Elaine Schmidt

• Provided exceptional care to critically ill patient populations including: cardiovascular patients (post-cath lab and post-interventional radiology including venous thrombolytic therapy, heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension with IV prostaglandin therapy, unstable angina, and myocardial infarction), post-surgical patients from numerous specialties (cardiovascular, vascular, thoracic and foregut, solid organ transplant, trauma/ortho, general surgery, colorectal, urology, gyn-oncology, and ENT), and medical patients (sepsis/shock, renal failure/dialysis, liver failure, acute and chronic respiratory failure, and diabetes).
• Monitored patient condition, including interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
• Administered medications via oral, IV (including vasoactive medication titration) and intramuscular injections, and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.

Charge Nurse Role

• Supervised and managed day-to-day operational functioning for a 30-bed Step Down ICU unit, including daily scheduling, tasking and administration.
• Coordinated delivery of care for patients, delegated nursing assignments, and supervised team comprised of 14 nurses and 5 nursing assistants.
• Oversaw and accepted patient admissions and transfers based on acuity and appropriateness for department admission.

Preceptor Role

• Trained new nurses and nursing students in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety.
• Provided didactic and clinical instructions to onboard new nurses to achieve training outcomes.