Tracy Waller
Ashtabula,OH
Summary
Talented Manager with expert team leadership, planning and organizational skills built during successful career. Smoothly equip employees to independently handle daily functions and meet customer needs. Diligent trainer and mentor with exceptional management abilities and results-driven approach. Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Insightful Manager with experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Perioperative Services Manager
UH Conneaut And Geneva Medical Centers
09.2007 - Current
- Supervised, directed, and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Cultivated an inclusive culture where all members of the healthcare team felt valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their unique skills and perspectives toward optimal patient care.
- Implemented innovative inventory management strategies that reduced waste and optimized resource utilization in the operating room.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with standards and guidelines directly relating to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) and The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
- Enhanced patient safety by implementing strict protocols and guidelines for surgical procedures.
- Championed the adoption of evidence-based practices within the operating room, driving quality improvements in patient care.
- Spearheaded initiatives for reducing surgical site infections, leading to improved patient outcomes across the board.
- Coordinated and implemented in-service educational programs focusing on safety and adherence to protocols.
- Promoted professional development opportunities to encourage nurses to pursue continuous training.
- Served as a mentor to new and experienced nursing staff, providing guidance, support, and expertise throughout their professional growth.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement through regular performance reviews and professional development opportunities for nursing staff.
- Streamlined operating room efficiency by optimizing staff scheduling and resource allocation.
- Elevated staff morale through effective communication and recognition programs, fostering a positive work environment conducive to high-quality patient care.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Played a critical role in recruiting top talent for operating room nursing positions, helping build a highly skilled workforce dedicated to excellence in clinical practice.
- Demonstrated exemplary leadership skills during crisis situations or high-stress surgical cases, guiding the team toward successful outcomes while maintaining composure and professionalism.
- Managed staff scheduling and time off to adequately staff nursing floors and allow nurses earned time off.
- Established and continuously optimized unit schedules and individual work assignments.
- Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration among surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses to optimize patient care during surgeries.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians, and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Collaborated with hospital administration to develop strategic plans for expansion of operating room facilities and renovation of the preop and post anesthesia care unit (PACU).
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives that led to measurable improvements in key performance indicators for the operating room department.
- Reduced patient recovery time by collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to develop post-operative care plans.
- Developed and implemented quality improvement initiatives to provide best possible patient care and identify and address areas of concern.
- Assisted in the development of operating room budgets, ensuring adequate financial resources were allocated to maintain top-notch patient care standards.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by fostering a supportive and compassionate environment in the operating room.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Perioperative Nurse
UH Geneva Medical Center
08.2002 - 09.2007
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Provided compassionate, individualized care for each patient while in operating room.
- Educated patients and families on post-surgical care procedures, facilitating smooth transitions from hospital to home environments.
- Conducted thorough assessments of preoperative patients, identifying potential risks or contraindications for surgery.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing overall surgical service delivery within the facility.
- Provided personalized patient care, addressing individual concerns to ensure comfort and trust during preoperative preparations.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of emerging trends in perioperative nursing practice through continuous professional education courses and workshops.
- Evaluated patient's level of pain, implementing effective medications and pain management techniques.
- Prepared, implemented and evaluated nursing care for patients through each step of surgical procedure.
- Enhanced patient safety by meticulously following surgical protocols and guidelines.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Mentored new perioperative nurses, sharing best practices for optimal patient care and professional development.
- Promoted a culture of patient-centered care within the operating room, fostering a positive environment for both patients and staff members alike.
- Assisted surgeons with complex procedures, demonstrating exceptional knowledge of anatomy and surgical techniques.
- Reduced postoperative complications through diligent monitoring of patients during the recovery process.
- Adhered to all relevant regulatory and accreditation guidelines, ensuring consistent compliance with established perioperative nursing standards.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Skillfully managed emergency situations in the OR, utilizing critical thinking skills to make quick decisions under pressure.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated patients and loved ones regarding operating procedures, expectations, side effects and recovery process.
- Improved team communication and collaboration, implementing strategic huddles before each surgery.
- Contributed to cost-saving efforts by diligently tracking supply usage and minimizing waste in the operating room setting.
- Streamlined operating room efficiency by effectively preparing and organizing medical instruments and equipment.
- Leveraged strong interpersonal skills to build rapport with patients, families, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the surgical process.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Decreased surgical site infections by adhering to aseptic techniques and maintaining a sterile operating environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Medical/Surgical Registered Nurse
UH Geneva Medical Center
10.2000 - 10.2002
- Contributed to a positive work culture by serving as a mentor for new nurses and participating in shared governance initiatives within the organization.
- Facilitated efficient discharge planning with case managers, social workers, therapists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment plan.
- Managed patient pain relief and sedation by providing non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Provided inpatient care to diverse population of adult medical and surgical patients.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients on self-care techniques such as wound management, medication administration, and lifestyle modifications to promote long-term wellness.
- Demonstrated adaptability during critical situations by remaining calm under pressure while providing high-quality care for patients experiencing acute or life-threatening conditions.
- Administered blood products and monitored vital signs to address immediate concerns.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Monitored patient vital signs to perform thorough condition assessments.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Educated patients and families on disease diagnosis, prognosis and post-operative care.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by providing thorough discharge education and follow-up instructions for patients and their families.
- Monitored and managed pain levels of post-surgical patients to reduce unnecessary opiate usage.
- Improved patient satisfaction scores by consistently providing compassionate, empathetic, and culturally sensitive care.
- Assisted with wound care, dressing changes and NG tube placement to maintain stable patient conditions.
- Provided patient-centered discharge planning and education to reduce complications and readmissions.
- Administered IV medications, monitoring and documenting patient responses to address complications.
- Streamlined nursing workflows by effectively delegating tasks to ancillary staff according to scope of practice guidelines.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to facilitate comprehensive patient-centered care.
- Performed nursing assessments and developed patient-specific treatment plans to deliver comprehensive care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Assisted with bedside procedures such as central line insertions, lumbar punctures, and chest tube placements by ensuring proper equipment set-up and maintaining aseptic technique.
- Participated in staff meetings, educational opportunities, and quality improvement initiatives to stay current on best practices within the field of medical-surgical nursing.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Decreased medication errors by diligently following the five rights of medication administration and double-checking orders with pharmacy staff when necessary.
- Prevented complications for post-operative patients through careful monitoring, early detection of issues, and prompt intervention when needed.
- Performed intravenous therapy procedures and monitored chest tubes.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Provided emotional support for patients facing serious diagnoses or end-of-life decisions, fostering trusting relationships with both patients and their families.
- Effectively managed time and prioritized tasks to ensure timely administration of medications, treatments, and procedures.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Education
High School Diploma -
Ashtabula High
Ashtabula, OHAssociate of Applied Science - Nursing
Kent State University, Ashtabula Campus
Ashtabula, OHBachelor of Science - Nursing
Ohio University
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Chamberlin College of Nursing
Skills
- Goal Setting
- Process Improvement
- Team Development
- Problem Resolution
- Interpersonal Relations
- Scheduling and Coordinating
- Employee Engagement
- Critical Thinking
- Patient Experience
- Strategic Planning
- Expense Tracking
- Revenue Forecasting
Accomplishments
- Highest patient experience scores on average in the system for 10 consecutive years
- Successful Epic rollout for 2 facilities, 4 clinics, 2 perioperative departments in 2023
- Took on the role as Administrator on Call (AOC) starting in 2022
- Instrumental in adding a urology service line to Geneva Medical Center in 2022
- Instrumental in opening an APP GI Clinic in Geneva in 2022
- Instrumental in opening an APP Orthopedic clinic in Conneaut Medical Center in 2022
- Instrumental in opening an APP driven Pain clinic starting in Conneaut Medical Center then expanding to Geneva Medical Center in 2021-2022
- Instrumental in the recruitment of APPs hired under the perioperative department to improve physician and nursing satisfaction along with increasing revenue in 2021
- Instrumental in the planning and execution of a Covid 19 testing site and infusion clinic in 2020
- NDNQI survey results 10 out of 11 indicators above the national average for Conneaut; 10 out of 11 indicators above the national average for Geneva in 2019
- Instrumental in planning and executing a state-of-the-art GI suite at Conneaut Medical Center in 2019
- Instrumental in the redesign and upgrade of the decontam room in sterile processing at Conneaut Medical Center for compliance with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards in 2019
- Instrumental in adding OCT technology for managing retina, glaucoma, and anterior segment to our opthalmology service line in 2019
- Instrumental in adding opthalmology and pain management service lines at Conneaut Medical Center in 2018
- Instrumental in adding PillCam procedures to the GI service line in 2017
- Developed a step-by-step process for reprocessing endoscopes utilized at UH Conneaut and Geneva GI suites that was noted as a best practice by the Joint Commission in 2016
- Instrumental in the planning and execution of a new live distance training program in 2015
- Instrumental in the planning and execution of a new state-of-the- art orthopedic operating room suite in 2014
- Received the 2013 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award for providing outstanding patient experience at the 99th percentile for 12 consecutive months
- Educated over 2000 students utilizing the state-of-the-art Live Distance Training
- Planning and execution of a Live Distance Training program for nursing and physician assistant (PA)students in 2010
- Instrumental in the planning, training and execution of the first electronic documentation in the operating rooms in UH in 2007-2008 (Picis)
Certification
- BLS expires 6/2024
- ACLS expires 6/2024
- PALS expires 6/2024
- Registered Nurse expires 10/2025
- CNOR - Certified Nurse Operating Room expires 12/2027
Timeline
Perioperative Services Manager
UH Conneaut And Geneva Medical Centers
09.2007 - Current
Perioperative Nurse
UH Geneva Medical Center
08.2002 - 09.2007
Medical/Surgical Registered Nurse
UH Geneva Medical Center
10.2000 - 10.2002
High School Diploma -
Ashtabula High
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Kent State University, Ashtabula Campus
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Ohio University
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Chamberlin College of Nursing
- BLS expires 6/2024
- ACLS expires 6/2024
- PALS expires 6/2024
- Registered Nurse expires 10/2025
- CNOR - Certified Nurse Operating Room expires 12/2027
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