Valerie Short began as Registered Nurse in 1980 in the Operating Room, first as a staff nurse and then as Director of Surgical Services for 17 years. This position brought with it the responsibility and experience of undergoing frequent regulatory and licensure surveys, for departments where a great deal of focus from every survey team member was spent. Additionally, it provided her with a great deal of experience in Medical Malpractice litigation, as well as financial responsibility for the largest budgets and revenue within a for-profit hospital setting. The experience of leading very strong, but diverse personalities, from technicians to physicians, in an environment where changes of a critical nature occurred quickly and constantly every day, has continued to prove invaluable throughout her career. It has also afforded her the ability to handle and approach problems calmly and in the best interest of everyone involved.
While serving as the Director of Surgical Services, she was called upon to help market the facilities new Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center to the physicians and community. It was during this time that she discovered a specialty in hyperbaric medicine and wound care nursing, for which she felt as much passion for as she did the field of surgical nursing.
She began working full time as a staff hyperbaric nurse in 1996. Subsequent to that, she has served many roles within hyperbaric centers which have included Program Director, Regional Program Director, Regional Vice-President of Operations, Vice-President of Clinical Services and currently she serves as the Vice-President of Operations, Clinical Services, and Reimbursement Specialist for InterAmerica Wound Centers in San Antonio, Texas.
She assumes many responsibilities in her current role. One of her responsibilities is to see that the Wound Centers staff, and their physicians, complies with Regulatory Standards, both clinical and financial, during the provision of care. She has successfully achieved UHMS Accreditation at many hyperbaric facilities. She speaks regularly to assist with ongoing education to other providers in regard to healthcare compliance with regulations.
Throughout her advancement in the field of wound care and hyperbaric medicine, she has obtained many certifications in her specialty. She currently holds the following certifications:
- Advanced Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse
- Certified Wound Care Nurse
- Certified Wound Specialist
- Fellow American College of Certified Wound Specialist
- Certified Medical Billing Specialist
She is a member of several professional organizations, which include:
- Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
- Baromedical Nurses Association
- Wound, Ostomy, & Continence Nurses Society
- Association of Operating Room Nurses