Cerissa Sifka
Latham,NY
Summary
Experienced with patient care, including administering medications and monitoring vital signs. Utilizes strong communication and interpersonal skills to foster positive patient relationships and efficient team collaboration. Track record of providing compassionate and attentive care, ensuring patient comfort and safety. Knowledgeable LPN with deep understanding of patient care and medical procedures. Successfully managed diverse patient needs in various healthcare settings, ensuring high-quality care and patient satisfaction. Demonstrated strong communication and problem-solving skills while working collaboratively with healthcare teams. Skilled Licensed Practical Nurse offering 20+ years of experience in the field. Knowledgeable about assisting with non-invasive procedures and performing respiratory treatments. Strong documentation skills and a firm grasp of compliance requirements.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Lpn
Albany Med Urology
06.2019 - Current
- Supported physicians during examinations and scans to assist with diagnostic procedures.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Applied interpersonal communication skills to comfort and counsel patients and families throughout care process.
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments and assisted with procedures.
- Educated clients, patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Educated patients on post-operative care, enhancing recovery through informed practices.
- Monitored patient vital signs, assessing conditions to ensure timely interventions.
- Administered medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders and established protocols.
- Assisted in the preparation of surgical instruments and patient positioning during procedures.
- Trained and mentored junior nursing staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Implemented infection control measures, maintaining compliance with health regulations and standards.
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Demonstrated excellent technical skills in wound dressing changes, IV therapy administration, catheter insertion, and other routine nursing procedures.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Adapted quickly to changing patient needs, adjusting care plans accordingly to ensure optimal outcomes in diverse clinical scenarios.
- Educated patients and families on health promotion, disease prevention, and self-care management strategies.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic testing and procedural support for optimal treatment decisions.
- Delivered culturally competent care that respected diverse patient populations'' unique values, beliefs, and traditions.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by consistently delivering high-quality nursing care tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
- Advocated for patients' needs and preferences with healthcare providers, fostering patient-centered care.
- Assisted in minor surgical procedures, enhancing patient comfort and supporting surgical team efficiency.
- Reviewed patient history to verify conditions and current medications.
- Assisted in urological procedures, preparing instruments and maintaining sterile environments.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Eddy Village Green at Cohoes
06.2014 - 07.2025
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and patient care plans.
- Monitored vital signs, recognizing changes in patient conditions to ensure timely interventions.
- Collaborated with nursing staff and physicians to develop individualized care plans for residents.
- Assisted in supervision and training of junior nursing staff, enhancing team performance and efficiency.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Maintained a safe and therapeutic environment for patients through effective risk assessment and crisis intervention strategies.
- Administered medications to ensure adherence to treatment plans, improving health outcomes.
- Delivered wound care and managed dressings, preventing infections and promoting healing.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Treated patients with chronic and acute health problems such as MI, arrhythmias, asthma, COPD and pneumonia.
- Ensured HIPAA compliance.
- Followed infection control procedures.
- Monitored fluid intake and output levels.
- Measured urine and delivered specimens to lab.
- Provided all daily living tasks to enhance quality of life for elderly patients
- Experience with various medical conditions including Parkinson's, Dementia, Diabetes, Cancer, Alzheimer's and Paget's disease.
- Collected tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing.
- Maintained all confidential personnel files, license and CPR compliance records.
- Tested and recorded blood glucose levels.
- Responded appropriately to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of patients.
- Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse.
- Performed vitals/glucose testing and assisted in administering injections and urinalysis.
- Managed caseload of 20 clients, providing education, treatments, and wound care.
- Experience with various medical conditions including Parkinson's, Dementia, Diabetes, Cancer, Alzheimer's and Paget's disease.
- Took and recorded patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
- Provided patient education.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Helped patients complete bathing, dressing and eating.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Protected patients and healthcare team members from infection by sterilizing equipment and reusable supplies.
- Delivered culturally competent care that respected diverse patient populations'' unique values, beliefs, and traditions.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Monitored patient reactions to medications and treatments, quickly addressing adverse reactions.
- Circulated assigned floor to measure and record patients' fluid and food levels, implementing measures to promote healthy intake and output as necessary.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Marjorie Doyle Rockwell center
06.2015 - 06.2019
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments and assisted with procedures.
- Collected biological samples for laboratory tests.
- Educated clients, patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Input medical histories, symptoms and vital statistics as part of the intake process.
- Applied interpersonal communication skills to comfort and counsel patients and their families throughout the care process.
- Provided all daily living tasks to enhance quality of life for elderly patients.
- Ensured safety and well-being of patients.
- Documented patient information obtained from interviews.
- Analyzed patient and family feedback to identify opportunities for staff recognition as well as areas for improvement.
- Managed caseload of 20 clients, providing education, treatments, IV therapy, venipuncture and wound care.
- Maintained all confidential personnel files, license and CPR compliance records.
- Provided patient education.
- Evaluated patient care needs, prioritized treatment, and maintained patient flow.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Ordered and read lab tests, x-rays, MRIs, Ultrasounds, and EKGs.
- Performed vitals/glucose testing and assisted in administering injections and urinalysis.
- Provided behavioral/emotional support and supervision for those with dementia and Alzheimer's.
- Completed all daily living tasks to enhance the quality of life of elderly patients.
- Accurately recorded and reported test results according to established procedures.
- Took and recorded patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
- Assisted residents with bathing, dressing, feeding, lifting and transferring.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Albany County Nursing Home
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Supervise Certified Nurses Aides on unit
- Chronic patient care , adeptly handling all aspects of treatment from medication to wound care to monitoring for 20-40 patients per shift.
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Ensured HIPAA compliance.
- Followed infection control procedures.
- Assisted patients with daily functions.
- Monitored fluid intake and output levels.
- Provided all daily living tasks to enhance quality of life for elderly patients.
- Measured urine and delivered specimens to lab.
- Assisted residents with bathing, dressing, feeding, lifting and transferring.
- Experience with various medical conditions including Parkinson's, Dementia, Diabetes, Cancer, Alzheimer's and Paget's disease.
- Collected tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing.
- Maintained all confidential personnel files, license and CPR compliance records.
- Routinely retracted patient throat cultures and prepared for lab submission.
- Maintained accurate records of patient care, condition, progress and concerns.
- Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse.
- Responded appropriately to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of patients.
- Tested and recorded blood glucose levels.
- Changed sterile dressings.
- Obtained information about clients' medical history, drug history, complaints and allergies.
- Provided pre- and post-operative care.
- Assisted in cleansing enemas, catheterization and bladder irrigations.
- Followed safe lifting techniques and individual resident lifting instructions.
- Transported patients to other areas of the nursing in wheelchairs and gurneys.
- Assisted patients with ambulation and crutch walking.
- Assisted with patient transfer and ambulation.
- Maintained a clean, healthy and safe environment.
- Assisted patients with bathing, oral hygiene, grooming, feeding and elimination.
- Answered patient calls for care and feeding.
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and muscular dystrophy.
- Assisted nurses with wound care for pressure ulcers, bed sores, and surgical site wounds.
- Supported diagnostic procedures, assisted with technical nursing treatments and entered information in patient records and charts.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Teresian House Center for the Elderly
05.2005 - 10.2015
- Assist residents taking medications prescribed by MD
- Call MD about abnormal labs
- Supervise Certified Nurses Aides on unit
- Transcribe orders by MD
- Fill out lab requisitions
- Take vital signs
- Monitor residents
- Performed lab tests and communicated results.
- Ensured HIPAA compliance.
- Treated patients with chronic and acute health problems such as MI, arrhythmias, asthma, COPD and pneumonia.
- Followed infection control procedures.
- Assisted patients with daily functions.
- Monitored fluid intake and output levels.
- Extensive experience working in homes with disabled adults.
- Measured urine and delivered specimens to lab.
- Provided all daily living tasks to enhance quality of life for elderly patients.
- Assisted residents with bathing, dressing, feeding, lifting and transferring.
- Experience with various medical conditions including Parkinson's, Dementia, Diabetes, Cancer, Alzheimer's
- Collected tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing.
- Maintained all confidential personnel files, license and CPR compliance records.
- Routinely retracted patient throat cultures and prepared for lab submission.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Albany county nursing home
04.2000 - 05.2004
- Responded appropriately to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of patients.
- Maintained sanitary residents' and program rooms.
- Answered patient calls for care and feeding.
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and muscular dystrophy.
- Maintained accurate records of patient care, condition, progress and concerns.
- Followed safe lifting techniques and individual resident lifting instructions.
- Transported patients to other areas of the hospital in wheelchairs and gurneys.
- Helped residents programming goals and increase their independence.
- Assisted nurses with wound care for pressure ulcers, bed sores, and surgical site wounds.
- Maintained a clean, healthy and safe environment.
- Assisted patients with ambulation and crutch walking.
- Reported any unusual circumstances in the patients' condition or environment.
- Collects patient specimens and data, including vital signs, input/output and other delegated measurements.
- Answered call lights and aided in patient comfort and safety by adjusting beds, lights, bed rails, pillows, patients' clothing and bedside tables/equipment.
- Performed direct patient care aimed at increasing comfort, psycho, social and spiritual well-being by providing assistance with personal hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, rehabilitation and safety.
- Assisted with patient transfer and ambulation.
- Scheduled and accompanied clients to medical appointments.
- Helped patients move in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs and automobiles.
- Assisted patients with bathing, oral hygiene, grooming, feeding and elimination.
- Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse.
- Took advantage of opportunities for continuing education, quality assurance and performance improvement activities.
- Provided a comforting and soothing environment.
- Member in good standing with Nurse Aide Registry.
- Administered daily personal care and hygiene needs for residents, ensuring comfort and dignity.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Excelsior College
Albany, NY08-2025
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing
BOCES
Albany, NY2001
Skills
- Proper catheter insertion/removal
- Foley catheter insertion/removal familiarity
- Tracheotomy care
- Professional bedside manner
- Clinical judgment
- Catheter care
- Patient triaging
- Transcribing orders
- Staff supervision
- Outpatient care
- Preoperative care
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Responsible and dependable
- Adaptable and flexible
- Direct patient care
Timeline
Lpn
Albany Med Urology
06.2019 - Current
Licensed Practical Nurse
Marjorie Doyle Rockwell center
06.2015 - 06.2019
Licensed Practical Nurse
Albany County Nursing Home
06.2015 - 06.2018
Licensed Practical Nurse
Eddy Village Green at Cohoes
06.2014 - 07.2025
Licensed Practical Nurse
Teresian House Center for the Elderly
05.2005 - 10.2015
Certified Nursing Assistant
Albany county nursing home
04.2000 - 05.2004
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Excelsior College
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing
BOCES
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