Karen Norris
Summary
Strategic leader recognized for reducing redundancies in processes, improving outcomes, and creating an inclusive collaborative environment. Empowers individuals to work together maximizing the power of the team to effectively support the needs of residents, families, and external stakeholders. Well established emotional intelligence and strong leadership skills with focus on building capacity, fostering wellbeing, and establishing community involvement while overseeing a sustainable business. Kind and personable professional with over 30 years of experience in person-focused care in health, social services, and developmental sectors.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Nursing
Schlegel Villages
12.2016 - Current
- Effective active member of leadership teams in large 192 and 262 bed LTC facilities
- Enhanced staff performance through regular training sessions and professional development opportunities.
- Improved patient care by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and protocols.
- Mentored new nurses in clinical practice and procedures, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Directs and collaborates with teams, residents, families, and external partners to identify and establish education, risk management strategies and interventions to respond to and coordinate resident care
- Leads the Behaviour Supports Ontario embedded program to improve residents' quality of life and support care plan sustainability
- Manages, assesses, and reports quality indicators related to program and devises plan for continual quality improvement of outcomes and new goals
- Developed comprehensive care plans for patients, ensuring optimal health outcomes and patient satisfaction.
- Liaises and collaborates with interdisciplinary and external teams (Geriatric Resource Consultants, Specialized Geriatric Services, Homewood Health Care etc). to develop efficient care strategies tailored to individual patient needs.
- Played a key role in attaining high patient satisfaction scores by consistently delivering compassionate care and addressing concerns promptly.
- Optimized staffing levels to maintain appropriate staffing ratios, promoting quality of care without exceeding budget constraints.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork by encouraging open communication among staff members and facilitating collaboration across departments.
- Influenced positive change within the organization by championing innovative ideas that led to better patient outcomes.
- Served as a role model for nursing staff by demonstrating exceptional clinical skills, ethical behavior, and commitment to continuous learning.
Director of Health and Wellness
Revera- Victoria Place RH
10.2015 - 12.2016
- Collaborated with Executive Director and Marketing to set new goals to increase occupancy through creative avenues, establish community connections and partners and re-establish reputation in local community
- Increased occupancy from 72% to 91% within that year
- Coordinated with external healthcare providers to create treatment plans for residents as required
- Streamlined care processes for increased efficiency and improved resident outcomes. Developed and distributed employee work schedules based on operational needs and employee requests including re-alignment of staffing model and LiveWell rollout resulting in net income increase of 147% within that year
- Developed and updated department goals and achievements throughout fiscal year
- Kept records of expenses and monitored budget while recommending and strategizing opportunities for cost savings
- Supported various educational opportunities, wellness events etc
- Recruited, hired and trained all clinical staff, provided direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees
- Motivated and supervised 30+ Registered Nurses, RPNs, PSWs and housekeepers in delivery of quality resident care.
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Neighbourhood Coordinator
Schlegel Villages- The Village of Riverside Glen
04.2012 - 10.2015
- Generalist Role - supporting 2 neighbourhood teams (60+ team members) and 64 residents and their families
- Supported team development and communications
- Managed on-site evaluations, internal audits, and customer surveys
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving resident care and dynamics issues
- Led team building and culture change initiatives to enhance working relationships and improve resident and team member experience
- Payroll, WSIB, union relations, labour management, performance management and appraisals, coaching, growth & development, and succession planning.
RAI Coordinator
Schlegel Villages
04.2011 - 04.2012
- Assessment coordinator - scheduled and assessed required resident assessments which drove funding model in LTC, maximized funding potential through capture of increased nursing services provided by team due to changes in functioning or decline.
- Reduced errors in MDS submissions by providing ongoing education and training for nursing staff on RAI requirements.
Restorative Care Coordinator
Sifton Homes-Lanark Place LTC
04.2010 - 04.2011
- Planned, coordinated, and implemented restorative nursing increasing funding to nursing envelop
- Direct supervisor of 2 Restorative aides.
- Managed project timelines for successful completion, ensuring milestones were met and deadlines were adhered to.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams, resulting in seamless project execution and enhanced outcomes.
Resident Services Manager
Chartwell- Wellington Park Terrace RH
10.2008 - 04.2010
- Plan and assess health care interventions, medication management for retirement clients
- Supervise, train and direct 20 Registered and unregulated care providers
- Assess and re-evaluate needs to generate sales of additional services to clients as required or appropriate
Registered Practical Nurse/Program Coordinator
Sunbeam Residential Development Centre
01.2004 - 04.2008
- Developed and implemented nursing and medication processes for 30+ Adult Day Program clients
- Supported programming activities and developed enhanced program areas
- Worked collaboratively with DSW staff
- Instructor for Non-Violent Crisis Intervention to support routine Sunbeam team educational (100+ staff) and for local Women's Shelter (20 staff)
- Ran and coordinated MFTD Summer Day Camp for community children during summer breaks and March breaks.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality nursing care and implementing evidence-based practices.
Education
Psychological Health And Safety For Leaders
Ontario Centre For Learning And Innovation
Toronto, ON2023
Leadership For Long Term Care & Retirement -
Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Kitchener, ON06.2019
Autism Intervener -
Geneva Centre For Autism
Toronto, ON10.2007
Registered Practical Nurse -
Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Kitchener, ON06.1999
Skills
- Quality Improvement
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Behavioral Health
- Staff Management
- Staff Evaluation
- Budget Management
- Professional Development
- Relationship building and retention
- Profitability Strategies
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Long-Term Care
- Policies Compliance Enforcement
- Leadership and Guidance
- Hospital Admissions
Hobbies and Interests
- Theatre
- Music
- Family
- Culture
- Travel
- Sustainability
Timeline
Assistant Director of Nursing
Schlegel Villages
12.2016 - Current
Director of Health and Wellness
Revera- Victoria Place RH
10.2015 - 12.2016
Neighbourhood Coordinator
Schlegel Villages- The Village of Riverside Glen
04.2012 - 10.2015
RAI Coordinator
Schlegel Villages
04.2011 - 04.2012
Restorative Care Coordinator
Sifton Homes-Lanark Place LTC
04.2010 - 04.2011
Resident Services Manager
Chartwell- Wellington Park Terrace RH
10.2008 - 04.2010
Registered Practical Nurse/Program Coordinator
Sunbeam Residential Development Centre
01.2004 - 04.2008
Psychological Health And Safety For Leaders
Ontario Centre For Learning And Innovation
Leadership For Long Term Care & Retirement -
Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Autism Intervener -
Geneva Centre For Autism
Registered Practical Nurse -
Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
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