Tonya Vaughn
Albany,GA
Summary
Healthcare professional committed to nursing leadership with track record of improving patient outcomes and staff performance. Known for enhancing operational efficiencies and implementing best practices. Reliable team collaborator focused on achieving results and adapting to evolving healthcare needs. Experienced with nursing leadership, staff development, and patient care optimization. Utilizes strategic planning and quality improvement to enhance healthcare services. Strong understanding of team collaboration and resource management to drive impactful results.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Nursing /Respiratory/Care Management/Quality/Infection Control/Security/Emergency Preparedness/Accreditation
Phoebe Worth Medical Center
12.2022 - Current
- Supervised, directed and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Supervised professional and paraprofessional nursing staff and delegated tasks to maintain continuum of care.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Boosted staff morale by offering constructive feedback and specific direction.
- Created and implemented organizational policies and procedures.
- Oversee DNV Accreditation
- Reviewed department performance and adjusted coverage to compensate for changing conditions.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Managed 120 employees providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards.
- Developed strategy to target nursing and patient satisfaction issues, improve response and patient care quality and suggest actionable improvements to promote hospital-wide quality and safety initiatives.
- Developed and implemented infection control protocols to minimize hospital-acquired infections and enhance patient safety.
- Led multidisciplinary teams in quality improvement initiatives, achieving measurable increases in patient satisfaction scores.
- Trained staff on best practices for emergency preparedness, ensuring readiness for various disaster scenarios.
- Collaborated with department heads to ensure seamless care coordination across all services, improving patient flow and efficiency.
- Managed crisis intervention strategies to address safety and security concerns within the facility..
- Implemented evidence-based practices to reduce readmission rates and enhance overall patient care quality.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Led quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes through data-driven analysis and targeted interventions.
- Managed budgets effectively, identifying cost-saving measures while maintaining high-quality patient care standards.
- Conducted regular risk assessments within the department to identify areas of potential vulnerability and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment within the nursing department.
- Provided ongoing support to case managers in crisis situations, guiding them through problem-solving strategies and promoting best practice approaches.
- Played a key role in the development and implementation of organizational policies and procedures related to case management, ensuring alignment with best practice standards.
- Devised innovative solutions to address gaps in care or inefficiencies within the utilization management process.
- Optimized resource allocation through data-driven decision-making in healthcare service delivery planning.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary research projects aimed at advancing innovative treatments for respiratory conditions.
- Championed a culture of excellence within the respiratory department, motivating staff members to deliver the highest standard of care possible for each patient.
Nurse Manager Emergency Center/Security/Emergency Preparedness
Phoebe Worth Medical Center
06.2022 - 12.2022
- Supervised, directed and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Supervised professional and paraprofessional nursing staff and delegated tasks to maintain continuum of care.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Developed and managed departmental budgets, ensuring financial targets were met while maintaining high-quality patient care.
- Reviewed incident reports and led investigations to address and resolve safety and security concerns within the facility.
- Enhanced patient flow by optimizing staffing schedules and resource allocation in the emergency department.
- Promoted a culture of safety by implementing protocols for infection control and emergency preparedness.
- Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to support professional growth of nursing staff members.
- Supervised, directed, and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Boosted staff morale by offering constructive feedback and specific direction.
- Created and implemented organizational policies and procedures.
- Reviewed department performance and adjusted coverage to compensate for changing conditions.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Established and continuously optimized unit schedules and individual work assignments.
- Managed 25 employees providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards.
- Developed strategy to target nursing and patient satisfaction issues, improve response and patient care quality and suggest actionable improvements to promote hospital-wide quality and safety initiatives.
- Representative in Region K Emergency Preparedness Committee
- Coordinated with Local Authority and Region K Disaster Drills
- Developed and executed emergency preparedness training programs, ensuring staff readiness for various disaster scenarios.
- Implemented patient care protocols, enhancing the quality of care and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Supervised daily operations of the emergency center, optimizing workflow and improving patient throughput.
- Coordinated security measures within the emergency department to enhance patient and staff safety.
- Conducted regular risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and implemented corrective actions to mitigate risks.
- Established and maintained effective communication channels with local authorities for disaster response and preparedness.
- Monitored and analyzed performance metrics, leading quality improvement initiatives that increased patient satisfaction scores.
Administrative House Manager
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
04.2022 - 06.2022
- Supervised, directed and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Supervised professional and paraprofessional nursing staff and delegated tasks to maintain continuum of care.
- Communicates with Nurse Managers, Directors and Administrators regarding problems, interventions, and decisions made by Supervisor
- Provides daily shift reports for Main Campus and North Campus
- Implements disaster plans as needed, assesses all emergency situations
- Tracks all bed availability and responsible for decision to divert
- Served as liaison between different departments within the company, facilitating smooth communication channels for interdepartmental collaboration on various projects.
- Conducted regular audits of facility operations to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.
- Monitored compliance with hospital policies and procedures, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
- Developed and maintained effective communication strategies with staff and management to enhance collaboration.
- Analyzed patient feedback to identify areas for improvement in service delivery and staff interactions.
- Resolved patient and staff grievances promptly, leveraging conflict resolution skills to maintain a harmonious environment.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Provided high-quality customer service by addressing concerns, resolving issues promptly, and ensuring that clients felt valued and appreciated.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of sensitive company information as well as personal employee data, adhering to applicable privacy regulations and best practices.
- Maintained compliance with company policies and industry regulations, staying up-to-date on changes or updates that may affect the organization''s operations.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Coordinated patient admissions and discharges, optimizing bed availability and patient flow.
- Communicated with nursing staff and management regarding operational issues, ensuring timely resolutions.
- Implemented emergency protocols during critical situations, maintaining safety and compliance standards.
- Conducted daily assessments of staffing needs and made adjustments to optimize patient care delivery.
Nurse Manager Orthopedic/Acute Care VI
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
06.2018 - 04.2022
- Supervised, directed and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Supervised professional and paraprofessional nursing staff and delegated tasks to maintain continuum of care.
- Implemented strategies to address staff morale, boosting engagement through recognition and support.
- Conducted audits to ensure compliance with hospital policies and regulatory standards, driving continuous improvement.
- Managed staff scheduling and time off to adequately staff nursing floors and allow nurses earned time off.
- Fostered open communication among nurses through regular team meetings, promoting collaboration and shared decision making.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by maintaining accurate records and staying up-to-date on industry standards.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Boosted staff morale by offering constructive feedback and specific direction.
- Created and implemented organizational policies and procedures.
- DNV program re-certification with no corrective suggestions.
- Reviewed department performance and adjusted coverage to compensate for changing conditions.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Established and continuously optimized unit schedules and individual work assignments.
- Managed 40 employees providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards.
- Developed strategy to target nursing and patient satisfaction issues, improve response and patient care quality and suggest actionable improvements to promote hospital-wide quality and safety initiatives.
- Chairperson for Reduction Catheter Associated Urinary Traction Infection (CAUTI) Committee. Holds seat on all Harm Reduction Committees such as, C-Diff, CLABSI, Falls, Patient Safety. Also Nursing Leadership, Shared Decision Making, Staff Utilization, Restraints, Infection Prevention
- HRO-High Reliability Organization Trainer
- Promoted a culture of safety within the department, conducting regular risk assessments and addressing potential hazards promptly.
- Streamlined nursing operations for increased efficiency by optimizing staff scheduling and resource allocation.
- Established and maintained effective communication channels with interdisciplinary teams to support comprehensive patient care.
- Reviewed and adjusted staffing schedules based on patient acuity and departmental needs, maintaining optimal coverage.
- Performed budget management, tracking expenses, and identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising care quality.
- Review and interpret DNV Standards for facility Compliance
- Supervised and mentored a nursing team of 40, ensuring high standards of patient care and adherence to protocols.
- Developed and implemented training programs for nursing staff, focusing on best practices in orthopedic care.
- Managed daily operations of the orthopedic unit, optimizing workflow and enhancing patient throughput.
- Analyzed patient care metrics to identify areas for improvement, driving quality initiatives that increased patient satisfaction.
- Conducted regular staff meetings to foster communication, address concerns, and promote a collaborative environment.
- Implemented evidence-based practices to enhance patient outcomes and reduce readmission rates.
Charge Nurse, Surgical Floor/Ortho/Neuro/Urology
Southwell Tift Regional Medical Center
03.2015 - 05.2018
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Implemented quality patient care techniques to align with safety, health and organizational regulations.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens and pain management techniques.
- Managed JP drains and chest, nasogastric, G and peg tubes.
- Worked with patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), diabetes or sepsis to assess needs and determine best options for care.
- Managed pre-op and post-operative patient care
- Managed various medications and treatments such as peritoneal dialysis, IV push, oral, subcutaneous, IV infusion and intramuscular injections.
- Directed patient care activities, guided and trained RNs, LPNs and residential advisors during shift.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking and administration.
- Documented information in patients' electronic medical record, relaying information to clinicians and care providers to facilitate continuity of care.
- Documented medications administered, treatments and patient procedures performed in appropriate records according to privacy requirements.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Supervised patient admissions and discharges from hospital to home care, rehabilitative facility or self-care.
- Collaborated with various healthcare professionals to determine specific and individualized care plan based on goals and long-term health.
- Maintained sterile surgical environment and secured confidential data to protect patients' health and privacy.
- Identified unit areas of inadequacy and adjusted procedures to close gaps and improve policies.
- Developed and executed daily goals and care plans for surgical patients per day.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Participated in committees to discuss policies, propose revisions and implement changes.
- 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.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices for entire unit.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
South University
Savannah, GA12.2017
Associate of Science - Registered Nurse
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Tifton, GA05.2015
Emergency Medical Tech-Paramedic - Emergency Medical Technology
Valdosta Technical College
Valdosta, GA08.1998
High School Diploma -
Worth County High School
Sylvester, GA05.1991
Skills
- Process Implementation
- Data Analysis
- Budget Development
- Nursing Operations Management
- Organizational Goal Development
- Performance Monitoring
- Clinical Quality Program Standards
- Healthcare regulations compliance
- Policy development
- Strategic planning
- Quality improvement
- Strong work ethic
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 100 staff members.
- Achieved DNV recertification by completing all standards with accuracy and efficiency.
- Collaborated with Surgicare, Pre-Op Surgical Holding, Orthopedic Surgeons, PACU in the development action plans to meet all DNV Standards
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop Orthopedic Surgical Quality Dashboards, which included all Surgeons Quality Data used in Credentialing
- Achieved Marketing Joint Camp Video/ Test to maximize patient educational knowledge of surgery pathway during COVID pandemic.
- Documented and resolved Patient Issues which led to department maintaining highest Press Gainey "Rate of Hospital" for entire organization.
- Department Awarded "Most Improved" Tele Tracking Compliance and 11am Discharges.
- Top Tier Leadership Award 2024 & 2025-Employee Engagement
- 2024 Nominated Phoebe Phenomenal Woman
- Phoebe Leadership Tier 2 Leader Development
- Phoebe LEAD Tier 3- Directors and above
- Nominated to Senior Executive Leadership Committee
Certification
- Certified Instructor for Crisis Prevention Institute
- DNV CHOP-B Certified
- TCAR Certification
- FEMA Incident Command: ISC 100, ISC 200, IS 700.b, IS 800.d
- BLS, ACLS, PALS Certification
- BLS Instructor
- Registered Nurse
- NIHSS Certification
Timeline
Director of Nursing /Respiratory/Care Management/Quality/Infection Control/Security/Emergency Preparedness/Accreditation
Phoebe Worth Medical Center
12.2022 - Current
Nurse Manager Emergency Center/Security/Emergency Preparedness
Phoebe Worth Medical Center
06.2022 - 12.2022
Administrative House Manager
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
04.2022 - 06.2022
Nurse Manager Orthopedic/Acute Care VI
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
06.2018 - 04.2022
Charge Nurse, Surgical Floor/Ortho/Neuro/Urology
Southwell Tift Regional Medical Center
03.2015 - 05.2018
Associate of Science - Registered Nurse
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
South University
Emergency Medical Tech-Paramedic - Emergency Medical Technology
Valdosta Technical College
High School Diploma -
Worth County High School