Dorcas W. Kiaraho
Houston
Summary
Compassionate, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with expertise in assessing and treating chronically and acutely mentally ill adult patients. Proven ability to deliver effective medication management and care coordination, ensuring comprehensive support tailored to individual needs. Over 12 years of experience in acute nursing care demonstrates a strong commitment to serving diverse and challenging populations, fostering an environment of trust and healing. Dedicated to enhancing patient outcomes through a holistic approach and collaborative care strategies.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
1
1
PMHNP_BC
Work History
Case Manager
United Healthcare
01.2025 - Current
- Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
- Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
- Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
- Facilitated individual and group sessions to promote positive behavior change for clients.
- Assessed community needs and identified resources for social and community service programs.
Registered Nurse Clinical Triage and Coordinator
Kelsey Seybold Clinic
10.2022 - 02.2024
- Coordinate and report department activities to ensure availability of appropriate clinical and support staff for patient care
- Triage patients by reviewing symptoms and advising on the best treatment plan to facilitate patient care while minimizing the impact on the healthcare system.
- Relay triage information and facilitate communication between provider and patient concerning patient disposition.
- Follow all personal and health data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches effectively.
- Precept new nurses, guiding unit functions and individual roles, clinic policies and procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Closely collaborate with the management team to make necessary improvements and satisfy patient needs.
- Investigate and report issues relating to patient care or conditions that might hinder patient well-being.
- Maintain excellent communication with leadership and department manager.
- Train a team of staff nurses and medical assistants in medical clinic procedures to ensure consistent quality care
- Oversee clinical and support staff (16) in patient care activities while maintaining high staff morale and professionalism.
- Attend quarterly managerial meetings and report progress, growth, and challenges.
Staff Nurse
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
06.2016 - 03.2022
- Float nurse in Medical-Surgical, acute observation, oncology, and acute rehabilitation units.
- Assessed patients’ physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status.
- Educated patients, families, and caregivers on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans for optimal outcomes.
- Participated in hospital committees to recommend quality improvement initiatives.
- Coordinated discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Collaborated with healthcare team members to plan, implement, and enhance treatment strategies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development, and nursing simulation activities.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
Staff Nurse
Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
04.2014 - 08.2016
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Educated patients, families, and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans for optimal outcomes.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists, and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement, and enhance treatment strategies.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Performed frequent life-support equipment checks and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physical medical regimens.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection
- Provided skilled, timely, and level-headed emergency response to critically ill patients.
Field Nurse
Applied Home Healthcare
08.2014 - 06.2015
- Implemented home health care procedures by employer guidelines.
- Coordinated efforts with licensed vocational nurses, home health aides, and physical and occupational therapists for optimal patient care.
- Assessed the psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Educated patients, families, and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches effectively.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement, and enhance treatment strategies.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX12.2018
Associate Degree - Nursing
San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX05.2014
Master of Science - Nursing
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN02-2025
Skills
- Trauma recovery
- Patient and family advocacy
- Strong clinical judgment
- Preventive health
- EMR / EHR
- Chronic disease management
- Individualized Treatment Plans
- Quality Improvement Plan
- Epic Charting
- Telephonic Triage
- Case management
- Patient support
- Individualized counseling
- Case needs assessment
- Client assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Group therapy
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Family education
- Patient needs assessment
- Team collaboration
- Flexible and adaptable
- Substance abuse treatment
- Evidence-based practice
- Diagnostic evaluation
- Family therapy
- Eating disorder treatment
- Active listening
- Time management abilities
- Patient-focused therapy
- Disorder diagnosis
- Cultural Competency
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Health promotion
- Behavior evaluation
- Medication management
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Professionalism
Certification
- CRRN - Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse
- BLS-Basic Life Support
- ACLS-Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Languages
English
Full Professional
Swahili
Full Professional
Timeline
Case Manager
United Healthcare
01.2025 - Current
Registered Nurse Clinical Triage and Coordinator
Kelsey Seybold Clinic
10.2022 - 02.2024
Staff Nurse
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
06.2016 - 03.2022
Field Nurse
Applied Home Healthcare
08.2014 - 06.2015
Staff Nurse
Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
04.2014 - 08.2016
Associate Degree - Nursing
San Jacinto Community College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Texas at Arlington
Master of Science - Nursing
Walden University
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