Expert Details
Sterile Processing, Team Building, Department Collaboration, Standardizing, PI, and Change Management
ID: 731271
Virginia, USA
She eradicated IUSS -- formerly flash sterilization. She has also:
Optimized and standardized materials and vendors for all end users;
Planned, prepared, and provided educational material to all staff for international certification;
Proven a record in planning, management, and leadership skills;
Demonstrated keen abilities as an effective administrator, and leader;
Adapted quickly and consistently to difficult challenges in a complex medical environment; and
Dependably applied sound judgment and pertinent information to healthcare team.
Expert's administrative qualifications include developing, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures within a multi-disciplinary setting, performing product evaluation and selection. She is highly experienced in developing and implementing capital and operating budgets.
She has been chosen as the recipient of Mary Washington Healthcare’s “Pillars of Excellence Awards” in the category of “High Performing Teams” for several years, including consecutive streaks.
Additional awards include Manager of the Quarter (twice), recognition in Outstanding Leadership (twice), and STERIS of the Month.
A meticulous, high-energy worker with superior communication, collaboration, and analytical skills, Expert has over 28 years' years healthcare experience. She is currently a Manager of two Sterile Processing departments at two facilities. She holds her CRCST (Certified Registered Sterile Processing Technician), CHL ( Certification Healthcare Leadership), and a former approved educator with IAHCSMM (International Association Healthcare Central Service and Materials Management. She has written many articles regarding Sterile Processing and following standards set with AORN, AAMI, and the Joint Commission. Expert has attended several VHA speaking events. She has achieved a flash free facility now known as IUSS, immediate use sterilization for over 10 years in her facilities. She is passionate about patient safety and is the patient advocate. Both of her departments won awards for Pillars of Excellence High Performing Teams, in addition to over four awards for excellent leadership.
Expert fields consulting requests from past colleagues, as well as new professionals she encounters and assists in the Sterile Processing arena. Examples include policies and procedures, AAMI standards, disinfection, and the related fields.
Education
Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
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Year: 2001 | Degree: CRCST, CHL | Subject: Sterile Processing | Institution: IAHCSMM through Purdue University |
Year: 2023 | Degree: AA | Subject: Leadership/HRMT | Institution: APUS |
Year: 2024 | Degree: BA/MBA Current Student | Subject: Leadership/HRMT | Institution: APUS |
Work History
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
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Years: 2023 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: CEO, Owner and Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert is CEO, Owner and Consultant at her sterile processing advisory firm.Responsibilities: Implement LEAN processes Gap Analysis TAKT Time Process Improvement Change Management Staffing assessments Capacity assessment Clinical assessment Operational assessment HLD assessment Playbook Module Provide Operational /leadership support Provide interim leadership as needed Provide consulting services |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2020 to 2023 | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Professional Consultant | Department: SPD/Clinics |
Responsibilities:Implement LEAN processesGap Analysis TAKT Time Process Improvement Change Management Staffing assessments Capacity assessment Clinical assessment Operational assessment HLD assessment Playbook Module Provide Operational /leadership support |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2009 to 2019 | Employer: (Undisclosed) | Title: SPD Manager | Department: SPD/Perioperative Services |
Responsibilities:Recent policy improvements include:• The operational flow enhancement of facility case cart systems • Standardization of instrument vendors to achieve tier 4 pricing • Implementation of a single surgical instrumentation program; enhanced Operating Room instrument and operation utilization capability • Reduced CSR units overall cost with unnecessary sterilization of unused instruments • Quicker turn over times, unnecessary anesthetized patients • Deletion of flash sterilization • Implement LEAN process for effective work flow processes • Implementation of Censitrac instrument/equipment tracking system • Ensure compliance with all regulatory/governing agencies; TJC, DOT, OSHA, AAMI, AORN and EPA And these critical responsibilities: • Direct day-to-day operations which included design and assistance in opening of new facility on February 27, 2009 • Acting interim Peri-operative Administrator to cover all Peri-op departments; CSR, PAT, SDS, PACU, OR, ENDO • Oversee all daily activities within the Sterile Processing Department • Educate and in-service new and existing associates • Partner with Surgeons to ensure overall patient satisfaction and safety • Maintain daily payroll and schedule • Maintain department budget. • Develop policy and procedures along with SOP • Maintain CQI and quality control • Co-Chair CQVA committee • Chair OR/Department of Surgery committee • Implement Censitrac instrumentation/equipment system |
Government Experience
Years | Agency | Role | Description |
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Years: 2012 to Present | Agency: VHA | Role: Speaker | Description: Attend VHA meeting and speak to group about sterilization standards to assist in the preparation for the upcoming Joint Commission inspections. |
Years: 2018 to 2018 | Agency: USDOJ | Role: Expert Witness | Description: Expert witness for medical malpractice case, reviewed depositions, write witness report and was deposed. |
Career Accomplishments
Associations / Societies |
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IAHCSMM |
Licenses / Certifications |
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AA, CRCTS, CHL • CRCST- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (2001-present) • RCST- Registered Central Service Technician (2001-present) • CHL- Certified Healthcare Leader (2006-present) |
Awards / Recognition |
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Both of Expert's departments have won awards for Pillars of Excellence among High-Performing Teams. She was awarded Outstanding Leadership in five years (some consecutive). She has also been recognized as Manager of the Quarter several times. |
Publications and Patents Summary |
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Expert has over 12 publications, which pertain to equipment cleanliness, sterile processes, SPD standards, cleanliness, and related aspects of the business. |
Additional Experience
Expert Witness Experience |
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Expert witness and consultant for U.S. Department of Justice: Worked as an expert witness for the USDOJ for a medical malpractice case. |
Training / Seminars |
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Expert consults with other Directors of Periop services and Sterile Processing managers. She speaks at events in regards to Sterile Processing and standards. She is an approved educator and teaches interested students in Sterile Processing, Infection Control, Decontamination and more. She prepares these students to achieve their certifications. Expert has also engaged in VHA conferences and speaking engagements. |
Other Relevant Experience |
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In a Sterile Operations role as Travel Manager, Expert is responsible for: IPS Sales Support: Supports IPS sales team as sterile processing subject matter experts to gain Customer confidence, grow product line revenue and promote STERIS solutions. Customer Assessments: Performs strategic and operational assessments in sterile processing, surgical support areas, and endoscopy. Work with Hospital C-level leadership on sterile processing strategic decisions to meet Customer financial and operational objectives. Fiscal impact of strategic decisions ranges from $1 million to $20 million plus. Able to collaborate with Customer to determine initial assessment requirements, develop scope of work and timeframe to complete assessment, organize and perform assessment, and present professional findings with appropriate STERIS solutions to support Customer’s operational requirements. IMS Operations Support: Provide consulting expertise to improve internal IPS sterile processing operations. Includes assessments, process improvement, and leadership mentoring to IMS outsource accounts, owned off-site reprocessing centers, and IMS staff and leadership. |