DEANNA STARKS
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history (15 years as LPN) in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Hardworking and committed to delivering best patient care through effective education and skilled clinical care. Proven to be focused on increasing and enhancing patient care and satisfaction.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Independent Provider Licensed Practical Nurse
OH Medicare
06.2020 - Current
- Skilled care with experience provided for client with C4 spinal cord injury
- Head to toe assessments
- Bowel program includes administering suppositories, digital stem, and visceral mobility
- Supra pubic Catheter care
- Utilization with cough assist d/t spinal cord injury
- Utilized universal precautions and infection control principles in all aspects of care.
- Administered medications in accordance with doctor's instructions.
- Provided direct personal care and administrative services to clients.
- Transported clients for medical and personal outings.
- Turned and positioned bedbound patients to prevent bedsores and maintain comfort levels, wound care as directed for pressure Ulcers .
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness (including Hygiene, passive Range of Motion (ROM), medical administration).
- Maintained clean personal areas and prepared healthy meals to support client nutritional needs.
- Cleaned house, ran errands, managed laundry, and completed weekly grocery shopping.
- Built strong relationship with client to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Protected client privacy by adhering strictly to HIPAA guidelines throughout all aspects of service provision.
- Demonstrated adaptability by providing care for diverse clientele with varying medical conditions and functional abilities.
- Assisted clients in maintaining a clean and safe living environment, contributing to an improved quality of life.
- Developed strong rapport with clients and their families, fostering trust and open communication.
- Ensured timely administration of medications, contributing to optimal health outcomes for clients.
- Improved clients'' overall well-being through dedicated assistance with activities of daily living.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing personalized and attentive care to each individual.
Licensed Practical Nurse, Triage
Hospice of The Western Reserve
08.2018 - Current
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by addressing concerns, answering questions, and providing emotional support.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing timely and accurate telephone triage services.
- Reduced medication errors through diligent caregiver and patient education.
- Reduced emergency room visits by effectively assessing patient symptoms and recommending appropriate care plans.
- Supported efficient clinic operations by managing high call volumes and prioritizing urgent cases appropriately.
- Ensured compliance with established protocols and guidelines for telephone triage nursing practice, providing accurate information to patients.
- Provided empathetic support to patients dealing with sensitive health issues, maintaining a compassionate tone throughout each conversation.
- Managed crisis situations calmly and professionally, coordinating prompt intervention from appropriate medical staff when necessary.
- Ensured patient safety by following established protocols for escalating concerning symptoms or situations to appropriate medical personnel.
- Refilled patient prescriptions in compliance with Ohio and federal laws and regulations to meet patient treatment plan recommendations.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Promoted patient safety by identifying potential hazards and implementing appropriate interventions.
- Streamlined the triage process by effectively prioritizing patients based on urgency and acuity of conditions.
- Increased efficiency in documenting patient information within electronic health record systems, ensuring accurate records for all patients.
- Coordinated efficient scheduling with other nursing staff members to ensure adequate coverage for patient needs.
- Served as a valuable resource for colleagues by sharing expertise and providing guidance on complex clinical situations.
- Counseled patients via telephone according to established guidelines and protocols, advising on provider-established plans of care.
- Obtained case history and gathered triage information to determine appropriate avenue for care.
- Performed additional clinic and non-triage nurse duties such as instructing patients in general and specific medical care and health issues and administering or dispensing medication and injections.
- Clearly and thoroughly explained diagnoses, treatment options and procedures to patients and loved ones, checking in to verify understanding.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families during challenging times.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Provided patient education on health care issues and prescribed medications.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Hospice of The Western Reserve
08.2017 - Current
- Continuous Care is a level of care that addresses pain, nausea, shortness of breath, or other hard to manage symptoms that may require more intense skilled care than can be managed at the patient's current residence without additional skilled nursing intervention
- When patient's are unable to transfer to one of our Inpatient Hospice units, or wish not to, the Extended Care Team and On Call Services will try to provide the best quality skilled care to patient's and their families in hopes to return patient to a comfortable baseline/status or during end of life.
- Skilled symptom and medication management
- Skilled observation and monitoring
- Head to toe assessments
- Caregiver teaching to enable the caregiver to provide skilled care on their own
- Education/support for end of life care
- Counseled families on advance directives and end-of-life decisions, facilitating thoughtful planning conversations around difficult topics.
- Conducted regular safety assessments within the home setting, addressing potential hazards that could impact patient wellbeing or caregiver safety measures.
- Able to work in all environments such as Skilled nursing Homes/units, GIP Hospice Houses (Three Locations in Northeast Ohio), Assisted Living Facilities, and Residence.
- Enhanced patient care by performing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams (Primary Team members, Medical Director's, and Nurse Practitioner's) to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by adhering to infection control protocols and maintaining accurate documentation of patient data.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Educated patients and families on health promotion, disease progression, and self-care management strategies.
- Maintained a safe and therapeutic environment for patients through effective risk assessment and crisis intervention strategies.
- Provided compassionate palliative care for terminally ill patients while supporting their emotional needs during end-of-life stages.
- Mentored and trained new nursing staff
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
- Delivered culturally competent care that respected diverse patient populations'' unique values, beliefs, and traditions.
- Coordinated patient transfers to other facilities.
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive care in a home hospice setting.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient observations, interventions, and outcomes in electronic medical records systems.
Private Licensed Practical Nurse and Caregiver
Cari Marshall
06.2014 - 08.2017
- Primary caregiver for 28 year old female with diagnosis of Crohn's Disease and intestinal organ transplant.
- Reduced patient anxiety by establishing trust through effective communication and active listening.
- Coordinated appointments for patients requiring specialist consultations or additional services outside the home setting.
- Maintained open availability to rotate through on-call periods, night shifts and weekend visits.
- Supported personal care needs, shopping for groceries, and cleaning house.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Transportation to Doctors or clinic appointments, procedures, hospitalizations, and any daily activities or errands needing to be done.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive care in a private setting.
- Traveled in and out of state.
- Medication management.
- Primed fluids, antibiotics, and TPN for client.
- Skilled with Central and PICC line care and dressing changes.
- Ostomy care.
- House keeping.
- Managed supplies inventory (Familiar with Edgepark Medical Supplies and Coram Healthcare).
- Strong advocate for client while admitted and inpatient at any hospital or ED visit.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Century Oak Care Center
07.2013 - 01.2015
- Efficient operation and supervision up to 32 patients per shift.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
- Streamlined nursing processes by implementing evidence-based practices that improved clinical workflow efficiency.
- Mentored new nursing staff to enhance professional development opportunities within the team dynamic.
- Demonstrated excellent technical skills in wound dressing changes, IV therapy administration, catheter insertion, and other routine nursing procedures.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Experience as a Float Charge Nurse in long term care and skilled nursing unit with IV certification.
- Medication administration, wound care and treatments
- Point Click Care software experience for charting
- Online laboratory Cerner experience for orders and results
- Online Absolute Pharmacy experience for medication inventory and distribution
- Admission and discharge of patients
- Educating residents and family members regarding disease process
- Delegating work tasks to State Tested Nursing Assistants along with coaching and supervision
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
Temporary Consultant
Ohio Clinical Trials
07.2013 - 01.2015
- Participation in phase 1-3 clinical trials for pharmaceutical studies, obtained time scheduled vitals and EKG tests and reported results to MD, collected survey results from subjects
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Assisted Healthcare Services
04.2012 - 11.2012
- Specialized in home care with ventilator dependent, quadriplegic patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/'Lou Gehrig's Disease')
- Experienced with Tracheostomy Care including trach stoma care, inner canula change, Normal Saline lavage's, clean oral/nasal/tracheal suctioning, administering nebulizer breathing treatments, cough assist machine.
- Experienced with Gastronomy Tube care including checking residuals, administering tube feedings, providing Gastronomy stoma care.
- Assisted in Activities od Daily Living (ADL) care including passive Range Of Motion (ROM) for upper/lower extremities, transfers with Hoyer Lift, medication administration, hygiene, skin care, maintaining medical inventory.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Annex Healthcare Providers, Inc.
04.2012 - 11.2012
- Specialized in home care with ventilator dependent, quadriplegic patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/'Lou Gehrig's Disease').
- Experienced with Tracheostomy Care including trach stoma care, clean oral/nasal/tracheal suctioning.
- Experienced with Gastronomy Tube care including checking residuals, administering tube feedings and medications, providing Gastronomy stoma care.
- Assisted in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care including passive Range of Motion (ROM) for upper/lower extremities, hygiene, skin care assessments.
Private Caregiver/Licensed Vocational Nurse
Mark A. Willits
06.2008 - 11.2012
- Primary caregiver for C2 Quadriplegic with ventilator dependency.
- Self-directed with astute judgment skills
- High level of personal accountability and responsible for all care while traveling with patient domestic and internationally.
- Tracheostomy care including oral/nasal/tracheal suctioning, complete trach change (inner/outer canula)
- Bowel programs including administering suppositories, digital stem, and visceral mobility
- Supra pubic Catheter Care
- Assisted with all Activities of Daily Living (ADL) including Hygiene, passive Range Of Motion (ROM)for upper/lower extremities, medical administration, maintaining medical supply inventory
Education
Associate's Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH05.2024
Licensed Vocational Nurse -
Concorde Career College
North Hollywood, CA01.2009
Skills
- Physical Assessment
- Health Education
- Care Plan Adherence
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Flexible schedule and availability
- Strong verbal, nonverbal, and personal communication skills
- Accuracy and Attention to detail
- Excellent prioritizing and organizational skills
- Professional bedside manner in homes and skilled facilities
- Patient Education
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Time management abilities
- Chronic Disease Management
Certification
- Basic Life support and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certified through American Heart Association Expiration 2026
License
PN-155816, 225413868151, 03/2024
Additional Information
Board member for Helderburg Hospice in South Africa who is partnered with Hospice of The Western Reserve
NPI- 1033745617
Independent provider OH Medicare
Timeline
Independent Provider Licensed Practical Nurse
OH Medicare
06.2020 - Current
Licensed Practical Nurse, Triage
Hospice of The Western Reserve
08.2018 - Current
Licensed Practical Nurse
Hospice of The Western Reserve
08.2017 - Current
Private Licensed Practical Nurse and Caregiver
Cari Marshall
06.2014 - 08.2017
Licensed Practical Nurse
Century Oak Care Center
07.2013 - 01.2015
Temporary Consultant
Ohio Clinical Trials
07.2013 - 01.2015
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Assisted Healthcare Services
04.2012 - 11.2012
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Annex Healthcare Providers, Inc.
04.2012 - 11.2012
Private Caregiver/Licensed Vocational Nurse
Mark A. Willits
06.2008 - 11.2012
Associate's Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Lorain County Community College
Licensed Vocational Nurse -
Concorde Career College