We greatly appreciate and value all of our SpecialtyCare ATS employees. We’re highlighting Clinical Manager Melody Davis, whose work upholds our mission and vision. She discusses what led her to healthcare and what a typical day in her role looks like while sharing valuable advice and memorable moments from her career.
What is your role with SpecialtyCare and how long have you been with us?
I am the area manager for part of the Southwest to include Amarillo, New Mexico, and Arizona. I am also the quality manager for the Autotransfusion service offering. I have been with SpecialtyCare for about 20 years.
Why did you choose this role specifically?
I am passionate about quality and have learned over the years how critical quality is to our clients. I chose this role because, as a manager, it is often confusing what is required of us in regard to quality. I hope to clarify quality and compliance so that all of our managers feel confident and prepared for whatever the hospital needs. I also look forward to updating our dashboards and CDS so that our ATS teams have all the resources they need and are able to use them easily and efficiently.
Can you describe the path you took to get to where you are today?
I worked as an ATS tech for most of my career in Dallas, TX. I also worked as a traveler and was given the opportunity to manage our ATS/MIS accounts in the beautiful mountains of Santa Fe, NM. I really enjoy starting new accounts and helping new managers learn the ropes. I have worked under several great women, including my former manager, Kimberly Sharp, and I currently enjoy the amazing mentorship of my Director of Operations, Julia Carrigan. I am also very excited to be working with our Perfusion quality director, Al Stammers, who is passing on some of his wealth of knowledge.
What does your day-to-day look like?
Every day is different for me. I work some days in ATS and some days in MIS clinically. I am also often found in my office updating policies and Zooming with techs, leaders, or peers. I also love helping out in other markets to cover cases or helping with whatever needs they may have.
What is something you love about your team?
My team is very positive. They help each other out and are very responsive to me. I know I can trust them to get the job done, to support each other, and to take great care of our hospital and patients.
What is something you love about your city?
Santa Fe is a beautiful mountain town. There are so many beautiful hiking and skiing trails. My drive to work is typically 13 minutes as there is virtually no traffic. Santa Fe is also a very inclusive city which welcomed me with open arms when I moved here 5 years ago.
What is one of the most rewarding parts of your job?
I find it most rewarding when I can make things easier or better for our managers and techs.
What is one thing that surprised you about your job?
I was surprised by how many people were hoping for some changes to our quality program. All of the things I have been hoping to get going, others having been looking for, too.
If you could encourage anyone to join your team, what would you say?
Our jobs can be so rewarding. We help make surgery safer and flow better. The job is not monotonous or stationary, and you can see new and different things each day.
If you could go back in time to when you first started your career, what would you say to yourself?
Hang in there, you are in for a great ride!
About SpecialtyCare
With over 1,800 clinicians supporting over 500,000 procedures annually, SpecialtyCare provides the highest quality people, services, and technology to the operating room. More than 1,200 hospitals trust SpecialtyCare to help them achieve exceptional care outcomes, regulatory compliance, and financial results. By maintaining the SpecialtyCare Operative Procedural Registry (SCOPE™), the largest procedural database of its kind, we identify standards, determine benchmarks, disseminate best practices, and foster innovations and efficiencies that improve patient outcomes. Accredited and certified by The Joint Commission, SpecialtyCare develops expertise beyond industry requirements. Customers trust our highly trained clinicians delivering excellence in perfusion, ECMO, intraoperative neuromonitoring, neurodiagnostic services, autotransfusion, sterile processing management, surgical assist, and minimally invasive surgical support, among others. Visit Specialtycareus.com.