Amber Larsen
Arlington,SD
Summary
Experienced nursing professional bringing demonstrated clinical expertise, leadership skills and technical knowledge. Proficient in updating charts, monitoring medications and working with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care. Quality-driven and efficient with strong interpersonal abilities.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
R.N. Surgical Clinic Nurse
Avera Specialty
Brookings, SD
10.2021 - Current
- Monitored vital signs, assessed patient condition and notified physicians of any changes or concerns.
- Collaborated with other health care team members to facilitate quality patient care.
- Performed wound care, medication administration and IV therapy according to physician orders.
- Ensured proper documentation of all nursing interventions in the electronic medical record system.
- Performed physical assessments including height and weight measurements and blood draws as needed.
- Maintained a safe environment by following infection control policies and procedures.
- Educated patients and families on medical and surgical procedures, medication regimens and pain management.
- Maintained accurate surgical records in compliance with hospital policies and procedures.
- Performed wound dressing changes following prescribed orders from the physician.
- Documented all relevant information regarding patient's medical history, allergies. prior to surgery.
Register Nurse- Clinic
Avera Medical Clinic
Brookings, SD
12.2019 - 10.2021
- Managed patient information in line with stated preferences and HIPAA guidelines.
- Reached out to medical providers to check on requests and address issues.
- Maximized office efficiency by answering more than 12 incoming calls per day to provide office information and transfer calls to desired personal.
- Created and maintained accurate and confidential patient files.
- Answered 12 average daily phone calls to schedule appointments and address patient inquiries.
- Addressed, documented, and responded to incoming and outgoing calls and correspondence.
- Compiled physical and digital paperwork to meet business and patient needs, including charts, reports and correspondence.
- Triaged patients' issues based on stated symptoms, basic assessments and documented vitals.
- Assessed healthcare needs of patients by conducting health evaluations.
- Prepared charts for clinic patients, including gathering all hospital records and test results.
- Followed up on diagnostic tests to verify completion and obtain results for treatment planning.
- Coordinated timely refills for patients' prescriptions by obtaining authorizations and transmitting paperwork.
- Analyzed, collected and recorded patient health data.
- Consulted with healthcare clients on nursing procedures and policies, implementing changes for improvement.
- Maintained patient records and verified patient privacy and clinical compliance to minimize data breaches.
- Performed examinations on patients and asked thorough questions to best determine medical conditions and illnesses.
- Coordinated services between multiple departments to keep procedures and testing on track.
Registered Nurse- Kidney Dialysis
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
Watertown, SD
10.2018 - 12.2019
- Delivered quality patient care from admission to discharge through direct supervision of all nursing and ancillary staff.
- Addressed unit staff concerns, including staffing ratios, resource management, allocation of responsibilities and optimized workload management.
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Executed appropriate steps for patient treatment following careful review of physician medical regimen.
- Answered patient questions and provided take-home materials for further information.
- Inserted and managed central, arterial and PICC lines.
- Counseled patients and caregivers, providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Stocked clinical workstations and procedure rooms with necessary supplies.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Monitored post-op vitals, set up PCA, fluids, reviewed post-op orders and assimilated patients to unit.
- Initiated and documented ongoing quality assurance activities to improve patient care and safety.
- Collected and analyzed patient data before, during and after treatments and documented all information in patient medical records.
- Monitored patient status during treatment and reported variances and adverse reactions to care teams.
Registered Nurse - Home Health and Hospice
Brookings Health System
Brookings, SD
11.2014 - 10.2018
- Planned and coordinated nursing service to meet specific healthcare needs of patients.
- Communicated with patients and family members to explain treatments and maintain relationships.
- Carried out wound care, IV therapy and other provider orders daily to manage patient conditions.
- Collected laboratory samples by venipuncture and other procedures to monitor and diagnose health issues.
- Evaluated individuals and documented health status.
- Counseled patients and support system members to offer emotional support and recommend resources such as community services.
- Answered patient questions and provided take-home materials for further information.
- Developed and adapted individualized treatment plans according to patient recovery goals.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Immunized patients against influenza and pneumonia to protect vulnerable populations from serious illnesses.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Addressed unit staff concerns, including staffing ratios, resource management, allocation of responsibilities and optimized workload management.
- Communicated with primary care physicians or emergency care providers to relay patient needs.
- Delivered quality patient care from admission to discharge through direct supervision of all nursing and ancillary staff.
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Executed appropriate steps for patient treatment following careful review of physician medical regimen.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Maintained adequate unit supplies to meet expected patient demands.
- Counseled patients and caregivers, providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support.
- Conducted patient assessments and diagnostic tests to provide physician with important patient health information.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Brookings Health System
Brookings, SD
11.2012 - 11.2014
- Administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services.
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects.
- Delivered high-quality nursing care to patients on a 67-bed medical-surgical unit with emphasis on orthopedics, urology and gastro-intestinal post-operative patients.
- Treated patients suffering from chronic and acute medical concerns, including asthma, seizure disorders and pneumonia.
- Imparted medical, operational and patient care knowledge to junior nurses to maximize performance and quality of team operations.
- Monitored and managed various treatment and care interventions, including IV administration, wound and ostomy care and catheter insertion.
- Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate efficient movements and related paperwork.
- Monitored and educated nursing students and externs on proper care procedures and prioritization strategies.
- Participated in hospital-wide initiatives and committees to improve patient care, satisfaction and safety.
- Assessed patients' response to treatment and suggested ways to combat side effects.
- Administered palliative care in outpatient settings ranging from assessment to development and implementation of care plans.
- Assessed patient health needs by reviewing and tracking EKG readings to address telemetry readings and quickly inform teammates on stability or acuity changes.
- Performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation accurately and effectively.
- Completed daily chart audits and assessed clinical records to verify accuracy, evaluate performance against goals and check for appropriate education of patients and families.
- Exhibited professionalism and leadership to peers by participating in professional activities and continuing education.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD05.2010
Licensed Practical Nursing - Nursing
Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, SD05.2007
Skills
- Medical screening
- Patient monitoring
- Unit administration
- Patient Satisfaction and Process Improvement
- Documenting vitals
- Palliative and Pain Management
- Medication and IV administration
- Monitoring vital signs
- Patient education and counseling
- Coordinating referrals
- Immunization skills
- Updating computer records
Accomplishments
- Documentation - Documented patient intake information.
- Family Support - Educated families about procedures, treatment regimens, prevention and care.
- Documentation - Documented patient information obtained from intake interviews.
- Reporting - Prepared regular charts on patient's health related history, medication restrictions and allergies.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
R.N. Surgical Clinic Nurse
Avera Specialty
10.2021 - Current
Register Nurse- Clinic
Avera Medical Clinic
12.2019 - 10.2021
Registered Nurse- Kidney Dialysis
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
10.2018 - 12.2019
Registered Nurse - Home Health and Hospice
Brookings Health System
11.2014 - 10.2018
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Brookings Health System
11.2012 - 11.2014
Associate of Science - Nursing
University of South Dakota
Licensed Practical Nursing - Nursing
Lake Area Technical Institute