Linda Harris
Winterville
Summary
BSN Registered Nurse with extensive experience in quality assurance, patient safety, and regulatory compliance. Proven success in enhancing onboarding processes and achieving TJC accreditation with zero findings for infection control. Actively engaged in data analysis to promote continuous performance improvement and patient outcomes.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Quality Nurse Specialist II
ECU Health Home Health and Hospice
Greenville
01.2018 - Current
- Eight years' experience with a focus on quality assurance, performance improvement, patient safety, infection control, regulatory compliance for CMS and TJC, and patient experience.
- Implement evidence-based protocols to enhance patient safety measures.
- Enhanced organizational safety culture to ensure a proactive approach to patient safety.
- Develop data collection tools per AMP Tracers for auditing and monitoring improvement and compliance.
- Monthly Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) meetings with leadership providing data analysis identifying areas for improvement, development of corrective action plans (PDSAs)and follow up for improvement and resolve.
- Reviewed clinical documentation monthly for compliance, identified improvement areas, and provided real-time findings to management and clinicians to address concerns and enhance engagement.
- Conducted monthly leader rounding with clinicians providing direct care to ensure compliance with infection control, patient safety, and patient rights, delivering immediate findings to management and clinicians to address concerns and foster engagement.
- Patient Safety Coach monitoring leadership and clinician knowledge of Safety Habits (CHATS) by performing monthly audits.
- Facilitated weekly safety huddles to discuss safety concerns and strategies with the team.
- Review Potentially Avoidable Events for best practice and quality care.
- Investigated events of harm using CCE review, Barrier Analysis, and RCA.
- Investigate complaints reported to DHHS and provide necessary documentation and support.
- Develop, evaluate, and maintain quality assurance protocols, processes and procedures.
- Achieved 2025 TJC surveys with no findings for infection control.
- Achieved triennial TJC accreditation for all offices in 2018, 2022, and 2025.
- Utilize SHP, Strategic Healthcare Program, to monitor oasis accuracy. Oasis-D certified in 2018.
- NC Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology, SPICE certified in 2019.
- Maintain knowledge of regulations and standards and remain current on any changes and report to leadership.
- Advance a continuous TJC readiness culture by activities in daily workflow such as observation visits, mock surveys, documentation review audits, checklists, SOPs, policy review and update, etc.
- Assist and provide oversight and support for all surveys.
- Provide monthly scorecard to leadership including STAR rating, number of events, process measures, functional outcomes, HHVBP, experience etc.
- Developed process for Quality involvement in onboarding of new clinicians and following them quarterly for the first year with clinical documentation review and observation visits.
Administrative Manager
Productivity Enhancement Resources, Inc.
Greenville
05.2014 - 03.2017
- Reviewed client contracts to ensure compliance with project site access requirements and updated Project Safety Manual accordingly.
- Developed new safety plans including Exposure Control Plan and First Aid Plan per OSHA standards.
- Completed annual company registrations, certifications, and conducted workers compensation insurance audits to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Completed supplier expression of interest forms to identify potential contract opportunities.
- Performed bookkeeping tasks including QuickBooks data entry, account reconciliations, and generated financial reports for owner as requested.
RN Home Health Case Manager
Gentiva Home Health
Greenville
06.1990 - 07.2002
- Managed the Plan of Care for a caseload of 20-25 patients including direct skilled nursing care, assessment of needs and making appropriate referrals, coordination of interdisciplinary care with physicians, PT, OT, ST, and MSW, and patient and family teaching in home care skills and disease management.
- Developed and implemented home health aide care plans while supervising aides in delivering personal care, ensuring patient needs were met effectively.
- Oriented and precepted student nurses and new nurses, enhancing their integration into the agency and supporting their professional development.
- Reviewed documentation for compliance as Quality Assurance Manager, identified areas for improvement, and provided targeted education to staff, enhancing overall care quality.
Home Visiting Nurse Case Manager
Wake County Health Department
Raleigh
06.1989 - 06.1990
- Managed caseload of 20-25 patients, delivering skilled nursing care to high-risk population.
- Assessed risk factors and needs, intervened with education and referrals to community resources to mitigate exacerbation of conditions and prevent re-hospitalization.
- Conducted comprehensive health assessments for diverse patient populations.
- Developed individualized care plans based on patient needs and preferences.
- Coordinated services with healthcare providers and community resources.
Staff Nurse
Wake Medical Center
Raleigh
06.1986 - 06.1990
- Supervised staff and coordinated unit activities as Charge Nurse, facilitating efficient operations and team collaboration.
- Delivered nursing care to 6-8 cardiac patients on general medical/surgical unit, ensuring high-quality patient outcomes.
- Facilitated orientation and training of new nurses, enhancing team competency and patient care standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC05-1986
Skills
- Quality assurance
- Patient safety
- Clinical documentation
- SafeNow
- Root cause analysis
- Barrier analysis
- Barrier Analysis completion
- Patient experience
- Data analysis
- Performance improvement
- Tracers by AMP/TJC Resources
- PDSA development
- Process development
- SOP development
- EPIC knowledge and use
- Strategic Healthcare Program
- PDSA methodology
- Problem solving
- Leadership skills
- Effective communication
- Attention to detail
Certification
- Registered Nurse License. NC Board of Nursing, 1986. Current through March 2028 and unrestricted.
- Oasis-D certified. OCCB (Oasis Certificate and Competency Board. 2018
- SPICE (Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology) certified. UNC, Chapel Hill, NC. 2019
Timeline
Quality Nurse Specialist II
ECU Health Home Health and Hospice
01.2018 - Current
Administrative Manager
Productivity Enhancement Resources, Inc.
05.2014 - 03.2017
RN Home Health Case Manager
Gentiva Home Health
06.1990 - 07.2002
Home Visiting Nurse Case Manager
Wake County Health Department
06.1989 - 06.1990
Staff Nurse
Wake Medical Center
06.1986 - 06.1990
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
East Carolina University