Tamara Lynn Smith
Sechelt,Canada
Summary
Experienced nursing professional with hands-on experience with Cerner and a talent for navigating challenges. Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Nurse Educator - Cerner
VCH - Sechelt Shíshálh Hospital
03.2023 - Current
- Streamlines the onboarding process by providing hands-on Cerner training sessions for all new nursing staff to the site (employees and contractors).
- Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and provides Cerner assistance to all professions within the hospital (physician, nurse, allied health, and clerical positions).
- Provides real-time elbow support for all departments within the site.
- Identifies educational needs and develops educational resources related to Cerner to support nursing staff in their daily duties.
- Liaises with the Clinical Informatics Team.
- Fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement among nursing staff by organizing and leading Cerner focused educational workshops.
- Is a mentor for junior nursing staff, fostering a positive learning environment and promoting professional growth.
- Promotes patient safety by participating in quality improvement initiatives, PSLS reviews, and Critical Incident reviews.
- Collaborates with and provides clinical support to onsite Computer Technicians.
- Is a Subject Matter Expert for all Cerner related build changes.
- Provides project assistance for all hospital upgrades that impact the electronic charting system.
- Completes data remediation in collaboration with the Health Records and Cardiology departments.
- Evaluates clinical staff performance, identifying areas of improvement and providing constructive feedback to drive continuous growth.
- Involved with the Emergency Management Committee, Regional Critical Care Program, Sechelt Medication Safety, Sechelt Resuscitation Committee, Quality & Safety Project for Sechelt Emergency, Rural & Remote Education Community of Practice (RRECOP), Coastal Medication Safety, Clinical Informatics Practice Education Council (CIPEC), and the CST Emergency & Trauma Specialty Working Group.
Emergency Nurse
VCH - Sechelt Shíshálh Hospital
08.2020 - 03.2023
- Feb 2022 - Mar 2023: Seconded for the CST Cerner Project at Sechelt Hospital. The project included staff training, liaising with Clinical Informatics, cutover, on-unit elbow support during go-live, and ongoing staff education for sustainment.
- Assessed incoming trauma victims quickly in collaboration with other healthcare providers for immediate life-saving measures.
- Delivered compassionate care to patients of diverse ages, backgrounds, and medical needs in the fast-paced emergency department setting.
- Responded effectively to rapidly changing situations by adapting treatment plans as necessary for optimal patient outcomes.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures such as intubation, central line placement, and procedural sedation to ensure optimal patient care.
- Closely monitored critical patients requiring continuous observation or frequent intervention due to unstable conditions.
- Communicated openly and collaboratively with all healthcare staff to organize successful patient care.
Emergency Nurse
FHA - Eagle Ridge Hospital
08.2014 - 08.2020
- Served as a preceptor for new nursing staff, providing guidance and support during their orientation period.
- Managed staffing assignments to optimize resources, ensuring appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios during peak times.
- Provided leadership during critical incident events, coordinating resources effectively to manage the influx of patients requiring urgent care.
- Delivered compassionate care to patients of diverse ages, backgrounds, and medical needs in the fast-paced emergency department setting.
- Improved patient outcomes by efficiently assessing, triaging, and treating emergency room patients.
Emergency Nurse
FHA - Royal Columbian Hospital
08.2009 - 08.2014
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, and thoracic trauma.
- Served as a mentor for new nursing staff members by sharing clinical expertise and supporting their ongoing growth as trauma nurses.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Improved patient outcomes by efficiently assessing, triaging, and treating emergency room patients.
- Participated in emergency department quality improvement initiatives, identifying areas for potential growth and implementing strategies for enhanced patient care.
- Developed strong rapport with patients by actively listening to their concerns and addressing their questions regarding treatment options.
Critical Care Nurse
PHA - St. Paul’s Hospital
05.2004 - 08.2009
- Delivered high-quality direct patient care to diverse populations in the critical care setting including trauma, cardiovascular, neurologic, pulmonary, and surgical cases.
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care, supporting patients and their families during difficult transitions.
- Managed complex ventilation settings and titrated vasoactive medications in accordance with established protocols and physician orders.
- Responded rapidly to critical codes to coordinate stabilization treatments and restore vital functions.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess, plan and implement evidence-based patient care.
General Medicine Nurse
PHA - St. Paul’s Hospital
05.2001 - 05.2004
- Performed accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in compliance with regulatory standards.
- Promoted a safe and comfortable healing environment by addressing patient concerns promptly and professionally.
- Remained calm during high-stress, critical situations, demonstrating sustained focus and problem-solving in real-time.
- Mentored new nursing staff members, fostering teamwork and improving unit efficiency.
Education
Advanced Specialty Certificate - Critical Care/Emergency Nursing With Distinction
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Burnaby, BC03.2012
Advanced Specialty Certificate - Critical Care Nursing With Distinction
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Burnaby, BC03.2004
Bachelor of Science - Nursing, With Honors
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC05.2001
High School Diploma -
Elphinstone Secondary School
01.1997
Skills
Staff Development
Quality Improvement
Clinical expertise
Interprofessional Collaboration
Certification
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (PALS)
Affiliated Associations
- British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives, Current Practising RN Licence (License expires 2025)
- British Columbia Nurses Union
- Emergency Nurses Association of British Columbia (ENABC)
Personal Information
- Place of Birth: British Columbia
- Date of Birth: 11/20/79
References
- Dana Pierce, 604-212-2787, Registered Nurse, Regional Educator for Vancouver Coastal Health
- Laura Peters, 604-989-0106, Registered Nurse, Patient Care Supervisor Sechelt Hospital
- Alicia De Leo, 604-741-2955, Registered Nurse, Clinical Mentor Nurse at Sechelt Hospital Emergency
Timeline
Clinical Nurse Educator - Cerner
VCH - Sechelt Shíshálh Hospital
03.2023 - Current
Emergency Nurse
VCH - Sechelt Shíshálh Hospital
08.2020 - 03.2023
Emergency Nurse
FHA - Eagle Ridge Hospital
08.2014 - 08.2020
Emergency Nurse
FHA - Royal Columbian Hospital
08.2009 - 08.2014
Critical Care Nurse
PHA - St. Paul’s Hospital
05.2004 - 08.2009
General Medicine Nurse
PHA - St. Paul’s Hospital
05.2001 - 05.2004
High School Diploma -
Elphinstone Secondary School
Advanced Specialty Certificate - Critical Care/Emergency Nursing With Distinction
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Advanced Specialty Certificate - Critical Care Nursing With Distinction
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Nursing, With Honors
University of British Columbia