AMBER BENDER
Sandy,Utah
Summary
Compassionate Psychiatric Charge Nurse with proven skills in patient care, crisis intervention, and team leadership. Experience includes managing nursing staff, administering medication, developing treatment plans, and maintaining detailed patient records in high-pressure psychiatric environments. Strengths include strong communication skills, resilience under pressure, and ability to foster therapeutic nurse-patient relationships. Demonstrated impact through improved patient outcomes and enhanced team efficiency in previous roles.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Primary Children's Wasatch Canyons
Taylorsville, UT
03.2024 - Current
- Assessed patient risk levels for suicide or self-harm behaviors and implemented interventions as needed.
- Coordinated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care post-hospitalization.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Conducted group therapy sessions focused on developing coping skills and managing stressors.
- Provided emotional support for patients during times of distress or crisis.
- Coordinated with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive psychiatric care and ensure continuity of services.
- Monitored patient safety and well-being by administering medications, providing care plans, and responding to crisis situations.
- Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviors and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- Implemented strategies to reduce restraints used on patients when possible.
- Utilized evidence-based practices in order to deliver quality care to patients in a timely manner.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Facilitated communication between families and other healthcare providers regarding changes in patient status or treatments being administered.
- Guided employees in handling difficult or complex problems.
- Identified areas where additional resources were needed in order to improve patient flow processes.
- Coordinated with community resources to provide comprehensive support to patients.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, case managers, social workers, therapists and other healthcare professionals to ensure timely delivery of services.
- Assisted patients in understanding their care plans and healthcare options.
- Managed patient appointments, ensuring efficient scheduling and rescheduling as necessary.
- Demonstrated flexibility during changes to patient care practice.
- Facilitated communication between patients and healthcare teams, acting as a primary point of contact.
- Trained employees on best practices and protocols while managing teams to maintain optimal productivity.
- Participated in and attended meetings or seminars to obtain information for use in training programs.
- Advocated for continuous improvement in nursing education and clinical training methods.
- Actively listened to clients' struggles and provided compassionate feedback.
- Educated families on the diagnosis, management, and prevention of mental illness.
- Coached clients on healthy coping skills such as relaxation techniques or stress management strategies.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans.
- Encouraged positive behavior change by reinforcing desired behaviors through reward systems.
- Assisted with crisis intervention when needed.
- Instructed individuals on how to cope with their mental health conditions through lifestyle changes, such as diet or exercise regimens.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss treatment plans and goals for each patient.
- Coordinated discharge planning activities for psychiatric patients.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
Health Specialist RN Lead
Utah Community Action
Salt Lake City , UT
10.2023 - Current
- Assessed patient's needs and developed care plans to address identified issues.
- Coordinated referrals for specialty care as needed based on assessment findings.
- Provided immunizations according to established protocols while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Collaborated with public health departments to develop strategies for promoting healthy behaviors in the community.
- Assisted with development of educational materials related to community health topics.
- Counseled patients regarding lifestyle changes needed for improved health outcomes.
- Provided individualized health counseling services to patients, including guidance on nutrition, exercise, hygiene and disease prevention.
- Collaborated with other healthcare providers to ensure quality patient care was delivered in a timely manner.
- Identified risk factors associated with communicable diseases through contact tracing investigations.
- Conducted home visits to evaluate the physical condition of clients in their homes.
- Facilitated access to resources such as food banks, housing assistance and job training programs.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions by comparing pre-and post-intervention data.
- Educated patients about their diseases, medications, treatments and preventive measures.
- Provided support during crisis situations involving mental or emotional disorders.
- Represented the organization at meetings or conferences related to community health issues.
- Participated in community outreach activities providing health screenings at local events.
- Monitored patients' progress by collecting vital signs such as height, weight, blood pressure and pulse rate.
- Assisted with research projects related to community health initiatives.
- Maintained accurate records of patient interactions using electronic medical records systems.
- Advised clients on appropriate use of over-the-counter medications and supplements.
- Developed and implemented health education programs for individuals and families to promote healthy lifestyles.
- Held consultations with patients and families to provide detailed information about diagnosed medical conditions, answering questions and advising on effective treatment methods.
- Revised patient care plans through regular assessment and evaluation of patient conditions and changes over time to improve prognosis in collaboration with clinic physicians.
- Instructed in-home caregivers on treatment techniques, medication schedules, dietary restrictions, safety protocols and other information relevant for daily treatment of patients.
- Administered medications and treatments directly to patients following physician prescriptions and instructions and standard nursing techniques.
- Led seminars for public attendance to educate on prevention and identification of medical conditions prevalent within community.
- Submitted patient medical records and personal information to outside professionals and to insurance companies when requested.
- Developed treatment plans for individual patients, accounting for special needs of patient, physician diagnoses and recommendations and patient's desired outcomes.
- Performed preliminary evaluations of patient conditions, administering physical examinations and asking questions regarding mental health and lifestyle factors to report to physicians.
- Cooperated with health-related agencies and organizations in carrying out community activities.
- Collected OASIS data, evaluating for accuracy, completeness and logical coherence in determining appropriate sequencing of diagnoses.
- Advised patients on preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative therapies available, addressing benefits and drawbacks and suggesting treatments appropriate for unique situations.
- Maintained comprehensive records of patient visits, diagnoses and prescriptions to provide physicians with complete understanding of patient medical history and conditions.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviors and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Developed instructional materials, including handouts and visual aids, to supplement classroom instruction.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay abreast of changes in the field.
- Instructed students in proper CPR techniques, including chest compressions and rescue breathing.
- Assisted with recruitment efforts by providing presentations at job fairs or college campuses.
- Collaborated with other instructors to develop innovative strategies for teaching CPR skills.
- Actively sought out constructive feedback from colleagues regarding teaching strategies used with student nurses.
- Provided resources for continuing professional development opportunities for student nurses.
- Facilitated effective communication between faculty, students, and staff members.
- Monitored patient safety protocols and ensured that all standards were met or exceeded by the student nurse team.
- Instructed students on nursing assessment techniques, therapeutic interventions, and patient education methods.
- Assisted in developing individualized learning plans for each student nurse.
- Conducted formal evaluations of student nurses' clinical performance and patient care skills.
- Developed innovative strategies for improving nursing knowledge through hands-on simulations or case studies.
- Served as a role model for professional conduct within the clinical environment.
- Observed and assessed student nurses' competency levels during clinical rotations.
- Demonstrated proper use of medical equipment to ensure safe practice among student nurses.
- Collaborated with other preceptors, faculty, and staff to coordinate quality care for patients while teaching students best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Supported students in understanding the complexities of the healthcare system and health policy changes.
- Assessed current trends in healthcare delivery systems and relayed this information to students so they could stay up-to-date on industry changes.
- Developed training materials for new employees.
- Monitored progress of employees after training sessions to ensure successful implementation of learned skills.
- Analyzed training needs assessments from departments to design effective learning solutions.
- Provided support for individual employees who had difficulty grasping concepts during instruction sessions.
- Conducted orientation sessions for new hires.
- Conducted trainings on topics related to customer service, product knowledge and company policies.
- Developed and implemented employee training programs to meet organizational goals.
- Provided feedback and guidance to improve employee performance during trainings.
- Collaborated with management teams to develop strategies that would maximize the impact of trainings.
Registered Nurse
Intermountain Healthcare Maternal Newborn
Murray Utah, UT
04.2023 - 09.2023
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment, while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections, and monitored responses.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation, and competency development to further nursing education.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Addressed patient concerns and provided support to vulnerable demographics.
- Worked directly with patient treatment teams and participated in care coordination procedures.
- Counseled patients on health-related topics and lifestyle changes for improved well-being.
- Managed enrollment, transportation, and paperwork for individuals to take advantage of community resources.
- Collaborated with external organizations to coordinate health and social services.
- Targeted specific community groups with wellness and disease management information.
- Created and distributed health-related education materials to improve program awareness.
- Monitored and documented participants' progress toward individualized health goals.
- Facilitated health screenings with follow-up care to target specific issues.
- Assessed, evaluated, and cared for neonate and pediatric patients.
- Monitored and assessed mother and newborn after delivery to ascertain proper healing and recovery.
- Educated new parents on how to properly care for infants by instructing parents on bottle feeding, bathing, circumcision care and breastfeeding.
- Assisted mothers in establishing breastfeeding relationships with infants with proper latching demonstrations.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- 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.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions
Nurse Apprentice
Huntsman Cancer Hospital University Of Utah
09.2022 - 01.2023
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Monitored patient vital signs, reporting any changes to experienced nursing staff.
- Built rapport with patients and members of patients' support systems.
- Assessed care needs of patients and families utilizing nursing process.
- Utilized therapeutic communication techniques to facilitate patient's optimum level of wellness.
- Utilized Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems to record patient data.
- Observed patient behavior and reported changes to nurse in charge for resolution.
- Participated in team meetings to discuss patient progress and plan for care.
- Employed knowledge in growth and development principles to provide care appropriate to age of patients.
- Facilitated patient discharge by providing instructions for home care and follow-up care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
Nurse Apprentice
Jordan Valley Medical Center
02.2022 - 06.2022
- Worked alongside experienced nursing professionals to learn new procedures.
- Administered close patient care, checked vital signs and monitored telemetry.
- Assisted patients with personal hygiene requirements and monitored conditions to update nursing staff.
- Built rapport with patients and members of patients' support systems.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Monitored each patient to meet appropriate care and document status changes.
- Cared for each patient according to care plan and physicians' instructions.
- Delivered exceptional care to patients by helping with mobility and daily living requirements.
- Changed out and monitored bandages, catheters and IVs.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Collaborated with nurse preceptors and other medical staff to achieve quality patient outcome goals.
- Researched different diagnoses to become familiar with presentation and treatment protocols.
- Completed medical facility experience while under supervision of qualified staff.
- Coordinated meal and snack deliveries, assisted with feeding and charted intake for review.
- Vaccinated patients to protect individuals from measles, pneumonia, influenza and other illnesses of concern.
- Completed skilled phlebotomy tasks to obtain needed biological specimens for laboratory testing.
- Helped physicians complete procedures such as lumbar punctures by supporting patients and organizing necessary supplies.
Patient Care Technician
Primary Children's Medical Center
11.2021 - 03.2022
- Obtained patient vital signs and reported results to staff nurse or physician, noting changes from prior measurements.
- Answered patient assistance calls, assessed needs and offered qualified support.
- Collected and transported specimens to prepare for lab testing.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Organized and replenished unit supplies to maintain team readiness for expected demands.
- Responded to patient emergencies with immediate care and notified clinicians to provide comprehensive assistance.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Helped patients complete activities of daily living.
- Used wheelchairs, stretchers and movable beds to move patients between hospital locations.
- Lifted or assisted others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, surgical tables or stretchers.
- Collected laboratory specimens, dropped off at laboratories and picked up test results.
Experience , Clinical Lab Assistant
Intermountain Healthcare
09.2019 - 04.2020
- Processed lab specimens, provided customer service to vendors, doctors and nurses
- Maintained safe storage of specimen
- Used aseptic technique in processing specimens
- Charting and verification of orders in Icentra
- Processed specimens in timely manner under pressure of rush orders
- Performed multiple tasks at once
- Utilized methods to prepare samples for laboratory testing and analysis
- Recorded control values from technical instruments to maintain reliability and validity of test results
- Prepared, processed and analyzed lab samples
- Reviewed patient data, prepared data reports and signed off on release of information requests
- Cultivated, isolated and identified microorganisms in biological samples to assist in diagnostic efforts
- Operated equipment such as Centrifuge to analyze bodily fluids for anomalies.
Senior Accountant
Dominion Energy
05.1998 - 03.2018
- Energy Company Vendor set up and review, Invoice entry, Check run creation, Wire and ACH entries
- Journal creation
- 1099 creation
- Invoice entry
- Approval and approval role set up
- Garnishment and payroll deduction entries
- Monthly journal reconciliation and correction to general ledger
- Vendor inquiries
- Advised various departments on financial activities such as funding and accounting codes
- Balanced and reviewed monthly reports
- Identified and documented controls with business unit owners
- Maintained compliance for reporting documents
- Organized procedures for month-end closing.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
Eagle Gate College
Salt Lake City, UT12.2022
Associate of Science -
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT04.2019
Skills
- Medication administration
- Vitals monitoring
- Medical documentation
- Regulatory compliance
- Task prioritization
- Medication and IV administration
- IV drug therapy management
- Acute and rehabilitative care
- Intake and discharge
- Colostomy care familiarity
- Geriatric treatment knowledge
- IV setup
- Medical records management
- First Aid/CPR
- Active listening
- Working collaboratively
- Relationship building
- Microsoft Office
- Critical thinking
- Fetal heart monitoring
- Medical Screening
- Immunization Protocols
- Specialized Healthcare Referrals
- Community Program Referrals
- Nursing Performance Assessment
- Diet and Nutrition
- Patient Care Assessment
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Healthcare Program Planning
- Clear Patient Communication
- Compassionate and Caring
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- Update Electronic Charts
- Patient Health Information Access
- Newborn Care
- Pediatric Nursing
- Vaccine Administration
- Patient Education
- Health Assessment
- Inpatient psychiatric care
- Behavioral management
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Clinical supervision
- Suicide risk assessment
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Staff training and development
- De-escalation techniques
- Psychopharmacology
- Psychiatric diagnosis
- Empathy development
- Crisis intervention
- Care team collaboration
- Protocol compliance
- Nursing care
- Psychosocial analysis
- Group therapy coordination
- Patient assessments
- Mental health evaluation
- Client education
- Suicide prevention
- Treatment Planning
- Service coordination
- Clinical documentation
- Direct patient care
- Patient scheduling
- Policy adherence
- Administrative supervision
- HIPAA protocol adherence
- Healthcare documentation
- Healthcare operations
- Database coordination
- Proficient in Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Outlook, ICentra, Clairvia, Microsoft Teams
- Patient flow management
- Critical thinking skills
- Creative problem solving
- Insurance practices
- Monitoring tools
Certification
Nurse Apprentice License
BLS
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Primary Children's Wasatch Canyons
03.2024 - Current
Health Specialist RN Lead
Utah Community Action
10.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse
Intermountain Healthcare Maternal Newborn
04.2023 - 09.2023
Nurse Apprentice
Huntsman Cancer Hospital University Of Utah
09.2022 - 01.2023
Nurse Apprentice
Jordan Valley Medical Center
02.2022 - 06.2022
Patient Care Technician
Primary Children's Medical Center
11.2021 - 03.2022
Experience , Clinical Lab Assistant
Intermountain Healthcare
09.2019 - 04.2020
Senior Accountant
Dominion Energy
05.1998 - 03.2018
Nurse Apprentice License
BLS
Bachelor of Science -
Eagle Gate College
Associate of Science -
Salt Lake Community College
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