Evangel Okafor
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse (BSN) with 7 years of hands-on experience providing exceptional patient care in diverse healthcare settings. Dynamic Utilization Review RN with extensive experience at St. Luke's Hospital, excelling in clinical documentation and patient advocacy. Proven ability to analyze utilization trends and enhance care plans through effective communication and teamwork. Committed to optimizing resource utilization while ensuring compliance with regulations, demonstrating strong analytical thinking and compassion in patient care.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Utilization Review RN
st luke's hospital
08.2023 - Current
- Conducted utilization review for inpatient and outpatient services to ensure medical necessity and compliance with evidence-based criteria (e.g., InterQual, MCG).
- Reviewed clinical documentation to determine appropriateness of admissions, continued stays, and level of care.
- Collaborated with physicians, case managers, and interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient care plans and resource utilization.
- Communicated with insurance providers and payers to obtain prior authorizations and concurrent review approvals.
- Identified and addressed potential denials, initiating peer-to-peer reviews when necessary to support coverage decisions.
- Ensured compliance with CMS, Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payer regulations and guidelines.
- Documented review findings clearly and accurately in electronic medical records and utilization management systems.
- Monitored the length of stay and recommended transitions of care to reduce avoidable delays and costs.
- Educated clinical staff on utilization management requirements, and documentation best practices.
- Analyzed utilization trends, and contributed to quality improvement and cost-containment initiatives.
- Coordinated communication between providers and insurance representatives effectively.
- Prepared written summaries detailing findings from utilization review activities upon request.
RN Step Down, Acute care (travel contract)
Salem Health
Salem, OR
12.2022 - 08.2023
- Prepared patients for examinations, operations, and treatments, and assisted during procedures.
- Used computers to complete necessary documentation on patient progress.
- Obtained specimens, and performed EKG tests using proper techniques and procedures.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
Emergency Room RN (Travel Contract)
Kaiser Permanente
Santa Rosa, CA
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Performed therapeutic nursing interventions to promote patient well-being.
- Supported triage processes to prioritize patient needs efficiently.
- Assessed patient conditions in fast-paced emergency room environment.
RN Medsurg TELE (Travel Contract)
Las palmas medical center elpaso
El Paso
02.2021 - 01.2022
- Kept accurate records and charts related to medications and treatments according to policies, procedures, and physician orders.
- Maintained confidentiality in patient matters to comply with HIPAA guidelines and measures.
- Provided compassionate care to patients in a fast-paced hospital environment.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
Covid crisis, Med Surg/TELE (Travel Contract)
Christus Heath
Corpus Christi, TX
08.2020 - 02.2021
- Managed multiple cases simultaneously while ensuring timely completion of assigned tasks.
- Provided guidance on quarantine and isolation procedures to close contacts identified through contact tracing efforts.
- Utilized effective communication skills to establish positive relationships with patients and their families.
- Understood symptoms, infectious periods and treatments to educate others.
Med Surg Tele RN (Travel Contract)
Methodist hospital arcadia
Arcadia, CA
02.2020 - 08.2020
- Developed individualized care plans for each patient based on assessment results, physician orders, and patient goals and needs.
- Provided compassionate care to patients in a fast-paced hospital environment.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make sound clinical judgments in complex situations.
Residence RN (Tele Oncology/Stepdown)
Methodist Hospital
Sugarland, Texas
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Provide direct quality patient's care on a med-surg floor, which includes daily monitoring, assessing, evaluating and documenting patient's conditions/care, and implementing treatment plan for each patient's illness.
- Accepts and implements orders from physicians with regard to patients' care.
- I advocated for my patients, provided pain management, ensured patients' safety, and provided patient education.
- Communicated with patient of all ages, addressed patient's and family's member's concern during patient's care.
- Monitored patient's Vitals, Labs, conditions, status, and intervened when necessary.
- Ensured patient's stability, proper positioning and prevention of skin breakdown.
- Worked in teamwork with co-worker and communicated well with the charge nurse and Manager.
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Angeles of Care Pediatric Home health
Houston, TX
11.2018 - 01.2020
- Assessed, monitored client's vitals sign status and reporting abnormal findings to the doctor.
- Worked independently, provided direct care to patients on Trach, Vent, home oxygen and Gbutton.
- Ensures safe, and familiar environment in the home.
- Performed ongoing assessment and provided activities of daily Living throughout the shift.
- Assessed pediatric patients to identify physical and psychological needs, developed individualized treatment plans, and administered medications as prescribed.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University
11.2018
Skills
- Utilization review
- Multitasking
- Documentation and reporting
- Analytical thinking
- Case management
- Clinical documentation
- Highly organized
- professionalism
- Teamwork
- Effective communication
- Good time management
- Compassion
- Empathy
- Critical Thinking
- Listening
- Comprehension
- Strong Work Ethic
- Stress Tolerance
- Positive
- Patient advocacy
- Emotional resilience
- Infection control
- Patient assessment
Certification
- ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy
- ACLS
- BLS
- PALS
References
References available upon request
Awards
- Daisy Award
- Employee of the Month x13
Timeline
Utilization Review RN
st luke's hospital
08.2023 - Current
RN Step Down, Acute care (travel contract)
Salem Health
12.2022 - 08.2023
Emergency Room RN (Travel Contract)
Kaiser Permanente
01.2022 - 12.2022
RN Medsurg TELE (Travel Contract)
Las palmas medical center elpaso
02.2021 - 01.2022
Covid crisis, Med Surg/TELE (Travel Contract)
Christus Heath
08.2020 - 02.2021
Med Surg Tele RN (Travel Contract)
Methodist hospital arcadia
02.2020 - 08.2020
Residence RN (Tele Oncology/Stepdown)
Methodist Hospital
01.2019 - 01.2020
Pediatric Registered Nurse
Angeles of Care Pediatric Home health
11.2018 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Chamberlain University