Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
RegisteredNurse
Heather Bankert

Heather Bankert

Pekin,IL

Summary

Dynamic Registered Nurse with extensive experience at OSF HealthCare System, excelling in case management and patient advocacy. Proven ability to develop effective care plans and coordinate services, leveraging strong clinical assessment skills and emotional intelligence to enhance patient outcomes. Committed to delivering equitable healthcare and fostering collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary teams.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification

Work History

Registered Nurse Case Manager

OSF HealthCare System Home Care
09.2021 - 08.2025
  • Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
  • Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
  • Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
  • Participated in patient and family planning process, as well as provided instructions and addressed question and concerns.
  • Performed evaluations on consistent basis to address changes in patient needs, conditions and medications, altering care plans when required.
  • Worked with suppliers and vendors on provision of medical equipment, items and services.
  • Examined patients and documented history of current and previous conditions, illnesses, injuries, and current medications.
  • Administered physical examinations and documented history of current and previous conditions, illnesses and injuries.
  • Coordinated with interdisciplinary professionals to develop plans of care, administer tests and monitor patient status.
  • Assessed and examined patients and documented history of current and previous conditions, diseases and injuries along with medications currently being taken.
  • Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
  • Authored initial assessments of patients and family to develop plans for individual home care needs.
  • Authored clinical notes and updates to be reviewed by patient's primary physician.
  • Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, introducing revisions to care plans.
  • Prepared clinical notes and updates for review by primary physician.
  • Participated in on-call rotations to deliver after-hours care.
  • Educated and supported home healthcare providers with training, guidance, mentoring and resources required to achieve objectives."
  • Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, performance, medications and changes.
  • Liaised with physicians regarding patient needs, performance and changes.
  • Used Software to maintain database of relevant information for practitioners to access and coordinate patient care.
  • Created patient assessments and plans for individual home care needs.

Registered Nurse Open Heart Surgery

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
06.2017 - 09.2021
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
  • Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
  • Ensured high-quality care for patients recovering from acute and chronic health issues.
  • Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
  • Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
  • Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
  • Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
  • Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
  • Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
  • Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
  • Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
  • Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
  • Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
  • Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
  • Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
  • Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
  • Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
  • Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.

Registered Nurse Case Manager

Beacon of Hope Hospice
06.2014 - 05.2017
  • Coordinated rehabilitative and preventive nursing processes and procedures.
  • Formulated care strategies grounded in nursing assessments.
  • Created patient assessments and plans for individual home care needs.
  • Secured medical equipment, supplies, and services through supplier and vendor negotiations.
  • Completed initial assessments of patients and family to determine and address individual home care needs. ·
  • Verified that interventions met established treatment objectives.
  • Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
  • Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
  • Engaged in patient and family planning process, offering guidance and resolving inquiries.
  • Performed evaluations on consistent basis to address changes in patient needs, conditions and medications, altering care plans when required.
  • Worked with suppliers and vendors on provision of medical equipment, items and services.
  • Examined patients and documented history of current and previous conditions, illnesses, injuries, and current medications.
  • Administered physical examinations and documented history of current and previous conditions, illnesses and injuries.
  • Coordinated with interdisciplinary professionals to develop plans of care, administer tests and monitor patient status.
  • Assessed and examined patients and documented history of current and previous conditions, diseases and injuries along with medications currently being taken.
  • Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns.
  • Authored clinical notes and updates to be reviewed by patient's primary physician.
  • Conducted regular re-evaluations to address changes in needs and conditions, introducing revisions to care plans.
  • Prepared clinical notes and updates for review by primary physician.
  • Participated in on-call rotations to deliver after-hours care.
  • Educated and supported home healthcare providers with training, guidance, mentoring and resources required to achieve objectives."
  • Effectively communicated with physicians regarding patient needs, performance, medications and changes.
  • Liaised with physicians regarding patient needs, performance and changes.
  • Used Software to maintain database of relevant information for practitioners to access and coordinate patient care.

Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit

Pekin Hospital
03.2013 - 06.2014
  • Collaborated with physicians and nursing staff to create treatment protocols for current symptoms and underlying conditions.
  • Delegated work to nursing support staff and monitored performance to protect patients and maintain optimal care standards.
  • Handled ventilator support, feeding tubes and central lines.
  • Fostered caring, compassionate and respectful care environment by treating every patient with professionalism.
  • Assessed patients' needs by observing behavior, monitoring vital signs, and engaging in discussions with family members.
  • Supported needs of medically complex patients with skilled nursing care.
  • Managed patient flow effectively through timely placements upon admission as well as coordinating smooth transfers and discharges.
  • Implemented identified treatment plans for patients to maintain stable conditions and achieve reasonable improvements.
  • Cared for wounds such as surgical sites and pressure sores to prevent infection and promote healing.
  • Documented and carried out directives of primary intensivists.
  • Monitored patients' respiratory status and ventilator operation and made adjustments to promote stabilization.
  • Provided specialized medical care tailored to adult, adolescent, and geriatric ICU patients.
  • Observed patients' vital signs and administered physician-prescribed medications and treatments.
  • Recorded patients' medical status and treatment details in electronic charts to accurately document medical care.
  • Guided patients, caregivers, and family members on plans of treatment and helpful resources available locally to support care.
  • Administered medications and treatments as ordered by physician.
  • Delivered outstanding patient care in Type critical care units.
  • Trained and coached new employees on protocols and best practices to promote ideal patient outcomes.
  • Conducted patient assessments, recorded vitals, and analyzed records and charts to define care requirements.
  • Coordinated with healthcare staff from various disciplines to devise, carry out, and manage personalized care plans to benefit patient health and recovery.
  • Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.

Education

Bachelor Of English - English Language And Literature

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Registered Nurse Diploma - Nursing

Graham Hospital School of Nursing
Canton

Skills

  • Medical assessment
  • Medical evaluation
  • Drug calculations
  • Home infusion care
  • Patient care planning
  • Pediatric care
  • Staff education and training
  • Chronic disease management
  • Care plan development
  • Clinical assessment
  • Referral coordination
  • Geriatric care
  • Case management
  • Patient counseling
  • Mental health support
  • Emotional awareness
  • Care coordination
  • Patient management
  • Palliative care
  • Patient advocacy
  • Direct patient care
  • EMR / EHR
  • Medical records management
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Healthcare regulations
  • Care management
  • Service coordination
  • Equitable healthcare delivery
  • Motivational techniques
  • Teaching strategies
  • Curriculum development
  • Unit leadership
  • Student oversight
  • Hospice trained
  • Mentoring
  • Clinical expertise
  • Clinical supervision
  • Role modeling

Accomplishments

Awarded 5 Daisy Awards

Nominated for OSF Nurse of the year

Nominated and attended the OSF I am a Nurse symposium

Numerous accolades from patient families

Numerous focused recognitions from peers and multiple disciplines

Preceptor for numerous mission partners

Certification

ALS

BLS

Timeline

Registered Nurse Case Manager

OSF HealthCare System Home Care
09.2021 - 08.2025

Registered Nurse Open Heart Surgery

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
06.2017 - 09.2021

Registered Nurse Case Manager

Beacon of Hope Hospice
06.2014 - 05.2017

Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit

Pekin Hospital
03.2013 - 06.2014

Bachelor Of English - English Language And Literature

Illinois State University

Registered Nurse Diploma - Nursing

Graham Hospital School of Nursing

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE