Cara L Stefanko

• Perform monthly comprehensive chronic care assessments on diverse population with multiple and complex co-morbidities, thoughtfully adjust plan of care as needed
• Assess wounds and prescribe treatment for healing
• Significantly reduce wound occurrence and wound healing through weekly wound rounds
• Perform routine annual physicals, and order risk based cancer screenings
• Manage chronic care conditions through lifestyle recommendations and pharmacologic interventions
• Assess and treat acute care conditions and exacerbations of chronic care conditions
• Listen adeptly to patient complaints to understand clinical picture develop plan of care
• Serve as passionate patient advocate
• Assist other staff in learning strong assessment skills and recognition of clinical conditions
• Manage population of 150 patients for both acute and chronic care needs
• Optimize patient outcomes by collaborating with interdisciplinary care teams
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to achieve best patient functionality and outcomes
• Manage end of life care with compassion
• Coordinate referrals to specialists and other healthcare providers, ensuring timely access to necessary care for patients.
• Thoughtfully educate patients on medication usage, potential side effects, and self-care techniques for optimal health management
• Mentor nursing students, offering guidance on best practices in patient care delivery.
• Develop strong rapport with patients, fostering trust and open communication in order to provide personalized care plans
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests to inform appropriate treatment plans

In a county corrections setting:

• Evaluated and managed care for population of 1400 patients
• Obtained detailed medical histories from difficult patient populations
• Managed drug and alcohol detox
• Oversaw medication-assisted therapy for opiate addiction
• Advocated for and coordinated off-site specialized care as needed
• Devised innovative alternatives in an environment with limited resources
• Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab and diagnostic tests
• Managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of a wide array of disorders and diseases
• Collaborated with supervising and specialist physicians to obtain best outcomes for patient care

Comprehensive physical assessments

• Used current evidence-based knowledge and skills in emergency care for the assessment, treatment, and disposition of acute and chronically ill and injured (e.g., physiologic, psychological, socio-economic, cultural) emergency patients.
• Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests.
• Referred to and consulted with physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Coordinated admissions and transfers in collaboration with the supervising attending physician.
• Performed digital nerve block and local infiltration anesthesia.
• Incised, drained, irrigated, and packed wounds.
• Performed closures (such as a single layer, multiple, staple, adhesive).
  

• Managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological and treatment of various acute and chronic disorders and diseases.
• Extensive experience with behavioral health disorders and overdose.
• Sound clinical judgment in chaotic and busy environments.
• Self-directed with astute judgment skills. High level of personal accountability.
• Liaised between patients and physicians to ensure patient comprehension of treatment plans.
• Demonstrated high standards of performance, including teamwork, communication and compassion.
• Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab tests.

• Managed care of Myocardial infarction in accordance with STEMI protocols and up-to-date evidence based research best practice protocols.
• Assisted invasive and and non-invasive procedures.
• Diagnosed and treated patients with chronic and acute health problems such as CHF, COPD, MI cardiac arrhythmias, pneumonia, electrolyte imbalances, kidney dysfunction and GI bleed.
• Closely monitored acute conditions