Christopher Cummins
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse with 6 years of experience in emergency and hospice care, supplemented by a background in healthcare administration. Known for maintaining composure in high-stress situations, demonstrating a calm and level-headed demeanor. Exceptional verbal communication skills, coupled with a touch of humor, enable the development of strong relationships with patients, their families, and colleagues alike. Seeking a challenging role to further expand knowledge and expertise.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PRN/on Call Registered Nurse
Divinity Hospice
01.2019 - Current
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill patients while offering emotional support to their loved ones during challenging times.
- Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to fluctuating staffing needs as an on-call nurse while maintaining high-quality standards of care provision.
- Provided expert clinical guidance during emergencies, applying critical thinking skills to ensure favorable outcomes.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of current nursing interventions by monitoring patient progress closely throughout their stay in the facility.
- Cultivated trusting relationships with patients through active listening, empathetic responses, and personalized care approaches.
- Advocated for patients'' rights by ensuring their input was considered in treatment decisions and care planning processes.
- Responded to incoming calls from patient, family member or caregiver for after-hours medical services and gathered information to address inquiry or concern and ascertain need to conduct in-person nursing visit.
- Streamlined the patient admission process by efficiently gathering relevant information while maintaining empathy and compassion.
- Documented visit notes, treatments and care in consultation with interdisciplinary team to confirm complete and accurate physician orders that covered care and visits provided.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement appropriate care plans for diverse patient populations.
- Informed, instructed and educated patient, family and caregivers in proper care and verified understanding of follow up instructions.
- Traveled to patient home and facilities to review, set-up and administer medications within established plan of care.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Conducted patient admissions and discharges as assigned and completed assessments and reassessments to support care continuum.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
ER Nurse
Baylor Scott & White
07.2017 - Current
- Reduced risk of infections by adhering to strict infection control protocols during procedures such as IV insertion and wound care.
- Increased efficiency in documentation by utilizing electronic medical record systems for thorough and accurate recordkeeping.
- Assisted physicians during procedures such as intubation or central line placements while ensuring the highest level of patient safety and comfort.
- Maintained appropriate supplies and equipment within the emergency department by regularly monitoring inventory levels, restocking as needed, and notifying management of any shortages or discrepancies.
- Supported new nurses'' integration into the emergency department through preceptorship roles, offering guidance, feedback, and support for professional development.
- Elevated overall quality of care within the ER through participation in ongoing performance improvement initiatives such as root cause analysis or peer review processes.
- Promoted teamwork among nursing colleagues through effective collaboration, communication, and mutual support during high-pressure situations.
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' primary care providers by facilitating timely communication about their emergency visits, treatment plans, and follow-up care requirements.
- Served as a reliable resource for colleagues seeking advice on complex cases or best practices within the emergency department setting.
- Contributed to hospital-wide quality improvement initiatives by participating in committees focused on enhancing patient safety and care standards.
- Prevented medication errors by diligently verifying patient information, medication orders, dosages, routes of administration, and potential interactions before administering medications.
- Promoted a culture of excellence in nursing practice by continuously seeking opportunities for personal growth, learning from colleagues, and sharing knowledge with fellow emergency department professionals.
- Continuously expanded clinical knowledge base through ongoing education opportunities such as workshops, conferences, certifications, or advanced degrees related to emergency nursing practice.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing timely and accurate assessments, triage, and intervention in high-stress emergency situations.
- Provided emergency care for patients suffering from stroke, cardiac incidents and trauma, and sepsis episodes.
Charge Capture Analyst
Seton Medical Center
04.2014 - 08.2015
- Review patient electronic medical record for appropriate charges and enter into billing software
- Conduct audits to ensure nurse charge documentation is complete at discharge from assigned departments
- Reconcile daily reports compared to actual charges, codes and documentation
- Collaborate with managed care department to code billable items for reimbursement
- Maintain reports to track lost revenue due to improper clinical documentation.
Patient Access Representative/Financial Counselor/Team Lead
University Medical Center Brackenridge Emergency Room
04.2008 - 04.2014
- Created unit assignments and delegated tasks as team lead
- Obtained demographic, insurance, and financial information from patient or guarantor at bedside
- Verified insurance eligibility and screened uninsured patients for financial assistance
- Processed payments and applied appropriate financial assistance programs for qualified uninsured patients
- Ensured medical necessity compliance by obtaining patient data and communicating information to patient
- Communicated with physicians, ancillary departments, nursing units, physicians' office staff, insurance companies, as well as patients and their families.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas05.2017
Bachelor of Healthcare Administration -
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas05.2007
Skills
- Basic Life Support
- Vital signs monitoring
- Clinical judgment
- Compassionate Care
- IV Insertion
- Healthcare regulations
- Medication and IV administration
- Attention to Detail
- Compassionate and Caring
- Critical Thinking
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Patient and family advocacy
- Patient Condition Monitoring
Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
- Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
Timeline
PRN/on Call Registered Nurse
Divinity Hospice
01.2019 - Current
ER Nurse
Baylor Scott & White
07.2017 - Current
Charge Capture Analyst
Seton Medical Center
04.2014 - 08.2015
Patient Access Representative/Financial Counselor/Team Lead
University Medical Center Brackenridge Emergency Room
04.2008 - 04.2014
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Texas State University
Bachelor of Healthcare Administration -
Texas State University
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