Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
References
Work Availability
Work Preference
Software
Certification
Timeline
2c
Deborah Huxstep

Deborah Huxstep

Registered Nurse
MURWILLUMBAH,NSW

Summary

Nursing Unit Manager proven to deliver exemplary level of healthcare service to patients. Coordinate admission and discharge of patients. Plan and implement strategies for developing improved health care management. Proven problem solver and excellent communicator. Strong organizational skills, superb understanding of data collection and performance metrics. Recognized for staff development leading to high performing teams.

Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.

To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work History

Nursing Unit Manager

Northern NSW Local Health District
05.1996 - Current
  • Enhance patient care by implementing evidence-based practices and protocols.
  • Develop comprehensive care plans with interdisciplinary team collaboration, ensuring continuity of care for patients.
  • Manage daily nursing unit operations, maintaining high standards of patient safety and quality of care.
  • Mentor and guide new nurses through their orientation process, fostering professional growth and development.
  • Collaborate with physicians to optimize patient treatment plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
  • Improve patient satisfaction scores by actively addressing concerns and implementing necessary improvements.
  • Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements through continuous staff education and policy updates.
  • Increase nurse retention rates by promoting a positive work environment and offering regular professional development opportunities.
  • Serve as liaison between nursing staff, administration, and other healthcare professionals to ensure smooth communication and optimal patient outcomes.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary rounds to promote cohesive decision-making regarding individualized patient needs.
  • Assess staffing needs based on census fluctuations while balancing budget constraints, maintaining appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios at all times.
  • Oversee infection control initiatives, resulting in decreased hospital-acquired infection rates among patients under our care.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement by regularly conducting audits and identifying areas for potential enhancement .


Nursing Unit Manager

St Vincents Private Hospital
01.1993 - 04.1996
  • Enhanced patient care by implementing evidence-based practices and protocols.
  • Developed comprehensive care plans with interdisciplinary team collaboration, ensuring continuity of care for patients.
  • Managed daily nursing unit operations, maintaining high standards of patient safety and quality of care.
  • Mentored and guided new nurses through their orientation process, fostering professional growth and development.
  • Collaborated with physicians to optimize patient treatment plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
  • Improved patient satisfaction scores by actively addressing concerns and implementing necessary improvements.
  • Maintained compliance with regulatory requirements through continuous staff education and policy updates.
  • Increased nurse retention rates by promoting a positive work environment and offering regular professional development opportunities.
  • Conducted performance evaluations for nursing staff, providing constructive feedback to enhance skills and competencies.
  • Implemented cost-saving measures without compromising quality of patient care provided.
  • Served as a liaison between nursing staff, administration, and other healthcare professionals to ensure smooth communication and optimal patient outcomes.
  • Coordinated multidisciplinary rounds to promote cohesive decision-making regarding individualized patient needs.
  • Assessed staffing needs based on census fluctuations while balancing budget constraints, maintaining appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios at all times.
  • Oversaw infection control initiatives within unit, resulting in decreased hospital-acquired infection rates among patients under our care.
  • Promoted a culture of continuous improvement by regularly conducting audits and identifying areas for potential enhancement .
  • Successfully managed challenging situations involving patients or families by employing effective conflict resolution techniques.
  • Championed empathetic approach towards both patients and their families throughout their stay, resulting in positive feedback from patient surveys.
  • Upheld strict adherence to patient confidentiality and privacy protocols,
  • Coordinated nursing activities and staffing with health-related, therapeutic and support services to streamline service delivery.
  • Evaluated and monitored care and services throughout shift to improve quality levels.
  • Enforced nursing practice standards and recommended unit and institution policies and procedures to boost medical care quality.
  • Determined and nursed special care cases and arranged professional consultation sessions for patients.
  • Onboarded new employees through orientation meetings and training sessions before deployment to different departments.
  • Developed and distributed nursing assignments for unit employees that outlined individual and group tasks.
  • Reviewed staffing patterns, quantities and nursing units' census to meet resident needs and budgetary controls.
  • Formulated and executed individual resident discharge plans before initiating checkout procedures.
  • Inventoried medications, supplies and equipment and distributed stock to patients.
  • Created, implemented and evaluated programs that promoted staff recruitment, retention and development.
  • Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
  • Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
  • Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
  • Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines
  • Conducted routine unit inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
  • Implemented successful healthcare program through professionalism, quality of care, medical teaching and patient satisfaction.
  • Designed and introduced leadership development, coaching and team management model, resulting in promotion of employees into increased levels of responsibility.
  • Monitored and inspected staff processes to eliminate hazards posed for both patients and staff while ensuring continuous compliance with regulations.
  • Created customized care plans, working with hospital staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.

Clinical Nurse Consultant

Mt Olivet Hospital
10.1990 - 12.1992
  • Directed day-to-day nursing and operational functions for 28-bed rehabilitation unit, ensuring exceptional delivery of care when developing well-rounded nursing teams.
  • Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and providing guidance to clinical staff.
  • Enhanced patient care by regularly updating and revising clinical policies, procedures, and protocols based on current research.
  • Provided expert consultation for complex cases, ensuring comprehensive assessments and appropriate interventions were delivered.
  • Reduced hospital readmissions by developing and implementing a successful discharge planning process for high-risk patients.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create individualized care plans that addressed the unique needs of each patient.
  • Developed educational materials and conducted in-service trainings to enhance clinical staff knowledge on various health topics.
  • Served as a liaison between nursing administration and clinical staff, promoting open communication channels for addressing concerns or issues.
  • Mentored newly hired nurses, ensuring proper orientation to facility procedures and fostering professional growth through ongoing support.
  • Conducted audits of medical records to ensure compliance with regulatory standards while maintaining patient confidentiality.
  • Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare environment by monitoring infection control practices and advocating for necessary improvements.
  • Implemented quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall standard of patient care throughout the facility.
  • Participated in interdisciplinary rounds, contributing valuable insights from a nursing perspective to inform comprehensive treatment plans for patients with complex needs.
  • Championed evidence-based practice within the organization by leading the implementation of clinical practice guidelines designed to improve patient care outcomes.
  • Supported nursing staff retention by creating a positive work environment, addressing concerns, and providing resources for ongoing professional development.
  • Conducted regular evaluation of staffing needs, making recommendations for adjustments to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and optimal patient care delivery.
  • Fostered a culture of continuous learning within the clinical team by sharing best practices and encouraging open communication on opportunities for improvement.

Education

Bachelor of Health Management - Nursing

University of New England
Armidale, NSW
01.1998

Graduate Certificate - Rehabilitation Nursing

Queen Elizabeth Centre
Ballarat, VIC
12.1996

Bachelor of Nursing - Nursing

University of New England
Armidale, NSW
01.1994

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • Resource Allocation
  • Risk Management
  • Quality Improvement

Accomplishments

    Collaborated with a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team in the development of pre-completed notes to provide consistent, relevant and professional documentation in the electronic medical record Nursing Progress Notes

    Nursing Care Plan

    Admission Assessment and Documentation Pathway

    General Medication Assessment

    Continence Assessment

    Case Conference

    Family Meetings


    Developed in conjunction with the senior nursing team the following resources for both patients and clinicians

    Orientation Package for New Clinicians

    Model of Care

    Patient Information and Education Folder

    Paient Led Clinical Handover


    Quality Initiatives

    Let's Talk About Falls in Rehabilitation

    I Didn't Fall The Floor Just Needed A Hug

    Essentials of Care - Clincial Bedside Handover

    Productive Ward - Rehabilitation Nursing - All Hands on Deck with An Eye on the Prize

    Clinical Leadership Program - Teamwork

    Financial Management - Introduction of Post Dishcarge Phone Calls - improve patient reintegration into the community and increase revenue

    WHOOSH - When Health Operates Over The Super Highway

    Nursing and Midwifery Nursing Excellence Program - Bronze Level attained

Affiliations

  • Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
  • Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses Association
  • NSW Nurses and Midwives Association

References

Michelle Havell MHSM GradCertBus BN
Assistant Director of Nursing (Clinical Lead) | Coomera Hospital
Infrastructure Planning, Delivery and Commissioning

michelle.havell@health.qld.gov.au
+ 61 433176378


Kylie Wilmen MLM GradDipEmergencyNursing 

Acting Deputy Director of Nursing

Murwillumbah District Hospital 

kylie.wilmen@health.nsw.gov.au

+61 424573436


Wendy Park

Nursing Unit Manager - Critical Care ( currently on leave)

Murwillumbah District Hospital

wendyepark@yahoo.com

+61 406214102


Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse

Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Work Location

On-Site

Important To Me

Work-life balanceCareer advancementHealthcare benefitsFlexible work hours401k matchPaid time offPersonal development programsCompany CulturePaid sick leave4-day work week

Software

Cerner Electronic Medical Record

Microsoft Office Suite

QlikView

Optima Rostering

Certification

General Registered Nursing Certificate

Geriatric Nursing Certificate

Bachelor Nursing

Graduate Certificate Rehabilitation Nursing

Bachelor Health Management

Timeline

Nursing Unit Manager

Northern NSW Local Health District
05.1996 - Current

Nursing Unit Manager

St Vincents Private Hospital
01.1993 - 04.1996

Clinical Nurse Consultant

Mt Olivet Hospital
10.1990 - 12.1992

Bachelor of Health Management - Nursing

University of New England

Graduate Certificate - Rehabilitation Nursing

Queen Elizabeth Centre

Bachelor of Nursing - Nursing

University of New England
Deborah HuxstepRegistered Nurse