Elaine Ast-Baele
Mineral,IL
Summary
Seasoned Clinical Nurse Manager offering 22+ years' nursing experience and success in leading teams while providing exceptional care to patients. Expert in all aspects of patient care and highly adept in working closely with physicians to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Proven leader focused on developing clinically competent, patient-focused teams. Accomplished in improving delivery of care, patient outcomes and nursing staff performance. Proficient in effectively using electronic health records software to manage patient care. Registered Nurse with 22 years of experience in direct patient care and nursing management position in hospital and outpatient settings. Experience spans across med-surgical, obstetrics and hemodialysis environments. Passionate about providing programs and services in support of growth and healing for patients. Active listener with direct communication style and compassionate, non-judgmental approach to build patient trust and rapport. Outside-the-box thinker with strong crisis resolution skills.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Dialysis Clinical Nurse Manager
Fresenius Medical Care
08.2007 - Current
- Oversaw admissions and discharges and scheduling of nursing staff.
- Educated patients and families on treatment, expected outcomes and discharge instructions, serving as advisory resource to patients and families to facilitate recovery.
- Coordinated departmental operations according to administrative, legal and medical guidelines.
- Fostered improvement in staff development, personnel training and standards of patient care.
- Administered performance evaluations and probationary reviews to assess nursing personnel.
- Sought opportunities to improve patient care, outcomes and nursing staff performance.
- Supervised professional and paraprofessional nursing staff and delegated tasks to maintain continuum of care.
- Interacted effectively with department managers to promptly correct problems and improve services.
- Responded to behavioral and medical crises codes.
- Manage nurses and clinical nursing assistants across 8-chair chronic out-patient dialysis unit.
- Developed renal education for patients and their family.
- Supported patient self-advocacy within family relationships and during treatment plans.
- Reviewed charts weekly to complete quality control checks.
- Directed day-to-day nursing and operational functions for 8-chair outpatient chronic dialysis unit, ensuring exceptional delivery of care when developing well-rounded nursing teams.
- Counseled families to improve communication.
- Advocated for patients' physical, psychosocial, developmental, spiritual and emotional needs during planning.
- Documented all aspects of care following facility and Medicare standards, creating accurate patient records of all interactions and interventions to sustain continuity of care.
- Initiated care plan and actualized appropriate interventions and treatment.
- Evaluated nursing staff's performance and developed education programs and professional development opportunities to improve individual and team competencies, clinical knowledge and delivery of care.
- Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to devise and manage individualized plans of care.
- Motivated nursing staff to pursue advanced training and collaborated with unit leaders to identify skill needs.
- Performed head-to-toe physical assessments, prioritizing treatment and delegating assignments to maintain patient flows.
- Introduced initiatives based on staff education, infection control audits, safe medication administration and proper wound care to achieve unit and facility goals.
- Conducted rounds with physicians, advising physicians on patients' conditions and assisting in coordinating diagnostic testing and follow up appointments to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
- Oversaw training, staffing and education
- Fostered improvement in staff development, personnel training, and standards of patient care.
Dialysis Charge Nurse
Fresenius Medical Care
04.2002 - 08.2007
- Analyzed emergency situations and took prompt action to save lives.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis and treatment.
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Utilized automated healthcare databases to perform duties, maintain records and prepare reports.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Accurately documented treatment, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Strengthened training and nursing knowledge by taking part in continuing education programs and workshops.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Cared for patients in 8-chair unit, supporting fellow nurses in delivering outstanding treatment to patients.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Assessed and evaluated mental health needs, working with multidisciplinary team to initiate, manage and modify individualized care plans.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic renal disease.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Worked with healthcare team to develop new dialysis treatment flow sheet and other log forms, improving clinical documentation and accountability.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
Staff Nurse
Perry Memorial Hospital
07.2001 - 04.2002
- 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.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Assisted with delivery of newborns, providing care and support for successful transition to motherhood.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
Education
ADN - Nursing
Black Hawk College
Moline, IL07.2001
Skills
- Operating Plans Development
- Budget Planning
- Policy and Program Development
- Employee Work Scheduling
- Critical Thinking
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Data Analysis
- Time Management
- Patient Care Assessment
- Quality Assurance Controls
- Patient Advocacy
- Clinical Quality Program Standards
Timeline
Dialysis Clinical Nurse Manager
Fresenius Medical Care
08.2007 - Current
Dialysis Charge Nurse
Fresenius Medical Care
04.2002 - 08.2007
Staff Nurse
Perry Memorial Hospital
07.2001 - 04.2002
ADN - Nursing
Black Hawk College
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