Karla Howard RN abtysw@r.postjobfree.com

**** ******** ******

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

936-***-****

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-***-****

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