Debra Jenkins
SLU Hospital
St Louis,MO
38
years of professional experience
Professional nurse with extensive experience in pre-admission testing. Strong focus on patient care, clinical assessment, and procedural preparation. Known for seamless collaboration within multidisciplinary teams and adaptability to changing healthcare needs. Adept at critical thinking, patient education, and maintaining high standards of care.
Work History
Pre Admission Testing RN
2 Years 3 Months- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments to ensure readiness for surgical procedures.
- Coordinated pre-operative testing schedules, optimizing workflow and minimizing patient wait times.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for patients.
- Reduced procedure cancellations by identifying potential issues during the pre-admission testing process.
- Promoted a positive work environment through effective collaboration with colleagues and maintaining open lines of communication among team members.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing thorough pre-admission assessments and addressing concerns promptly.
- Increased accuracy of patient records by meticulously verifying medical history, allergies, and medication lists.
- Demonstrated strong clinical judgment when evaluating patients for potential risks or complications related to anesthesia or surgery.
- Provided empathetic support to anxious patients, easing their concerns and establishing trust throughout the pre-admission process.
- Educated families on available resources and support systems.
- Expedited scheduling processes by coordinating appointments efficiently between multiple departments involved in the pre-operative planning phase.
- Reviewed patient histories and complaints to assess current health status.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
Operating Room RN
2 Years 6 Months- Coordinated patient care and surgical procedures in high-pressure operating room environment.
- Monitored vital signs, administered medications, and documented patient status during surgeries.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to ensure efficient workflow and optimal patient outcomes.
- Implemented infection control measures, resulting in reduced post-operative complications.
- Assisted surgeons in complex procedures, anticipating their needs and providing necessary support.
- Streamlined communication between surgical team members, ensuring accurate information exchange during critical moments.
- Promoted a culture of safety and continuous improvement by actively participating in staff meetings, debriefings, and educational sessions.
- Served as a liaison between patients'' families and medical staff, providing timely updates on surgery progress and outcomes.
- Enhanced patient safety by meticulously following aseptic techniques and surgical protocols.
- Managed inventory of medical supplies, ensuring adequate stock levels for smooth operation of the OR suite.
- Provided compassionate preoperative care for patients, addressing their concerns and alleviating anxiety.
- Developed strong relationships with interdisciplinary team members to foster a collaborative work environment.
- Applied strong attention-to-detail when performing instrument counts before and after surgeries, reducing potential risks associated with retained foreign objects.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and a clean and safe environment.
- Coordinated with surgeons and staff to deliver safe patient care during operations.
- Collected, labeled, and transported specimens and delivered them to the lab for testing.
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during procedures.
- Assisted physicians in operating room by providing necessary supplies and equipment.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of the patient.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
RN Team Leader, Inpatient Rehab
2 Years 6 Months- Administered patient care plans to enhance recovery outcomes and ensure compliance with rehabilitation protocols.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized treatment strategies for diverse patient populations.
- Mentored junior nursing staff on best practices in rehabilitation techniques and patient management strategies.
- Evaluated patient progress and adjusted care plans based on clinical assessments and feedback from therapy sessions.
- Educated patients and families about rehabilitation processes, fostering understanding and promoting adherence to treatment plans.
- Oversaw documentation accuracy in electronic health records, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating communication among care providers.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates through thorough discharge planning and patient education.
- Completed detailed assessments of new admissions, identifying specific rehabilitation needs for each patient.
- Facilitated communication between patients, families, and medical professionals to ensure that all parties were informed of treatment goals and progress.
- Assessed patients'' needs and provided appropriate interventions, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment.
- Advocated for the specific needs of individual patients within an interdisciplinary team setting, optimizing treatment plans based on unique circumstances.
- Educated patients on self-care techniques and post-discharge home management strategies to promote long-term success in recovery.
- Monitored vital signs, administered medications, and documented patients'' progress to maintain accurate records for medical staff review.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during challenging times, fostering trust and rapport with the healthcare team.
- Provided specialized instruction on adaptive equipment usage to maximize independence for patients following discharge.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
Administrative Assistant
1 Year 6 Months- Managed daily office operations, ensuring efficient workflow and timely communication among departments.
- Implemented innovative solutions to address operational challenges, driving continuous improvement within the department.
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information by adhering to strict privacy policies.
- Delivered excellent customer service through prompt responses to client inquiries, addressing concerns effectively, and building strong relationships.
- Coordinated office supply inventory management, proactively ordering necessary items before depletion to avoid workflow disruptions.
- Collaborated on special projects as assigned by leadership, contributing research findings or coordinating event logistics as needed for success.
- Enhanced office environment, organizing spaces for better workflow and employee comfort.
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
Gallery Director
2 Years 8 Months- Research artists and artwork for potential exhibit opportunities in 4 galleries with 4 separate mission statements.
- Organized and documented 400-piece permanent collection of artworks at STLCC-Florissant Valley, preserving 50 years of cultural heritage.
- Curated diverse art exhibitions showcasing local and national artists to enhance community engagement.
- Developed educational programming, workshops, and artist talks to foster audience interaction and learning.
- Collaborated with faculty to integrate art initiatives into academic curriculum, enhancing student exposure to contemporary practices.
- Managed gallery operations, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation for successful exhibition execution.
- Managed budgets for exhibitions, events, or promotions by carefully monitoring expenses and maximizing resources.
- Supervised staff, providing training and guidance to ensure consistent high-quality performance.
- Managed gallery operations, ensuring smooth daily functioning and excellent customer service.
- Curated diverse exhibitions to engage a wide audience and showcase various art styles.
- Organized successful opening receptions with attention to detail, creating memorable experiences for attendees.
- Collaborated with artists on exhibition planning, installation layout, and promotional materials for cohesive presentation.
- Managed office and gallery supplies inventories and placed reorders to maintain predetermined stock levels.
- Moved and handled various types of artwork with exceptional care.
- Received, photographed, cataloged, researched and prepared objects for display.
Staff RN
6 Years 1 Month- Lead RN for Healthcare Screenings and Flu Shot Clinics in various cities in MO, IL and MI
- Prepared screening environments to ensure efficient patient flow
- Collected blood samples and conducted on-site tests to provide immediate results
- Discussed side effects and obtained consent to administer Flu Shots
- Advised clients on test results, ensuring understanding and addressing concerns
- Data entry of results
RN, ICU
12 Years 7 MonthsBurn ICU RN
1 Year 11 MonthsEducation
Bachelor of Arts - Photography with Minor in Art History
Associate of Arts - Illustration
RN degree - Nursing
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Skills
ICU patient care
Clinical judgment
Discharge planning
Patient education
HIPAA compliance
Patient confidentiality
Medical team collaboration
Collaboration
Family meeting facilitation
Cultural competence
Compassion and empathy
Relationship building
Timeline
Pre Admission Testing RN
SLU Hospital
05.2024 - CurrentRead More
Operating Room RN
St Luke's/Des Peres Hospital
10.2021 - 04.2024Read More
RN Team Leader, Inpatient Rehab
Christian Hospital NE
04.2019 - 10.2021Read More
Administrative Assistant
St Louis Community College
10.2017 - 04.2019Read More
Gallery Director
St Louis Community College
09.2015 - 05.2018Read More
Staff RN
Healthy Achievers
06.2008 - 07.2014Read More
RN, ICU
Children's Hospital
05.1990 - 12.2002Read More
Burn ICU RN
University of Chicago Medical Center
05.1988 - 04.1990Read More
Kendall College of Art And Design
Bachelor of Arts from Photography with Minor in Art History
Read More
St Louis Community College
Associate of Arts from Illustration
Read More
St John's School of Nursing
RN degree from Nursing
Read More
St Benedictine University
Associate of Arts from General Studies
Read More