Deborah Ford
Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care
Jonesville,NC
29
years of professional experience
Compassionate hospice and palliative care nurse with deep experience supporting patients and families through end-of-life care. Skilled in patient assessment, medication reconciliation, EMR/EHR documentation, and interdisciplinary coordination with physicians, social workers, chaplains, and aides. Focused on improving comfort, confidence, and care continuity.
Work History
Registered Nurse
12 Years 2 Months- Administered symptom management interventions, including pain control, comfort measures, and medication reconciliation.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary care with physicians, social workers, chaplains, and aides to support patient goals.
- Provided comprehensive hospice and palliative nursing assessments, updating individualized care plans for changing patient needs.
- Educated families on end-of-life expectations, medication use, and home care techniques to improve confidence.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
Registered Nurse
6 Months- Triaged urgent patient concerns, prioritizing interventions and communicating status changes to care team members.
- Supported admissions, recertifications, and discharges by completing timely assessments and required nursing documentation.
- Supported admissions and discharges by completing timely assessments and required nursing documentation.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Documented visits, clinical changes, and care updates accurately in electronic health records.
Registered Nurse
6 Years 6 Months- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Used firsthand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Supported admissions, recertifications, and discharges by completing timely assessments and required nursing documentation.
Development Assistant
4 Years 6 Months- Managed sample tracking, expediting communication between design, sourcing, and production teams.
- Reviewed color, texture, and performance submissions for compliance with development requirements.
- Coordinated product development documentation, ensuring accurate revisions across fabric specifications and approvals.
- Maintained development records, organizing lab dips, strike-offs, and technical comments for quick retrieval.
Trainer Coordinator
5 Years 7 Months- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Skills
Clinical documentation
Patient evaluation
Strong clinical judgment
Palliative care
Case management
Documentation and charting
EMR / EHR
Independent practice
Family advocacy
Autonomous work
Relationship building
Compassion and empathy
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care
08.2014 - CurrentRead More
Registered Nurse
Novant Health, Forsyth Medical Center
01.2014 - 07.2014Read More
Registered Nurse
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital
07.2007 - 01.2014Read More
Development Assistant
Interface Fabrics
01.2002 - 07.2006Read More
Trainer Coordinator
Interface Fabrics
06.1997 - 01.2003Read More
Surry Community College
Associate Degree in Nursing from Nursing
Read More