TARA HECKARD
BATON ROUGE
Summary
Knowledgeable Registered Nurse with solid background in administrative nursing, providing comprehensive patient care and contributing to successful healing outcomes. Proven ability to assess, plan, and implement effective wound care treatments while maintaining high standards of patient safety. Demonstrated expertise in patient education and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Nursing Administration
Foundation Health Services
Baton Rouge, LA
02.2026 - Current
- Directed nursing operations to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.
- Managed interdisciplinary teams to streamline communication and improve patient outcomes.
- Developed strategic plans for workforce management, optimizing staffing levels across departments.
RN Floor Nurse
Opelousas General Hospital
Opelousas, LA
11.2025 - 01.2026
- Administered medications and treatments per physician orders, ensuring patient safety and compliance with protocols.
- Monitored patient vital signs, assessing changes and reporting significant findings to the healthcare team.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
- Educated patients and families on health management, enhancing understanding of treatment plans and self-care strategies.
Clinical Care Coordinator
Jefferson Manor Rehab & Nursing Center
Baton Rouge, LA
01.2023 - 11.2025
- Achieved timely coordination of resident care to elevate service quality.
Delivered accurate completion of minimum data sets to improve care planning efficiency.
Enhanced resident support through diligent maintenance of care plans. - Facilitated interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
- Monitored compliance with regulatory standards to maintain high-quality care delivery.
- Served as a liaison between patients, providers, insurers, and community resources to ensure optimal service delivery throughout the continuum of care.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates through effective discharge planning and coordination of post-acute care services.
Unit Nurse
Ochsner Medical Center
Baton Rouge, LA
04.2022 - 10.2022
- Administered patient care services to enhance recovery and support clinical outcomes in telemetry and medical-surgical settings.
- Improved patient satisfaction scores through effective communication, empathy, and active listening skills.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes and streamline care processes.
Unit Nurse
CH St. Luke Hospital
Houston, TX
12.2020 - 04.2021
- Administered critical patient care services to support recovery in medical-surgical telemetry, COVID, and ICU environments.
Unit Nurse
Ammon Staffing
Baton Rouge, LA
04.2020 - 12.2020
- Facilitated patient recovery by providing targeted care in LTAC, SNF, rehabilitation, and medical-surgical settings.
Medicare Assessment Nurse & Clinical Care Coordinator
Nexon Healthcare
Gonzales, LA
01.2017 - 04.2020
- Coordinate patient care, complete MDS assessments, maintain care plans; administrative supervision and education of staff; provide direct patient care.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Chateau D'Ville Rehab and Retirement Center
Donaldsonville, LA
02.2013 - 01.2017
- Management of long term care/SNF facility, overseer of infection control, compliance and provide direct patient care.
Wound Care Nurse & Clinical Care Coordinator
CommCare Corporation
Prairieville, LA
03.2010 - 02.2013
- Achieved improved patient recovery rates through effective management of wound care programs.
Streamlined patient care coordination processes to enhance service efficiency.
Elevated administrative staff supervision to strengthen team performance. - Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for patients.
- Assessed and documented patient wound care progress using electronic health record systems.
- Led quality improvement initiatives focused on enhancing patient outcomes in wound management.
- Communicated effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds, fostering trust and understanding throughout their treatment journey.
Clinical Care Coordinator
Landmark of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Facilitated streamlined patient care coordination, leading to comprehensive data set completion. Improved care plan maintenance, contributing to better patient health management.
Unit Nurse
Advantage Nursing
Baton Rouge, LA
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Provide direct patient care in multiple healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long term care facilities.
Floor Nurse
Lakewood Quarters Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Administered direct patient care to enhance quality of life for long-term care residents.
- Implemented infection control procedures, enhancing overall facility health and safety compliance.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for residents.
- Assisted in training new nursing staff, promoting adherence to best practices and standards.
Unit Nurse
Our Lady of the Lake Hospital
Baton Rouge, LA
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Administered patient care services within telemetry, orthopedics, neurology, and medical-surgical units, ensuring adherence to best practices.
- Educated patients and families on health management and post-discharge instructions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Southern University And A&M College
Baton Rouge12-2006
Diploma - Licensed Practical Nursing
Louisiana Technical College
Baton Rouge, LA09-1998
Skills
- Bedside care expertise
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Resource utilization
- Strong clinical judgment
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Decision-making
- Patient and family advocacy
- Electronic health records
- Task prioritization
- Safety protocols
- Excellent communication
- Multitasking Abilities
Timeline
Director of Nursing Administration
Foundation Health Services
02.2026 - Current
RN Floor Nurse
Opelousas General Hospital
11.2025 - 01.2026
Clinical Care Coordinator
Jefferson Manor Rehab & Nursing Center
01.2023 - 11.2025
Unit Nurse
Ochsner Medical Center
04.2022 - 10.2022
Unit Nurse
CH St. Luke Hospital
12.2020 - 04.2021
Unit Nurse
Ammon Staffing
04.2020 - 12.2020
Medicare Assessment Nurse & Clinical Care Coordinator
Nexon Healthcare
01.2017 - 04.2020
Assistant Director of Nursing
Chateau D'Ville Rehab and Retirement Center
02.2013 - 01.2017
Wound Care Nurse & Clinical Care Coordinator
CommCare Corporation
03.2010 - 02.2013
Clinical Care Coordinator
Landmark of Baton Rouge
01.2007 - 01.2010
Unit Nurse
Advantage Nursing
01.2004 - 01.2007
Floor Nurse
Lakewood Quarters Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
01.2000 - 01.2004
Unit Nurse
Our Lady of the Lake Hospital
01.1999 - 01.2000
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Southern University And A&M College
Diploma - Licensed Practical Nursing
Louisiana Technical College