Brenda Andreassi
Butler
Summary
Dedicated and skilled Masters prepared registered nurse with over 40 years’ experience in various fields and settings of oncology medical surgical nursing: staff nurse, assistant nurse manager, educator, program development and director, manager and navigator, including remote/hybrid work. The last 6 years as a Transition of Care Oncology Nurse Navigator. The previous ten years had been as a nurse (six) and a clinical manager (4) in an Oncology Outpatient Clinic/Office. The six years prior had been in a manager/director role of an outpatient department and included development of a new, improved pain center.
Experienced healthcare professional with strong background in oncology patient navigation. Demonstrates exceptional skills in patient education, care coordination, and clinical assessment. Known for fostering collaboration within multidisciplinary teams and adapting to evolving patient needs. Consistently delivers outcomes-driven care with empathy and professionalism.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Transition of Care Oncology Nurse Navigator
Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute
05.2019 - 02.2025
- Company Overview: Allegheny Health Network’s mission is to practice medicine, educate and conduct research as an integrated team of physicians, nurses and support professionals who are committed to improving the health of our patients
- Responsible for assessing and monitoring new and previous oncology patients and families for barriers to care such as transportation, dietary, financial and social work needs
- Collaborated with all members of the Health Care team to develop the most appropriate plan of care for the patient, family and caregivers
- Advocated and engaged the most vulnerable patients when developing care
- Developed 2 multidisciplinary conference teams to coordinate care and barriers to care
- Developed a remote means of care and coordination during the 2020 COVID crisis
- Covered both sites as a hybrid model of care
- Patient and family education
- Allegheny Health Network’s mission is to practice medicine, educate and conduct research as an integrated team of physicians, nurses and support professionals who are committed to improving the health of our patients
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing emotional support, education, and resources throughout the cancer treatment process.
- Increased patient adherence to treatment plans by building strong rapport and trust with patients and their families.
- Streamlined patient navigation through complex healthcare systems by coordinating appointments, tests, and treatments for optimal efficiency.
Clinical Manager
Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute
11.2014 - 05.2019
- Company Overview: Allegheny Health Network’s mission is to practice medicine, educate and conduct research as an integrated team of physicians, nurses and support professionals who are committed to improving the health of our patients
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the office
- Resource for all staff in the office
- Responsible for hiring of staff, evaluations, conflict resolution
- Continues working alongside staff as needed
- Continues educating new staff for mixing and administration
- Allegheny Health Network’s mission is to practice medicine, educate and conduct research as an integrated team of physicians, nurses and support professionals who are committed to improving the health of our patients
- Communicated effectively with staff members, physicians, and patients, employing active listening and interpersonal skills.
- Regularly evaluated employee performance and provided feedback.
Oncology Staff Nurse
Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute
03.2009 - 11.2014
- Company Overview: Allegheny Health Network’s mission is to practice medicine, educate and conduct research as an integrated team of physicians, nurses and support professionals who are committed to improving the health of our patients
- Responsibilities included: Admixture and administration of chemotherapy, patient management of symptoms, ordering chemotherapy supplies, meeting with physicians to discuss patient problems, patient and family education, resource nurse for co-workers
- Allegheny Health Network’s mission is to practice medicine, educate and conduct research as an integrated team of physicians, nurses and support professionals who are committed to improving the health of our patients
- Developed strong relationships with local community organizations and support groups, connecting patients with vital resources during their cancer journey.
- Enhanced patient care quality by implementing evidence-based nursing practices in oncology treatments.
Clinical Supervisor/Director Medical Ambulatory Center
Butler Memorial Hospital
07.2002 - 01.2009
- Company Overview: Butler Health System (BHS) is a system of healthcare services that includes outpatient locations, medical associates, and resource centers found throughout Butler County
- BHS employs nearly 1,700 people
- Responsibilities included: Medical Ambulatory Center and Center for Pain Relief
- Reported directly to the VP of New Business Services
- Responsible for: 14.5 FTEs, the day-to-day operations of both Units, developing and managing the budget for both Units, scheduling and staffing both Units
- Continuing to work on developing the Oncology Program for inpatient and outpatient areas
- Staff education on topics related to pain management and oncology
- Coordination of weekly Tumor Board
- Teaching the Oncology Nursing Society’s Chemotherapy & Biotherapy Guidelines Course
- Butler Health System (BHS) is a system of healthcare services that includes outpatient locations, medical associates, and resource centers found throughout Butler County
- BHS employs nearly 1,700 people
- Last 4 FY, 100% Nursing Satisfaction
- 50% of RN Staff are Certified in Oncology
- 100% of RN Staff Certified to administer chemotherapy
- FY08, Second year the New Pain Center increased overall revenues by 200%
- FY09 First half, Pain Center increased overall revenues by 50% of FY08
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care for clients with complex needs, ensuring comprehensive support was provided across all domains of life functioning.
- Assessed patients, determined needs, and managed care.
Oncology Practice Specialist
Butler Memorial Hospital
01.2001 - 07.2002
- Responsibilities included: Developing the Oncology Program for inpatient and outpatient areas
- Staff education on topics related to pain management and oncology
- Coordination of weekly Tumor Board
- Teach the Oncology Nursing Society’s Chemotherapy & Biotherapy Guidelines Course
- Certify staff to administer chemotherapy
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and advancements.
- Championed patient advocacy efforts, promoting awareness of rights and resources available for support throughout their healthcare journey.
Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Oncology Hematology Association
12.1992 - 12.2000
- Company Overview: Private, for-profit Oncology Office Practice
- Responsibilities included: Admixture and administration of chemotherapy, patient management via triage of phone calls and office visits, ordering office and chemotherapy supplies, meeting with physicians to discuss patient problems, meeting with pharmaceutical and home care representatives, patient and family education, liaison between hospitalized patients and office, independent and dependent rounds with physicians on hospitalized patients, and liaison with home care/hospice nurses
- Data Manager for NSABP Studies
- Private, for-profit Oncology Office Practice
- Mentored nursing staff through professional development opportunities, enhancing their skill sets and competencies.
- Maintained professional development by attending relevant conferences, workshops, and seminars, staying informed on emerging trends and best practices within the nursing field.
Oncology Nurse
Oncology Hematology Association
04.1990 - 12.1992
- Responsibilities included: Admixture and administration of chemotherapy, patient management via triage of phone calls and office visits, ordering office and chemotherapy supplies, meeting with physicians to discuss patient problems, meeting with pharmaceutical and home care representatives, patient and family education
- Administered chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, ensuring accurate dosing and proper patient education.
- Administered chemotherapy, pain medications and other medicines based on physician orders and patient requirements.
Outpatient Staff Nurse
West Penn Hospital
10.1988 - 04.1990
- Company Overview: West Penn’s mission is to practice medicine, educate and conduct research as an integrated team of physicians, nurses and support professionals who are committed to improving the health of their patients
- Responsibilities included: Assessing patients, administering chemotherapy, patient education, caring for patients pre and post procedures such as cardiac catheterization, bronchoscopy, myelograms, and cardioversion
- Worked on committee for standards of care for the outpatient unit and a committee for implementing a computer system
- West Penn’s mission is to practice medicine, educate and conduct research as an integrated team of physicians, nurses and support professionals who are committed to improving the health of their patients
- Kept work areas clean, organized, and safe to promote efficiency and team safety.
- Established positive relationships with customers and other staff members.
Assistant Nurse Manager
Magee Women’s Hospital
12.1986 - 10.1988
- Company Overview: Magee-Womens’ Hospital is a world-class center for both women’s health and comprehensive medical-surgical care
- Responsibilities included: Staff scheduling, charge nurse on the daylight shift, rounding with physicians daily to coordinate care, patient care, entering and signing off orders in the computer, administering chemotherapy, leading the interdisciplinary conferences weekly, and assigning patients to the staff
- Magee-Womens’ Hospital is a world-class center for both women’s health and comprehensive medical-surgical care
Staff Nurse
VA Hospital University Drive C
05.1985 - 12.1986
- Company Overview: University Drive serves as the acute care facility and has approximately 146 operating beds distributed among Medicine, Surgery, Neurology and Critical Care
- Responsibilities included: Patient care on a medical/surgical unit, acting as head nurse in the absence of the Head Nurse, charge nurse when on the off shifts, informal staff educator regarding chemotherapy and vascular access devices
- University Drive serves as the acute care facility and has approximately 146 operating beds distributed among Medicine, Surgery, Neurology and Critical Care
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
Hematology/Oncology Staff Nurse
James A Haley VA Hospital
05.1985 - 05.1986
- Company Overview: The James A Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics strive for excellence as a primary, secondary, and tertiary academic health care center
- Responsibilities included: Administering chemotherapy, charge nurse when on the night shift, staff nurse in the outpatient area in the absence of the nurse practitioner, patient care and patient education
- The James A Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics strive for excellence as a primary, secondary, and tertiary academic health care center
- Established positive relationships with customers and other staff members.
- Kept work areas clean, organized, and safe to promote efficiency and team safety.
Staff Nurse
VA Hospital University Drive C
09.1984 - 05.1985
- Company Overview: University Drive serves as the acute care facility and has approximately 146 operating beds distributed among Medicine, Surgery, Neurology and Critical Care
- Responsibilities included: Patient care on a medical/surgical unit
- University Drive serves as the acute care facility and has approximately 146 operating beds distributed among Medicine, Surgery, Neurology and Critical Care
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
Education
Master of Science Degree - Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing
Pittsburgh, PA01.1995
Bachelor of Science Degree -
University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing
Pittsburgh, PA01.1984
Skills
- Psychosocial support
- Care coordination
- Self-care strategies
- Palliative care
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Documentation proficiency
- Healthcare technology
- Cultural history
- Oncology nursing assessment
- Clinical documentation
- Emotional support
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Time management
Certification
- Recertification Oncology Certified Nurse (ONC-PRO), 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019
- Recertification Oncology Certified Nurse (Test), 1995, 1999
- Provider of Care Card (From ONS Chemo Course), 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
- Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (MSN), 1995
- Oncology Certified Nurse (Test), 1991
- Pennsylvania, RN-269092-L (BSN)
Publications
- Hematology/Oncology Assessment Form, West Penn Hospital Outpatient Standards of Care, 1990
- Paclitaxel: A new antimitotic chemotherapeutic agent., Cancer Practice, 1994, 2, 1
Professional Organizations
- National Association of Physician Nurses, Member, 1994-2001
- Oncology Nursing Society, Clinical Nurse Specialist Special Interest Group, Member, 1994-Present
- Oncology Nursing Society, Pain Special Interest Group, Member, 1994-Present
- Oncology Nursing Society, Ambulatory/Office Special Interest Group, Member, 1992-Present
- Oncology Nursing Society, Chemotherapy Special Interest Group, Member, 1992-2002
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Member, 1991-Present
- Oncology Nursing Society, Local Level, Member, 1991-Present
- Oncology Nursing Society, National Level, Member, 1988-Present
Timeline
Transition of Care Oncology Nurse Navigator
Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute
05.2019 - 02.2025
Clinical Manager
Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute
11.2014 - 05.2019
Oncology Staff Nurse
Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute
03.2009 - 11.2014
Clinical Supervisor/Director Medical Ambulatory Center
Butler Memorial Hospital
07.2002 - 01.2009
Oncology Practice Specialist
Butler Memorial Hospital
01.2001 - 07.2002
Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Oncology Hematology Association
12.1992 - 12.2000
Oncology Nurse
Oncology Hematology Association
04.1990 - 12.1992
Outpatient Staff Nurse
West Penn Hospital
10.1988 - 04.1990
Assistant Nurse Manager
Magee Women’s Hospital
12.1986 - 10.1988
Staff Nurse
VA Hospital University Drive C
05.1985 - 12.1986
Hematology/Oncology Staff Nurse
James A Haley VA Hospital
05.1985 - 05.1986
Staff Nurse
VA Hospital University Drive C
09.1984 - 05.1985
Bachelor of Science Degree -
University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing
Master of Science Degree - Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing
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