Karen Harper
Mobile: +277*-***-****
E-mail: ad7z5t@r.postjobfree.com
Personal Details
Family Name Harper
Given Names Karen Sharon Delia
Known As Karen
Home Language English
Other Languages Afrikaans, Zulu
Area of Residence Bedfordview, Johannesburg
Availability Immediately
Experience in Operating Theatre: 30 Years
Management Experience: 9 years+
Education
Jan 1989 - Dec 1993 Bachelor of Social Science- Nursing Majors Social Anthropology & Nursing
(Midwifery, Community & Psychiatric Nursing)
Nov 1995 (Natal Technikon) Occupational Health Nursing Certificate *with Distinction
Aug 1997 Diploma in Operating Theatre King Edward Hospital June 2004 (UNISA) HIV/ AIDS Care & Counselling
Feb 2011 (UKZN) Diploma in Nursing Education
2012 Shift Leader Course Umhlanga Hospital (Private) Netcare
*with Distinction
ACHIEVEMENTS
Shift Leader Course 2012 (Umhlanga Hospital Netcare – *with distinction)
Theatre Prize – Floating Rose Bowl – September 2001 (Addington Hospital)
Service Excellence – November 2000 (Addington Hospital) Employment History
Employer Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital
Position Theatre Unit Manager
Dates of Employment 2023 Nov 30 – 22 May 2024
Responsibilities:
4 Theatres: Separate CSSD & Endoscopy Unit
Disciplines: Neurosurgery; General Surgery, Gynae & Obstetrics, (Lots of Laparoscopic work), ENT, Orthopaedics, Maxillo-Facial, Paediatric Dental, Adult Dental, Ophthalmology; Urology etc 2
Employer Netcare Private Hospital Group – Sunward Park Position Theatre Unit Manager
Dates of Employment 2022 October – November 2023
Responsibilities:
Unit manager role & Responsibilities
Approval of Theatre Bookings
Liaison with Doctors for emergency & ad hoc bookings Input & motivation for Procurement of Equipment
Liaising with stakeholders: Doctors, Representatives of the trade Nursing staff Schedule & call roster planning
Implementation of Operating Room Nursing Standards Targeted Interviewing for employment of staff
Teaching & Monitoring of standards
Training / Continuous Professional Development.
Facilitation of Regular staff meetings, implementation of safety communique Reporting Of Incidents, & Corresponding Quality Improvement Monitoring of Central Sterilization Department standards Intra-departmental liaison.
Control & Facilitation of stock take within Theatre department. Department of Health Inspection visits/Audits
Involved in revamp project for Theatre department. Nursing staff compliment – 43
7 Operating Theatres including G.I. Unit; Cath Lab; Satellite Clinic for Day case Disciplines: Neurosurgery; General Surgery, Gynae & Obstetrics, (Including Laparoscopic work), ENT, Cardio-Thoracic, Orthopaedics, Maxillo-Facial etc. Employer Sunshine Private Hospital
Position Theatre Unit Manager
Dates of Employment 2021 July – September 2022
Responsibilities:
Unit manager role & Responsibilities
Theatre Bookings & Liaison with Doctors
Liaising with stakeholders: Doctors, Representatives of the trade Nursing staff Schedule planning
Scrub Nurse skills, Teaching & Monitoring of standards Implementation of Operating Room Nursing Standards Rearranging of instrumentation sets with Surgical Inventory Implementation of Central Sterilization Department standards Facilitation of Unit Meetings
Training / Continuous Professional Development.
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Control & Facilitation of stock take within Theatre department. Department of Health Inspection visits
Input & motivation for Procurement of Equipment
Mostly Trauma Based: Road Accident Fund (Government Fund) Trauma orthopaedic, Ophthalmology, Dental, Maxillo-Facial, Neurosurgery. Employer Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital
Position Vascular Hybrid Theatre
Dates of Employment 2021 March - May
Responsibilities:
Scrub Nurse skills
Liaising with stakeholders: Doctors, Representatives of the trade Employer Mediclinic Newcastle
Position Acting Day Hospital Manager
1 March 2019 – 30 April 2019
Including below Plus
Department of Health Inspections, actioning thereof Facilitation of Finance & Admin responsibilities
Facilitation of Pharmacy and stock management.
Staff performance & Development functions
Accreditation Of facility with COHSASA (council of Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa) Liaising with stakeholders: Doctors, Community
Main Hospital Departments
Employer Mediclinic Newcastle
Position Acting Day Hospital Manager
1 March 2019 – 30 April 2019
Responsibility: Manage Operating Theatre unit & 30 bed Day Ward, & Admissions.
: - Manage Operating Theatre (3 Theatres) & CSSD
Manage Day Ward – 30 beds.
2 Admission Clerks & 1 Stock Controller
Nursing staff 22 Plus Agency staff on ad hoc basis - Reporting to Hospital Manager Main Hospital - Operating Theatre Unit Manager
18 July 2018 -30 September 2018
Transfer to Day Clinic Hospital as Theatre Unit Manager from 1 October 2018 until 28 February 2019. 4
Employer King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Nursing Education Department
Position Nursing Educator
Dates of Employment 2016 August - 2018 January
Responsibilities: Responsible for 3 different areas in the hospital:
• 1.Cardiovascular Operating rooms (Adult & Paediatric sections)
Render in-services, Update unit specific, generic competencies & oversee online learning records.
(40+ staff)
• 2.Ancillary Nursing areas (Nurses not directly under Nursing Executive)
Consists of: - Wound & Stoma Care nurses
Central Sterilizing Department nurses
Clinical Auditing nurses
Risk Management nurses.
Home Care Nursing
Dental Department nurses
Infection Control nurses
Out of Hours Nursing Supervisors
Quality Nurses (90+ staff)
Pioneered the outreach programme to these areas not directly under Exec.
Nursing Services, as an accreditation fulfilment requirement.
• 3.Rehabilitation Hospital:
2 Clinical instructors in this area
6 Units (102 staff)
Clinical Instructors render in-services in units and are responsible for the continuing professional development competencies and maintenance of standards, in collaboration /liaison with Charge and Head nurses.
*October 2013 - August 2016 – Educator for all O.R.’s - 5 complexes.
*Acting Nurse Educator since October 2013 - June 2014
• Educator Role, overseeing all OR units.
• Coordination & Guidance of neophyte Clinical Instructors in the OR area.
• Evaluation of clinical instructors - Team meetings
• Updated /reviewed staff competency check offs.
• Updated educational databases.
• Coordination of registration for accredited courses
• Coordination of Operating room courses: Moderate Sedation; Intraoperative Update; Surgical Site Infection; Oversight & lecturing role in Postoperative PACU Complications course
• Co-ordination of In-services for each OR unit, Analysis & collation of education needs & Plan
• OR Journal Club pioneer
• Orientation follow up
• Liaison with Head Nurses & Charge nurses in OR Areas 5
Employer King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Women’s Specialized Hospital
Position Nursing Educator
Dates of Employment February 2013 until June 2014
Responsibilities:
As a Clinical Instructor, aligned to the Nursing Education Department
• Responsible for the on-going education & facilitation of learning in the O.R. Speciality, including renewal of generic & unit specific competencies.
• Kept abreast with current knowledge & trends, through in-services & the Trade
• Highlighted gaps & notify responsible stakeholders, to improve quality of service rendered for optimal patient care & staff /patient safety
• Created & maintained Safety & Infection prevention awareness & compliance amongst staff
• On-going Accreditation updates (CBAHI), and maintenance of standards
• Input at Policy Review Meetings & Quality Meetings
• Active participation in Scientific Day Preparation Committee
• Staff improvement / remedial, in conjunction with Head Nurse
• Trained Dr. Interns on Scrubbing, Gowning & Gloving competency
• Needs analysis preparation for Education plan
• Resource person, Journal Club commenced. Distribution of recent relevant readings to fellow Clinical Instructors in O.R.; & sharing of PP Presentation lectures
• Presentation of lectures at the NED courses
• Acting Role as Nurse Educator for All Operating Rooms & PACU’s, re-credentialed in April 2014
*Operating Rooms (Elective & Emergency Units) &PACU’s (Post Anaesthesia Care Units) - Elective & Emergency Unit Employer Netcare Umhlanga Private Hospital -Theatre Position CNS OR
Dates of Employment May 2004 - January 2013
Reasons for Leaving Career advancement.
Responsibilities:
• Worked in most disciplines, laparoscopic gynaecological & general surgery.
• Started learning cardiac surgery 2011.
• Did Neurology, Cardiac & General theatre Calls.
• Was the Floor person responsible for allocations, arranging emergency theatre bookings, liaising with doctors and ward staff.
• Assisted the theatre manager with staff appraisals
• Being one of two Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in the theatre dept.
• Responsible for quality and standards. I did the scheduling of theatre staff
• Represented theatre at the Quality Improvement Committee Meetings, Employment Equity (EE) & Transformation Committees
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• At the Hospital orientation programme, I had a slot to talk about HIV, Employment Equity & Transformation
• Was a resource for the permanent ward staff in the general hospital, linked to the Clinical Facilitation Department
• Responsible for staff development in this role
• Worked with staff on their specific unit and recognize opportunity for improvements in the workflow and the work environment- handled twice weekly.
Employer Entabeni Private Hospital - Theatre Department Position Scrub Nurse – Orthopedic
Dates of Employment May 2003 – Feb 2004
Reasons for Leaving Career Advancement
Responsibilities:
• Worked as part of the orthopaedic team, Scrub Nurse Employer Addington Government Hospital (Theatre Department) Position SCRUB NURSE, Team Lead, Floor Charge Nurse, Clinical Facilitator
Dates of Employment January 1996 - 2003
• Oversaw Orthopaedic Theatre, Vascular / General, Gynae and Emergency Theatres (At Addington Theatre)
• Clinical Facilitator (July 2001 – April 2003)
• Charge Nurse in Theatre Departments, Teaching Neophyte Sr.’s from other departments to scrub, imparting basic scrub skills.
• Assisted with stock take, repair and ordering of instrumentation.
• Interfaced with reps from different companies
• Liaison with doctors and The Trade
Referees Available on request.