Brandi Kosakowski

Collaborated on day-to-day operations of ambulatory care units, ensuring alignment with the Nurse Practice Act and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Led and supported quality improvement initiatives, patient safety programs, infection prevention efforts, and risk management strategies. Conducted real-time chart audits and data analysis to drive process improvements and ensure accurate documentation. Partnered with interdisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based practices, support continuous survey readiness, and educate staff on compliance and regulatory standards. Applied performance improvement methodologies (e.g., MFI, Lean, DMAIC) to enhance clinical outcomes and operational effectiveness across multiple projects.

Led daily operations for a multidisciplinary ambulatory department with 37 FTEs, including advanced practice providers, RNs, MAs, and administrative staff. Ensured full compliance with regulatory standards, including the California Nurse Practice Act. Collaborated with physicians and departmental leadership to uphold high standards of patient care and service across surgical specialties and clinic scheduling. Conducted real-time chart audits to drive documentation accuracy and clinical quality improvements. Managed budgeting, staffing plans, recruitment, training, and performance development. Proactively addressed patient concerns and resolved HR and labor relations issues, leveraging strong union knowledge. Implemented process enhancements and departmental policies to improve efficiency, patient outcomes, and service excellence.

Supervised, directed, and motivated nursing staff to consistently deliver high-quality patient care while ensuring compliance with state, federal, and Kaiser standards. Led real-time chart audits to maintain accurate, complete patient information, identifying opportunities for process improvement. Created and managed shift schedules, ensuring optimal floor coverage and fiscal responsibility. Developed strategies to address nursing and patient satisfaction issues, implementing actionable improvements to elevate hospital-wide quality and safety. Resolved staff, physician, and patient complaints using clinical judgment and management expertise. Utilized EPIC to track patient status, treatments, and outcomes, ensuring strict adherence to HIPAA confidentiality requirements. Collaborated across units (ED, OR, House Supervisor) to facilitate efficient patient throughput and maintain high standards of care.

Delivered comprehensive, high-acuity care to trauma, post-operative, and cardiovascular patients in a critical care setting. Managed advanced telemetry, including PA catheters, arterial lines, vasoactive drug titration, thrombolytic therapy, and moderate sedation. Skilled in dysrhythmia interpretation, ventilator management, and chest tube care. Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to implement individualized care plans and ensure optimal outcomes. Provided patient and caregiver education on diagnoses, medication regimens, and disease management. Consistently delivered culturally sensitive, compassionate bedside care in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

Led ICU and IMCU operations in a 27-bed unit at a U.S. Air Force base, overseeing staffing, patient throughput, and interdisciplinary coordination. Delivered high-acuity, age-appropriate care for adult, adolescent, and geriatric patients with complex diagnoses including COPD, CHF, CVA, sepsis, and diabetes. Supervised and trained nursing staff in clinical protocols, safety standards, and best practices to ensure regulatory compliance and care excellence. Managed ventilator-dependent patients and monitored respiratory status to support stabilization. Coordinated with ED, OR, and external agencies—including VA and military partners—to ensure safe patient transport and continuity of care. Communicated patient safety and operational concerns directly with the Surgeon General, supporting hospital-wide quality and readiness initiatives.

Led Clinical Practice Leaders (CPLs) in daily operations, recruitment, performance management, and training initiatives. Served as Sepsis Care Coordinator, guiding a multidisciplinary team to meet key benchmarks and improve outcomes. Developed and delivered hospital-wide education programs, including Basic Cardiac Arrhythmia, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications. Created training protocols and manuals, assessed staff competencies, and implemented mentoring programs to enhance clinical performance and patient care. Collaborated with department leaders across Med/Surg, Telemetry, ED, OR, and more to identify educational needs and support unit goals. Actively contributed to CMS quality measures, Joint Commission readiness, and hospital-wide initiatives as a member of the Readmission and Falls committees. Participated in executive-level planning to align education with operational priorities and regulatory standards.

Delivered ICU-level care in a rural hospital setting, managing complex patients with chronic conditions, substance withdrawal, and critical illness. Served as Sepsis Care Coordinator, leading a multidisciplinary initiative to improve outcomes and meet national benchmarks. Provided care for intubated and sedated patients, participated in codes per ACLS protocols, and coordinated timely transfers to higher-acuity facilities. Collaborated with TeleHealth and on-site providers to ensure comprehensive, patient-centered care. Maintained detailed documentation in EPIC and upheld stringent infection control standards. Trained and mentored new staff to enhance adherence to protocols and improve patient outcomes.

Served as Lead Charge RN with direct responsibility for staff oversight, performance evaluations, and disciplinary action—demonstrating progressive leadership in high-acuity critical care settings. Managed and monitored advanced cardiovascular and post-op surgical interventions, including Swan-Ganz catheters, IABP, Impella, EKOS, and post-open heart recovery. Oversaw ventilator and airway management, bedside procedures, and vasopressor/paralytic titration. Directed staff assignments based on acuity and competency, supported physician rounding, and coordinated care across interdisciplinary teams. Led and participated in code responses, ensured adherence to hypothermia protocols (Artic Sun), and maintained accurate clinical documentation in Citrix. Fostered clinical excellence by mentoring staff and reinforcing evidence-based critical care standards.

Provided perioperative care to patients undergoing vascular procedures under conscious sedation with cardiac monitoring. Assessed and managed vascular access sites, including AV fistulas, grafts, and both temporary and permanent dialysis catheters. Delivered thorough post-procedure education to patients and families. Maintained controlled substance logs, managed medication inventory and ordering, and upheld infection control and safety protocols. Assisted with patient scheduling and insurance verification, ensuring continuity of care and administrative efficiency.

Promoted into high-acuity assignments and leadership roles within the first year of practice, including recovery of post-op open heart patients, management of IABP, CRRT, and temporary pacemakers. Titrated vasoactive drips and sedatives while continuously monitoring hemodynamic status. Actively participated in code and rapid response teams. Assumed Charge Nurse responsibilities, managing staffing and patient placement, and served as a preceptor for new and graduate RNs just months after graduation. Demonstrated strong interdisciplinary collaboration and provided therapeutic patient and family education to support recovery.