Amanda Puls
McHenry,IL
Summary
Dynamic healthcare leader with a proven track record at Franciscan Care Solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and patient satisfaction. Skilled in strategic planning and team management, I foster cross-functional collaboration and drive innovative solutions, achieving significant improvements in patient care services and outcomes. Committed to excellence in healthcare delivery and staff development.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Senior Living
Franciscan Care Solutions
Lindenhurst, IL
03.2024 - Current
- Formulated initiatives to improve operational efficiency and patient care services.
- Led cross-functional teams in implementing new healthcare technologies and processes.
- Supported department heads in elevating team efficiency and patient satisfaction.
- Assessed trends in data to support informed decision-making and foster continuous enhancement activities.
Home State Bank
Personal Loan Officer
McHenry, IL
05.1999 - 12.2001
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
Community Nurse Manager
The Village At Victory Lakes
Lindenhurst IL
06.2017 - Current
- Administered comprehensive patient assessments to develop individualized care plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care and services.
- Educated patients and families on health management, medication adherence, and wellness strategies.
- Monitored patient progress, adjusting care plans based on evolving needs and outcomes.
- Implemented infection control protocols to ensure safety and compliance in healthcare delivery.
- Provided emotional support and counseling to patients facing chronic illnesses or transitions in care.
- Conducted community outreach programs to promote health awareness and preventive measures.
- Mentored junior nursing staff, enhancing clinical skills and knowledge through training sessions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide holistic care for patients in the community setting.
- Conducted home visits to assess patients'' living conditions, identifying potential hazards or barriers to optimal health.
- Enhanced patient care by developing and implementing individualized care plans for community members.
- Educated patients and families on disease prevention, health promotion, and available resources within the community.
- Facilitated support groups for patients with chronic diseases, empowering them to take control of their health management.
- Served as a liaison between primary care providers and various local agencies, establishing efficient communication channels that benefitted both parties.
- Managed immunization clinics, ensuring timely vaccinations for vulnerable populations within the community setting.
- Coordinated referrals to appropriate specialists or services as needed, streamlining access to necessary treatments for patients in need.
- Mentored nursing students during clinical rotations, shaping future generations of skilled Community Nurses committed to excellence in practice.
- Developed strong relationships with local healthcare providers to coordinate seamless transitions between hospital and community-based care.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by providing effective post-discharge follow-up care and education for high-risk patients.
- Improved patient outcomes through comprehensive health assessments and timely interventions.
- Provided therapeutic nursing interventions for individualized plan of care to patient.
- Communicated with physicians and practitioners for patient care concerns to obtain orders and intervention protocols.
- Performed treatments as ordered by physicians and documented actions.
- Facilitated medication management and monitored for side effects in collaboration with provider.
- Initiated emergency resuscitative measures according to resuscitation and advanced life support protocols and directives.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Psychiatric Floor Nurse
Edward Elmhurst Health
Naperville, IL
05.2017 - 06.2018
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to ensure safety and efficacy.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Assisted in patient assessments, documenting vital signs and medical histories accurately.
- Educated patients and families on post-discharge care instructions and health management strategies.
- Utilized electronic health records to track patient progress and streamline communication among staff.
- Administered medications safely according to physician orders, closely monitoring for adverse reactions or interactions among drugs.
- Communicated effectively with patients and family members to convey important instructions and discuss treatments.
- Administered basic patient care and treatments by dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas and performing catheterizations.
- Maintained accurate records of residents' healthcare treatments and responses.
- Provided thorough patient education, ensuring understanding of diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up instructions.
- Administered medication such as insulin and monitored patients' responses to detect problems.
- Conducted ongoing assessments of patients'' physical, emotional, and social needs, adjusting care plans accordingly.
- Reduced medication errors with diligent attention to detail during medication administration.
- Educated family members on how best support their loved ones during the recovery process at home after discharge from the hospital.
- Coped effectively with mental and emotional challenges of positions by remaining centered on patients' needs and delivering quality care.
- Managed the care of diverse patient populations, adapting my nursing interventions to meet their unique needs and preferences.
- Actively sought opportunities for continuing education relevant to my role as a floor nurse in order maintain up-to-date knowledge about emerging trends within the profession.
- Collected and documented vital signs to maintain current records of patients' conditions.
- Served as a patient advocate, collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure appropriate treatment options were pursued.
- Streamlined shift change processes by creating efficient report sheets to communicate vital information among staff.
- Coordinated discharge planning with case managers to streamline transitions from acute care settings back into the community.
- Managed medication cart and dispensed pills, oral therapies and intramuscular injections to patients on geriatric psych floor.
- Established compassionate environment by providing psychological, emotional and spiritual support to patients and families.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
Administrative Assistant
CMG Construction
Joliet, IL
02.2004 - 04.2017
- Streamlined workflows by organizing office operations and procedures.
- Compiled financial documents to aid in budgeting processes.
- Streamlined access to documents by maintaining thorough file systems.
- Coordinated office supply inventory management, proactively ordering necessary items before depletion to avoid workflow disruptions.
- Organized office events such as holiday parties or team-building activities, promoting a positive company culture and boosting employee morale.
- Managed expense reports for executive staff members, ensuring accurate documentation of spending for budgeting purposes.
- Maintained inventory of office supplies and placed orders.
- Assisted in preparation of financial reports, gathering data that contributed to budgeting accuracy.
Certified Nurse Assistant
Florence Nursing Home
Marengo, IL
08.1999 - 09.2016
- Assisted patients with daily living activities, promoting dignity and comfort.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to nursing staff for timely interventions.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of patient areas, ensuring safety standards.
- Supported nursing staff in administering medications and treatments as directed.
- Communicated effectively with patients and families to provide emotional support.
- Participated in training programs to enhance skills and knowledge in patient care.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes and care plans.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and attentive care.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and their families through empathetic listening and clear communication skills.
- Continuously updated knowledge of best practices in CNA procedures through ongoing education courses, ensuring exceptional levels of care.
- Assisted nursing staff with daily tasks, increasing efficiency and maintaining high-quality care.
- Provided emotional support for patients experiencing difficult medical situations, enhancing their overall well-being during treatment periods.
- Supported patients during rehabilitation exercises, promoting a faster recovery process.
- Monitored vital signs regularly, promptly reporting any abnormalities or changes to nursing staff.
- Participated in regular interdisciplinary meetings to discuss individual patient care plans, offering suggestions for improvement based on clinical observations.
- Collaborated with nursing staff on wound care management, facilitating rapid healing and minimizing discomfort for patients.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing, and teeth brushing.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Cared for residents in assisted living facility and delivered high-quality support to meet needs.
- Helped clean and prepare patient consultation rooms to maintain hygiene standards
- Oversaw and maintained patients' rooms, group living areas, and nurse stations.
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy.
- Completed activities of daily living for patients unable to self-care, and assisted those with limited mobility in completing tasks.
- Changed linens in rooms, keeping spaces fresh and clean for patient health and satisfaction.
- Assisted nursing staff with completing daily rounds, documenting vital signs and answering calls.
- Helped patients with self-feeding and assisted feeding, based on individual needs.
Education
Associate of Science - Science
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, ILBachelor of Arts - Psychology
Judson University
Elgin, ILBachelor of Science - Nursing
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL12.2017
Skills
Relationship building
Strategic planning
Verbal and written communication
Decision-making
People management
Team management
Creativity and innovation
Strategies and goals
Employee development
Staff management
Goal setting
Budget control
Budget management
Staff development
Issues resolution
Hiring and retention
Financial reporting
Charismatic leader
Business development
Financial management
Legal and regulatory compliance
Crisis management
Facilities management
Sales management
Problem-solving
Time management
Multitasking and organization
Team collaboration
Team building
Coaching and mentoring
Leadership development
Client relations
Conflict resolution
Task delegation
Performance management
Regulatory compliance
Cross-functional team leadership
Team leadership
Customer relations
Performance evaluations
Schedule management
Revenue growth
Timeline
Director of Senior Living
Franciscan Care Solutions
03.2024 - Current
Community Nurse Manager
The Village At Victory Lakes
06.2017 - Current
Psychiatric Floor Nurse
Edward Elmhurst Health
05.2017 - 06.2018
Administrative Assistant
CMG Construction
02.2004 - 04.2017
Certified Nurse Assistant
Florence Nursing Home
08.1999 - 09.2016
Home State Bank
Personal Loan Officer
05.1999 - 12.2001
Associate of Science - Science
McHenry County College
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Judson University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Northern Illinois University