Teressa Smith
Blue Springs,MO
Summary
Accomplished Core Charge Nurse at Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics, adept in interdisciplinary collaboration and team leadership. Spearheaded clinic flow improvements and enhanced patient care through evidence-based projects, demonstrating exceptional decision-making and communication skills. Proven advocate for patient and staff welfare, with goal of elevating clinic efficiency and job satisfaction. Patient- centered nurse with 26 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Skilled at multitasking and prioritizing patient needs and daily assignments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Core Charge Nurse in Hematology/Oncology Clinic
Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
08.2012 - Current
- Coordinate nursing care on unit through daily staff assignments, monitoring patient orders, communicating and facilitating admissions to inpatient units.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and ancillary departments to provide quality patient care.
- Participate in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Use first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients.
- Collaborate with leadership to devise initiatives for improving clinic flow.
- Act as an advocate and resource for nursing staff to maintain and elevate job satisfaction.
- Continue to perform all duties of clinic staff nurse depending on staffing needs and patient acuity.
- Serve on various unit and division committees to improve patient care and experience.
Staff Nurse in Hematology/Oncology Clinic
Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
11.2002 - 08.2012
- Cared for patients in outpatient clinic that functions as a "day hospital".
- Administered medications, chemotherapy and blood products. Monitored patients throughout stay in clinic.
- Sedated patients for lumbar punctures and/or bone marrow aspirates and biopsies.
- Cared for critically ill patients that would require transfer to hospital inpatient unit or intensive care unit.
- Obtained vascular access on patients through venipuncture and central line access.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies and nursing best practices.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Collaborated with multiple members of the healthcare team to improve patient outcomes.
Staff Nurse on Hematology/Oncology Inpatient Unit
Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
05.2001 - 11.2002
- Transitioned to this role after starting as an inpatient care assistant on the unit in May 1998.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis, disease process and care.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Cared for patients with oncologic and hematologic diseases. Cared for bone marrow transplant patients.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
St. Luke's College
Kansas City, MO05.2001
Skills
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Team Leadership
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Decision-Making
- Issue Resolution
- Effective communicator
- Delegate tasks to maximize team potential
- Thoughtful leader who listens to team members
- Advocate for patients, families and staff
Certification
- Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation-Through December 2028
- Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate-Oncology Nursing Society-Through December 2025
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certified-Through May 2025
Additional Information
- Participated in LEAN workshop for Hematology/Oncology Clinic (2016): This workshop introduced LEAN principles; Collaborated with group to identify areas that needed improvement; Worked to develop tools to capture data that validated concerns and create solutions for process improvement with measurable outcomes; Contributed to development of clinic daily "huddle board"
- Care Assistant Standard Work Workshop (2018): Worked with a group of clinic leadership, nursing and care assistants to develop standard process for checking in and rooming patients; The goal was to improve efficiency and patient satisfaction during clinic stay; Assisted in validating work after workshop completion
- Member of Hematology/Oncology Central Line Committee (2010-2023): Collaborated with inpatient unit, physicians, infection control practitioners, and quality improvement coordinators to prevent central line associated blood stream infections; While serving on this committee, attended Children's Hospital Association workshops to develop standards to collect data from ambulatory hematology/oncology centers nationwide
- Oncology Template Building Workshop (October 2023), Hematology Template Building Workshop (February 2024): Reviewed current scheduling templates and created new templates to improve efficiency.
- Chemotherapy Task Force (2018-present): As a member, help to identify and resolve issues related to chemotherapy orders, administration and events.
Accomplishments
Awarded Charge Nurse Clinical Excellence Award in 2018
Timeline
Core Charge Nurse in Hematology/Oncology Clinic
Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
08.2012 - Current
Staff Nurse in Hematology/Oncology Clinic
Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
11.2002 - 08.2012
Staff Nurse on Hematology/Oncology Inpatient Unit
Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
05.2001 - 11.2002
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
St. Luke's College
- Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation-Through December 2028
- Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate-Oncology Nursing Society-Through December 2025
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certified-Through May 2025
Similar Profiles
Lisa MastersonLisa Masterson
Emergency Nursing Services Technician at Children's Mercy Hospital & ClinicsEmergency Nursing Services Technician at Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
Elizabeth EmersonElizabeth Emerson
Assistant Department Director Emergency Department at Children's Mercy Hospital & ClinicsAssistant Department Director Emergency Department at Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics
Amy VorbeckAmy Vorbeck
Assistant Director of Nursing, Operating Room at Children's Mercy Hospital & ClinicsAssistant Director of Nursing, Operating Room at Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics