Amanda M Charles
Upper Marlboro,MD
Summary
Dedicated and highly experienced School Nurse with over 20 years of expertise in school health, pediatric and adolescent care, primary care, and mental health nursing. Skilled in providing comprehensive healthcare services to students, ensuring their physical, emotional, and mental well-being in a school setting. Adept at triaging illnesses and injuries, managing chronic conditions, administering immunizations, and implementing health education programs. A compassionate advocate for student health, collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators to support a safe and inclusive learning environment. Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), enabling effective communication with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse (Behavioral Health/Substance Use)
Department of Veteran Affair
07.2018 - Current
- Provide evidence-based nursing care in mental health and substance use treatment, utilizing the nursing process and best practices to support veterans.
- Manage Substance Abuse Recovery Program (SARP) consultations, assessing veterans with substance use disorders and coordinating individualized treatment plans.
- Facilitate discussions on treatment options, completing referrals for inpatient, outpatient, and residential care as needed.
- Assist veterans with scheduling outpatient treatment and collaborate with social workers for residential treatment placements.
- Support performance improvement initiatives, including Ethyl-glucuronide measurement-based care for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) patients.
- Lead cognitive-based anger management groups, one of the most attended specialty groups in SARP, providing structured therapeutic support.
- Conduct comprehensive nursing intakes, assessing vital signs, mental health status, substance use history, and the need for urgent interventions.
- Perform Clinical Withdrawal Indicator for Alcohol (CWIA) and Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) assessments to evaluate withdrawal severity and guide treatment.
- Administer Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) assessments at intake and discharge, ensuring immediate intervention for veterans at risk.
- Serve as a nurse on Team Freedom, collaborating with addiction therapists to develop and implement structured recovery plans.
- Develop personalized care plans within 14 days of program entry, ensuring timely and effective treatment strategies.
- Conduct toxicology screenings for female veterans to ensure accurate diagnostic assessments and treatment planning.
- Administer Vivitrol injections and other prescribed medications as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use recovery.
Emergency Department Registered Nurse (ED RN)
Department of Veterans Affair
12.2011 - 02.2024
- Provided acute emergency care for veterans in a fast-paced ER setting, managing a full patient assignment.
- Detailed full-time from April 2020 – July 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering critical patient care in high-stress conditions.
- Assisted emergency room physicians in trauma and acute medical interventions, including medication administration, IV insertion, blood draws, EKGs, and triage assessments.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments, rapidly identifying and responding to critical conditions, injuries, and life-threatening situations.
- Administered emergency medications and provided ongoing patient monitoring for cardiac, respiratory, and neurological conditions.
- Performed rapid triage evaluations, prioritizing care based on severity and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely treatment.
- Delivered patient education on discharge instructions, medication compliance, and post-emergency care.
- Ensured adherence to VA protocols, emergency care guidelines, and infection control measures, particularly during the COVID-19 response.
Primary Care Registered Nurse (RN)
Department of Veterans Affair
12.2010 - 07.2018
- Served as a Nursing Coordinator for the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) in an ambulatory primary care clinic, ensuring seamless coordination of veteran care.
- Conducted patient triage prior to provider visits, performing EKGs, blood draws, A1C testing, and finger sticks as needed.
- Provided education and intervention for veterans managing diabetes, hypertension (HTN), and other chronic conditions.
- Collaborated closely with Primary Care Providers (PCPs) to develop and implement individualized care plans for veterans.
- Monitored and managed veterans with Triple Threat conditions (elevated blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol), utilizing data from the VA Data Warehouse to track patient outcomes.
- Scheduled and conducted telephone visits and follow-up appointments to ensure continuity of care.
- Administered vaccinations, breathing treatments, pain management medications, and PRN medications for diabetes and hypertension.
- Provided walk-in patient care, addressing immediate health concerns and coordinating appropriate follow-up with PCPs.
- Ordered and coordinated laboratory testing for new and returning patients to facilitate timely diagnoses and treatment adjustments.
- Assisted veterans who contacted the Medical Advice Line (MAL) by addressing concerns, coordinating care, and ensuring appropriate interventions.
- Served as a mentor for new nurses and nursing students, providing guidance on clinical best practices and patient care coordination.
- Functioned as a Charge Nurse, ensuring smooth clinic operations, addressing patient concerns, and supporting nursing staff in daily functions.
Administrative Nurse Supervisor
Providence Hospital
09.1994 - 04.2019
- Supervised and coordinated nursing operations across hospital units, ensuring efficient patient care and staff performance.
- Assigned nursing duties, optimized staffing levels, and managed workflow to maintain high-quality patient care and operational efficiency.
- Evaluated nursing activities to ensure compliance with hospital protocols, patient care standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Conducted patient rounds, monitoring bedside care and ensuring treatments were administered per physician instructions.
- Provided leadership and oversight for nursing staff, addressing clinical concerns and facilitating interdepartmental communication.
- Managed daily nursing schedules, ensuring appropriate staffing levels to support hospital operations and patient needs.
- Acted as the on-site administrative authority during weekends, making critical decisions regarding hospital-wide nursing services.
- Assisted in crisis management and resolved patient or staff issues in real time to maintain hospital safety and operational flow.
- Collaborated with hospital leadership and department heads to enhance patient care, implement policy changes, and improve staff relations.
Registered School Nurse
Gallaudet University
01.1994 - 01.2010
- Provided comprehensive healthcare services in an ambulatory care setting for high school (ages 14–20) and college students (18–adult), with occasional support for elementary-aged students.
- Served as the primary point of contact between students, physicians, and parents, ensuring effective communication and care coordination for both acute and chronic health concerns.
- Diagnosed and treated common illnesses and injuries, making real-time healthcare decisions to support student well-being.
- Conducted health screenings and routine medical evaluations, including vital sign monitoring, blood draws, EKGs, spirometry testing, and immunization administration throughout the school year.
- Assisted with immunization compliance, working with the DC Department of Immunization to complete required vaccination documentation and ensure all students met school health requirements.
- Administered daily medications, including treatments for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, ADHD, and epilepsy.
- Coordinated referrals to external healthcare providers, scheduling appointments and ensuring continuity of care for students requiring specialized treatment.
- Led the Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic for high school and university students, managing screening, treatment tracking, and compliance reporting.
- Maintained detailed health records and reports, ensuring compliance with school, state, and federal health regulations.
- Utilized American Sign Language (ASL) to effectively communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing students, ensuring accessibility in healthcare interactions.
Ambulatory Care Nurse/PRN Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Prince George Correctional
01.1993 - 01.1996
- Conducted Tuberculosis (TB) testing, including placement and reading of results for inmates.
- Performed blood draws and collected comprehensive medical histories for newly admitted inmates.
- Served as the first point of medical contact, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses as well as injuries within the correctional facility.
- Provided critical care management for inmates with serious, complex, and acute conditions, ensuring appropriate monitoring and adherence to medication protocols and treatment plans.
- Investigated and resolved medical complaints, escalating complex cases to the Vice President and President of Nursing when necessary.
- Post-Surgical Unit Nurse (10–12 years) – Provided post-operative care, pain management, and wound care for post-surgical patients.
- Detox & Psychiatric Unit Nurse (4–5 years) – Managed care for patients undergoing substance withdrawal and psychiatric crises, administering medications and coordinating behavioral health support.
Staff Nurse
Providence Hospital
06.1990 - 09.1994
- Provided post-operative care in the Post-Surgical Unit, monitoring patients recovering from surgery, managing pain control, wound care, and post-anesthesia assessments.
- Alternated between post-surgical and medical units, delivering comprehensive nursing care for patients with diverse medical conditions.
- Worked PRN in the Detox Unit, assisting patients undergoing substance withdrawal, administering medications, and providing supportive care to manage symptoms.
- Provided care in the Psychiatric Unit, supporting patients with acute mental health conditions, administering treatments, and collaborating with behavioral health teams to develop care plans.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Maryland At Baltimore
Baltimore, MD01.1999
Associate Degree - Nursing
Prince George Community College
Largo, MD01.1990
Skills
- Primary Care & School Nursing
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse Nursing
- Patient Assessment & Triage
- Health Education & Disease Prevention
- Staff Training & Leadership
- Emergency & Crisis Management
- Case Management & Care Coordination
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Client Complaint Investigation
Certification
- Maryland Registered Nurse License
- BSN Certification
- ACLS Certification
Timeline
Registered Nurse (Behavioral Health/Substance Use)
Department of Veteran Affair
07.2018 - Current
Emergency Department Registered Nurse (ED RN)
Department of Veterans Affair
12.2011 - 02.2024
Primary Care Registered Nurse (RN)
Department of Veterans Affair
12.2010 - 07.2018
Administrative Nurse Supervisor
Providence Hospital
09.1994 - 04.2019
Registered School Nurse
Gallaudet University
01.1994 - 01.2010
Ambulatory Care Nurse/PRN Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Prince George Correctional
01.1993 - 01.1996
Staff Nurse
Providence Hospital
06.1990 - 09.1994
- Maryland Registered Nurse License
- BSN Certification
- ACLS Certification
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Maryland At Baltimore
Associate Degree - Nursing
Prince George Community College
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