Carlee Sireika
Sparks
Summary
Thoughtful, kind, and attentive Hospice Nurse with outstanding bedside manner. Values clear communication and education to promote the overall wellness of patients and their support systems. Knows that wellness is multidimensional and incorporates this belief into the assessment of a patient's needs to provide high-quality individualized care. A strong advocate of patient autonomy while supporting the unique needs, values, and preferences of patients and their loved ones.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Hospice RN Case Manager
Renown Health
02.2024 - Current
- Provide hospice care in patient homes in the rural and low-income areas of Washoe County. At any given time, the number of patients on my caseload ranges between 15-23. Visits vary between 1-7 times per week, depending on the need of the patient.
- Advocate for patients' wishes regarding end-of-life care, ensuring their preferences are respected and met.
- Improve patient comfort and quality of life by providing compassionate end-of-life care and symptom management through non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods.
- Offer listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
- Proactively address potential crises by anticipating needs and communicating concerns with interdisciplinary team members, patients, and families.
- Monitor patient progress closely, adjusting individualized care plans as necessary to meet evolving health requirements to achieve optimal comfort and quality of life.
- Increased patient satisfaction by addressing emotional, spiritual, and physical needs holistically with members of interdisciplinary teams.
- Improve patient outcomes by conducting thorough assessments and timely interventions.
- Write detailed reports to re-certify hospice patients for every 2 or 3-month benefit period to comply with Medicare/Medicaid insurance requirements.
- Teach family members and caregivers various ways to manage patients' pain, anxiety, nausea, how to check for vital signs, and proper methods for dressing changes.
- Precept nursing students to educate on complexities of end-of-life care. Provide opportunity for nursing students to build confidence in interacting with patients and families, practice hands-on nursing care, and learn about medication management for distressing symptoms.
Nurse Apprentice
Renown Regional Medical Center
06.2023 - 12.2023
- Provide direct patient care to orthopedic trauma and post-surgical patients in a compassionate, empathetic, and comforting manner on a weekly basis. Manage between 5-7 patients per day.
- Assess patients and their care needs by utilizing the nursing process. Evaluate patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms. Utilize Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems to record patient assessments.
- Administer medications and monitor responses. Work alongside experienced nursing professionals to practice procedures such as inserting catheters, starting peripheral intravenous lines, managing drains, etc.
- Educate family members and caregivers on the patient's course of care, medication side effects, and safe mobilization techniques in easy-to-understand terms.
- Advocate for the patient and adjust care plans as needed by collaborating with other healthcare team members to support patient progress and goals.
- Equip patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
Tutor
Washoe County School District Boosted Learning
08.2021 - 12.2022
- Met weekly with underachieving and underserved students in their homes to reach higher levels of success by creating individualized lesson plans tailored to each student’s preferred learning style. Student grades improved by 10-30%.
- Assessed student learning needs and provided relevant instruction to close knowledge gaps, exemplify strengths, identify lagging skills, and correct weaknesses.
- Supported students in the development of critical thinking skills and perseverance to persist with challenging tasks.
- Motivated students towards learning to build self-confidence and reduce fear of failure through positive reinforcement strategies.
- Met with parents to discuss student progress and address concerns.
Peer Support Specialist Internship
Renown Regional Emergency Department
08.2021 - 03.2022
- Utilized motivational interviewing to introduce concepts of recovery to those who have overdosed or are going through withdrawals in the emergency room on a weekly basis.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of recovery and wellness principles and shared this information with others struggling with addiction.
- Built relationships with others based on trust and honesty by using active listening and interpersonal communication skills.
- Assisted clients in exploring feelings and understanding behaviors.
Community Care Partner
Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada, Community Care
01.2021 - 07.2021
- Implemented person-centered support care plans for individuals who were on hospice or had developmental disorders.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization, and activity while providing personal care assistance and companionship in their home.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and physical activities to improve their quality of life and meet their needs.
Volunteer
Renown Hospital
11.2019 - 01.2021
- Represented the organization positively and professionally while providing the community with much-needed services such as helping clients navigate the hospital and connecting them to resources.
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Nevada, Reno
12.2023
Minor - Addiction Treatment
University of Nevada, Reno
01.2022
Minor - Public Health
University of Nevada, Reno
12.2021
Skills
- Epic Systems
- Nursing Assessment Care Plan Development
- Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
- Medication management
- Case documentation
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Patient Education
- Emotional Support
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
Certification
- Basic Life Support, American Heart Association [3/2022- 3/2024]
- Peer Support Specialist Certificate in Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment since January 2022
Publications
Baker, S. A., Hwang, S. J., Blair, P. J., Sireika, C., Wei, L., Ro, S., Ward, S. M., & Sanders, K. M. (2021). Ca2+ transients in ICC-MY define the basis for the dominance of the corpus in gastric pacemaking. Cell Calcium, 99, 102472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceca.2021.102472
Timeline
Hospice RN Case Manager
Renown Health
02.2024 - Current
Nurse Apprentice
Renown Regional Medical Center
06.2023 - 12.2023
Tutor
Washoe County School District Boosted Learning
08.2021 - 12.2022
Peer Support Specialist Internship
Renown Regional Emergency Department
08.2021 - 03.2022
Community Care Partner
Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada, Community Care
01.2021 - 07.2021
Volunteer
Renown Hospital
11.2019 - 01.2021
Minor - Addiction Treatment
University of Nevada, Reno
Minor - Public Health
University of Nevada, Reno
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Nevada, Reno