Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Frances Estelle

Gastonia

Summary

Accomplished MDS Coordinator at The Greens at Gastonia, excelling in interdisciplinary team collaboration and clinical documentation accuracy. Enhanced patient care through strategic care plan development and regulatory compliance. Proficient in electronic health records, driving a 20% improvement in assessment efficiency. Recognized for fostering professional growth and maintaining HIPAA compliance.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

MDS Coordinator

The Greens at Gastonia
06.2023 - Current
  • Set schedules for staff to start and complete MDS assessments and care plan meetings.
  • Ensured timely completion of all MDS assessments, maintaining full compliance with federal and state regulations.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on CMS guidelines and changes to ensure accuracy in reporting and reimbursement processes.
  • Assessed electronic medical record for required documentation to support MDS coding.
  • Collaborated with nursing staff to provide accurate and timely clinical assessments for each resident, leading to improved overall care.
  • Enhanced patient care quality by implementing comprehensive MDS assessments and care plans.
  • Verified prompt and accurate completion of MDS activities for billing.
  • Collaborated closely with therapy departments to accurately capture rehabilitation needs within MDS documentation, supporting appropriate resource allocation for residents'' needs.
  • Monitored changing regulations related to RAI/MDS requirements, keeping staff informed about updates that impact their daily work routines.
  • Completed minimum data set assessments with strong collaboration across business, provider and clinical disciplines.
  • Implemented interdisciplinary meetings focused on individualized care plan development, resulting in more targeted interventions and improved resident outcomes.
  • Led weekly utilization review to go over recent clinical activities.

Nursing Supervisor

Courtland Terrace
06.2019 - 06.2023
  • Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration by fostering strong relationships with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
  • Mentored new nursing staff members to promote adherence to established best practices and foster professional growth.
  • Followed all HIPAA rules and regulations regarding patient confidentiality.
  • Delegated tasks and provided leadership for 25 nurses and support personnel.
  • Discussed patient care and treatment with care team members to optimize intervention plans and care delivery.
  • Contributed to positive team dynamics as an approachable supervisor who actively listened to concerns from both patients and nurses.
  • Answered questions and addressed concerns from employees via email, phone and in person.
  • Provided direct nursing care to patients when personnel was short-staffed.
  • Ensured compliance with regulatory standards through regular audits of documentation, policies, and procedures.
  • Maintained strong commitment to patient care through dedicated case management and treatment delivery.

Case Manager

Kindred At Home Home Health
05.2018 - 07.2019
  • Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
  • Conducted thorough assessments of clients'' situations, identifying issues, goals, and necessary interventions.
  • Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information.
  • Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
  • Enhanced communication between clients and providers through consistent follow-ups and progress updates.
  • Provided crisis intervention support for clients experiencing emergencies, using appropriate techniques to de-escalate situations safely.
  • Contributed to team discussions and case conferences actively, sharing insights and expertise with colleagues to optimize client support strategies.
  • Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.

Staff Development Coordinator

Peak Resources Cherryville
07.2016 - 05.2018
  • Facilitated open communication channels among employees, fostering a collaborative work environment conducive to growth and learning.
  • Collaborated with department supervisors to identify talented employees and plan out paths for development and promotion.
  • Performed reviews of employee work performance to check for areas in need of additional training.
  • Developed and delivered new hire training programs and continuous professional development.
  • Monitored employee performance to look for areas in need of improvement.
  • Organized regular staff meetings to discuss progress, address concerns, and celebrate achievements.
  • Established clear guidelines for performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback for ongoing personnel growth.
  • Provided ongoing support to employees during their professional development journey, addressing any challenges or concerns that arose throughout the process.

Hospice Nurse Case Manager

Gaston Hospice
04.2009 - 07.2016
  • Managed caseloads effectively, ensuring timely assessments, interventions, and evaluations for optimal patient outcomes.
  • Delivered culturally sensitive care by considering diverse backgrounds when tailoring individualized support strategies for each patient.
  • Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate end-of-life care and support to patients and their families.
  • Educated family members on the hospice process, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their loved one''s care.
  • Maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and progress notes, ensuring efficient communication among healthcare team members.
  • Provided symptom management and pain relief for terminally ill patients through careful assessment and appropriate medication administration.
  • Implemented evidence-based nursing practices to provide high-quality palliative care in accordance with established guidelines.
  • Communicated regularly with referring physicians about patient status updates and collaborated in decision-making for optimal end-of-life care.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop comprehensive care plans for hospice patients, leading to improved quality of life.
  • Provided patient-centered care in various settings, including home visits, inpatient units, and assisted living facilities.
  • Established trust among patients and families through open communication channels, maintaining confidentiality while offering expert guidance on end-of-life decisions.
  • Facilitated family meetings to discuss goals of care, addressing concerns and answering questions compassionately.

Registered Nurse

Presbyterian Hospital
06.2000 - 04.2009
  • Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
  • Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
  • Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
  • Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
  • Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
  • Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
  • Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
  • Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
  • Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
  • Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
  • Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
  • Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
  • Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
  • Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
  • Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
  • Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
  • Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.

Education

Master of Science - Nursing Informatics

Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
08-2025

Associate of Science - Nursing

Gaston College
Dallas, NC
06-2000

Skills

  • HIPAA compliance
  • Electronic health records proficiency
  • Medical record management
  • Research and data collection
  • Continuous learning commitment
  • Clinical documentation accuracy
  • Delegation and supervision
  • Care planning
  • Goal setting
  • Care plan development
  • Policy and procedure development
  • Staff training
  • Patient advocacy
  • Interdisciplinary team collaboration
  • Regulatory Compliance Knowledge
  • Performance evaluation
  • Assessment coding

Timeline

MDS Coordinator

The Greens at Gastonia
06.2023 - Current

Nursing Supervisor

Courtland Terrace
06.2019 - 06.2023

Case Manager

Kindred At Home Home Health
05.2018 - 07.2019

Staff Development Coordinator

Peak Resources Cherryville
07.2016 - 05.2018

Hospice Nurse Case Manager

Gaston Hospice
04.2009 - 07.2016

Registered Nurse

Presbyterian Hospital
06.2000 - 04.2009

Master of Science - Nursing Informatics

Queens University of Charlotte

Associate of Science - Nursing

Gaston College
Frances Estelle