Registered Nurse Home Health
Resume:
Karla Howard RN *************@***.***
Lufkin, Texas 75901
936-***-**** (cell), 936-***-****(home)
Objective
Dedicated RN with 15 years of experience within Home Health nursing of which
10 years Management experience, and 1 year Nursing Home Management experience
seeking full time career position in Long Term Care/Case Management. I Offer a solid
foundation in Medicare /Medicaid Regulations, ICD-9 coding and Case Mix Diagnosing,
computerized charting, Strong documentation and assessment skills, advanced knowledge
of surgical procedures and current best practices advancements.
Special interest in Best practices/Processes/Systems implementation in clinical settings
benefiting chronic illness patients. Strong background in standards based current
education, with experience developing and delivering training programs to staff,
community organizations and medical providers in a range of topics.
Work Experience:
Larkspur Transitional Nursing Center
201 South John Redditt
Lufkin. Texas 75901
Weekend Doubles Charge Nurse
March 1, 2013 thru current
Immediate Supervisor: Sharon Odom RN,ADON (current Covenant Dove employee)
March 12, 2012 thru Jan 16, 2013
ADON –MDS/RUG Certified
Charge Nurse – 2pm till 10pm shift
Westward Trails Nursing and Rehab Center
3001 Westward Drive
Nacogdoches, Texas 75965
98 bed facility current census 65
I have given my best with my current position. This facility has been recently acquired
and the transition during changeover has left some handwriting on the wall for the few
remaining original staff members. Budget cuts are forth coming. My commitment to the
residents and staff is unwavering but the stress is overwhelming and hindering in my
practice as a professional. My decision to seek employment elsewhere has come as a Best
practice measure to ensure that I continue to be a positive productive team member.
Director of Nursing
07/22/2011 – 02/09/2012
Progressive Home Health dba 1st Choice Home Health
My most recent position as Director of Nursing has proven to be more Director of
Clinical services for this agency. I currently review, revise and submit current policies
and practices, with all avenues of clinical staff management and record maintenance.
Marketing, QA monitoring, A/R and HR added to my directions of which is not humanly
possible to obtain effectively. I enjoyed my job but it did not prove to be what was
promised.
I separated from this position when the Owner decided to hire someone with more
experience in the administrator role and could serve as both administrator and Director of
Nursing to run her company for her.
03/27/2011-07/22/2011
Charge Nurse
Memorial Medical Center –Lufkin Texas, Medical Surgical Unit
Med Surgical Floor, night shift/12 hour shifts
Hospital reduced nursing hours to 60 hours every two weeks and I couldn’t live with
the significant pay cut having worked 98 hours/2 weeks.
Extended leave of absence
10/22/2010 until 03/2011
I buried my husband of 32 years (56y/o) and a few months later my sister (52 y/o) passed
away and I took some time to grieve and gather my composure.
Case Manager, ADON, Director of Nurses
04/27/2007 – 10/22/2010, Home Care Network East-Lufkin, TX
Assist in the preparation and care of patients during Admissions, recertification and / or
post hospital intervention, and oversee the maintenance of all Clinical records. Anticipate
needs of Physicians and Patient care team, and assist in supervision of clinical staff
members. Served as DON and Interim Director of Nurses.
Highlights of Contributions:
§ Participated in State surveys with resultant of minimal to no deficiencies. Ensured
Office readiness by maintaining stringent quality standards and safety precautions.
§ Planned and executed Plan of care for continuing care of patients. Ensured
methods and standards of treatment reflected accurately to reflect appropriate Best
practices. Coordinated care of Inter-disciplinary team
§ led numerous staff development training programs and retention.
Conducted educational programs on a broad range of topics, including diabetes education
and policies and procedures.
§ Researched and compiled daily operation reports and patient statistical data for
Medical Director, director of nursing and Administrator at Executive and Branch level.
Coordinated and meet multiple Cooperate deadlines to ensure smooth transmission to
State billing processes.
§ Directed ongoing quality assurance (QA) program that met or surpassed Medicare
and OSHA standards for patient and staff safety.
Registered Nurse
6/2006 – 4/2007, HOSPICE IN THE PINES¬-INPATIENT UNIT DIRECTOR-Lufkin
Performed a comprehensive range of clinical and super visional functions in the 14-bed
Hospice care unit. Assessed patients’ developmental stages and conditions, administered
medications, maintained patient charts and responded to medical emergencies.
Highlights of Contributions:
§ Managed all phases of care cycle for critically ill Hospice patients. Held
additional responsibility as Unit Director and ADON for overseeing patient care, staff
assignments, emergency response/transport and management of family crises.
§ Contributed to organizational growth initiatives as active member of patient
education and procedural committees, along with preceptor duties instructing new patient
and nurses in crisis intervention, medication administration and resuscitation.
§ Built solid, trusting relationships with staff and patient families, generating
positive PR through extra efforts in care treatment and one-on-one communications.
§ Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members, working closely with
physicians, nurses, technicians and therapists to formulate, implement and modify
individual care plans.
DIRECTOR OF NURSING
05/2005-06/2006 – WRIGHT CHOICE HOME HEALTH
• Began as RN field nurse and promoted to Director after successfully
developing, implementing and managing patient care thru Disaster Plan of care thru
Hurricane season.
RN Case Manager
06/2003-05/2005 – Texas Home Health
RN Case Manager
08/2002 – 06/2003 – Bethany Home Health
RN Case Manager
06/2000 – 0/2002 – A Piney Woods Home Health
RN Field Nurse
06/1997-06/2000 –Angelina Home Health
RN Charge Nurse
06/1996 – 06/1997 –Memorial Hospital/Medical Surgical Unit
Education
6/1996 Regents College of Nursing, Albany, NY
§ Completed comprehensive nursing training to complete ASN degree thru
extension program requiring exemplary self-discipline
6/2005 Angelina College of Nursing, Lufkin, TX
6/1996 Registered Nurse, Texas State Board of Nursing
5/1990 Massey’s Business College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
§ Currently pursuing continued education with goal to become Nursing Instructor
11/09 CPR certification, Texas –current thru 03/2013
Skill Name Skill Level Last Used/Experience
Case / Patient Management Intermediate Currently used/16
years
Clinical Policies & Procedures Intermediate Currently used/15
years
ICD-9 Coding/Case Mix Diagnosing Intermediate Currently used/11
years
Data Management & Documentation Intermediate Currently used/11
years
Healthcare Education Expert Currently used/14 years
Medicare/Medicaid Standards / Compliance Expert Currently used/14
years
Patient Interviews Expert Currently used/15 years
Public / Community Relations Expert Currently used/10 years
Public Speaking Expert Currently used/10 years
Quality Assurance / Quality Control Expert Currently used/10 years
Records Maintenance Expert Currently used/15 years
Matrix System Very Good
Currently used 1 yr
Additional Information
Excelled in early nursing career as RN/nurse team leader (2/1996 to 5/1997) and hospital
staff nurse aide and Surgical Technologists (6/1990 to 5/1996), with commendations for
quality of total patient care from community/teaching hospital employers.
Participated on the first Heart Team in Lufkin at Woodland Heights Hospital.
Known as a loyal team player with an unwavering commitment to providing quality care
and preventive medicine advocacy.
Available for evening/weekend shifts and willing to relocate for right opportunity.
I have had the distinct honor and privilege to serve on the first Cardiac Bypass Team in
our city under the leader ship of Dr. B. Kyger and his assistant Jerry Josea, now deceased.
This will always be the highlight of my career.
Strengths: Understanding of regulatory entity regulations and undying commitment to
compliance.
Weakness: Compassion when dealing with staff. I am a firm person but pride myself in
being fair at times too fair when looking back.
Personal References:
• Beatrice Durham RN, DON- Stallings Court Nursing and Rehab (formerly DON
at Westward Trails)/ Nacogdoches TX 75965, 936-***-**** cell, home 936-***-****
• Eva Coutee RN – RN Case Manager-936-***-**** or 936-***-****
• Contessa Moore – Staffing Coordinator, Westward Trails Nursing and Rehab
Center 936-***-****
• Rodney Foster – Minister – 936-***-****
• Aletha Hall – Texas Youth Commission – 936-***-****
• Ruby Ash RN –Westward Trails Nursing and Rehab 936-***-****
Contact this candidate