Valerie Simmons

• Hired as an Occupational Therapist June 18, 2018
• Fulfill all direct patient care responsibilities as an Occupational Therapist
• Complete self-scheduling of caseload and assignment of visits to certified occupational therapy assistants/home health aides
• Preceptor to students and newly hired staff with a focus on coaching Vanderbilt's culture and promoting quality patient care
• Seek out knowledge and input from all home care staff as indicated for effective treatment planning
• Actively pursue continuing education opportunities to advance clinical knowledge and skills
• Elevate staff to positively reinforce optimal service delivery and patient care
• Provide an appropriate evaluation and a plan of intervention for clients, specific to individual needs
• Evaluation, planning, intervention, and assessments are evidence-based, current, and within the scope of practice
• Interpret results of assessments and treatments to identify functional barriers and to define current functional status
• Refer clients with problems outside scope of practice to the appropriate personnel
• Effectively prioritize client problems according to discharge environmental needs
• Establish timely, measurable, and functional short-term and long-term goals
• Adapt the treatment environment to create optimal therapeutic conditions
• Progress treatment interventions to functional tasks to ensure carryover of learned skills
• Monitor and modify treatments to maximize outcomes based on client's rehabilitation and psychological responses
• Provide accurate and timely caregiver education on client status and current level of function
• Monitor effects of education and discharge planning to staff, clients, and caregivers, retraining as appropriate to ensure safety
• Ensure that all duties delegated to occupational therapy and home health aide personnel are congruent with credentials, qualifications, experience, competency, and scope of practice concerning service delivery and supervision

Awarded Clinical Therapy Lead on February 4, 2019

• Lead a team of approximately 75 employees with 25 direct reports, ensuring high performance.
  Sustain an average daily census of 750 patients, facilitating seamless care delivery.
• Manage employee performance through continuous evaluation and guidance to meet agency goals.
• Coordinate staff management to align with operational goals and improve patient outcomes.
• Oversee the Berry Dunn Project, focused on elevating client satisfaction through the implementation of the patient-centered care model, improving Care Compare Ratings from 3 to 4 stars.
• Contribute as a mentor in the Career Advancement Program for Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Services.
• Establish rehabilitation-specific policies and practice guidelines aligned with regulatory standards.
• Perform ongoing analysis and assessment of work processes, pursuing task improvements.
• Spearhead development, dissemination, and oversight of quality and excellence standards.
• Drive program development and identify new opportunities through analysis of the referral community.
• Exhibit expertise in the on-time delivery of projects and services, maintaining consistency with organizational standards and objectives.
• Address consumer and client needs, identify emerging concerns, and devise a strategic follow-up plan.
• Administer and direct various projects concurrently.
• Articulate team and unit objectives while remaining open to team members' ideas and suggestions.
• Exhibit leadership and initiative in cases where supervision is not present or required.
• Execute thorough research and data analysis to enhance strategic planning and facilitate informed decision-making.
• Streamlined development and ongoing refinement of Dorothy Home Care EHR for integration with EPIC Acute Systems.
• Secured CHAP Accreditation recertification across 2 survey cycles with no infection control deficiencies.
• Acquired CHAP Pediatric Certification in February 2025, functioning as an Agile Team Member.

• Hired as Rehab Services Manager for a 150-bed facility with 60 rehab-to-home beds, managing 20 therapists
• Provided resident care in addition to management responsibilities
• Completed facility and department data analysis, emphasizing correlations to clinical outcomes
• Demonstrated and instructed financial stewardship, illustrating the impact of treatment costs on therapy services
• Developed and implemented clinical programming, which included training and oversight of each program
• Completed monthly chart audits and developed performance improvement plans as indicated
• Recruited and on-boarded new stakeholders
• Responsible for the direct supervision and support of therapy staff with the guidance of the Senior Rehab Team's initiatives
• Involved in marketing strategies, developing and establishing community relationships, and building educational affiliations

Awarded Director of Clinical Services in October 2014

• Multi-site management of daily clinical operations to meet or exceed company benchmarks for 16 facilities
• Developed and managed a plan for clinical growth for all clinicians, approximately 150 therapists
• Completed and delivered yearly performance evaluations and mid-year performance reviews
• Partnered with customers as it relates to therapy compliance, clinical programming, and enhancement opportunities
• Developed and implemented the following clinical programming toolkits: dysphagia, aural rehab, modalities, falls, low vision, wheelchair positioning, vestibular/balance, falls, cognition, cardiac, respiratory, and orthopedic excellence

Awarded Director of Rehab Special Projects in May 2016, responsible for clinical and operational oversight of 112 facilities

• Member of Agile Team for Home Health Services with Senior Executives to improve quality patient care
• Identified and participated in process improvement initiatives, optimizing customer experience and enhancing workflow
• Promoted program development and identified new business opportunities through analysis of the referral community
• Responded to issues addressed from customer reviews by developing a clear and consistent plan for follow-up
• Mentored therapists in areas that affect productivity, such as time management, service delivery, and documentation
• Developed and implemented cost-effective service delivery models that achieved quality outcomes
• Ensured therapy compliance with company policies, practice acts, federal rulings, and regulatory guidelines

• Hired as the Director of Occupational Therapy Services for TN
• Promoted to the Director of Rehabilitation Services for TN in 9 months
• Advanced in 2009 to the Director of Rehabilitation Services for TN and AL
• Awarded Regional Director of Rehabilitation Services for TN, AL, and OH in 2010
• Recognized yearly for exceptional patient outcomes and the delivery of quality patient care
• Secured industrial rehabilitation contracts with Timken, Frito Lay, and Tyson
• Implemented Orthopedic Centers of Excellence for Joint Replacement at 3 hospitals
• Created a corporate wellness plan by partnering with a physician who wrote health care reform legislation

• Ranked #1 out of 92 facilities in 2006 for exceptional patient care, program development, and business practices
• Developed personalized treatment plans to address individual rehabilitation goals.
• Evaluated patient needs through comprehensive assessments and interviews.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated patient care.
• Educated patients and families on therapy techniques and home exercises.
• Documented patient progress in compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.
• Monitored patient progress through periodic re-evaluations to ensure desired outcomes were achieved or modified as needed.
• Obtained Parkinson's Foundation Certification for the facility
• Obtained Joint Commission Stroke Facility of Excellence
• Obtained Licensure for Swing Bed Certification

• Hired as a Rehabilitation Specialist on June 10, 2002
• Temporary Licensure Obtained to Practice as an Occupational Therapist beginning January 1, 2004
• Provided skilled occupational therapy services for a 576-bed, acute-care facility.
• Promoted to Rehabilitation Orientation Supervisor, orienting all new therapy hires on January 2, 2004
• Responsible for the orientation of new employees in addition to the delivery of occupational therapy services