Infection Prevention and Quality Control - SAINT THOMAS HOSPITAL FOR SPECIALTY SURGERY
(2025-12)
- Identifying opportunities through clinical record review
- Building strong relationships with healthcare leaders and bedside staff
- Educating healthcare professionals on best practices and protocols
- Improving compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements
- Coordinating between multiple departments during critical patient care events
- Analyzing trends and implementing performance improvement initiatives
- Supporting timely communication and collaboration among stakeholders
Infection Prevention and Control Program Coordinator - VANDERBILT STALLWORTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
(2023-09 - 2025-11)
Takes necessary steps to prevent/control the acquisition and transmission of infectious agents in the patient, staff, and visitor populations within Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital.
- Facilities environment of care and quality assurance rounding
- Collaborates with staff, patients and patient families to help provide Infection Prevention education
- Develops and maintains the facility's ICRA and promotes Joint Commission readiness
- Directs managerial functions of planning, organizing, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the Infection Control Program at Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital
- Actively conducts ongoing surveillance to analyze and report hospital acquired infections; educates employees about up-to-date infection control guidelines and practices; and develops organizational infection control standards that meet state and federal regulatory and accrediting bodies, CDC, OSHA, and APIC guidelines
- Ensures compliance with CMS, TJC, CDC, OSHA, and other federal/state standards and guidelines. Provides IP oversight of new regulatory or accreditation activities that fall within the realm of infection control
- Coordinates Dialysis scheduling and Infection Control measures for all Dialysis patients admitted to Stallworth
- Conducts Environment of Care site assessments throughout entire hospital facility
- Quarterly departmental infection control auditing
- Conducts, coordinates, and evaluates formal orientation, annual training, and various inservice programs per Infection Control policies, procedures, and program
- Conducts investigation and surveillance of suspected outbreaks of infection
Environmental Health Specialist/ Health Inspector - METRO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
(2023-03 - 2023-09)
- Performed environmental public health inspections of industrial facilities, air monitoring equipment, food establishments, public facilities, sewage disposal systems, houses and other dwelling units, public schools, hotels, and swimming pools to secure compliance with laws and regulations governing sanitary conditions
- Interpreted regulations and educated owners and operators of businesses and the general public in matters of environmental public health
- Conducted surveys to determine presence, number, and types of rodents or vectors in a given area
- Investigated violations and complaints and prepares related reports and correspondence
- Conducted environmental and public health consultation and training services for facility operators, local and state officials, organizations, and the general public
- Collected samples of food, water, sewage, and other materials for laboratory analyses
- Engaged in epidemiological studies of outbreaks of food poisoning
Communicable Disease Investigator - METRO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
(2020-01 - 2023-03)
Tuberculosis Elimination Clinic
- Conducted interviews of patients with TB disease or suspected TB disease to elicit information about contacts, potential sources of infection, places/settings of potential disease transmission and other information
- Referred and ensured identified TB contacts were fully evaluated and followed up to ensure treatment, if needed, is completed. Transported and located patients if necessary, including contacts from other regions and interjurisdictional transfers
- Conducted environmental assessments /site visits to determine the risk of TB transmission in a confidential and thorough manner using HIPAA standards for confidentiality and TB program guidelines
- Documented all investigations and interviews in a timely manner, using the forms required by the Department and the State, and ensured compliance with deadlines for retesting of contacts
- Completed contact investigation tasks within the pre-determined timeframes and participated in a multi-disciplinary team approach to case management of TB suspects and cases. Performed all appropriate duties for the department as needed, and furthered personal TB knowledge base through classes, seminars and training for personal growth
- Composed and presented Cohort Case Investigations for State Health Department Review
- Completed Aggregate reports for Tuberculosis Program Evaluation- including reporting the data for the TB Disease cases and patient contacts
Emerging Infections Surveillance Officer Field Experience - VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
(2018-11 - 2019-01)
MPH practicum within the Tennessee Emerging Infection Program. The Emerging Infections Program (EIP) is a population-based network including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Tennessee Department of Health working in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to assess the public health impact of emerging infections and to evaluate methods for their prevention and control.
- Principal Investigator, evaluation of Candida bloodstream infections in various patient populations concentrated in eastern Tennessee collecting and using data in a study protocol
- Shadow experience in the other areas of EIP (Food Net, invasive bacteria (ABCs) network, etc.)
Nursing Assistant, Cardiac Stepdown Unit - WILLIAMSON MEDICAL CENTER - Franklin, Tennessee
(2015-07 - 2016-10)
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living, such as dressing, feeding, eating, and toileting
- Promptly reacted to calls from patients needing assistance or treatment and alerted the medical staff to any imminent emergency situations
- Recognized patients on isolation precautions and served as a role model for staff in wearing appropriate personal protective equipment
Nursing Assistant, Medical Surgical Stepdown Unit - WILLIAMSON MEDICAL CENTER - Franklin, Tennessee
(2016-02 - 2019-02)
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living, such as dressing, feeding, eating, and toileting
- Promptly reacted to calls from patients needing assistance or treatment and alerted the medical staff to any imminent emergency situations
- Recognized patients on isolation precautions and served as a role model for staff in wearing appropriate personal protective equipment
Nursing Assistant, Pulmonary Stepdown Unit - ST. THOMAS MEDICAL CENTER WEST - Nashville
(2016-10 - 2016-02)
- Ensured all patients were cared for and collaborated with the nursing team by emptying drains, supplying oxygen and respiratory care as needed
- Answered patient calls for assistance, participated in daily patient education based on patient care needs and diagnoses
- Performed finger sticks for blood glucose checks and elevated concerns to the appropriate teams as needed
