Tikesha Smith
Harris Health System-Ben Taub
Houston,TX
1
Certification
28
years of professional experience
Highly skilled trauma surgical ICU nurse with extensive hands-on clinical experience, progressed to trauma registrar duties and trauma registry management in a Level One hospital setting. Demonstrates advanced trauma assessment and resuscitation skills, multidisciplinary coordination, quality improvement leadership, and proficiency with trauma registry systems. Strong commitment to patient-centered care, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and continuous education.
Work History
Trauma Registry Manager
5 Years 1 Month- Oversee trauma registry operations, manage registry staff, and ensure timely, accurate submission of data to state and national databases.
- Develop and implement quality assurance processes to improve data validity, including routine audits, edit checks, and training programs for abstractors.
- Lead performance improvement initiatives by analyzing registry metrics, identifying trends, and presenting findings to trauma leadership.
- Coordinate trauma program activities for ACS Level One verification, including policy development, committee management, and readiness reviews.
- Create and deliver education for clinical staff on documentation best practices, coding accuracy, and trauma system requirements.
- Manage registry software updates, vendor relationships, and integration with electronic medical records to streamline data flow.
- Prepare regulatory reports, grant data submissions, and research datasets; collaborate on publications and clinical trials related to trauma outcomes.
Trauma Coordinator
9 Years 11 Months- Abstract trauma patient data from medical records for entry into the trauma registry according to NTDS/ACS guidelines.
- Validate and reconcile clinical documentation with operative reports, imaging, and laboratory data to ensure data accuracy and completeness.
- Assign injury mechanism, diagnosis, AIS, and ICD codes, and calculate Injury Severity Score (ISS) reliably.
- Collaborate with trauma surgeons and case managers to resolve data discrepancies and clarify clinical course for accurate registry capture.
- Support trauma verification visits by preparing chart samples, registry reports, and documentation of quality processes.
- Maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance during data collection, storage, and reporting.
Level One Trauma Center — Trauma Surgical ICU Nurse
12 Years 7 Months- Provide direct critical care to trauma patients in the surgical ICU, managing complex post-operative and multisystem injury cases.
- Lead initial resuscitation and stabilization of unstable trauma patients, coordinating with trauma surgeons, anesthesia, and emergency physicians.
- Implement ventilator management strategies, monitor invasive lines, and titrate vasoactive infusions to maintain hemodynamic stability.
- Manage massive transfusion activations, administer blood products, and monitor coagulopathy in collaboration with transfusion services.
- Perform continuous neurological assessments and escalate care for patients with traumatic brain injury.
- Educate families regarding injury severity, clinical course, and goals of care, facilitating family meetings and end-of-life discussions when necessary.
- Participate in daily multidisciplinary rounds, contributing to care planning, discharge planning, and rehabilitation coordination.
- Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation and ensure compliance with ICU protocols and infection control practices.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Skills
Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) principles
Trauma-focused primary and secondary survey
Critical care nursing and ventilator management
Hemodynamic monitoring and vasoactive medication management
Emergency resuscitation and massive transfusion protocols
Surgical post-operative critical care
Triage and trauma activation management
Trauma registry abstraction and data quality assurance
Trauma database software
Performance improvement and morbidity & mortality review
Interdisciplinary team leadership and education
Regulatory compliance (ACS verification standards)
Clinical documentation and ICD/CPT coding basics
Accomplishments
- Reduced registry submission errors by implementing a structured abstraction checklist and quarterly audits
- Coordinated successful ACS Level One trauma verification, compiling registry evidence, process documentation, and outcome measures.
- Assisted with trauma data abstraction for quality initiatives that were presented at regional conferences and hospital leadership forums.
- Assisted two hospitals in McAllen, Texas in acquiring ACS Level One trauma accreditation
Affiliations
American Association of Critical-Care Nurse-AACN
Certification
- Certified Trauma Registrar (CTR) — 2022
- Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist-2022
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) — 2024
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) — 2024
- Basic Life Support (BLS) — 2024
- Trauma Nursing Core Course — TNCC instructor
- Critical Care Registered Nurse-2025
Timeline
Trauma Registry Manager
Harris Health System-Ben Taub
02.2021 - 03.2026Read More
Trauma Coordinator
Harris Heath System, Ben Taub, Houston, Tx
03.2011 - 02.2021Read More
Level One Trauma Center — Trauma Surgical ICU Nurse
Harris Health System, Ben Taub Houston, Tx
08.1998 - 03.2011Read More
UTA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Read More