Angela Karr

Pre- Admission Testing/Pre-Procedure:

• Obtain comprehensive and pertinent health histories
• Request appropriate and necessary medical records, as well as preoperative testing for anesthesia and surgeons
• Identify concerns, consult appropriate physicians and or management for issues that may compromise surgery outcomes
• Complete labwork and EKG, assess results and contact physicians for concerns, treat conditions that need immediate response
• Educate patients in preoperative and postoperative protocols
• Counsel patients and caregivers, providing medical, as well as emotional/psychological support

Pre-operative:

• Ensure patient safety and privacy in all duties, while assessing patient needs in a timely manner and assisting physicians with needed regional blocks
• Ensure required paperwork is easily accessed in EPIC and on paper
• Administer medications and treatments, monitoring patients for reactions, and establish venous access
• Evaluate patients and address concerns, while advocating for their needs. Follow up with appropriate solutions for any issues that may be found or anticipated

Pre-Admission Testing and Pre-operative Nurse: See previous documentation

Post-operative/Post-anesthesia Nursing: In addition, also assess and manage patient status in order to meet the criteria for discharge and healthy outcomes for patient, including consulting with anesthesia/surgeon for any concerns not within normal limits, managing airway, cardiovascular status, potential anesthesia reactions, pain management, with attention to incisions and circulation. Educating patient and family for smooth recovery.

Development: Helped develop and communicate anesthesia admission criteria and protocols for surgeons to reference.

(12/2010 to 11/2011 w/ brief break for maternity reasons, returned 11/2012 to 10/2014)

• Triaged patients in a high-volume patient care setting, maintaining privacy, and following facility protocols and procedures
• Helped decrease anxiety while providing efficient, safe and comprehensive care while also supporting teammates
• Anticipated diagnostic testing, medications, and interventions while utilizing collaborative practice with all members of the team
• Interventions to include, but not limited to: cardiac alerts with timely delivery to cardiac catheterization, stroke alerts and timely CT scans, trauma protocols, respiratory arrests, conscious sedation for procedures and intubation, chest and nasogastric tubes, intravenous therapy, blood transfusions, and medication pumps in safe and timely manner
• Discharged patients after detailed educational instructions, admitted, or transferred patients to appropriate facilities, and prepared patients for surgery

See previous documentation for peri-operative duties

See previous documentation for emergency department duties

• See previous documentation for peri-operative duties
• Charge Nurse Role: Trained/mentored new nurses on daily tasks, supported their growth and professional development, created a team-focused atmosphere, ensured safety of staff and patients, managed busy schedule to include emergency surgeries, and supported physicians and management in providing a healthy work environment
• Ordered and organized medical and office supplies for unit
• Conscious sedation for procedures such as transesophageal-echocardiograms, cardioversions, and central line insertions
• Infection Prevention Task Force Representative

Pediatric and Pediatric Oncology:

• Conducted intake assessments on arrival, evaluated status
• Managed care between multi-disciplinary care team
• Advocated for patients in need of increased level of care
• Initiated therapies as ordered
• Administered medications, sedation, and chemotherapy for patients, while evaluating appropriate test results
• Provided attentive care for neutropenic patients, and continually assessed for infection and complications
• Provided patient and family with education focusing on management, prevention and wellness
• Floated to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and NICU Step-Down

Emergency Department: See previous documentation for emergency department