Carol Mercer
Hamden,OH
Summary
Dedicated nurse specializing in wound prevention and management, utilizing advanced techniques to enhance patient healing outcomes and promote self-management.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Hand Hygiene Observer
Holzer Health System
Gallipolis, OH
05.2024 - Current
- Monitor for hand hygiene compliance
- Complete Monthly Hand Hygiene Compliance Audits
- Provide Education to team members of the 5 moments for hand hygiene
Registered Nurse III Case Manager
Holzer Health System Wound Care Center
Gallipolis, Oh
12.2022 - Current
- Educate patients and caregivers on proper at-home wound care, promoting self-management and reducing complications.
- Use of Braden Risk Assessment tool
- Use of Wagner Classification Scale for diabetic foot ulcers
- Assessment of wounds using wound assessment tool and imaging.
- Performing Ankle Brachial Pressure Index
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives focused on enhancing overall wound care services within the facility.
- Equip patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained healing.
- Educated patients and families on proper wound care techniques and post-treatment self-management strategies.
- Provide exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Enhance patient healing rates by developing personalized wound care plans based on individual assessments.
- Manage patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Assisted physicians in performing complex debridement procedures, ensuring optimal patient safety and comfort during the process.
- Streamline case documentation procedures, reducing processing time and increasing efficiency.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Provide patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained healing
- Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
- Use first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Conduct comprehensive wound assessments to identify proper intervention strategies, optimizing patient outcomes.
- Facilitate wound healing with application of advanced wound care products and techniques, tailored to each patient's needs.
- Train new staff on best practices in case management and patient interaction protocols.
- Conduct regular audits of wound care processes to ensure compliance with best practices.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate wound care best practices into patient treatment plans.
- Contribute to wound care research studies, providing valuable clinical insights and helping to advance field of wound management.
- Observe and document patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Select cost-effective treatment options without compromising quality of care.
- Monitor wound care supply inventory management, ensuring availability of necessary materials without excess waste.
- Implement care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Follow all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Home Health Registered Nurse Case Manager
Holzer Health System
Gallipolis, OH
04.2013 - 12.2022
- Educated patients and families on disease management, medication adherence, and preventative care measures.
- Educated patients and families on disease processes, medications and treatments.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Educated patients and families on health management techniques, promoting adherence to treatment protocols.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, prevention strategies, and self-care techniques.
- Provided direct patient care, including medication administration and wound management.
- Provided complex wound treatments such as wound vac placement to LVAD (left ventricular assisted device) site and necrotizing fasciitis in the groin.
- Performed skilled nursing procedures such as IV insertion, catheterization, blood draw, tracheostomy care efficiently while maintaining strict infection control measures.
- Traveled to patients' homes on daily basis to assess health conditions and provide superior level of nursing care.
- Managed complex case loads while prioritizing tasks to meet diverse patient needs efficiently.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Educated patients on use and benefits of equipment such as home blood pressure cuffs, continuous glucose monitors, glucometer and INR self test monitor.
- Collaborated with vendors to procure medical equipment, supplies and services.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Monitored vital signs, developed and implemented care plans, and documented patient progress.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Coordinated with other healthcare team members to support patient needs.
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living to promote independence.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by closely monitoring patients'' conditions and addressing potential complications early on.
- Coordinated patient care plans with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive service delivery.
- Assessed patient health status through detailed evaluations and developed individualized treatment strategies.
- Monitored patient progress and adjusted care plans based on ongoing assessments and feedback.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Mentored junior nurses, providing guidance on best practices and clinical procedures for optimal patient outcomes.
- Implemented effective pain management strategies to promote comfort and improve overall well-being for patients experiencing chronic or acute pain symptoms.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Holzer Health System
Gallipolis, OH
11.2008 - 04.2013
- Administered medications and treatments following established protocols to ensure patient safety and compliance.
- Managed complex wound care, including dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, and collaborating with wound care specialists as needed.
- Managed caseload of patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, treatments, IV therapy, and wound care.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by implementing evidence-based discharge planning and coordinating follow-up appointments.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Educated patients and family members on disease processes, treatment options, and self-care techniques.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to physicians, enhancing patient care quality and timely interventions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Educated patients and families on post-discharge care, fostering understanding and adherence to treatment plans.
- 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.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with compassionate, personalized nursing care tailored to each individuals needs.
- Mentored new staff members and nursing students, fostering a supportive learning environment within the unit.
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Effectively managed acute pain symptoms by administering medications as prescribed while monitoring for potential side effects.
- Contributed to successful Joint Commission accreditation through strict adherence to policies and procedures.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
Clinical Instructor - Adult Program
Buckeye Hills Career Center
Rio Grande, OH
07.2011 - 01.2012
- Mentored students in clinical settings, fostering critical thinking and patient care competencies.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, ensuring alignment with educational standards.
- Fostered a culture of safety within the learning environment by emphasizing proper use of equipment, infection control measures, and patient privacy guidelines.
- Provided immediate and constructive feedback to students individually and as group.
- Supervised students during clinical rotations, providing immediate feedback on their performance and suggesting areas for improvement when necessary.
- Instructed students on how to perform head-to-toe assessments on patients and how to intervene in medical emergencies.
- Improved student performance with regular assessments and feedback on their clinical skills and knowledge.
- Enhanced student understanding of the nursing profession by sharing personal experiences, insights, and challenges faced within various healthcare settings.
Registered Nurse
Edgewood Manor Nursing Home
Wellston, OH
10.2008 - 11.2008
- Implemented infection control protocols to enhance safety and reduce hospital-acquired infections.
- Provided ordered wound care
- Administered medications and monitored patient vital signs to ensure optimal care delivery.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Advocated for patient needs by effectively communicating with healthcare providers and family members.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Chillicothe Nursing Rehab Center
Chillicothe, OH
10.2006 - 07.2007
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by healthcare providers.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Delivered wound care and managed dressings, preventing infections and promoting healing.
- Maintained a safe and therapeutic environment for patients through effective risk assessment and crisis intervention strategies.
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Monitored patient vital signs, documenting changes and reporting abnormalities to nursing staff.
- Educated patients and families on post-treatment care, promoting adherence to health regimens.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive patient care services.
Licensed Practical Nurse, Behavioral Health
Psychiatric Solutions
Logan, OH
03.2005 - 10.2006
- Assisted in calming patients using recognized best practice techniques with help from assistants and registered nurse
- Established rapport with patients, fostering trust and encouraging engagement in the therapeutic process.
- Utilized de-escalation techniques effectively to manage crisis situations while maintaining a safe environment for all involved parties.
- Administered medications and assessed side effects, successes, and failures of new medications.
- Decreased medication errors by diligently reviewing orders, monitoring side effects, and educating patients on their medications.
- Assisted with group therapy sessions for patients, promoting self-awareness and effective coping strategies.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH06-2008
Certificate - Licensed Practical Nursing
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH06-2004
Certificate - Accounting And Computing
Tri-County Joint Vocational School
Nelsonville08-1994
High School Diploma -
Nelsonville-York High School
Nelsonville, OH05-1991
Certificate - Office Assistant
Tri-County Joint Vocational School
Nelsonville, OH05-1991
Skills
- Wound prevention and offloading techniques
- Negative pressure therapy: Traditional wound vac and Pico application
- Wound assessment and selection of dressings
- Total contact cast application
- Ankle Brachial Pressure Index
- Compression therapy
- Ostomy management
- Staple and suture removal
Certification
- Registered Nurse Licensure - October, 2008
- Licensed Practical Nurse Licensure- January, 2005
- CPR / AED/ First-Aid - September, 2024
- Certificate of Competency Skin Perfusion Pressure
- Certificate of Competency Pressure Assessment and Redistribution
- Certificate of Initial Wound Care Nurse Competency
- Certificate of Completion of Annual Wound Care Competencies
- Department of Education 1 year Adult Education Permit
Timeline
Hand Hygiene Observer
Holzer Health System
05.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse III Case Manager
Holzer Health System Wound Care Center
12.2022 - Current
Home Health Registered Nurse Case Manager
Holzer Health System
04.2013 - 12.2022
Clinical Instructor - Adult Program
Buckeye Hills Career Center
07.2011 - 01.2012
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Holzer Health System
11.2008 - 04.2013
Registered Nurse
Edgewood Manor Nursing Home
10.2008 - 11.2008
Licensed Practical Nurse
Chillicothe Nursing Rehab Center
10.2006 - 07.2007
Licensed Practical Nurse, Behavioral Health
Psychiatric Solutions
03.2005 - 10.2006
Associate of Science - Nursing
Hocking College
Certificate - Licensed Practical Nursing
Hocking College
Certificate - Accounting And Computing
Tri-County Joint Vocational School
High School Diploma -
Nelsonville-York High School
Certificate - Office Assistant
Tri-County Joint Vocational School
Current Computer Programs
I-Heal Healogics Electronic Medical Record
Athena
Microsoft Word
Excel