ALISON THOMAS
Auckland,New Zealand
Summary
Highly motivated, results-driven nursing professional with substantial experience in clinical support and leadership within the peri-operative and general hospital environment. Committed to delivering evidence-based practice and ensuring optimal clinical outcomes. Diligent, proactive, and enthusiastic in approaching tasks. Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Passionate about training and developing competent individuals in healthcare.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Charge Nurse - Perioperative Services
Te Whatu Ora / Health New Zealand - Auckland Hospital
Auckland
02.2023 - Current
- Assisted in developing and implementing departmental policies and procedures
- Facilitated efficient communication among peri-operative team members to enhance patient care.
- Provided orientation on policies and procedures to new nurses in the operating room department as a preceptor
- Contributed to the implementation of quality improvement initiatives for maintaining best practice standards within peri-operative department.
- Implemented effective safety procedures for task execution and surgical operations.
- Assigned tasks effectively to staff members in line with their respective competencies and proficiency.
- Provided prompt assistance during critical scenarios involving hemorrhage, cardiac arrest, and respiratory distress.
- Maintained adherence to infection control procedures within the peri-operative department.
- Managed staffing levels within the unit to maintain optimal patient care.
- Provided training and mentorship to new RNs on best practices, operating room policies, and standards of care.
- Demonstrated strong task management skills in time-sensitive, emergency surgery situations.
- Reviewed nursing staffing patterns to effectively meet staffing needs while adhering to budgetary controls.
- Supported surgeons during surgical procedures in the scrub, circulating, and patient nurses' roles.
- Supported patients and whanau during the challenging peri-operative journey.
- Advocated for patient needs with the interdisciplinary team.
- Used Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS), and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Prepared theatre equipment and consumables to support surgeons during surgical procedures.
Theatre Manager
OneSixOne Medical Group
02.2022 - Current
- Managing the Day stay Theatre which included staffing, equipment management, stock management, quality and risk systems, financial management (in conjunction with Practice Manager)
- Assisting in leading the provision of a coordinated high quality service to urology/gynaecology patients/families
- Developing and maintaining all Theatre Unit policies, procedures and guidelines
- Leading an ongoing continuous improvement environment
- Relationship development and management, both internally and externally, to assist the smooth and efficient running of theatre
- Working with others in the management team to provide leadership and direction setting.
Patient Flow Manager
Mercy Ascot
10.2021 - 02.2022
- Monitoring and evaluation of theatre sessions to ensure utilisation to agreed capacity
- Working collaboratively with managers of other departments to ensure consistency of service
- Assisting in patient flow for elective surgery demand by providing clinical support and oversight to the preadmissions and bookings teams
- Supporting Bureau to ensure workforce demands are met.
Clinical Nurse Manager
Auckland District Health Board
10.2017 - 09.2021
- Providing clinical leadership and management to facilitate the effective day-to-day operation of hospital services
- Contributing to the delivery of directorate objectives and nursing strategy participating in briefing with accurate up to date hospital information
- Monitoring patient flow trends and contributing strategies to enable expeditious patient flow
- Assessing acuity of clinical care requirements utilising assessment tools (Trendcare, Patients at Risk)
- Identifying risks and taking appropriate action to mitigate and escalate appropriately
- Supporting staff with clinical reasoning and professional judgement in practice and coaching in areas of uncertainty
- Holding accountability for optimal nursing care delivery, safe environments and cost-effective staffing decisions
- Compliance with and utilizing policies, procedures and guidelines which impact upon maintaining patient safety
- Code responses, clinical emergencies, frontline response for major incidents, fire, security alerts and all serious untoward incidents.
Product Specialist – Urology / Gynaecology
Culpan Medical Ltd
02.2015 - 09.2017
- Provided clinical support and education to customers in a designated territory
- Built strong working relationships with end-users through good communication and meeting and exceeding expectations
- Advised end users on clinical effectiveness and technical aspects of products
- Supported trade shows, educational events and national sales meetings as requested.
Nurse Coordinator – Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery
Counties Manukau District Health Board
09.2014 - 02.2015
- Facilitated and case managed patients requiring elective surgery ensured that care was appropriate and safe
- Provided education and support to patients and families who were undergoing surgical procedures
- Coordinated admission and discharge of patients to theatre waiting lists
- Maintained a relevant knowledge of current trends and practices by maximising opportunities for clinical development and education
- Contributing to continuous quality improvement by managing patient care processes and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Registered Nurse – Level 8 Theatres
Auckland City Hospital
01.2013 - 08.2014
- Delivered nursing care to patients in the operating room in accordance with legal, ethical, culturally appropriate and professional standards
- Acted as a scrub and circulating nurse for surgical procedures, including general surgery, vascular urology, gynaecology, orthopaedics and neurosurgery
- Acted as preceptor and support to new to theatre / department nurses and HCA's
- Managed the patient information system and sterile supplies and inventory.
Charge Nurse
Ormiston Surgery and Endoscopy
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Facilitated and coordinated activities in the operating room to ensure that all operating procedures were performed in a safe and efficient manner for both patients and staff
- Worked cohesively with all members of the team ensuring best patient experience and outcomes
- Responsible for the professional development, portfolio assessment, coordinating teaching and learning opportunities of nursing staff, healthcare assistants
- Ensured compliance with clinical policies and procedures, monitored quality performance indicators and identified areas for improvement.
Theatre Manager
Auckland City Hospital - Level 9 Women's Health Theatres
02.2010 - 01.2012
- Provided professional and clinical leadership in a department which provides an acute and elective service 24/7
- Accountable for optimal nursing care delivery, consulting with and supporting the multidisciplinary team to facilitate optimal patient outcomes
- Efficiently managed all resources in the operating theatre within approved budget for staff and equipment
- Accountable for quality improvement initiatives, monitored key performance indicators and identified areas for improvement
- Ensured that quality and safety processes and systems are in place to ensure delivery of care meets the highest standards
- Accountable for a defined budget and ensured effective and sustainable management of financial resources.
Charge Nurse – Urology and General
Auckland City Hospital, Level 8 Operating Rooms
02.2006 - 01.2010
- Provided daily management of staff and resources to ensure the delivery of ethical and culturally safe nursing practice
- Provided clinical leadership of the multidisciplinary team by ensuring that practice is supported by evidence based research and policy
- Directed, monitored and evaluated nursing care provided by staff through performance review and appraisal
- Accountable for a defined budget and ensured effective management of financial resources
- Ensured ongoing personal and staff professional development by facilitating attendance of educational opportunities/conferences.
Registered Nurse
Auckland City Hospital
02.2000 - 01.2006
- Delivered nursing care to patients within the operating rooms in accordance with ethical, culturally appropriate and professional standards
- Managed the online patient information system and other computer systems daily
- Managed sterile supplies and inventory required for surgical procedures
- Collaborated and communicated with the team in order to achieve best patient outcomes at all times
- Acted as a preceptor and support to new to theatre / department nurses and HCAs.
Education
Masters of Health Service Management -
Massey University
Auckland09.2024
Post Graduate Diploma - Nursing Leadership and Management -
Auckland University
Auckland New ZealandPost Graduate Certificate Nursing: Clinical Education -
Auckland University
Auckland New ZealandPost Graduate Diploma: Advanced Nursing Science - Perioperative Nursing -
University of Stellenbosch
Cape Town, South AfricaGraduate Diploma in Nursing Science: (General, Psychiatry, Community Health) and Midwife -
Nico Malan Nursing College
Skills
- Effective Organization
- Effective Project Coordination
- Budget Management
- Effective management of resources
- Understanding and knowledge of policies and procedures within the operating theatre
- Effective Communication
- Collaborative Meeting Coordination
- Interview Process Management
- Effective Public Speaking
- Coaching/mentoring conversations
- Relationship Building
- Demonstrating Empathy and Compassion
- Facilitating Collaborative Team Environments
- Positive Mindset
- Strategic Critical Thinking
- Effective decision making
References
Available upon request
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading
- Travel
- Cooking
- Hiking / Outdoors
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Charge Nurse - Perioperative Services
Te Whatu Ora / Health New Zealand - Auckland Hospital
02.2023 - Current
Theatre Manager
OneSixOne Medical Group
02.2022 - Current
Patient Flow Manager
Mercy Ascot
10.2021 - 02.2022
Clinical Nurse Manager
Auckland District Health Board
10.2017 - 09.2021
Product Specialist – Urology / Gynaecology
Culpan Medical Ltd
02.2015 - 09.2017
Nurse Coordinator – Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery
Counties Manukau District Health Board
09.2014 - 02.2015
Registered Nurse – Level 8 Theatres
Auckland City Hospital
01.2013 - 08.2014
Charge Nurse
Ormiston Surgery and Endoscopy
01.2012 - 01.2013
Theatre Manager
Auckland City Hospital - Level 9 Women's Health Theatres
02.2010 - 01.2012
Charge Nurse – Urology and General
Auckland City Hospital, Level 8 Operating Rooms
02.2006 - 01.2010
Registered Nurse
Auckland City Hospital
02.2000 - 01.2006
Masters of Health Service Management -
Massey University
Post Graduate Diploma - Nursing Leadership and Management -
Auckland University
Post Graduate Certificate Nursing: Clinical Education -
Auckland University
Post Graduate Diploma: Advanced Nursing Science - Perioperative Nursing -
University of Stellenbosch
Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science: (General, Psychiatry, Community Health) and Midwife -
Nico Malan Nursing College
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