Barbara Brinkerhoff-Anslow
CLIFTON PARK,NY
Summary
Accomplished PACU Nurse proudly offering more than 20 years' expertise in the healthcare field. Strong capacity to work with physicians to develop successful patient care plans.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse-Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Bone & Joint Specialists
03.2021 - Current
- Prevented medication errors through diligent verification of orders and double-checking dosage calculations before administration.
- Reduced complications by consistently assessing post-operative patients for potential issues.
- Administered medications as prescribed, maintaining accurate documentation to ensure patient safety and adherence to protocols.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by providing empathetic support and addressing concerns or questions promptly.
- Demonstrated expertise in various types of surgeries such as orthopedic, cardiac, and neurological procedures, ensuring comprehensive post-operative care for diverse patient populations.
- Streamlined communication between surgical team members, facilitating efficient transitions of care from the operating room to the PACU.
- Enhanced patient recovery by closely monitoring vital signs and pain levels after surgery.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized patient care plans that resulted in improved outcomes.
- Continuously updated nursing skills through regular professional development opportunities, ensuring delivery of evidence-based care in the PACU setting.
- Promoted teamwork among nursing staff by sharing knowledge, providing guidance, and assisting colleagues when needed.
- Managed critical situations calmly and efficiently, stabilizing patients experiencing complications or adverse reactions after anesthesia administration.
- Participated in hospital-wide committees focused on safety, quality improvement, and staff education initiatives, contributing valuable insights from the PACU perspective.
- Prioritized high-risk patients for immediate attention upon arrival in the PACU, expediting interventions when necessary.
- Provided compassionate care to patients in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, ensuring a comfortable environment during their recovery process.
- Took vitals and assessed patients in recovery room following surgical procedures.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
Registered Nurse-Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Albany Medical Center Hospital
06.2017 - Current
- Prevented medication errors through diligent verification of orders and double-checking dosage calculations before administration.
- Reduced complications by consistently assessing post-operative patients for potential issues.
- Administered medications as prescribed, maintaining accurate documentation to ensure patient safety and adherence to protocols.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by providing empathetic support and addressing concerns or questions promptly.
- Maintained a high standard of ethical practice by respecting patient confidentiality and upholding nursing code of conduct guidelines.
- Maintained a safe and clean work area by adhering to infection control policies, reducing risks of crosscontamination.
- Demonstrated expertise in various types of surgeries such as orthopedic, cardiac, and neurological procedures, ensuring comprehensive post-operative care for diverse patient populations.
- Streamlined communication between surgical team members, facilitating efficient transitions of care from the operating room to the PACU.
- Enhanced patient recovery by closely monitoring vital signs and pain levels after surgery.
- Continuously updated nursing skills through regular professional development opportunities, ensuring delivery of evidence-based care in the PACU setting.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized patient care plans that resulted in improved outcomes.
- Managed critical situations calmly and efficiently, stabilizing patients experiencing complications or adverse reactions after anesthesia administration.
- Participated in hospital-wide committees focused on safety, quality improvement, and staff education initiatives, contributing valuable insights from the PACU perspective.
- Prioritized high-risk patients for immediate attention upon arrival in the PACU, expediting interventions when necessary.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
Registered Nurse-Residental
Wildwood
03.2013 - 05.2017
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
Registered Nurse-Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Albany Medical Center Hospital
01.2002 - 03.2012
- Prevented medication errors through diligent verification of orders and double-checking dosage calculations before administration.
- Reduced complications by consistently assessing post-operative patients for potential issues.
- Administered medications as prescribed, maintaining accurate documentation to ensure patient safety and adherence to protocols.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by providing empathetic support and addressing concerns or questions promptly.
- Demonstrated expertise in various types of surgeries such as orthopedic, cardiac, and neurological procedures, ensuring comprehensive post-operative care for diverse patient populations.
- Streamlined communication between surgical team members, facilitating efficient transitions of care from the operating room to the PACU.
- Enhanced patient recovery by closely monitoring vital signs and pain levels after surgery.
- Continuously updated nursing skills through regular professional development opportunities, ensuring delivery of evidence-based care in the PACU setting.
- Managed critical situations calmly and efficiently, stabilizing patients experiencing complications or adverse reactions after anesthesia administration.
- Participated in hospital-wide committees focused on safety, quality improvement, and staff education initiatives, contributing valuable insights from the PACU perspective.
- Prioritized high-risk patients for immediate attention upon arrival in the PACU, expediting interventions when necessary.
- Educated patients and families on postoperative care practices, promoting understanding and adherence to instructions.
- Provided compassionate care to patients in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, ensuring a comfortable environment during their recovery process.
- Evaluated patients' pain levels, implementing correct dosage of medication to alleviate discomfort.
- Kept meticulous charting notes regarding patient assessments and medications, later transferring information into records management system.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Albany Medical Center Hospital
05.1999 - 01.2002
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
- Consistently maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Skillfully performed venipuncture, IV insertion, and catheterizations, ensuring proper technique and adherence to infection control standards.
- Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families through active listening, empathy, and clear communication during challenging situations.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Managed complex wound care, including dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, and collaborating with wound care specialists as needed.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Demonstrated flexibility in managing multiple priorities concurrently during high-stress periods while maintaining a calm demeanor.
- Implemented fall prevention strategies to minimize patient injuries and promote a safe environment within the medical-surgical unit.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Monitored hemodynamic variances to identify signs of life-threatening complications.
- Performed intravenous therapy procedures and monitored chest tubes.
- Managed patient pain relief and sedation by providing non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
Patient Care Technician
Albany Medical Center Hospital
11.1997 - 05.1999
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to nursing staff, ensuring timely medical interventions when necessary.
- 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.
- Assisted nurses with essential tasks, streamlining workflow and increasing efficiency in the healthcare setting.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Maria College of Albany
Albany, NY05.1999
Skills
- Basic Life Support
- Vital signs monitoring
- Airway Management
- IV Insertion
- Discharge Planning
- Emotional Support
- Patient recovery assessments
- Anesthesia recovery
- Patient Education
- Pain Management
- Direct Patient Care
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Infection Control
Timeline
Registered Nurse-Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Bone & Joint Specialists
03.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse-Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Albany Medical Center Hospital
06.2017 - Current
Registered Nurse-Residental
Wildwood
03.2013 - 05.2017
Registered Nurse-Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Albany Medical Center Hospital
01.2002 - 03.2012
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Albany Medical Center Hospital
05.1999 - 01.2002
Patient Care Technician
Albany Medical Center Hospital
11.1997 - 05.1999
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Maria College of Albany
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