Christina Phelps
Lynchburg,VA
Summary
Dynamic and adaptable Surgical Assistant with a proven track record at CVOFS, enhancing surgical efficiency and patient care through exceptional organizational skills and compassionate communication. Excelled in cross-functional teamwork and problem-solving, contributing to a significant reduction in surgery times. Demonstrated commitment to professional development and mentorship, embodying reliability and professionalism.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Surgical Assistant
CVOFS
Lynchburg, VA
02.2019 - Current
- Organized and labeled surgical tools, facilitating quick access during procedures.
- Documented patient information accurately for medical records, ensuring compliance.
- Provided post-operative care for patients to ensure smooth recovery.
- Prepared patients for surgery by positioning and draping, promoting comfort.
- Supported surgeons during operations by anticipating needs and providing assistance.
- Provided compassionate care to patients throughout their surgical experience, easing anxiety and ensuring comfort.
- Arranged supplies and instrumentation to meet needs of individual surgeons and enhance team efficiency.
- Kept views unobstructed by retracting, sponging, and suctioning surgical sites.
- Assisted in complex surgical procedures, demonstrating adaptability and knowledge across multiple disciplines.
- Contributed to successful surgeries, anticipating surgeon needs and promptly delivering instruments.
- Protected patients from infection by setting up and managing sterile operating fields.
- Paid close attention to operating procedures for adherence to established surgical techniques.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing precise surgical assistance during various procedures.
- Continually updated professional skills, staying abreast of the latest surgical techniques and technologies.
- Maintained accurate documentation of all surgical activities for record-keeping purposes and quality control analysis.
- Ensured adherence to regulatory standards by following established guidelines for infection control, waste disposal, and equipment usage.
- Provided mentorship to new Surgical Assistants in order to maintain high levels of competency within the team.
- Actively participated in daily debriefings for improved team coordination and ongoing development of best practices in the workplace.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between surgeries with efficient room turnover times.
- Participated in pre-operative consultations, offering vital input on patient conditions and surgical approach.
- Enhanced surgical efficiency with diligent preparation and organization of operating rooms.
- Contributed to significant reduction in surgery times by efficiently organizing operating rooms for optimal workflow.
- Played key role in patient education, explaining pre- and post-operative care procedures to enhance understanding and compliance.
- Enhanced team collaboration by providing timely and effective communication between surgeons and nursing staff.
- Facilitated patient recovery by closely monitoring vital signs and addressing any concerns promptly.
- Increased patient satisfaction with compassionate post-operative care and thorough follow-up instructions.
- Supported surgical teams in emergency situations, quickly adapting to unexpected complications and maintaining composure.
- Assisted with transfer of patients from recovery room to operating room, providing care and support.
- Monitored patient vital signs, reporting changes to surgeon for further investigation.
- Provided preoperative and postoperative education to patients and families to manage recovery.
Blazing Hot Tan
Assistant Manager
Lynchburg, VA
01.2003 - 01.2024
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Dental Assistant/ Hygiene Assistant
Forest Dental Center
Lynchburg, VA
06.2012 - 01.2019
- Utilized intraoral cameras to document patient conditions for treatment planning.
- Performed fluoride treatments, enhancing patient tooth strength and decay resistance.
- Used digital radiography software to capture and analyze dental images for diagnostics.
- Operated sterilization equipment to maintain hygiene and compliance standards.
- Prepared examination rooms by setting up instruments and materials.
- Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
- Maintained a clean and sterile work environment to prevent cross-contamination and infection.
- Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
- Provided chairside assistance during examinations, improving dentist efficiency and patient satisfaction.
- Performed x-rays safely while adhering to radiation safety guidelines, ensuring high-quality diagnostic images for dentists'' evaluations.
- Prepared and arranged instruments, medications, and required materials for dental procedures.
- Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
- Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
- Assisted dentists with complex procedures, ensuring optimal patient care and treatment outcomes.
- Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
- Explained treatment procedures and instructed patients on home care guidelines.
- Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
- Managed inventory of dental supplies, reducing waste and optimizing resource allocation.
- Prepared instruments and equipment for use in dental procedures, ensuring their availability when needed.
- Maintained dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels and placing and expediting orders for supplies.
- Prepared patient x-rays and images for dentist review.
- Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
- Recorded patients' health histories, documented current symptoms, and pulled up records from prior visits for dentists to view and evaluate.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, promoting long-term dental health.
- Increased patient retention by building rapport through excellent communication skills and a friendly demeanor.
- Contributed to office organization by maintaining accurate patient records and updating files regularly.
- Collaborated with the dental team to develop customized treatment plans for individual patients.
- Streamlined appointment scheduling, reducing wait times and enhancing patient satisfaction.
- Contributed to clinic's reputation for excellence by consistently receiving positive patient feedback.
- Enhanced team productivity by providing timely assistance during complex dental procedures.
- Contributed to comfortable patient experience, offering reassurance and support throughout treatments.
- Streamlined digital x-ray processing, reducing wait time for diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Assisted in emergency dental procedures, providing critical support in high-pressure situations.
- Supported dental procedures, ensuring efficient operation and patient satisfaction.
- Enhanced patient comfort by carefully explaining procedures and addressing concerns prior to treatments.
- Improved dental procedure outcomes with accurate preparation of filling and crown materials.
- Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings, Type, casts and impressions.
- Educated patients on dental hygiene, pre-surgical instructions and post-surgical care.
- Measured and recorded vital statistics by taking patients' blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
- Managed hygienist schedules with calendaring software to maintain steady patient flow.
- Prepared procedure rooms and tray setups for hygienists and doctors before starting dental procedures.
- Adhered to confidentiality laws established by State and federal government regarding HIPAA.
- Provided excellent customer service to Type and Type people through positive patient relations and explanation of dental procedures.
- Complied with OSHA and corporate safety policies and standards.
- Arranged and organized dental equipment and instrumentation according to guidelines established by ADA.
- Reviewed patient charts upon arrival and prepared procedure room based on unique customer needs.
- Implemented effective infection control protocols throughout the office environment, ensuring a safe space for both staff and patients alike.
- Facilitated communication between patients and providers in a clear and professional manner, improving overall understanding of treatment plans.
- Contributed to positive team dynamics through respectful collaboration with colleagues across all roles within the practice setting.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of dental hygiene assistance.
- Collaborated with practitioners to develop customized home care plans for patients, promoting long-term oral health success.
- Delivered compassionate care to patients with dental anxieties, fostering trust and easing tensions during appointments.
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail by accurately recording medical histories and updating patient files as needed.
Front End Supervisor/customer Service
Kroger
Lynchburg, VA
05.2000 - 04.2015
- Identified inefficiencies to propose actionable improvements for overall workflow.
- Led training initiatives, enhancing employee skills and confidence.
- Addressed service gaps with targeted initiatives to exceed customer expectations.
- Cultivated cohesive team environment by providing clear direction and support.
- Developed contingency plans with team to address potential disruptions.
- Established open lines of communication with team for feedback and suggestions.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Mentored junior staff members in their professional development by offering guidance/support in their assigned roles.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service.
- Collaborated with the management team to develop strategic plans for business growth and improvement.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various project tasks.
- Enforced company policies consistently while handling disciplinary actions when necessary with fairness and respect.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage during peak shopping hours without exceeding labor budgets.
- Improved customer satisfaction by resolving complaints and inquiries promptly.
- Oversaw daily operations to maintain store cleanliness and organization.
- Coached new employees, ensuring smooth onboarding process and quicker adaptation to their roles.
- Maintained compliance with health and safety regulations, ensuring safe environment for both staff and customers.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
- Facilitated clear communication between employees and upper management through regular meetings and updates.
Education
CPR Certified - BLS/ACLS/PALS
American Heart Association
01.2025
Certificate - Dental Radiation Safety
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA09.2012
Graduate Certificate - Medical Coding/billing
Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg, VA05.2009
Skills
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
- Effective communication
- Decision-making
- Task prioritization
- Stress tolerance
- Professionalism
- Time management abilities
- Adaptability
- Multitasking
- Goal setting
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Cross-functional collaboration
Timeline
Surgical Assistant
CVOFS
02.2019 - Current
Dental Assistant/ Hygiene Assistant
Forest Dental Center
06.2012 - 01.2019
Blazing Hot Tan
Assistant Manager
01.2003 - 01.2024
Front End Supervisor/customer Service
Kroger
05.2000 - 04.2015
CPR Certified - BLS/ACLS/PALS
American Heart Association
Certificate - Dental Radiation Safety
Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduate Certificate - Medical Coding/billing
Central Virginia Community College