgery, minor fracture, cardiology, newborn, and special needs.
- Monitored pediatric patient conditions to identify changes and respond promptly.
- Administered immunizations and other preventative care measures to promote health and prevent disease.
- Triaged emergency patients.
- Provided general patient educational services as needs were identified i.e. child growth and development, special needs.
- Managed and coordinated the synagis clinic.
- Assisted MD with minor procedures (casting, circumcision etc).
Poison Control Call Center Specialist
Denver Health Hospital
03.2001 - 11.2004
- Received calls regarding poisonings and suspected poisonings and obtained complete history.
- Triaged patients within the nursing compact states .
- Assessed nature of severity of poisoning using appropriate protocols, calculations, and resources.
- Assessed potential for toxic exposure and followed up as appropriate.
- Offered expert recommendations and collaborated with emergency departments to deliver the most appropriate care.
Registered Nurse- Telephone Triage
Kaiser Permanente Call Center
02.1998 - 03.2001
- Triaged both adult and pediatric patients with the use of telephone triage protocols
- Assessing patients over the phone including reviewing health history and symptoms occurring most recently so the correct triage protocol is used and the most appropriate disposition is obtained .
- Effectively communicated with medical team to provide the necessary care for patients.
- Providing thorough documentation through triage protocols.
Registered Nurse-
Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital (Health One)
04.1996 - 02.1998
- Worked on an inpatient general pediatric unit, caring for a variety of patients i.e. GI, urology, oncology.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families, and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
Registered Nurse- New Graduate
Children's Hospital Colorado
01.1991 - 04.1996
- Provided care for pediatric patients with neurological disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
- Worked closely with top developmental and rehabilitation specialists in an interdisciplinary team.
- Collaborated with primary care nursing.
- Educated patients, families, and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data, such as medications, to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acuity patients requiring complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care, and rehabilitation.
- Worked with health care partners, patients and families to provide an interactive learning process to prepare for discharge to support patients to be able to manage their life and optimize their health and well being.
Education
B.S. Nursing - Nursing
Regis University
3333 Regis Blvd, Denver , CO 8022108.1990
Skills
- Willingness to Learn
- Self Motivated
- Team Leadership
- Project Planning and Organization
- Positive Attitude
- Case Management
Accomplishments
- APGNN Excellence in Education Award - Awarded 2023
- Outstanding Nurse for Population Health or Community - Awarded 2022
Presentations
- Skirka S, Woodward K, Koplon J, Menard Katcher C, Furuta GT, Nguyen N, Telehealth Nursing Education Visits are Beneficial for Patients Receiving Dupilumab for the Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Poster presented at the 2023 North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition annual Meeting; October 2023; San Diego, CA.
- Nguyen N, Burger C, Skirka S, White S, Smith M, Menard-Katcher C, Furuta GT, Mehta P. One Year into Dupilumab: Physician and Patient Experiences in Initiating Dupilumab for Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Poster presented at the 2023 North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Annual Meeting; October 2023; San Diego, CA.
- Skirka S. GEDP Breaking Barriers to Care through a Multidisciplinary Approach. Oral presentation given at the O'Neil Conference; September 2023, Aurora, CO.
- Skirka S. Most Common Questions Parents Ask About Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Oral presentation given for the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) EoE Support Webinar Series; September 2022, Virtual.
- Burger C, Skirka S, Kocher K, Furuta GT, Mehta P, Menard-Katcher C. Adherence to swallowed steroids in adolescents with eosinophilic esophagitis: Implementation of patient education video in clinical practice. Poster presented at the 2018 North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Annual Meeting; October 2018; Hollywood, FL.
Publications
Nguyen N, Burger C, Skirka S, White S, Smith M, Menard-Katcher C, Furuta GT, Mehta P. One year into dupilumab: Physician and patient experiences in initiating dupilumab for pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2023 Oct 1;77(4):536-539. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003901. Epub 2023 Jul 26. PMID: 37491718.
Mehta P, Pan Z, Skirka S, Kwan BM, Menard-Katcher C. Medication adherence aligns with age and a behavioral checklist but not symptoms or quality of life for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. J Pediatr. 2021 Aug;235: 246-252.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.03.047. Epub 2021 Apr 1. PMID: 33811869.
Certification
BLS certified
Committees Organizations
- NASPAGHAN
- APGNN
Timeline
Program Coordinator- Eosinophilic Diseases Program
Children's Hospital Colorado
11.2018 - Current
Level 3 Nurse- Eosinophilic Diseases Program
Children's Hospital Colorado
11.2015 - 11.2018
Gastroenterology Nurse
Children's Hospital Colorado
08.2013 - 11.2015
Case Management
Liberty Mutual
07.2012 - 08.2013
Pediatric Surgery Nurse
Children's Hospital Colorado
01.2007 - 07.2012
Pediatric Nurse
Denver Health and Hospitals
11.2004 - 01.2007
Poison Control Call Center Specialist
Denver Health Hospital
03.2001 - 11.2004
Registered Nurse- Telephone Triage
Kaiser Permanente Call Center
02.1998 - 03.2001
Registered Nurse-
Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital (Health One)
04.1996 - 02.1998
Registered Nurse- New Graduate
Children's Hospital Colorado
01.1991 - 04.1996
B.S. Nursing - Nursing
Regis University
BLS certified
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