Elsa Thao BSN, RN CAPA
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, natural interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Charge Nurse - PeriOp
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
06.2022 - Current
- Oversees the daily operation in a 26 bays PeriOp department which services in endoscopy and OR and supervises 22 staff members.
- Coordinates nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Conducts daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
- Trains new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking, and administration.
- Throughput coordination among Preop surgical cases and Endoscopy cases, Phase 2 and post procedure cases.
- Attends and escalates any issues during Tier 2 Huddle with other departments and managers.
- Troubleshoots and resolves any conflicts that may arise within the department.
- Collaborates with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
- Assists Anesthesiologists with regional/nerve blocks and moderate sedation
Staff RN - PeriOp
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
10.2021 - 06.2022
- Prepared patients for surgeries and endoscopy procedures which obtained medical history and consents, verified home medications, inserted IV lines and obtained vital signs.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies, and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
Assistant Nurse Manager
Northeast Georgia Physician Group
06.2021 - 10.2021
- Assisted management the NGPG Resource Pool Unit of 120 staff members which consist of RNs, LPNs, CMAs, MOAs, MLTs, Rad Techs, US techs.
- Collaborated with 64 practice managers in various clinics.
- Managed staffing needs requests from all 90 clinics – Primary care, Urgent Care, and all specialty clinics
- Created work schedules for multiple shifts to confirm complete clinic coverage.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians, and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Managed Kronos timekeeping and assisted monthly staff meetings.
- Managed staffing schedule in Bidshift.
- Participated in staff selection, unit retention, and performance evaluation management.
- Collaborated and conducted department competencies
Assistant Nurse Manager
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
12.2019 - 06.2021
- Assistant Nurse Manager to PeriOp, PACU, Pre-Surgical Testing, Outpatient Infusion, COVID Swab Testing and IR nursing departments
- Supervised, directed, and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Performed real-time chart audits for patients ensuring accuracy and completeness of information while capitalizing on opportunities for process improvement.
- Created work schedules for multiple shifts to confirm complete floor coverage.
- Managed Kronos timekeeping and monthly staff meetings
- Assisted and implemented i-Stat in Periop Department and Superuser for i-Stat
- Troubleshooted and problem-solved any barriers to the current processes in the departments.
- Participated in unit staff selection, unit retention, and performance management.
- Developed and implemented quality improvement initiatives to provide best possible patient care and identify and address areas of concern.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Implemented a team and processes for COVID Swab testing for surgical patients.
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians, and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
Staff RN - PeriOp
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
01.2015 - 12.2019
- Prepared patients for surgeries and endoscopy procedures which obtained history and consents, verified home medications, inserted V lines and obtained vital signs.
- Recovered Phase II patients from OR surgeries and endoscopy procedures.
- Assisted Anesthesiologists with Peripheral Nerve blocks and administered moderate conscious sedation per anesthesia orders.
- Conscious Sedation validator
- Preceptor - orient new staff to the department
- Filled in as Relief Charge nurse
- Glucose Point of Care Superuser
- Infusion - administered IV antibiotics, IVIG, Iron infusions, IV Fluid infusions, Blood and Platelets administrations to outpatient patients
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
Charge Nurse - PeriOp
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Overseen the daily operation in a 26 bays PeriOp department which services in endoscopy, OR, and Outpatient infusion and supervised 20 staff members
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Conducted daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes, and treatment implementations.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking, and administration.
Staff RN - Labor and Delivery
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
04.2013 - 01.2015
- Provided emotional support and guidance to new mothers and families during labor, delivery and postpartum.
- Performed ongoing assessments and caring for antepartum patients.
- RN circulator in the OR for c-section patients and recovered patients in the PACU area in Labor and Delivery unit.
- Certified in Neonatal resuscitation program 2011 - 2015
- Responded to emergency situations such as pre-eclampsia, early labor, and fetal distress.
- Assisted physician during delivery, examination and surgical procedures by anticipating needs, encouraging patient, and attending to baby after birth.
- Coordinated care of low and high-risk laboring women of childbearing age and immediate stabilization of newborn following delivery.
- Assisted obstetricians and midwives with deliveries and cared for newborns directly after birth.
- Managed epidural analgesia infusions and monitored vital signs during labor and delivery.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
Staff RN - 6 North Surgical floor
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
07.2008 - 04.2013
- Caring for patients who are post-surgical care in urology, bariatric, gynecology, general, oncology, and orthopedic surgeries.
- 32 beds department with 6 beds for 23 hours observation admissions
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Effectively prioritized assignments, executing care based on each patient's relative condition and delegating tasks to available personnel deliver safe and efficient care.
- Worked within interdisciplinary health care team to develop, implement and make adjustments to patient care plans, individualizing strategies, and methods to improve health and meet recovery goals.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Participated in hospital committees to recommend quality improvement initiatives.
- Filled in as Relief Charge nurse
- Certified in PEARS 2008 - 2011
Sales Associate
Kohls
02.2007 - 08.2007
- Customer Service
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Rotated stock and restocked shelves to maintain product availability and store appearance.
- Maintained calm demeanor and professionally managed issues in busy, high-stress situations.
- Accurately processed POS transactions, returning coin, currency, payment cards, and receipts to customers.
- Engaged with customers to effectively build rapport and lasting relationships.
Certified Medical Assistant, Clinical Supervisor
Auburn Primary Care
02.2005 - 01.2007
- Communicated clearly and effectively with patients to verify information, determine purpose of visit and record medical history.
- Assisted with routine checks and diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens.
- Collected and documented patient medical information such as blood pressure and weight.
- Conducted preliminary patient evaluations measuring weight, temperature and blood pressure.
- Taught patients about medications, procedures, and care plan instructions.
- Enhanced patient outcomes by providing knowledgeable education on procedures, medications, and other physician instructions.
- Promoted office efficiency, coordinating charts, completing insurance forms, and helping patients with diverse needs.
- Directed patients to examining rooms and coordinated transportation assistance as necessary.
- Assisted physicians with minor surgeries, including preparing operating room and sterilizing instruments.
- Completed EKGs and other tests based on patient presentation in office.
- Prepared lab specimens for diagnostic evaluation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas of Arlington
Arlington, TX05.2015
Associate of Science - Nursing G
North Georgia College & State University
Dahlonega, GA05.2008
Diploma - Medical Assisting
Georgia Medical Institute
Atlanta, GA02.2005
Skills
- Georgia Licensed RN
- Rapport Building
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Team Leadership
- Care Coordination
- Performance Evaluations
- Care Quality Evaluation
- Patient Advocacy
- EPIC EMR/EHR
- Staff Training
- Duty Delegation
- Staff Education and Training
- Direct Patient Care
- Staff Scheduling
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Excellent attendance
- Bilingual in Hmong/English
- EKG- 12 leads
- Urinalysis (dip/automated)
- Microsoft office
- Excellent IV skills
References
Available Upon Request
Certification
- Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) ASPAN 2025
- Certified BLS
- Certified PALS
- Certified ACLS
- CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training - 2025
- Certified Procedural Conscious Sedation
Timeline
Charge Nurse - PeriOp
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
06.2022 - Current
Staff RN - PeriOp
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
10.2021 - 06.2022
Assistant Nurse Manager
Northeast Georgia Physician Group
06.2021 - 10.2021
Assistant Nurse Manager
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
12.2019 - 06.2021
Charge Nurse - PeriOp
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
08.2017 - 08.2018
Staff RN - PeriOp
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
01.2015 - 12.2019
Staff RN - Labor and Delivery
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
04.2013 - 01.2015
Staff RN - 6 North Surgical floor
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
07.2008 - 04.2013
Sales Associate
Kohls
02.2007 - 08.2007
Certified Medical Assistant, Clinical Supervisor
Auburn Primary Care
02.2005 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas of Arlington
Associate of Science - Nursing G
North Georgia College & State University
Diploma - Medical Assisting
Georgia Medical Institute
- Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) ASPAN 2025
- Certified BLS
- Certified PALS
- Certified ACLS
- CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training - 2025
- Certified Procedural Conscious Sedation
Similar Profiles
Christopher PedyChristopher Pedy
Registered Nurse (Emergency Observation) at Northeast Georgia Medical CenterRegistered Nurse (Emergency Observation) at Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Tiffanie ShafferTiffanie Shaffer
Registered Nurse at Northeast Georgia Medical CenterRegistered Nurse at Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Danielle ReevesDanielle Reeves
Assistant Nurse Manager, Emergency Department at Northeast Georgia Medical CenterAssistant Nurse Manager, Emergency Department at Northeast Georgia Medical Center