RACHAEL MCKNIGHT
FNP-C
Athens,GA
Summary
Highly motivated, board certified Family Nurse Practitioner, with 9 years of experience in hospice care . Self-directed and solutions-oriented with fantastic communication skills and a strong aptitude for patient education. Committed to increasing the quality of patient care through top-of-the-line time management and evidence-based practice. Broad clinical experience that allowed for application and integration of knowledge and skills acquired while attaining a Masters of Science in Nursing . Proven ability to use critical thinking skills, provide compassionate and patient focused care, keep calm under pressure, and work in a fast paced environments. Strong adherence to professional nursing standards and the nursing process to care for an array of patient populations. Proven ability to communicate and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to care for patients and communities.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Registered Nurse, Clinical Manager
Family Hospice
Athens, GA
01.2022 - Current
- Recruited for expertise in the field of hospice care to take the position of Registered Nurse Case Manager.
- Worked to establish, implement, and evaluate procedures, goals and objectives for hospice services that meet and promote the standards of quality care and the hospice philosophy.
- Works collaboratively with the Hospice Medical Director and other members of the hospice care interdisciplinary team to develop patient centered , holistic treatment plans.
- Providing education on the Hospice philosophy, Hospice process and payor sources including private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid to patients , caregivers and facility staff.
- Manage and coordinate the provision of hospice care services through determining eligibility , assessing continual care needs, and initiating care plans for the hospice interdisciplinary team members that reflect patient goals and the complex nature of illness management.
Registered Nurse Case Manager, Hospice
Kindred Hospice
Athens, GA
08.2018 - 01.2022
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Coordinate with physicians, specialists, nutritionists, and other medical staff to develop treatment plans for pain and symptom management.
- Facilitating highly effective conversations regarding goals of care with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other providers.
- Providing palliative care consults for patients in both hospital, home, and facility-based setting.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Baptist Home Healthcare and Hospice
Oxford , MS
09.2017 - 08.2018
- Responsible for developing and managing the plan of care for each hospice patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Performing highly effective pain and symptom management treatments and care plan recommendation with Medical Directors, families, and other providers to enhance patients’ quality of life
- Assessing patient needs for the appropriate level of hospice care including routine home care, respite, continuous care and hospital general inpatient and then, once placed, assuming the management of their care.
- Providing skilled nursing assessments, management of patient record, providing hospice recertification evaluation and discharge planning as appropriate to the patient.
- Providing education to the patient and their caregivers regarding patients unique disease process, signs of disease progression and palliative measure used to ensure comfort at end of life
- Communicating with facility staff at nursing homes, assisted livings and hospitals to ensure continuity of care, patient safety and best possible patient outcomes
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Homestead Hospice
Athens, GA
05.2017 - 09.2017
- Responsible for the daily execution of the patient's plan of care while promoting symptom management related to the terminal illness
- Providing skilled nursing assessments, establishing care plans, plans of treatment, management of medications, evaluations, and discharge or recertification planning as appropriate
- Ensure compliance with laws, rules, and procedures of resident facilities and while maintaining excellent communication between hospice agency and facility staff.
- Providing the role of an empathetic advocate for the patient and family to ensure quality end of life care.
- Ability to take emergency, intake and triage calls
- Coordinating bereavement services and community resources to support families as appropriate.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Bridgeway Hospice
Athens, GA
08.2013 - 05.2017
- Responsible for identifying and coordinating appropriate care to support patients and families in their home or in residential care facilities.
- Assessing physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families to promote comprehensive care of the whole person/ family unit.
- Gathering data related to economic, social, and cultural factors, which may influence care, well-being and quality of life.
- Utilizing nursing assessment, intervention skills and teaching to promote comfort and quality of life for terminally ill patients.
- Assessing patients’ homes to promote accessibility to safe and effective care.
- Establishing HHA plans of care and supervising the proper executions of the plan of care as per regulations.
- Creating a plan of care for each patient and prudently documenting and revising these plans to fit patient evolving needs as appropriate.
- Responsible for coordinating admissions, revocations and discharges as well as providing a thorough explanation of hospice service, Medicare benefit, providing intake examinations and completing all pertinent paperwork.
- Providing continuous care in times of crisis and at the end of a patient’s life.
Education
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA 2019.08 - 2022.05
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA 08.2011 - 05.2013
Associate of Science - Science
Gainesville State College
Oakwood, GA 08.2006 - 08.2011
Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills that assist in educating patients and their support system and providing the highest level of patient care
- Well-developed interpersonal skills that enable me to work harmoniously with other members of the care team to create excellent treatment plans
- Skilled in medical interviewing, including the ability to listen closely to patients, ask meaningful questions, think "upstream" about problems, and promote patient centered treatment options for enhanced patient compliance and better patient outcomes
- Strong adherence to clinical guidelines, policies and procedures along with a personal commitment towards skill development and educational advancement in the field of nursing and patient care
- Ability to multitask, remain calm under pressure in fast paced environments with high patients censuses
- Integration of holistic nursing nursing principals in which the whole person is considered in the treatment process including their physical , spiritual , emotional , mental, and environmental well-being
Accomplishments
- Employee Spotlight Award for Outstanding team Member at Baptist Hospice , 2018.
- North Georgia Hospice Nurses Association and Bridgeway Hospice Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Team Member, 2015.
- Honor Society of Nursing- Sigma Theta Tau International, University, 2013.
- National Society of Leadership & Success- Sigma Alpha Pi, Brenau University, 2013.
- Dean’s List- Brenau University, 2013.
- Riley Nursing Scholarship 2013.
- Invitation to join the Brenau University Board of Trustees at their spring luncheon, 2013.
- National Student Nurse Association Member- Brenau University, 2012-2013.
- Merit List- Brenau University, 2012.
- Whitehead Scholarship and the Faculty Excellence Scholarship 2011 & 2012.
Additional Information
- Qualifications , Registered Nurse in the State of Georgia, License number 231213, current. Registered Nurse in the State of Mississippi, License number 906072, current CPR and First Aid certified 2017.
- Activities and Honors , North Georgia Hospice Nurses Association and Bridgeway Hospice Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Team Member, 2015 Honor Society of Nursing- Sigma Theta Tau International, Brenau University, 2013 National Society of Leadership & Success- Sigma Alpha Pi, Brenau University, 2013 Dean’s List- Brenau University, 2013 Riley Nursing Scholarship 2013 Invitation to join the Brenau University Board of Trustees at their spring luncheon, 2013 National Student Nurse Association Member- Brenau University, 2012-2013 Merit List- Brenau University, 2012 Whitehead Scholarship and the Faculty Excellence Scholarship 2011 & 2012.
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Clinical Manager
Family Hospice
01.2022 - Current
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
Brenau University
2019.08 - 2022.05
Registered Nurse Case Manager, Hospice
Kindred Hospice
08.2018 - 01.2022
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Baptist Home Healthcare and Hospice
09.2017 - 08.2018
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Homestead Hospice
05.2017 - 09.2017
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Bridgeway Hospice
08.2013 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Brenau University
08.2011 - 05.2013
Associate of Science - Science
Gainesville State College
08.2006 - 08.2011
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