Ardith Hirzel
PUEBLO,Colorado
Summary
Experienced nursing professional with excellent skills in patient assessment, disease management and medication administration as well as a excellent administrative management skills Proven track record of delivering high-quality care. Passionate Nurse with demonstrated experience in hospital settings. Proven ability to build strong relationships with patients and families while providing compassionate care. Offers strong task prioritization and organizational skills. Seasoned practical with expertise in rehab, dementia, medical surgical, hospice care. Work effectively within interdisciplinary teams to develop, implement and adjust interventions. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Travel Nurse
Various Staffing Agencies
Colorado
03.2003 - 01.2020
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Documented all elements of care and updated patient charts and confidential files to reflect changes in care plans, interventions applied, and observations.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
Nursing Unit Manager
Lifecare Of Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
01.2019 - 11.2019
- Developed and distributed nursing assignments for approximately 60 employees that outlined individual and group tasks.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
- Created customized care plans, working with hospital staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
- Inventoried medications, supplies and equipment and distributed stock to patients.
- Scheduled surgeries, managed pre-certifications and verified insurance coverage.
- Evaluated and monitored care and services throughout shift to improve quality levels.
- Onboarded new employees through orientation meetings and training sessions before deployment to different departments.
Interim Assistant Director of Nursing
Frontline Management Pueblo Villa
Pueblo, CO
07.2017 - 09.2018
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Ordered all pharmacy supplies and kept check on inventory levels.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
- Created customized care plans, working with hospital staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
- Established and monitored infection control programs to provide safe, sanitary environment to prevent transmission of disease and infection.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
MDS Coordinator
Living Communities, MDS CoordinatorCHRISTIAN
Denver, CO
05.2017 - 07.2017
- Built complex data analysis reports and provided timely feedback to stakeholders.
- Managed system for secure storage, transmission and manipulation of clinical data.
- Assessed electronic medical record for required documentation to support MDS coding.
- Verified prompt and accurate completion of MDS activities for billing.
- Reviewed missing assessment reports and analyzed issues for leadership team.
- Participated in quality assurance reviews to verify accuracy and reliability of data.
LPN Charge
LIVING COMMUNITIES CLERMONT PARK
Denver, CO
03.2017 - 07.2017
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Promoted patient independence by teaching self-care skills and explaining conditions and medications.
- Analyzed patient assessments and laboratory data to bring any issues to attention of physicians.
- Maintained and promoted autonomy and rights of patients to provide protection and enforce dignity and respect.
LPN Charge Nurse
Accel At Golden Ridge
600 Golden Ridge Road Golden Co 80401
01.2017 - 07.2017
- Assisted in coordinating transfers, discharges and admissions to establish smooth transition of patients.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Managed daily staff assignments and patient scheduling to guarantee clinic coverage and flow.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to establish proper patient care and provide education to patients and family members.
- Provided diagnosis information, treatment possibilities, disease management tips and wound care advice to patients, loved ones and caregivers.
- Documented patient care plans and progress to enable tracking history and maintain updated records.
Charge Licensed Practical Nurse
Frontline Management Pueblo Villa
Pueblo, CO
08.2015 - 03.2016
- Assisted in coordinating transfers, discharges and admissions to establish smooth transition of patients.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Managed daily staff assignments and patient scheduling to guarantee clinic coverage and flow.
- Maintained and promoted autonomy and rights of patients to provide protection and enforce dignity and respect.
Adult Day Center Manager
InnovAge Colorado PACE - Pueblo
Pueblo, CO
02.2012 - 08.2015
- Conduct and administer fiscal operations of multimillion-dollar budget, including accounting, planning of various interdepartmental budgets, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
- Successfully reduced overall expenditures in adult day health center for 2 fiscal years
- Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of day center CNA's, PCW's and other personnel, increased employee and participant satisfaction per satisfaction surveys conducted by third party company. Maintained communication with governing boards, medical staff, and department heads by attending board meetings and coordinating interdepartmental functioning.
- Direct or conduct recruitment, hiring and training of personnel for day center, home care skilled and non skilled as well as environmental services
- Establish work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space and equipment availability
- Monitored use of diagnostic services, inpatient beds at contracted facilities, and staff to ensure effective use of resources and assessed need for additional staff, equipment, and services.
- Developed and maintained computerized record management systems to store and process data such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports. Prepare activity reports to inform C- Suite of status and implementation plans of programs, services, and quality initiatives.
- Develop and implement organizational policies and procedures for facility and medical clinic.
- Consult with medical, business, and community groups to discuss service problems,respond to community needs, enhance public relations, coordinate activities and plans, and promote health programs
- Developed instructional materials and conduct in-service and community-based educational programs
- Developed or expanded and implemented medical programs or health services that promote research, rehabilitation, and community health
- Managed change in integrated health care delivery systems, such as work restructuring, technological innovations, and shifts in focus of care
- Covered in clinic and home care as needed collaborated on EMR databases,
- IT training and implementation
- Integral role in achieving level 3 Patient Centered Medical Center
Staff Development Nurse
The Center At Centennial
Colorado Springs, CO
11.2007 - 02.2012
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- 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.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Various Staffing Agencies
Colorado
03.1991 - 02.2003
- Upheld infection control and prevention policies across different patient-facing areas.
- Assisted nursing staff with completing daily rounds, documenting vital signs and answering calls.
- Delivered individualized patient care by recording vital signs, documenting observations, administering treatments, and evaluating patient needs.
- Helped patients complete range of motion exercises to prevent loss of function during care.
- Reduced risks of patient infection and cross-contamination by cleaning and sterilizing equipment.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy.
- Participated in fun group activities with patients to boost mood, improve overall memory, and provide light entertainment.
- Facilitated personal hygiene management, feeding and ambulation.
- Followed directions of licensed nurses to administer medications and treatments.
- Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
- Changed linens in rooms, keeping spaces fresh and clean for patient health and satisfaction.
- Transported patients between rooms and appointments or testing locations.
- Completed activities of daily living for patients unable to self-care, and assisted those with limited mobility in completing tasks.
- Observed patients under care conditions to help identify symptoms, responses to treatments and progress with goals.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
Education
Associate of Science - Practical Nursing
Skills
- Medication Administration
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Treatment Plan Modification
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Patient education and counseling
- Staff Management
- Project oversight
- Profit improvements
- Immunizations
- Drug utilization review
- Training and mentoring
- Team Building
- Pharmacy operations management
- Seasoned in medical clinical procedures
- Hiring and recruitment
Accomplishments
- Achieved 0 deficiencies from by Centers for Medicare/medicaid state surveys by completing all tasks as required within my role as assistant directer of nursing as well as the infection control supervisor/manager with accuracy and efficiency.
- Collaborated with team of 6 in the development and achievement of Medical Centered Home status.
Certification
geriatric certification
intravenous certification
Additional Information
Looking forward to re entering the field that I genuinely love and care for.
Currently was unemployed due to lack of confidence due to MS diagnosis 2019
although i was unemployed i did not stop utilizing my nursing skills i continued to care for clients through various programs within my home
i was a host home provider up until around 2022, then i opened a transitional care home. I am confident in my nursing skills , i am clinically stable and can handle the work load and maintain high nursing standards
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Nursing Unit Manager - Lifecare Of Colorado Springs
01.2019 - 11.2019
Interim Assistant Director of Nursing - Frontline Management Pueblo Villa
07.2017 - 09.2018
MDS Coordinator - Living Communities, MDS CoordinatorCHRISTIAN
05.2017 - 07.2017
LPN Charge - LIVING COMMUNITIES CLERMONT PARK
03.2017 - 07.2017
LPN Charge Nurse - Accel At Golden Ridge
01.2017 - 07.2017
Charge Licensed Practical Nurse - Frontline Management Pueblo Villa
08.2015 - 03.2016
Adult Day Center Manager - InnovAge Colorado PACE - Pueblo
02.2012 - 08.2015
Staff Development Nurse - The Center At Centennial
11.2007 - 02.2012
Travel Nurse - Various Staffing Agencies
03.2003 - 01.2020
Certified Nursing Assistant - Various Staffing Agencies
03.1991 - 02.2003
TH Pickens - Associate of Science, Practical Nursing