Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Kellie Tuason

Summary

Dynamic Director of Nursing with 30 years of progressive experience in surgical services and operational leadership across multiple settings. Expertise in managing complex clinical environments, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving process improvements to enhance patient care. Proven ability to foster teamwork and retention through effective communication and innovative staffing strategies. Known for a commitment to high-quality patient outcomes and the development of clinical staff, contributing significantly to organizational growth and operational excellence.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Nursing – RN (Circulate, Preop, PACU, Preadmit, Clinic, Infusion)

Advanced Pain Medical Group
10.2024 - Current
  • Lead surgical services across 5 ASCs, managing 24/7 OR operations and multi-disciplinary teams
  • Collaborate with CFO and COO to optimize surgical case profitability and financial performance
  • Directed closure of two ASCs and successful opening of a new center
  • Developed staffing plans and onboarding programs, improving retention and coverage
  • Initiated projects to improve First Case On-Time Starts, Turnover Times, and reduce cancellations
  • Serve as clinical resource and ensure compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, CDPH, CMS, Title 22, and GACHRLS standards
  • Partner with HR to implement self-scheduling via ADP, reducing staffing conflicts
  • Maintain surgeon preference cards to support operational efficiency and cost control

Director of Nursing – RN (Circulate, Preop, Pacu, Preadmit)

Surgery Partners Valencia Surgical Center
06.2023 - Current
  • Oversaw surgical services with 24/7 coordination of operating room staff
  • Partnered with CFO and Materials Management to monitor financial performance and optimize surgical case profitability
  • Collaborate with HR to enhance employee retention and hiring processes
  • Developed contingency staffing plans, including onboarding Periop 101 nurses and new Surgical Technologists
  • Led initiatives to improve First Case On-Time Starts, Turnover Times, and reduce cancellations
  • Served as clinical resource and ensured compliance with AAAHC, OSHA, CDPH, CMS, Title 22, and GACHRLS standards
  • Directed policy review and led department training, quality control, and continuous improvement efforts
  • Worked with administration to implement process improvements and strengthen physician relationships
  • Partnered with HR and payroll to implement self-scheduling via UKG, minimizing staffing conflicts
  • Maintained surgeon preference cards to support operational efficiency and cost control

RN – Circulator, Preop, PACU, IV infusion, Preadmit, Clinic, Medsurg – Travel

Medley
09.2022 - Current
  • Oversaw surgical services with 24/7 coordination of operating room staff
  • Partnered with CFO and Materials Management to monitor financial performance and optimize surgical case profitability
  • Collaborated with HR to enhance employee retention and hiring processes
  • Developed contingency staffing plans, including onboarding Periop 101 nurses and new Surgical Technologists
  • Led initiatives to improve First Case On-Time Starts, Turnover Times, and reduce cancellations
  • Served as clinical resource and ensured compliance with AAAHC, OSHA, CDPH, CMS, Title 22, and GACHRLS standards
  • Directed policy review and led department training, quality control, and continuous improvement efforts
  • Worked with administration to implement process improvements and strengthen physician relationships
  • Partnered with HR and payroll to implement self-scheduling via UKG, minimizing staffing conflicts
  • Maintained surgeon preference cards to support operational efficiency and cost control

RN Circulator – Travel

Carev
09.2022 - 12.2024
  • Oversee surgical services operations, managing daily OR activity and 24/7 staffing coordination
  • Evaluate surgical case profitability with CFO and Materials Management
  • Collaborate with HR to lead recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies
  • Developed staffing plans, integrating Periop 101 participants and new Surgical Technologists
  • Led initiatives to improve First Case On-Time Starts, Turnover Times, and reduce cancellations
  • Provided clinical leadership and ensured compliance with AAAHC, OSHA, CDPH, CMS, Title 22, and GACHRLS standards
  • Directed department policy updates, staff training, and quality improvement programs
  • Partnered with administration to enhance operations and physician engagement
  • Implemented UKG self-scheduling and maintained surgeon preference cards to support efficiency and cost control

RN (IV, infusion, wound management, medication, admit, discharge)

Pegasus Home Health
01.2023 - 11.2023
  • Provided strategic oversight of surgical services across five ASCs
  • Directed 24/7 operations for Preop, OR, PACU, Infusion, and Preadmission services
  • Partnered with CFO, COO, and Materials Management to improve case profitability
  • Led closure of two ASCs and launch of a new surgical center
  • Developed contingency staffing plans and onboarded for Periop 101 and new Surgical Technologists
  • Initiated performance improvements to boost First Case On-Time Starts and reduce turnover times and cancellations
  • Ensured compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, CDPH, CMS, Title 22, and GACHRLS standards
  • Supported physician relations and collaborated with leadership on system-wide process improvements
  • Led policy updates, department training, and continuous quality improvement initiatives
  • Implemented ADP self-scheduling and maintained surgeon preference cards to enhance efficiency and cost control

Nurse Manager Surgical Services – RN (Circulate, Preop, Pacu, Preadmit)

Antelope Valley Medical Center
12.2021 - 04.2023
  • Oversaw surgical services and managed 24/7 OR operations; served as interim Director
  • Partnered with CFO and Materials Management to assess surgical case profitability
  • Collaborated with HR to lead recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies
  • Developed contingency staffing plans, including Periop 101 and Surgical Technologist onboarding
  • Led process improvement initiatives to enhance First Case On-Time Starts, Turnover Times, and scheduling efficiency
  • Ensured compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, CDPH, CMS, Title 22, and GACHRLS regulations
  • Directed staff training, policy development, and department-specific education
  • Supported quality care initiatives, survey preparation, and interdepartmental collaboration
  • Implemented UKG-based self-scheduling to minimize staffing conflicts
  • Maintained surgeon preference cards and supported capital budgeting efforts

Manager – Operating Room, RN Circulate, Preop, PACU

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
02.2016 - 08.2020
  • Managed 24/7 operations for a Level II Trauma Center’s surgical services
  • Provided clinical leadership and support to perioperative staff
  • Ensured compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, CDPH, CMS, Title 22, and GACHRLS standards
  • Led department training, policy development, and quality improvement initiatives
  • Conducted staff performance evaluations and supported team development
  • Partnered with administration on survey preparation, unit-based projects, and hospital initiatives
  • Developed staffing plans for Periop 101 and new Surgical Technologists
  • Initiated improvements to First Case On-Time Starts, Turnover Times, and scheduling efficiency
  • Supported capital requests and budget planning in coordination with department leadership

Registered Nurse – Operating Room, Circulating, Charge Nurse

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
09.2012 - 08.2020
  • Led transition from paper to digital documentation by developing and implementing Surginet in Cerner
  • Served as system liaison and superuser, providing ongoing training and optimization support
  • Maintained preference cards and case pick lists; generated reports for continuous improvement
  • Delivered care across multiple specialties: general surgery, ortho, GYN/onc, plastics, ENT, urology, vascular, and laparoscopic/endoscopic procedures
  • Coordinated clinical and support staff to ensure seamless patient care
  • Assisted surgical teams and ensured pre-op and intra-op readiness according to protocol
  • Advocated for patient safety throughout all surgical phases
  • Mentored new staff and students to maintain clinical excellence
  • Served as Charge Nurse: managed OR scheduling, team direction, and process improvements

Registered Nurse – Preoperative, Operating Room, Post Anesthesia Care Unit

S&S Healthcare Inc.
04.2012 - 12.2014
  • Provided perioperative nursing care across multiple outpatient surgery centers
  • Functioned as preoperative nurse, circulating nurse, and post-anesthesia care nurse (PACU)
  • Supported surgical procedures in diverse specialties including plastic surgery, ENT, endoscopy, colonoscopy, orthopedics, hernia repair, lap band, and pain management
  • Ensured patient safety and comfort throughout the surgical process by adhering to protocols and hospital policies

Registered Nurse – Preoperative, Operating Room, Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Kinetix Surgery Center
03.2011 - 12.2014
  • Conducted charge nurse duties, overseeing staff training, policy adherence, and operational organization
  • Managed preoperative tasks including health assessments, vital signs, patient education, and IV administration
  • Performed circulating nurse responsibilities across diverse surgical procedures such as orthopedics and endoscopy
  • Monitored patient recovery as post-anesthesia care nurse, ensuring safety and effective medication administration
  • Provided instruction on Durable Medical Equipment usage for home care

Education

ADN Degree - Nursing

College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita
01.2009

BSN Degree - Nursing

University of Texas At Arlington

Skills

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Bar code medication administration
  • Cerner/Surignet
  • Communication and Interpersonal skills
  • Meditech
  • Excellent multitasking, organizational, and systematic skills
  • Powerchart
  • Microsoft Office
  • Omnicell
  • Pyxis
  • Preference Cards
  • Proven leadership and teaching abilities

Certification

  • California Registered Nurse Licensure
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Certification (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (PALS)
  • Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
  • Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)

Timeline

Director of Nursing – RN (Circulate, Preop, PACU, Preadmit, Clinic, Infusion)

Advanced Pain Medical Group
10.2024 - Current

Director of Nursing – RN (Circulate, Preop, Pacu, Preadmit)

Surgery Partners Valencia Surgical Center
06.2023 - Current

RN (IV, infusion, wound management, medication, admit, discharge)

Pegasus Home Health
01.2023 - 11.2023

RN – Circulator, Preop, PACU, IV infusion, Preadmit, Clinic, Medsurg – Travel

Medley
09.2022 - Current

RN Circulator – Travel

Carev
09.2022 - 12.2024

Nurse Manager Surgical Services – RN (Circulate, Preop, Pacu, Preadmit)

Antelope Valley Medical Center
12.2021 - 04.2023

Manager – Operating Room, RN Circulate, Preop, PACU

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
02.2016 - 08.2020

Registered Nurse – Operating Room, Circulating, Charge Nurse

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
09.2012 - 08.2020

Registered Nurse – Preoperative, Operating Room, Post Anesthesia Care Unit

S&S Healthcare Inc.
04.2012 - 12.2014

Registered Nurse – Preoperative, Operating Room, Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Kinetix Surgery Center
03.2011 - 12.2014

ADN Degree - Nursing

College of the Canyons

BSN Degree - Nursing

University of Texas At Arlington

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Kellie Tuason