DANA J. THOMAS
Decatur,IL
Summary
To secure a position where I can apply my passion, exceptional skills, and experience to achieve the patients’, colleagues', and hospital’s success. I am highly motivated, adaptable, dependable, and able to work in challenging settings.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Travel Nurse Contractor
Shiftkey & Eshyft
Decatur , IL
01.2022 - Current
- Responsibilities include caring for residents serving in all the capacities of a Registered Nurse in skilled care facilities throughout the Central Illinois area.
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
HSHS St. Mary's Hospital
Decatur, IL
10.2023 - 04.2024
- Performed initial assessment and ongoing focused assessments of patients in the Emergency Department, including vital signs and medical history.
- Provided patient care according to established standards and protocols.
- Educated patients and families about health maintenance and disease prevention.
- Utilized evidence-based practice guidelines for appropriate nursing interventions.
- Administered medications, intravenous fluids, treatments, and other therapies as prescribed by physicians.
- Monitored cardiac rhythm strips and titrated vasoactive medications as ordered by physicians.
- Supported physicians during trauma resuscitations in the Emergency Department.
- Maintained accurate records of all assessments, treatments, medications administered, and other pertinent information related to patient's care.
- Responded quickly to life-threatening situations utilizing advanced emergency skills.
- Provided emotional support for patients and their families during times of stress.
Nurse Case Manager
HSHS St. Mary's Hospital
Decatur, Illinois
09.2017 - 08.2020
- Furloughed due to impact of COVID 19. Responsibilities include acting as a liaison working with patient/family and physician to determine next level of care
- Coordinating the transition from inpatient care to post-hospital care, working with pre- and post- hospital providers to ensure responsive and appropriate care is provided post-discharge
- Evaluating effectiveness of plans of care to ensure the progression toward desired patient outcomes
- Initiating interventions for patients and families identified from a proactive initial admission assessment, as well as through referrals from members of the healthcare team
- Initiating timely referrals to other healthcare team members (quality improvement, risk manager, social workers, physicians, Home Services, etc.) Performing case management activities of assessment, coordination, planning, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation
- Interacting with clients, caregivers and families to assess, plan care, arrange services, monitor, and provide support and education
- Providing oversight of acute setting plan of care to ensure coordination and completion of services to meet post-hospitalization needs
- Assessing patients for post discharge needs
- Attending daily white board rounds
- Arranging DME, Home Care, Hospice, ECF Placement, and Transportation
- Delivering Observation Notification letters to patients who are observation when needed.
Restorative Nurse, Care Plan Coordinator
Vonderlieth Living Center
Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, L.P.N.
02.2017 - 10.2017
- Responsibilities include improving resident care by creating quality restorative nursing programs, MDS charting, and educating and assisting CNA’s and residents with their restorative programs
- Creating quality individualized care plans for residents, and leading care plan conference meetings with residents, families, and other departments in my facility
- Inservicing new and current employees on “Happy to Oblige,” customer service programs and policies.
Admissions/Marketing/Customer Experience Director
Symphony of Lincoln
Lincoln, Illinois
04.2015 - 02.2017
- Responsibilities included caring for residents serving in all of the capacities of a licensed practical nurse of a skilled care facility
- Screening all referral information of potential admissions to the facility and giving tours to potential incoming guests and family members
- On call, 24-7 access to the facility, guests, and family members for any nursing customer service needs
- Liaison to the Lincoln, IL community on behalf of the facility
- Weekly & daily census tracking and reports, market metrics, data entry, insurance authorizations, marketing needs, and event planning for all Symphony of Lincoln events.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Medical Staffing Network
Decatur, Illinois
06.2013 - 11.2015
- Responsibilities included caring for residents serving in all the capacities of a licensed practical nurse in skilled care facilities in the central Illinois area.
LPN
Fairhavens Christian Home
Decatur, IL
03.2009 - 10.2014
- Responsibilities included caring for residents and assisting them with activities of daily living while functioning in the facility as a certified nursing aid from, 2009-2011, and serving in all the capacities of a licensed practical nurse in the facility from 2011-2014.
Materials Handler
Caterpillar Incorporated
Decatur, Illinois
09.2006 - 03.2007
- Responsibilities included data entry, operation of sit-down and stand-up forklift trucks and storing of materials.
Health Unit Coordinator
St. Mary’s Hospital
Decatur, Illinois
04.2003 - 09.2005
- Responsibilities included serving as the unit clerk for the Advanced Rehabilitation Unit, answering multi-line phones and patient call lights, entering physician’s and nurses' orders into computer systems and charts, extensive filing, faxing, and copying, and customer service of the nurses’ station.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Illinois State University
Normal, IL12-2025
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Richland Community College
Decatur, IL12.2022
Associate of Arts -
Richland Community College
Decatur, IL12.2021
Restorative Nursing Certification Attained - Nursing
Pathway Healthcare
09.2013
LPN Certification - Nursing
Richland Community College
Decatur, IL05.2011
High School Diploma -
Macarthur High School
Decatur, IL05.2000
ACLS, BLS, and PALS Certifications
Skills
- Emergency Care
- Case Management
- Intake and Discharge
- Relationship Building
- Award Winning Customer Service
- Unit Administration
- Staff Development and Precepting
- Patient Care and Education
- Planning and Coordination
- Data Management
- Work Ethic
- Conflict resolution
- Team building
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
- Data Evaluation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Home Health Care
- Hospice Care
Additional Information
- AWARDS: EnRich Outstanding Graduate, Richland Community College, ISU LEAD award, Illinois State University, Census Belt, Symphony Post Acute Network, Regional Customer Service Award, Symphony Post Acute Network
- ACCREDIDATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
references
Rebekah Zuniga RN, MSN
Director of EnRich Healthcare
Richland Community College
Decatur, IL
217-875-7211 ext. 6272
rzuniga@richland.edu
Sharon Reed RN
Emergency Department Charge Nurse and Preceptor
HSHS St. Mary's Hospital
Decatur, IL
217-853-7198
sharon.reed@hshs.org
Dr. Isaac Zuniga
Vice President of Student Success
Richland Community College
Decatur, IL
217-875-7211 ext. 6253
izuniga@richland.edu
Terrence Taylor
Essential Skills Facilitator
Richland Community College
Decatur, IL
217-875-7211 ext. 6678
tataylor@richland.edu
Sara Cothern LCSW
Social Worker/Project Manager
Heritage Behavioral Health
Decatur, IL
217-520-1875
sarakate@lovelltroy.org
Professor A.D. Carson
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
217-520-2737
aydeecarson@virginia.edu
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
HSHS St. Mary's Hospital
10.2023 - 04.2024
Travel Nurse Contractor
Shiftkey & Eshyft
01.2022 - Current
Nurse Case Manager
HSHS St. Mary's Hospital
09.2017 - 08.2020
Restorative Nurse, Care Plan Coordinator
Vonderlieth Living Center
02.2017 - 10.2017
Admissions/Marketing/Customer Experience Director
Symphony of Lincoln
04.2015 - 02.2017
Licensed Practical Nurse
Medical Staffing Network
06.2013 - 11.2015
LPN
Fairhavens Christian Home
03.2009 - 10.2014
Materials Handler
Caterpillar Incorporated
09.2006 - 03.2007
Health Unit Coordinator
St. Mary’s Hospital
04.2003 - 09.2005
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Illinois State University
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Richland Community College
Associate of Arts -
Richland Community College
Restorative Nursing Certification Attained - Nursing
Pathway Healthcare
LPN Certification - Nursing
Richland Community College
High School Diploma -
Macarthur High School
ACLS, BLS, and PALS Certifications
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