TAMMY MCDONALD
Conroe,TX
Summary
Driven Clinical Instructor with experience in classroom and clinical settings, excited to bring 26-year background in nursing and education to growing organization. Highly proficient in developing strong education programs, robust curricula and engaging lesson plans. Focused on helping students achieve personal and professional goals while improving patient care.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Utilization Review Nurse
Theracare Home Health/Elysian Hospice
Conroe, TX
06.2021 - Current
- Supervised and maintained all utilization review documentation through HCHB Software.
- Submitted cases to Director of Nursing for criteria failures and helped facilitate resolutions and approvals.
- Evaluated medical guidelines and benefit coverage to determine appropriateness of services.
- Performed admission reviews based for medical necessity based upon Hospice specification.
- Performed accurate ICD 10 coding for Home Health and Hospice patients.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Strengthened training and nursing knowledge by taking part in continuing education programs.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
Director of Clinical Services
TheraCare Home Health
Conroe, TX
03.2020 - 06.2021
- Implement new policies and educate staff on changes.
- Interacted effectively with clinical staff and patients by using active listening and interpersonal skills.
- Facilitate hiring of qualified Home Health personnel by interview applicants and making recommendations for employment.
- Developed, implemented, revised and evaluated policies and procedures.
- Identified nurses' and staff training needs and devised training programs to close gaps.
- Implemented ongoing learning strategies such as tutorials, instructional modules, and supervised hands-on sessions to help nurses and staff improve understanding of medical equipment and care best practices.
- Participated in nursing research and evidence-based clinical audits and leveraged data to improve research-based methodologies within clinical areas.
- Coached and trained newly hired employees so that each understood job responsibilities and requirements of positions.
Clinical Supervisor
Encompass Healthcare
Spring, TX
08.2017 - 02.2020
- Responded to crisis situations with calm and professional approach to optimize support.
- Lead and directed team of 30 clinical personnel and support staff.
- Implement new policies and educate staff on changes.
- Provide ongoing case management to patients to implement appropriate treatment plan, adhere to quality models and maximize utilization of services needed to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Worked with nurse manager to develop nursing staff through education, evaluation, performance management and competency improvement.
- Fostered excellence by example by "setting pace" and being hands on mentor to clinical staff.
Home Health RN Case Manager
Traditions Health Care
Conroe, TX
07.2017 - 07.2018
- Determined and addresses individual home care needs by completing detailed assessments and reviewing documentation.
- Provided physical assessments, medication and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Advised and coached patients progressing from hospitals, rehab facilities and other medical organizations to at-home treatment settings.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising Director of Nursing.
Regional Director of Staff Development
Angels Care Home Health
Conroe, TX
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Developed and delivered new hire training programs and continuous professional development.
- Created and managed continuous improvement classes and training programs targeted to new employees.
- Performed reviews of employee work performance to check for areas in need of additional training.
- Monitored employee performance to look for areas in need of improvement.
- Assisted with development of effective recruitment and hiring strategies.
- Pre-screened resumes prior to sending to corporate hiring managers for consideration.
Director of Nursing
Continuity Care Home Health
Humble, TX
02.2014 - 08.2016
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Evaluated work performance of 20 nursing personnel to determine wage increases and implement discipline.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with statutory, regulatory and local, state and federal guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
Director of Nursing
Cole Home Healthcare
, TX
08.2011 - 09.2014
- Collaborated with staff, management and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Introduced and implemented new testing and interpretation procedures to maintain standards of care and meet quality assurance benchmarks.
- Motivated and supervised 40 RN, LVN's, CNA's in delivering quality patient care.
- Fostered excellence by example by "setting pace" and being hands on mentor to clinical staff.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Jordan Healthcare
Conroe, TX
10.2013 - 02.2014
- Collaborated with staff, management and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Planned and assigned workload to 20-person nursing staff to direct patient care.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
Home Health RN Case Manager
Alpha Omega Home Health
Montgomery, TX
06.2010 - 07.2011
- Determined and addresses individual home care needs by completing detailed assessments and reviewing documentation.
- Provided physical assessments, medication and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Advised and coached patients progressing from hospitals, rehab facilities and other medical organizations to at-home treatment settings.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising Director of Nursing.
- Introduced changes to patient care plans based on regular evaluations and patient changes.
Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse
Memorial Hospital
Jacksonville, FL
05.2009 - 06.2011
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens and pain management techniques.
- Managed caseload of 8-10 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy and wound care.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Managed pre-op and post-operative patient care by stocking medical supplies and preparing operating rooms.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
Charge Nurse, Registered Nurse
North Florida Regional Medical Center
Gainesville, FL
02.2008 - 06.2009
- Documented information in patients' electronic medical record, relaying information to clinicians and care providers to facilitate continuity of care.
- Supervised patient admissions and discharges from hospital to home care, rehabilitative facility or self-care.
- Managed JP drains and chest, nasogastric, G and peg tubes.
- Managed various medications and treatments such as peritoneal dialysis, IV push, oral, subcutaneous, IV infusion and and intramuscular injections.
- Administered medications and treatments to patients as ordered by physician, maintaining accountability for accurate narcotic count at end of each shift.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders and communicating with ancillary departments.
Adjunct Instructor
San Jacinto College Central
Pasadena, TX
05.2006 - 02.2008
- Engaged students with insightful and compelling classroom discussion of topics relevant to coursework to boost student learning and retention.
- Created and implemented course agendas, lesson plans and activities to successfully meet course objectives.
- Worked closely with Faculty staff to develop and implement Vocational Nursing curriculum for improved learning and student performance.
- Examined and graded assignments and assessments to report grades to appropriate personnel.
- Used lectures, discussions and demonstrations to increase learning and classroom success.
- Participated in school retention initiatives by providing regular, accurate and timely feedback to students and school concerning academics, behavior and attendance.
- Created unique, student-centered lesson plans and assignments for each class to promote maximum learning and knowledge retention.
- Consistently communicated with students to acknowledge and reward positive strides and discuss areas of improvement.
- Raised course pass rate from 88% to 98% through academic preparation and student engagement.
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
Houston, TX
06.2006 - 02.2008
- Maintained continuous growth of professional knowledge and competencies through ongoing education opportunities.
- Provided basic educational services to parents and guardians on topics such as child growth and development and special needs.
- Analyzed and interpreted patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings and diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnosis.
- Identified common pediatric and adolescent illnesses to plan and implement interventions and management.
- Trained family members in how to care for patients and manage individual conditions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX
11.1997 - 05.2006
- Maintained continuous growth of professional knowledge and competencies through ongoing education opportunities.
- Provided basic educational services to parents and guardians on topics such as child growth and development and special needs.
- Analyzed and interpreted patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings and diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnosis.
- Thrived in high volume atmosphere providing care ranging from wellness visits to illnesses, injuries, and life-threatening conditions.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Education
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX08.2017
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX05.2005
Associate Degree in Nursing -
San Jacinto College District
Pasadena, TX11.1997
Skills
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Time Management
- Process Implementation
- Employee Supervision
- Clinical Staff Management
- Organizational Goal Development
- Instructional Material Development
- Online teaching
- Curriculum planning
- Lesson Planning
- Lecturing
- Classroom presentations
- Continuing education
- Curriculum Development
Accomplishments
- Developed new nursing standards, which resulted in a better quality of patient care.
Timeline
Utilization Review Nurse
Theracare Home Health/Elysian Hospice
06.2021 - Current
Director of Clinical Services
TheraCare Home Health
03.2020 - 06.2021
Clinical Supervisor
Encompass Healthcare
08.2017 - 02.2020
Home Health RN Case Manager
Traditions Health Care
07.2017 - 07.2018
Regional Director of Staff Development
Angels Care Home Health
08.2016 - 07.2017
Director of Nursing
Continuity Care Home Health
02.2014 - 08.2016
Assistant Director of Nursing
Jordan Healthcare
10.2013 - 02.2014
Director of Nursing
Cole Home Healthcare
08.2011 - 09.2014
Home Health RN Case Manager
Alpha Omega Home Health
06.2010 - 07.2011
Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse
Memorial Hospital
05.2009 - 06.2011
Charge Nurse, Registered Nurse
North Florida Regional Medical Center
02.2008 - 06.2009
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
06.2006 - 02.2008
Adjunct Instructor
San Jacinto College Central
05.2006 - 02.2008
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Texas Children's Hospital
11.1997 - 05.2006
Master of Science - Nursing Education
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Associate Degree in Nursing -
San Jacinto College District
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