Colleen O'Brien

Initially was hired as an ACT nurse.

• Built trust with patients through competent care practices tailored to individual needs.
• Ensured patient safety by closely monitoring behaviors, administering medications as prescribed.
• Collaborated proactively with psychiatrists to adjust treatment plans based on observed changes in symptoms or behavior patterns among patients.
• Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
• Promoted a therapeutic environment by establishing rapport, maintaining boundaries, and fostering open communication with patients and families.
• Administered medication and treatments to patients to observe and record responses.
• Enhanced treatment efficacy by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive mental health care.
• Mentored nursing students during clinical rotations, sharing knowledge and expertise while promoting their professional growth.
• Streamlined medication administration processes, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of medications to patients while minimizing risk for medication errors.
• Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of mental health nursing.

Nursing Services Supervisor starting Sept. 2013

• Ensured compliance with regulatory standards through regular audits of documentation, infection control practices, and safety protocols.
• Conducted regular performance evaluations of nursing staff members to identify areas requiring improvement and devise targeted action plans accordingly.
• Managed conflict resolution within the nursing team to foster a harmonious working environment that supports effective patient care delivery.
• Improved patient care by coordinating and supervising nursing staff and ensuring adherence to policies and procedures.
• Reduced medication errors with thorough training on proper medication administration techniques for staff members.
• Served as a liaison between administration and clinical staff to address concerns regarding workflow efficiency or policy implementation issues.
• Recruit, interview and recommend hiring of staff based on job description, required competencies and needs of the programs
• Orient, train and coach staff.
• Ensure all staff comply with ongoing training and education requirements

• Assign, coordinate and provide clinical oversight to ongoing program operations including day to day operations as well as providing immediate clinical support in high risk, or complex clinical decisions assuring timely, responsive services to all individuals/families served.

• Participate and provide program level leadership in program development, planning and implementation.

• Assure effective assignment and distribution of staff and other resources, including assignment of coverage during any staff absences or vacancies

• Assist staff in developing professional development plans that address enhanced growth and development as well as any current deficits.

• Provide coaching, corrective feedback and discipline as required.

• Consult with Program Administrator and Human Resources as needed.

• Assure bargaining agreements and personnel policies are followed in all personnel

• Assign, coordinate and provide clinical oversight to ongoing program operations including day to day operations as well as providing immediate clinical support in high risk, or complex clinical decisions assuring timely, responsive services to all individuals/families served.

• Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
• Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
• Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
• Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
• Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
• Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
• Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
• Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
• Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.