CATHERINE AJERO
Houston,Texas
Summary
A proficient and knowledgeable registered nurse with 16 years of extensive experience in diverse clinical settings, including critical care, acute care, ambulatory care, and telemedicine; currently seeking a per diem opportunity that offers flexibility while allowing continued contributions to high-quality patient care and ongoing professional development.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
After Hours Triage / Telehealth RN
Kelsey-Seybold Pearland Administrative Office Building
Pearland, Texas
01.2015 - Current
- Renders telephone advice to all patient members of the entire Kelsey-Seybold organization which encompass multi-specialty care centers, a cancer center, women’s health center and ambulatory surgery center locations
- Responsible for gathering history and symptoms from patients to determine scope of medical complaints and communicates triage information to primary care team to discuss disposition
- Answers incoming patient calls and acts as a liaison between their physicians and/or other healthcare facilities
- Utilizes the nursing process and protocols to accurately document all of the patient’s relevant information into their medical record using EPIC software
- Assesses the patient and based upon triage guidelines, will offer appropriate options for care
- Facilitates referrals to primary care providers, specialists, healthcare facilities, and community resources
- Appropriately facilitates communication with providers and healthcare organizations
- Performs ASC (Ambulatory Surgery Center) pre-op medical screening phone interviews with patients scheduled for GI diagnostic outpatient procedures such as Colonoscopies, Upper Endoscopies/EGDs, PEG tube placements
- Coordinates general management of care to non-hospitalized patients with acute COVID-19
Peri/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit RN
Texas Children’s Hospital
Houston, Texas
10.2018 - 08.2019
- Provided post-anesthesia care of patients following operative and invasive procedures by maintaining a thorough and complete record of each patient’s recovery process (e.g., documenting vital signs every 15 minutes, managing post-operative pain levels effectively)
- Properly relayed all discharge instructions and AVS (After Visit Summary) guidelines (written by the surgical team) to patients and their family members present at bedside
- Assessed patients in pre-op (e.g., documented vital signs suitable for surgery, carefully reviewed the patient's history, started peripheral IVs, administered pre-op medications ordered by Anesthesia)
- Safely discharged patients from the facility in a timely manner by utilizing the policies and criteria defined by the hospital’s Same-Day-Surgery PACU and Anesthesia team of staff
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit RN
Texas Children’s Hospital
Katy, Texas
02.2017 - 10.2018
- Provided safe and competent care for critically ill pediatric patients during emergent situations/bedside procedures (e.g., intubations, codes, conscious sedation, central line/chest tube insertions)
- Closely monitored and recognized clinical changes in patient status, while notifying the critical care provider team for swift interventions (e.g., patients who are in DKA, on multiple pressors/drips, have changes in mental status)
- Managed the care for patients with acute respiratory failure who require noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation or conventional mechanical ventilation
- Established professional and respectful rapport with other healthcare team members to provide positive patient outcomes
- Communicated changes and current plan of care with patients and their families to build a trusting relationship during high stress situations
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit RN
Texas Children’s Hospital
Houston, Texas
05.2014 - 12.2014
- Provided nursing care to post-op cardiac surgery (e.g., corrective/palliative surgeries to repair Congenital Heart Defects, open heart transplant, open chest due to delayed sternal closure) and heart failure patients, whose ages range from neonate to adult
- Managed the care for patients with intracardiac lines (e.g., LA, RA, and PA lines), gastrostomy/nasogastric tubes, chest tubes, tracheostomy tubes/collars, peripheral/central line catheters (e.g., PICC, Port-a-Cath, CVC), arterial lines, and surgical drains
- Assisted respiratory therapy with the management of patients requiring the use of mechanical ventilation (utilizing frequent in-line suctioning), high-flow nasal cannula oxygenation, and CPAP
- Managed and monitors the hemodynamics of patients who are on various critical-care continuous drips (e.g., inotropes, vasodilators, narcotics)
- Provided intensive nursing interventions to patients who require ECMO, implantable LVADs (e.g., HeartMate, Berlin, Impella), peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis (e.g., CRRT)
Pulmonary Adolescent Endocrine Unit / Pediatric RN
Texas Children’s Hospital
Houston, Texas
09.2012 - 05.2014
- Provided nursing care to acutely and chronically ill pediatric (infancy to young adult) patients (e.g., Cystic Fibrosis, Pre/Post Lung Transplant, Bronchiolitis, Pneumonia, Asthma, New Onset IDDM with DKA complications, Sickle Cell Crisis, Malnutrition/Eating Disorders)
- Cared for patients with gastrostomy tubes, chest tubes, tracheostomy tubes/collars, central line catheters (e.g., PICC, Port-a-Cath, CVC), and surgical drains
- Coordinated the care for patients with respiratory management needs (e.g., the use of high-flow nasal cannula oxygenation, BIPAP, CPAP, and frequent deep suctioning utilizing sterile technique)
Intermediate Care, Critical Care Staff RN II
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
Houston, Texas
01.2011 - 09.2012
- Provided critical care for patients requiring constant cardiac and respiratory monitoring
- Cared for patients who are in kidney failure by performing peritoneal dialysis through manual exchanges and the use of a continuous cycler machine
- Responsible for the administration and calculation of critical care drugs (e.g., continuous intravenous (IV) medications/drips, including those that are titratable)
- Worked collaboratively with multidisciplinary healthcare staff and family members to discuss and identify patient-specific treatment needs
Intermediate Care Unit/Neurology RN
Bayshore Medical Center
Pasadena, Texas
05.2010 - 01.2011
- Coordinated the care of the adult, geriatric, and neurologically impaired patient experiencing severe, but usually non-life threatening problems requiring moderately complex assessments, moderately intensive therapies and interventions
- Provided individualized patient/family education customized to the adult or geriatric patient
- Assisted in emergency resuscitative measures according to adult resuscitation and advanced life support protocols
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Texas Tech University – Health Sciences
12.2010
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
HCC – Coleman College for Health Sciences
05.2009
Skills
- Experienced Telehealth RN to multi-specialty patients that include but are not limited to Primary Care, Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Cardiology, OBGYN, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, GI, Endocrine, Ambulatory Surgery
- Critical Care and Chronic Disease Management
- Infection Control and Prevention Measures
- Intravenous/Infusion Therapy
- Nurse Preceptor
- Computer Skills: EPIC, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams
Certification
- Texas Board of Nursing RN License #778019 – Issue date: 12/2009 ∙ Renewal date: 11/2026
- American Heart Association BLS Certification – Issue date: 9/2024 ∙ Renewal date: 9/2026
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Peri/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit RN
Texas Children’s Hospital
10.2018 - 08.2019
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit RN
Texas Children’s Hospital
02.2017 - 10.2018
After Hours Triage / Telehealth RN
Kelsey-Seybold Pearland Administrative Office Building
01.2015 - Current
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit RN
Texas Children’s Hospital
05.2014 - 12.2014
Pulmonary Adolescent Endocrine Unit / Pediatric RN
Texas Children’s Hospital
09.2012 - 05.2014
Intermediate Care, Critical Care Staff RN II
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
01.2011 - 09.2012
Intermediate Care Unit/Neurology RN
Bayshore Medical Center
05.2010 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Texas Tech University – Health Sciences
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
HCC – Coleman College for Health Sciences
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