Tina Thomas DNP, RN
Durham
Summary
Dynamic Clinical Operations Director at Duke Health with a proven track record in strategic planning and operational excellence. Expert in crisis handling and effective communication, leading initiatives that improved efficiency and enhanced patient care. Spearheaded the management of over 28,000 surgical cases, fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary teams to achieve superior outcomes. Seasoned Clinical Operations Director with a solid background in managing clinical trials, regulatory compliance, and team leadership. Highlights include successful implementation of operational strategies in clinical environments to improve efficiency and patient care quality. Strong communicator, adept at fostering relationships with external stakeholders, while ensuring internal teams thrive through mentoring and development. Significant impact made by streamlining processes and introducing innovative solutions for improved results in previous roles.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CLINICAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Duke Heath
09.2022 - Current
- Created and maintained collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams to promote patient-centered care
- Developed standard operating procedures for various areas within the organization's Clinical Operations department to include Perioperative and Perianesthesia services
- Responsible for over 600 FTE's
- Oversee 52 operating room, 112 Perianesthesia bays to include a surgical care unit and a children's pre and post recovery
- Collaborated with internal departments such as legal, finance, quality assurance and data management to support successful completion of projects
- Established evidence-based standards of practice in accordance with accreditation requirements
- Utilized strong organizational skills to manage a large caseload of complex cases
- Over 28,000 surgical cases in performed FY24
- Establish operational direction consistent with departmental and health system objectives.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, including clinicians, operational staff, and vendors to optimize clinical operations performance
- Collaborated closely with other departments to ensure that all services were coordinated effectively.
- Conducted recruitment, hiring, and training of personnel
- Collaborated to redesign NTOOR program
- Identified ways to improve efficiency in operations and implemented process changes
- Streamlined clinical operations through the development of effective communication strategies among multidisciplinary teams.
- Strengthened interdepartmental collaboration through regular meetings, cross-functional projects, and team-building activities.
- Spearheaded initiatives to enhance data-driven decision-making within the department, facilitating evidence-based practice adoption.
- Interacted effectively with clinical staff and patients by using active listening and interpersonal skills.
- Analyzed data from various sources to identify trends or opportunities for improvement within Perioperative Services
- Utilization of heat maps to determine staffing opportunities
- Provided leadership in developing a culture of safety and quality improvement initiatives within Perioperative Services
- Implemented a sharps accountability worksheet
- Current implementing optimizing staff scheduling and resource allocation within the department
- Developed and maintained policies, procedures, protocols and standards for Perioperative Services
- Maintained an environment that fostered teamwork among staff members
- Utilized problem solving techniques to resolve conflicts between staff members or departments
- Promoted cost effective measures while maintaining quality care delivery within Perioperative Services
SERVICE LINE MANAGER
University Of Kentucky
06.2016 - 09.2022
- Successfully managed daily operations of the OR suite, including coordinating staffing schedules, managing resources and ensuring all regulatory requirements were met
- Evaluated new equipment and instrumentation for use in the operating room setting prior to purchase or implementation
- Engaged in meaningful dialogue with members of multidisciplinary teams regarding patient care plans before and after surgery
- Conducted regular assessments of current policies and procedures related to OR services while recommending changes as needed
- Maintained high level of professionalism in providing guidance, direction and support to OR personnel during various surgical cases
- Expertly coordinated intra-operative care activities throughout the surgical procedure process
- Implemented innovative methods to improve communication between nursing teams, physicians and other departments within the organization
- Established collaborative relationships with surgeons, anesthesiologists, departmental directors and other healthcare professionals to ensure efficient workflow processes
- Provided ongoing mentorship and coaching for new nurses entering into the operating room setting
- Conducted recruitment, hiring, and training of personnel
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a busy 32 room OR team in accordance with hospital policies, procedures and standards
- Assisted with recruitment efforts by interviewing potential candidates for open positions within the department
- Encouraged open communication between staff members by providing a safe environment for sharing concerns or ideas
ORTHO, NEURO, PODIATRY AND DENTAL MANAGER
St. Joseph Hospital
01.2008 - 04.2016
- Conducted quality, timely performance feedback and performance appraisals
- Provided timely feedback on product improvements based on customer feedback from the field
- Responsible for obtaining capital equipment acquisitions
- Maintained frequent interaction with senior management to measure goal achievement and determine areas of improvement
- Oversaw personnel to maintain adequate staffing and minimize overtime
- Responsible for direction and coordination of 4 service lines
- Conducted recruitment, hiring, and training of personnel
- Maintained high level of professionalism in providing guidance, direction and support to OR personnel during various surgical cases
- Conducted regular assessments of current policies and procedures related to OR services while recommending changes as needed
ASSISTANT NURSE MANAGER
St. Francis Hospital
03.2005 - 11.2008
- Responsible for running and coordinating daily surgery schedule for 20 operating rooms
- Collaborated with departmental leaders to ensure optimum patient flow utilization
- Management of patient care, fiscal accountability, staff evaluations and capital expenditures
- Lead project manager in helping implement McKesson EHR in perioperative services
- Project lead in preference card build
- Monitored performance indicators for quality assurance purposes
- Managed daily activities within the unit while ensuring timely completion of tasks assigned by supervisor and administrator
- Established work schedules and assignments for staff, accorded to workload, space, and equipment availability
- Coordinated recruitment, training, scheduling, and evaluation of nursing personnel
PERIOPERATIVE NURSE
University Medical Center
11.2004 - 03.2005
- Provided emotional support throughout the perioperative experience by addressing concerns or fears
- Administered medications as prescribed by physicians and monitored for adverse reactions
- Prepared operating rooms with sterile instruments, equipment, and supplies
- Administered medications to patients and monitored for reactions or side effects
- Demonstrated expertise in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care plans
- Followed infection control procedures to prevent or stop spread of infections
- Developed positive relationships with patients and families through empathy and compassion
NURSE MANAGER
Memorial Hospital
10.2001 - 09.2004
- Provided direct patient care and management of nursing staff on the orthopedic, neurosurgery and podiatry team
- Assisted with interviewing and hiring nurses to maintain adequate shift coverage
- Consulted and coordinated with healthcare team members to plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans
- Conducted regular meetings with nursing staff to discuss challenges and identify solutions
- Served as a mentor for new nurses by providing guidance on proper protocols and procedures
- Assisted in budget development and financial planning for departmental operations
- Provided unit oversight to drive daily operations and patient care
ORTHOPEDIC MANAGER
Miami Valley Hospital
01.1997 - 09.2001
- Utilized data analysis tools such as Excel spreadsheets to identify areas requiring improvement
- Collaborated with staff to develop and carry out processes
- Remained current with healthcare standards, policies and procedures to drive workplace health and safety
- Coordinated recruitment, training, scheduling, and evaluation of nursing personnel
- Managed daily activities within the orthopedic unit while ensuring timely completion of tasks assigned by supervisor and administrator
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure quality, cost-effective patient care
- Designed and implemented staffing plans to meet changing patient needs and maximize efficiency
- Provided direct patient care and management of nursing staff
PERIOPERATIVE NURSE
Deaconess Hospital
11.1995 - 12.1996
- Educated individuals and families on health education and disease prevention
- Monitored, recorded, and reported symptoms or changes in patients' conditions
- Informed physician of patient's condition during procedures
- Utilized advanced problem solving skills to address complex clinical situations
- Interviewed patients to obtain medical information and measure vital signs
- Prioritized tasks efficiently while managing multiple high acuity cases simultaneously
- Performed sterile technique when preparing supplies for use in the operating room
- Facilitated effective communication among healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care for each patient
- Administered medications to patients and monitored for reactions or side effects
- Prepared operating rooms with sterile instruments, equipment, and supplies
PERIOPERATIVE REGISTERED NURSE
Memorial Hospital
09.1993 - 11.1995
- Maintained aseptic technique during all invasive procedures including wound dressing changes
- Assisted anesthesia providers with induction and maintenance of general anesthesia using appropriate pharmacological agents
- Ensured that operating room was adequately stocked with supplies necessary for each individual case
- Informed physician of patient's condition during procedures
- Demonstrated expertise in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care plans
- Performed sterile technique when preparing supplies for use in the operating room
PERIOPERATIVE REGISTERED NURSE
St. Joseph Hospital
07.1991 - 08.1993
- Performed sterile technique when preparing supplies for use in the operating room
- Provided preoperative and postoperative care to patients undergoing surgical procedures
- Assisted anesthesia providers with induction and maintenance of general anesthesia using appropriate pharmacological agents
- Prioritized tasks efficiently while managing multiple high acuity cases simultaneously
- Demonstrated ability to provide comprehensive nursing care for patients undergoing surgical procedures
- Ensured that operating room was adequately stocked with supplies necessary for each individual case
Education
DNP - EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky05.2022
MSN - NURSING ADMINISTRATION
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky09.2017
BSN - NURSING
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio05.2014
ADN - NURSING
Lexington Community College
Lexington, Kentucky05.1991
Skills
- Strategic and operational planning
- Crisis Handling
- Results-driven
- Effective communicator
- Problem solving
- Leadership and mentor
- Change management
- Strategic and Operational Planning
Certification
- Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
- Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certified (NE-ABC)
Publications
Assessing the Value of Huddle Implementation in the Perioperative Setting, AORN Journal, 07/23
Duke Presidential Award
Nominated with fellow colleagues for the handling of temperature and humidify event.
Timeline
CLINICAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Duke Heath
09.2022 - Current
SERVICE LINE MANAGER
University Of Kentucky
06.2016 - 09.2022
ORTHO, NEURO, PODIATRY AND DENTAL MANAGER
St. Joseph Hospital
01.2008 - 04.2016
ASSISTANT NURSE MANAGER
St. Francis Hospital
03.2005 - 11.2008
PERIOPERATIVE NURSE
University Medical Center
11.2004 - 03.2005
NURSE MANAGER
Memorial Hospital
10.2001 - 09.2004
ORTHOPEDIC MANAGER
Miami Valley Hospital
01.1997 - 09.2001
PERIOPERATIVE NURSE
Deaconess Hospital
11.1995 - 12.1996
PERIOPERATIVE REGISTERED NURSE
Memorial Hospital
09.1993 - 11.1995
PERIOPERATIVE REGISTERED NURSE
St. Joseph Hospital
07.1991 - 08.1993
DNP - EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
University of Kentucky
MSN - NURSING ADMINISTRATION
Western Kentucky University
BSN - NURSING
Ohio University
ADN - NURSING
Lexington Community College
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