Vernetta Ricks
Brandon
Summary
Experienced in psychiatric care for diverse age groups, including pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients. Proven ability to lead nursing teams effectively and manage intricate cases, with a focus on refining case management to boost patient outcomes.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Behavioral Health
Merit Health Central
Jackson
08.2023 - 12.2024
- Providing nursing leadership and oversight to 131 bed facility
- Directed over 125 team members including RNs, LPNs, MHTs, full time, part time, and prn status
- Maintained a positive relationship with physicians and nurse practitioners
- Worked with Human Resources to recruit, onboard, train and retain team members
- Worked to quickly resolve patient and family complaints
- Monitored patient safety and risk management issues
- Provided training on the use of Oracle in 10/2023 for our supply chain
- Placed work orders and submitted tickets for BioMed for equipment evaluation
- Led a successful Joint Commission survey for accreditation in February 2023
Behavioral Health Services Nurse Director
St. Dominic’s Hospital
Jackson
02.2020 - 06.2023
- Managed 26-bed unit for subacute patient population with 31 staff members, including RNs and mental health technicians.
- Completed monthly scheduling to ensure optimal staffing levels.
- Conducted daily rounds with team members and patients to monitor care quality.
- Ensured timely placement of work orders for repairs, coordinating with maintenance.
- Ordered and maintained inventory of unit supplies to facilitate operations.
- Maintained daily logs to document patient care and operational activities.
- Participated in daily treatment team meetings and leadership huddles to promote collaboration.
- Supported team and patients throughout pandemic, adapting to evolving healthcare challenges.
Behavioral Health Services RN
St. Dominic’s Hospital
Jackson
05.2014 - 02.2020
- Provided nursing care based on holistic approaches and best practices.
- Planned and directed comprehensive nursing care tailored to patients' needs.
- Delegated responsibilities and monitored adherence to clinical guidelines among student nurses and staff.
- Served as preceptor and charge nurse, ensuring efficient team performance.
- Utilized nursing process to deliver age-appropriate and culturally sensitive care.
- Assessed psychosocial, religious, and disease-specific factors in patient care planning.
Adult Psychiatric Unit/ECT/Child Unit
University Medical Center
Jackson
04.2010 - 08.2015
- Assessed, developed, and implemented nursing care plans for assigned patients.
- Served as liaison between patients and ancillary staff to enhance communication.
- Assisted team in administering electroconvulsive therapy to medically indicated clients.
Adult/Adolescents/Child Unit
Brentwood Behavioral Health
Flowood
07.2009 - 10.2011
- Assessed, developed, implemented, and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Executed treatment plans and managed medication administration.
- Coordinated discharge planning to ensure smooth transitions for patients.
Psychiatric Emergency Center RN II
John Peter Smith Hospital
Fort Worth
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Planning, directing and providing nursing care
- Delegated and monitored practice per professional clinical guidelines to student nurses, pool nurses, unit clerks, technicians
- Acted as preceptor and charge nurse
- Provided nursing care using the nursing process as appropriate for client’s age and developmental stage, cultural, psychosocial, religious and disease specific
Utilization Review Coordinator
Mississippi State Hospital
Whitfield
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Completed chart reviews to ensure accuracy and compliance with standards.
- Provided information to third-party payers for timely reimbursement processing.
- Assisted in preparing appeals for all certification denials to facilitate approvals.
- Participated in treatment team meetings to discuss patient care strategies.
- Referred cases to physician advisor or utilization review committee for further evaluation.
- Communicated pertinent information through designated channels to maintain workflow efficiency.
Psychiatric Staff Nurse
Mississippi State Hospital
Whitfield
01.1996 - 01.2001
- Supervised five staff members in a 24-bed acute female unit.
- Conducted nursing assessments to evaluate patient needs.
- Assisted with development and implementation of treatment plans.
- Participated in treatment team meetings for collaborative care.
- Educated patients on disease processes and treatment modalities.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Mississippi
Jackson, MS01.1996
Associates - Arts
Hinds Community College
Raymond, MS01.1994
High School Diploma -
Forest Hill High School
Jackson, MS01.1992
Skills
- Professionalism
- Team collaboration
- Training staff
- HIPAA compliance
- Healthcare regulations
- Prior authorization
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Team leadership
- Electronic health records
- Discharge planning coordination
- Insurance verification
- Clinical assessment
- Communication
Personal Information
Title: RN, BSN
Volunteer Experience
- Creator and Ministry Leader for Kids’ Bible College, 01/01/11-present
- Volunteer for Greater Bethlehem Temple Just Jesus Revival 04/2025
- Presenter for Women’s Retreat, 2018
- Presenter for Women’s Retreat, 2010
- Member of the Alliance of Christian Women, 01/01/09-present
- Volunteer Instructor, Camp Destiny, 01/01/09-01/01/09
- Church Nursery Volunteer, 01/01/09-01/01/11
- Counseling Department Volunteer, 01/01/09-01/01/11
- Program Coordinator, Greater Bethlehem Temple Church Marriage Enhancement Ministry, 01/01/01, 01/01/04
- Neighborhood Captain for Girl Trek, 01/01/14-01/01/20
References
- Bonnie Moore, RN, BSN, Senior Director, St. Dominic’s Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 901-496-5464
- Melanie Hardin, RN, St. Dominic’s Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 601-383-2248
Past Professional Memberships
- American Nurses Association
- Mississippi Nurses Association
- Texas Nurses Association
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Additional Professional Activities
- BLS Certified
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certification
- 2022 Tuberculosis Certification
- Planning Committee Member, Mississippi Chapter, American Psychiatric Nurse’s Association
- Certified HIV/AIDS Instructor, American Red Cross
- Certified STD/HIV Instructor, MS State Department of Health
Timeline
Director of Behavioral Health
Merit Health Central
08.2023 - 12.2024
Behavioral Health Services Nurse Director
St. Dominic’s Hospital
02.2020 - 06.2023
Behavioral Health Services RN
St. Dominic’s Hospital
05.2014 - 02.2020
Adult Psychiatric Unit/ECT/Child Unit
University Medical Center
04.2010 - 08.2015
Adult/Adolescents/Child Unit
Brentwood Behavioral Health
07.2009 - 10.2011
Psychiatric Emergency Center RN II
John Peter Smith Hospital
01.2004 - 01.2009
Utilization Review Coordinator
Mississippi State Hospital
01.2001 - 01.2004
Psychiatric Staff Nurse
Mississippi State Hospital
01.1996 - 01.2001
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Mississippi
Associates - Arts
Hinds Community College
High School Diploma -
Forest Hill High School
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