Erin Wirkkala
Naselle,WA
Summary
Board Certified Registered Nurse with over 16 years of nursing experience delivering high-quality care to patients in long term care facilities. Proven leader effective at uniting and guiding nursing teams toward achieving patient care goals. Successful at providing fast and accurate assessments and coordinating care with physicians and other clinical staff.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Nursing
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
12.2021 - Current
- Participated in management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, and resident complaints or concerns.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying current on industry standards and updating policies accordingly.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients with complex needs.
- Enhanced staff performance by conducting regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.
- Planned and assigned workload to 30-person facility staff to provide long term care for up to 60 residents at a time.
Registered Nurse/Infection Preventionist
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
03.2020 - 06.2021
- Trained staff on strategies for preventing outbreaks and procedural complications
- Consulted with local and state health departments to report infectious cases
- Implemented CDC and OSHA driven infection prevention and control policies
- Investigated outbreaks to identify sources of infection and educated healthcare personnel
- Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects
Assistant Director of Nursing
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
06.2017 - 06.2021
- Assessed competency of clinical staff to promote quality, continuity of care and safety
- Oversaw nursing employee orientation process and outlined personnel policies and individual duties
- Managed and scheduled staff of nurses, fostering an environment supportive of both staff and patients
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary staff to improve overall patient care and response times
- Facilitated peer-to-peer conflict resolution
- Assisted with directing daily operations in the facility caring for up to 60 residents.
- Participated in daily meetings with department heads to discuss census information, admissions and discharges for residents
Wound Care Nurse
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
03.2013 - 03.2020
- Cared for patients with various wounds caused by injuries, medical treatments and diseases
- Conducted wound assessments for patients and documented information
- Worked with nursing staff and medical director to assess patients, manage wounds and monitor healing
- Alerted physician of diagnostic study results and changes in patient condition
- Coordinated care with nursing staff through daily communication
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive treatment plans, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
11.2009 - 12.2020
- Communicated concerns regarding clients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
- Collected and documented vital signs to track current patient conditions.
- Started, monitored and managed intravenous medication.
- Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nurse
Lower Columbia College
Longview, WA03-2020
Licensed Practical Nurse
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA03-2009
Infection Preventionist Certificate -
CDC
01.2019
Current CPR/BLS -
American Heart Association
Washington Multi-State License Oregon License
Skills
Extensive clinical skill base including IV therapy - insertion, maintenance and removal with PICC line maintenance and removal experience as well Wound healing, G-Tube administration, Urinary Cath systems, Ostomy care, Medication administration and Infection Control practices - Works well with others and is responsible and accountable - Strengths in task and goal oriented environments - Experienced in collecting information, witness accounts and pertinent facts to complete an incident investigation - Proficient in Resident Care management including oversight of all systems and care plan development
Certification
Infection Preventionist Certificate, 03/01/20
Timeline
Director of Nursing
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
12.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse/Infection Preventionist
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
03.2020 - 06.2021
Assistant Director of Nursing
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
06.2017 - 06.2021
Wound Care Nurse
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
03.2013 - 03.2020
Licensed Practical Nurse
Willapa Harbor Health and Rehab
11.2009 - 12.2020
Associate of Applied Science - Registered Nurse
Lower Columbia College
Licensed Practical Nurse
Clover Park Technical College
Infection Preventionist Certificate -
CDC
Current CPR/BLS -
American Heart Association
Washington Multi-State License Oregon License
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