Dzifa Wurah
Calgary,AB
Summary
Accomplished Senior Lead Occupational Health Nurse with a proven track record of enhancing workplace safety, creating and developing Occupational Health Services program policies and procedures whiles boosting employee well-being through effective risk assessments and wellness initiatives. Skilled in interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking and change management, have successfully reduced workplace injuries and improved health outcomes over the last 15 years. Expert in optimizing and creating efficiencies in healthcare systems with data-driven decisions prioritization whiles ensuring regulatory compliance and best practice trends.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Lead Occupational Health Nurse
Parkland Corporation
04.2022 - Current
- Developed targeted injury prevention programs through careful analysis of incident trends, leading to fewer workplace accidents.
- Improved employee health by creating and implementing comprehensive wellness programs and initiatives.
- Developed return-to-work plans tailored to individual needs that expedited recovery time after illness or injury.
- Assisted with accident investigation program to identify root cause of incidents and near-misses.
- Reviewed and streamlined the workers compensation program by developing a comprehensive injury management process that resulted in reduced lost time, timely return to work and reduced worker's compensation premiums by 2 million dollars.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create comprehensive employee wellness programs that addressed physical, mental, and emotional health for our workers across 26 countries.
- Collaborated with management to develop policies and procedures for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, resulting in decreased absenteeism.
- Analyzed organizational ergonomics for optimal workstation design that reduced strain-related injuries.
- Served as a resource for employees experiencing personal or family health issues, offering guidance on available resources and support services.
- Implemented stress-reduction interventions at the workplace, contributing to improved mental well-being among staff members.
- Created a data management process to ensure all personal and health data information is handled in compliance with PIPEDA regulations to prevent information breaches.
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and best practice requirements by updating the Fitness to Work and Substance Use Disorder policies and developing training programs for all staff members.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and proactively addressing these challenges through appropriate solutions implementation.
- Led change management initiatives to drive organizational transformation without compromising employee morale or productivity levels.
- Drove operational efficiency through data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging analytics tools for informed strategy development.
Registered Nurse, Occupational Health
Canadian Pacific Railway
09.2017 - 03.2022
- Increased patient satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and providing compassionate, high-quality nursing care.
- Conducted pre-employment physicals and screenings to ensure candidate fitness for job requirements.
- Enhanced patient recovery by implementing individualized care plans and conducting regular evaluations.
- Educated employees about potential health hazards in the workplace and implemented preventive measures to reduce risk exposure.
- Supported regulatory compliance through continuous monitoring of occupational health policies, procedures, and practices.
- Assisted in managing workers'' compensation cases, facilitating prompt return-to-work plans for injured employees.
- Streamlined medical documentation processes, ensuring accurate and timely record-keeping for optimal patient care.
- Liaised between employees with health concerns and supervisors, maintaining medical confidentiality to communicate work status and coordinate return to work accommodations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with PIPEDA regulations and prevent information breaches.
- Trained and mentored new team members by relaying information on company procedures and safety requirements.
- Enhanced overall team performance by providing regular coaching, feedback, and skill development opportunities.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful project execution while maintaining strong collaboration among team members.
Head Nurse
AgeCare Seton
02.2017 - 12.2018
- Strengthened unit care standards and policies with focus on patient safety and dignity.
- Served as a liaison between the nursing department and hospital administration to address staffing concerns, policy changes, and budgetary issues effectively.
- Evaluated staff performance regularly, identifying areas for growth and providing constructive feedback when necessary.
- Led multidisciplinary team meetings to review patient progress, adjust care plans as needed, and ensure optimal collaboration among healthcare providers.
- Consistently met regulatory requirements through meticulous record-keeping and timely reporting of incidents.
- Built rapport with patients and family members to deliver exceptional care.
- Optimized inventory management processes to prevent stockouts while maintaining cost effectiveness.
- Enhanced staff efficiency through effective scheduling, workload distribution, and resource allocation.
- Performed patient assessments and adjusted care plans accordingly.
- Coordinated seamless patient transfers between departments, ensuring continuity of care at all times.
- Identified unit areas of inadequacy and adjusted procedures to close gaps and improve policies.
- Streamlined communication between interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop personalized care plans for patients with complex conditions.
- Mentored junior staff members, fostering professional growth and development within the team.
- Led staff meetings to keep team informed of departmental changes and provide opportunities for nurses to share ideas and concerns.
- Coordinated and implemented in-service educational programs focusing on safety and adherence to protocols.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians, and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Oversaw infection control procedures to protect patients from infections and keep nursing departments compliant with state regulations.
- Managed a team of 4 nurses, 12 healthcare aids every shift on a 60-bed long term care unit by providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards.
Nurse Manager
Le Vivalis
10.2014 - 05.2016
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork by regularly acknowledging accomplishments of both individual nurses as well as collaborative achievements.
- Actively participated in recruitment efforts to attract top talent for open positions within the department.
- Coordinated discharge planning efforts with social workers, case managers, and other healthcare professionals to provide seamless transitions of care for patients.
- Managed patient census fluctuations by adjusting staffing levels accordingly, maintaining optimal nurse-to-patient ratios.
- Established clear communication channels between management and nurses, promoting transparency and open dialogue.
- Oversaw budget management for the unit, tracking expenses and adjusting allocations as needed throughout the fiscal year.
- Identified process improvements that led to reduced medication errors among the nursing staff.
- Championed quality improvement initiatives within the unit, driving continuous enhancement of patient outcomes.
- Mentored new nurses to ensure smooth transition into the team, fostering a positive work environment.
- Facilitated training sessions on new medical equipment and technology for nursing staff members.
- Conducted performance evaluations for nursing staff, identifying areas of improvement and designing professional development plans.
- Managed staffing schedules, ensuring appropriate coverage and minimizing overtime costs.
- Led multidisciplinary rounds involving physicians, pharmacists, therapists, dietitians, and nursing staff to ensure effective communication and coordination of patient care.
- Led staff meetings to keep team informed of departmental changes and provide opportunities for nurses to share ideas and concerns.
- Managed staff scheduling and time off to adequately staff nursing floors and allow nurses earned time off.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians, and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Oversaw infection control procedures to protect patients from infections and keep nursing departments compliant with state regulations.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to support professional growth of nursing staff members.
- Served as a key point of contact between nursing staff, physicians, administration, and other healthcare professionals.
- Managed 6 nurses and 36 healthcare aids per shift in a 90-bed assisted living facility by providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards.
- Monitored clinical outcomes closely, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
- Coordinated and implemented in-service educational programs focusing on safety and adherence to protocols.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
CSSS Ahuntsic-Montreal North
09.2010 - 10.2014
- Evaluated patient progress and adjusted care plans accordingly, ensuring continuity of care across all healthcare settings.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure appropriate resource utilization for complex cases.
- Provided education and support to patients and families, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare needs.
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing comprehensive assessments and developing tailored care plans.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Participated in on-call rotations to deliver after-hours care.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of patients physical, emotional, and social needs in order to develop individualized care plans that facilitated optimal health outcomes.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, introducing revisions to care plans. ·
Staff Nurse
CSSS Pierre-Boucher
05.2008 - 01.2011
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate results for optimal treatment planning.
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
Health Care Aide
CSSS Champlain
09.2004 - 04.2008
- Assisted with daily living activities, promoting patient independence and overall wellbeing.
- Provided assistance in daily living activities by dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting patients.
- Assisted patients with dressing, grooming and feeding needs, helping to overcome, and adapt to mobility restrictions.
- Utilized problem-solving skills when faced with unexpected situations or emergencies within the healthcare setting.
- Maintained clean, safe, and well-organized patient environment.
- Kept accurate records of patients' care, condition, and progress.
- Provided total hygiene care to 30 patients per shift by assisting with skincare, bathing, and toileting.
- Ensured the safe transfer of patients using proper techniques to prevent injuries and falls.
- Participated in ongoing training opportunities to stay current with best practices in health care aide services.
- Agreed to take on additional shifts and extra hours during busy periods and holidays to maintain proper staffing and floor coverage.
- Adapted quickly to changing patient conditions, adjusting care strategies accordingly for optimal results.
Customer Service Representative
Equinox Marketing Service
05.2001 - 08.2004
- Handled customer inquiries and suggestions courteously and professionally.
- Managed high-stress situations effectively, maintaining professionalism under pressure while resolving disputes or conflicts.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Resolved customer complaints with empathy, resulting in increased loyalty and repeat business.
- Answered constant flow of customer calls with minimal wait times.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns and providing accurate information.
- Updated account information to maintain customer records.
- Developed rapport with customers through active listening skills, leading to higher retention rates and positive feedback from clients.
Education
Associate Certificate - Human Resource Management
Coursera
Online01.2024
Certificate - Occupational Health Nursing
St-Lawrence College
Ontario05.2019
Diploma - Nursing
Cejep Edouard-Montpetit
Longueuil, QC05.2008
Diploma - Social Sciences
Champlain Regional College
Saint-Lambert, QC04.2004
Skills
- Employee Wellness Programs
- Occupational Health Regulations
- Workplace Safety
- Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations
- Confidentiality Practices
- Injury Prevention Programs
- Program Management
- Healthcare policy compliance
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Native or Bilingual
Affiliations
- Canadian Nurses Association- 2019 to present
- College of Registered Nurses of Alberta- 2016 to present
- Alberta Occupational Health Nurse Association-2017 to present
- Ordre des Infirnier et Infirmiere du Quebec - former member 2015
- Toastmasters International- 2024
Timeline
Senior Lead Occupational Health Nurse
Parkland Corporation
04.2022 - Current
Registered Nurse, Occupational Health
Canadian Pacific Railway
09.2017 - 03.2022
Head Nurse
AgeCare Seton
02.2017 - 12.2018
Nurse Manager
Le Vivalis
10.2014 - 05.2016
Registered Nurse Case Manager
CSSS Ahuntsic-Montreal North
09.2010 - 10.2014
Staff Nurse
CSSS Pierre-Boucher
05.2008 - 01.2011
Health Care Aide
CSSS Champlain
09.2004 - 04.2008
Customer Service Representative
Equinox Marketing Service
05.2001 - 08.2004
Associate Certificate - Human Resource Management
Coursera
Certificate - Occupational Health Nursing
St-Lawrence College
Diploma - Nursing
Cejep Edouard-Montpetit
Diploma - Social Sciences
Champlain Regional College
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