Professional Experience
Robson Forensic, Inc.
Associate
2016 to present
Provide forensic investigation, analysis, report, and testimony as it relates to issues involving standard of care in acute care hospitals, long term acute care hospitals, acute inpatient rehab facilities, sub-acute rehab facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient centers.
Standard of Care issues as they relate to:
Supervision - appropriateness of healthcare setting for provision of care, staff training and competence, program compliance
Policies and Procedures – analysis of organizational structures, formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies, procedures, and practices specific to organizational context, performance evaluations, best practices, program compliance
Care Plan Analysis - assessment of: evaluative tests and techniques used by clinicians to develop an appropriate care plan, interventions chosen to address goals and objectives, frequency and duration of care provided, timing of reassessments and care plan modifications, demonstration of interdisciplinary collaboration, standard of care, appropriateness of discharge timing and destination
Safety – prevention of patient falls, optimization of patient handling through technique and equipment, the environment of care, and compliance with facility standards and codes.
Risk Management – analysis of incidents, identification of hazards, completion of incident reports, equipment failure, corrective actions, analysis of trends and reporting of program and safety compliance
Related Experience:
Patient Assessment and Care
- Evaluated, treated, and directed patient care in numerous hospital and rehabilitation settings:
- Acute Hospitals
- Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
- Subacute Rehabilitation Facilities
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Outpatient Therapy Clinics
- Trained patients on use of braces, and physician directed precautions (weight bearing, movement or activity restrictions, positioning)
- Assessed, trained, and assigned durable medical equipment to patients including wheelchairs, walkers, axillary crutches, Lofstrand crutches, hemi-walkers, knee scooters, canes, Hoyer lifts, full body and stand assist lifts.
Quality of Care
- Performed staffing including hiring employees and utilizing contracted agency staff
- Ensured all therapy staff were compliant with state and federal regulations, and competent in skills required to perform duties
- Participated in Infection Control Committees and participated in initiatives to reduce infection rates within multiple facilities
- Monitored and trained staff in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use and proper hand hygiene to prevent spread of infection
- Monitored and investigated patient incidents involving unintended or unexpected outcomes
- Purchased, inspected, cleaned, inventoried, and performed preventative maintenance on rehabilitative and durable medical equipment
Fall Investigation and Prevention
- Performed Root Cause Analysis of incidents involving patient falls in hospital and rehab facilities
- Created and provided staff training to prevent patient falls
- Participated on the interdisciplinary care team involving creation/modification/implementation of fall prevention interventions
- Participated on Fall Committees in Hospitals and Rehab Facilities
Safe Patient Handling / Patient Transport
- Trained the interdisciplinary team on safe and effective patient transfer techniques, including use of Hoyer Lifts, standing lifts, wheelchairs, stretchers, horizontal transfer devices, specialized chairs and beds.
- Provided fall prevention and body mechanics training to staff
- Identified and communicated most appropriate mode of patient transportation
- Performed patient vehicle transfer assessments and training
- Assisted wheelchair patients during transportation: vehicle loading and unloading, application of wheelchair securement and passenger restraint systems, and monitoring of patients during transit
Interdisciplinary Team
- Participated in Care Conferences where the employees of all disciplines providing care for the patient communicate information to concur on a plan of care and discharge plan
- Created, modified, and implemented the individualized patient Interdisciplinary Plans of Care (IPOC), and supervised staff performing these requirements
- Communicated with doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, nurse aides, social workers, case managers, dietary specialists, ancillary services, and other therapists to optimize patient care
Patient Confidentiality and Privacy
- Completed annual Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training
- Participated in training of staff on HIPAA, and ensured all therapy staff were competent and compliant
Policy and Procedure
- Completed annual review, revision, creation, training, and enforcement of Policy and Procedures for therapy departments within multiple settings
- Ensured that all therapy staff practiced in accordance with all federal and state regulations for provision of care, infection control, and charge entry
Facility and Equipment Safety
- Performed regular assessments of the facility and equipment as a clinician and a member of the Environment of Care Committee to identify defective or expired equipment, potential hazards, and violations of standards
- Provided training to staff on procedures for visually inspecting equipment prior to use, and policy for tagging and removing equipment in need of repair
- Provided training to staff on new equipment prior to use
Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, Moss Rehab
Per Diem Physical Therapist
2016 to present
Provide therapy to patients with diverse diagnoses in the hospital setting
Capstone Physical Therapy
Independent Contractor
2016
- Co-develop marketing strategy for business growth
- Establish relationships with surrounding physician practices and improve communication with existing referral sources
Good Shepherd Penn Partners
Director of Acute Therapies
2013 to 2015
- Led all inpatient therapies (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Recreational Therapy) for Penn Medicine’s Philadelphia hospitals and inpatient facilities:
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
- Pennsylvania Hospital
- Penn Institute for Rehab Medicine
- Penn’s Long Term Acute Care Hospital
- Penn Center for Rehabilitation
- Penn Presbyterian Center for Continuing Care
- Monitored compliance with standards established by The Joint Commission (TJC) and Department of Health (DOH), as well as requirements for certification by the Centers for Acute Rehab Facilities (CARF) in diagnostic categories of Amputation, Brain Injury, Stroke, Spinal Cord, and Comprehensive Rehab
- Collaborated with all referral sources to ensure appropriate settings were chosen for rehabilitative care based on standards and regulations, and then monitor care plans and outcomes
- Restructured therapy leadership at Penn Rehab to ensure appropriate oversight by competent and available mentors
- Reviewed and updated inpatient therapy policies annually and as needed
- Performed patient and staff rounding to ensure optimal care delivery and satisfaction
- Participated in numerous hospital committees including: Senior Leadership, PennChart Clinical Operations, Clinical Readiness, Clinical Documentation, Quality, Wound Care, Falls, Bold Strategy, Transitions in Care, Stroke Steering
- Created and managed staffing budget for all inpatient therapy entities including of $9 million in annual contracted therapies to Penn Medicine hospitals with less than 1% variance
- Increased therapist productivity by 19% over a 2 year period as measured by patients per day
- Provided strategic planning and contributed to the build of PennChart, the Penn Medicine conversion of electronic medical record
- Maintained regular communication including updates among hospital administrators, senior leadership, therapy site and assistant therapy managers
- Recruited, hired, and oriented new staff
- Identified, achieved support for, and then implemented a tool for measuring functional outcomes across disciplines and the continuum of care
Interim Administrator for Penn Institute for Rehab Medicine 2014
- Led all ancillary departments for a 58 bed acute inpatient rehab including Pharmacy, Materials Management, Information Systems, and contracted services of EVS and Dietary
- Created the FY15 budget including projections for average daily census and staffing, capital purchases, and contracted services
- Developed strategic plan including growth of census, quality improvement, employee satisfaction, and expense reduction
Chestnut Hill Hospital, Community Health Systems
Director, Physical Medicine Department
2008 to 2013
- Re-established hospital employed therapy services from a contracted employer, including establishing new insurance contracts and providing communication and continuity of care for referral sources
- Managed daily therapy operations provided for 124 bed acute care hospital and outpatient in 2 locations
- Provided clinical services as a physical therapist to patients in the hospital and emergency department
- Participated in numerous hospital committees including: Patient Satisfaction/Standards (Co-Chair), Worksite Injury Management, Infection Control, Rewards and Recognition, Bright Ideas, Performance Improvement, Activities, Commitment to Quality / Continuum of Care, Skin, Falls, Environment of Care, Stroke, Joint Commission Prep
- Maintained staff productivity at or above 97%
- Recruited and hired all staff for needed services, and established contract for outsourcing aquatics
- Marketed to and maintained quality relationships with community members and referral sources
- Effectively grew volumes to necessitate opening a satellite outpatient therapy facility, and then successfully established and managed that site
- Evaluated community need for more comprehensive wound care provision and availability of space, providers, and capital to establish a program
- Oversaw successful start-up of a Comprehensive Center for Wound Healing, and then directed operations 7/11 – 8/13
- Served as interim Director of Respiratory Therapy in 2009
Traditions Management, Montgomery Rehab Hospital
Vice President, Rehabilitation
2007 to 2008
- Managed daily operations of a 30 bed acute inpatient rehab facility, a 30 bed SNF, 3 outpatient therapy centers including aquatics, and acute care therapies at Chestnut Hill Hospital
- Successfully completed a CARF survey for a 3 year accreditation
- Maintained and established all therapy contracts (pediatrics, speech therapy, site for aquatic physical therapy, vestibular therapy for a physician practice)
- Made inventory and equipment purchase decisions
- Established a Therapy Co-Op program to provide training of graduate level therapy students, while simultaneously providing leadership training for staff
RehabCare Group, Inc., Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
Program Director, Inpatient Rehabilitation
2006 to 2007
- Managed daily operations of a 21 bed acute inpatient rehab facility
- Ensured Medicare compliance with admissions and provision of therapy
- Coordinated marketing to draw patients to Mercy Fitzgerald for their post acute rehabilitation
- Successfully completed a CARF survey for a 3 year accreditation
- Corresponded daily with the Medical Director on matters concerning the two Physiatry groups
Temple University Hospital
Per Diem Physical Therapist
2006 to 2007
Provided therapy to patients with diverse diagnoses in the gym and at the bedside.
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Per Diem Physical Therapist
2006 to 2008
Provided therapy to patients with diverse diagnoses in the gym and at the bedside.
Hahnemann University Hospital
1999 to 2006
Supervisor/Manager, Department of Rehabilitation 2004 to 2006
- Managed 28 therapists to ensure quality patient care, productivity benchmarks are met, and employee, physician, and patient satisfaction are attained
- Provided therapy to patients with diverse diagnoses throughout the hospital
- Maintained fiscal budget including payroll and inventory
- Ensured appropriate rehabilitation policy and procedures
- Developed and implemented “Heads-Up to Prevent Pneumonia”, which contributed to significant decrease in hospital acquired pneumonia rates
- Provided injury prevention education to all hospital staff and ergonomic assessments on an as-need basis
- Participated in numerous hospital committees including: Worksite Injury Management, Quality Improvement, Employee Satisfaction
Lead Therapist, Physical Therapy Department 4/03 - 4/04
- Provided therapy to patients with diverse diagnoses throughout the hospital
Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Department 7/99 - 4/03
- Provided therapy to patients with diverse diagnoses throughout the hospital
Professional Credentials
PA State Physical Therapy License PT012897L, expires 12/31/22
Healthcare Environmental Manager
American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR/AED) Certified
Education
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA, 2018
- Master of Physical Therapy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 1999
- Bachelor of Science, Health Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 1996
- Temple University, Fox Business School
Continuing Education
- Annual Hospital Compliance Courses, Einstein Medical Center Montgomery:
- Abuse and Neglect, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
- Aggression/Violent Situation Prevention, 2018
- Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Compliance Code of Conduct, 2021, 2019, 2018
- Annual Required Training Group: Clinical, 2022, 2021
- Bariatric Equipment and Care, 2017
- Blood borne Pathogens and Infectious Agents, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Cerner Support App Guide Revision, 2021
- Combatting Medicare Part C and D Fraud, Waste and Abuse, 2017
- Corporate Compliance, 2018
- COVID-19 Essentials for Einstein Employees, 2021
- Culturally Competent Healthcare, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Disability Awareness Annual Required Training, 2022
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Annual Required Training, 2021
- EHAC Early Heart Attack Care, 2018
- Email Security Training Game, 2021
- EMCM Bariatric Sensitivity for the Healthcare Worker, 2022, 2021, 2019
- EBSCO: Bariatric Patients: Transfer-an Overview, 2019
- EMCM Breastfeeding Education, 2021
- EMCM Clinical Staff No Pass Zone Fall Prevention Program, 2017
- EMCM Dysphagia Screening and Assessment, 2018
- EMCM Early Heart Attack Care (EHAC) & Hands-Only CPR, 2022, 2021, 2019
- EMCM Out of Bed Nurse Driven Protocol, 2018
- EMCM Safe Haven Newborn Protection Act of Pennsylvania, 2021
- EMCM Safe Patient Handling, 2021, 2020, 2019
- EMCM Stroke Annual Update – Clinical Staff, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
- Emergency Management, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Event Reporting Annual Required Training, 2022
- Fire Safety, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Fraud, Waste, & Abuse and ACO, 2019
- General Corporate Compliance Annual Training, 2021, 2019
- General Infection Control Principles, 2022, 2021
- General Safety, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Hand Hygiene Annual Required Training, 2022, 2021, 2020
- Hazardous Materials & Waste Management, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- HillRom Centrella 355 Bed Overview, 2021
- Impaired Employee, 2018
- Information Security, 2022, 2021, 2020
- Kronos Payroll Training, 2018
- Language Services Annual Required Training, 2022
- Latex Allergy, 2018
- Leaf Healthcare Patient Monitoring System, 2019
- Medical Equipment, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Medicare Parts C and D General Compliance Training, 2018, 2017
- Patient Privacy, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Patient Safety, 2021, 2020
- Radiation & MRI Safety, 2020, 2018
- Responding to Impairment in the Healthcare Workplace, 2022, 2021, 2020
- Risk Management, 2021, 2020, 2018
- RUN HIDE FIGHT: Responding to an Active Shooter Event, 2022
- Safe Patient Handling, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
- Security Management, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Sharps Safety, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- SmartZone, 2022
- SOGI Fields and Affirming Patient Interactions: In Person, On the phone, and in the Medical Record, 2022
- Spiritual Care and Mindfulness Annual Training, 2022
- Take Pride Annual Required Training, 2022
- Timekeeping, 2022, 2021, 2020
- Utilities Management, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018
- Workplace Violence, 2022, 2021, 2020
- Work-Related Injury/Illness, 2022, 2021
- Healthcare Environment Manager Recertification, 2022
- Industrial Hygiene
- Toxicology
- Chemical Hazards in Healthcare
- Environmental Monitoring
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Laboratory Safety
- Occupational Noise Safety
- Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation
- Waste Management
- Ergonomics
- Safety Management and ILSM
- Lockout/Tagout & Confined Space
- Machine Guarding & Fall Protection
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Respiratory Protection
- Emergency Management
- HAZWOPER & First Receiver Guidelines
- Security Management
- Applying Clinical Practice Guidelines to Guide Treatment of Lower Back Pain in Primary Care, 2022
- Improving Functional Mobility & Gait Patterns Following Injury, Surgery & Aging, 2022
- Empower Clients with Mobility Impairments: Using Technology to Improve Quality of Life, 2022
- PACER Series: Outpatient PT for Covid-19 Patients, Parts 1 & 2, 2022
- Fall Prevention Specialist Certification Course: Fall-proof Your Patients with Today's Best Practices, 2022
- Cancer Rehabilitation Models for the General Physical Therapist, 2022
- Leading the Team-A Practical Guide to Working with PTAs, 2022
- Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive Reporting in Pennsylvania, 2022
- Navigating at the Intersection of Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorders, 2020
- Defensible Documentation Part 2: If You were the Auditor, 2020
- Amputation Grand Rounds April 2020: Scar Wars, 2020
- PACER Series: Vital Signs, Exercise Prescription, Oxygen Devices, 2020
- Productivity vs. Value: Why We Need to Change the Discussion, and How YOU Can! 2020
- Health Coaching in Physical Therapy Practice: A Tool to Support Patient Behavior Change and Improve Rehabilitation Outcomes, 2020
- Information on APTA’s Revised Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant, 2020
- Physical Therapy Considerations for Complex Edema Management, 2020
- PACER Series: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Anatomy and Physiology, 2020
- Child Abuse: An Overview for Mandated Reporters, 2020
- Navigating the Regulatory Environment: Ensuring Compliance While Promoting Professional Integrity, 2020
- Defensible Documentation: Critical Documentation from the Payer Perspective, 2020
- Defensible Documentation: A Framework for Physical Therapy Documentation, 2020
- Ethical Practice in Post Acute Care in 2020 and Beyond, 2020
- Pennsylvania Safety Authority, “Warning Fatigue” Now a Matter of Criminal Liability, 2020
- Q-Straint: Wheelchair Securement Training Webinar 2020
- Securement 101: Basic Wheelchair Securement Training, Q’Straint/SURE-LOK, 2020
- Clinical Decision Making in Prescription, Procurement and Fitting of the Manual Wheelchair, Wheelchair Seating and Accessories for the Adult Patient, Moss Rehab 2019
- Ethics in Practice: Examining Medical Errors. Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, 2018
- PASS Basic Training Program, Community Transportation Association, 2018
- Case Analysis, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2018
- Neuromuscular Tissue, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2017
- Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2017
- Health Promotion and Wellness, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2017
- Teaching Methods, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2017
- Medical Screening, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2017
- Clinical Decision Making, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2017
- Annual Hospital Compliance Courses, Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, 2016
- Pharmacology, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2016
- Professionalism Module 1: Introduction to Professionalism, 2016
- Professionalism Module 2: History of Professionalism in Physical Therapy, 2016
- Professionalism Module 3: Ethical Compass, 2016
- Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive Reporting in Pennsylvania, 2016
- Deputy for Early Heart Attack Care, 2016
- Pharmacology, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2016
- Diagnostic Imaging, Doctorate Course, Arcadia University, 2016
- Preventing Fraud, Abuse, and Waste: A Primer for Physical Therapists, 2016
- What’s Right: Making Decisions in Patient Care, 2016
- The Role of the Physical Therapist in the Management of Patients at Risk for Wounds, 2016
- Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults, Part II: Examination and Evaluation, 2016
- Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults, Part III: Reducing Falls in Inpatient Settings, 2016
- Promoting Early Mobility and Rehabilitation in the Intensive Care Unit, 2016
- Penn Leadership Training 2014 - 2015
- Studer Leadership Development, 2009 – 2015
- Ergonomic Evaluation, Roy Matheson & Associates 2001
Professional Memberships
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association
- RESNA Standards Committee on Wheelchairs and Transportation (COWHAT)
- ANSI Work Group for Wheelchair Restraint Systems (ISO/TC 173/SC1/WG 6)
Awards
Employee of the Year 2003, Hahnemann University Hospital
v. 12/13/22