Heather Clifford
Oakland,CA
Summary
Nursing professional with 20+ years in critical care management, providing direct patient care and unit leadership. Coordinates interdisciplinary teams and implements care plans that support patient stability and recovery. Communicates effectively with patients, families, and care teams to align goals and reduce care delays.
Overview
1
1
Certification
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Charge Nurse
Eden Medical Center
Castro Valley, California
07.2004 - Current
- Worked with physicians to build and carry out patient care plans.
- Monitored patient status and provided timely interventions.
- Observed patient conditions and responded quickly when care changes were needed.
- Provided direct patient care, including assessments and treatments, to a variety of patients.
- Responded quickly to emergent situations such as cardiac arrest or respiratory distress.
- Organized and delegated tasks during rapid response and high-pressure code situations.
- Completed daily rounds to assess patient conditions, review progress toward goals, and document changes in status or plan of care as needed.
- Supervised patient care activities and followed medical protocols.
- Facilitated effective communication among patients, families, and healthcare teams to enhance care coordination.
- Coordinated communication between physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding patient care.
- Trained new nursing staff on hospital policies and procedures.
- Served as preceptor for new nurses through orientation to unit policies, clinical skills coaching, and professional development guidance.
- Delegated tasks among staff members based on qualifications.
- Maintained accurate medical records and documentation of patient care activities.
- Coordinated and performed patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
- Directed unit staff and promoted quality care for diverse patients.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives that strengthened adherence to best-practice standards within the unit.
- Managed staffing levels to maintain optimal care for patients and staff efficiency. within unit while supporting optimal patient care.
- Followed safety protocols when administering medications or performing treatments.
- Followed infection control protocols throughout the facility.
- Administered oral, IV, and intramuscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Checked medication dosages carefully before administration to patients.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient condition.
- Collaborated with pharmacy, laboratory services, and physical therapy to support proper delivery of services.
- Provided emotional support for families facing difficult end-of-life decisions.
- Met with administrator to discuss patient care status, issues, and information.
- Supported physicians and consultants with tests and procedures.
- Audited patient charts in real time, verifying accuracy and completion of information.
- Completed regular assessments to evaluate patient needs and progress.
- Checked medication dosages carefully before administration to patients.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient condition.
Travel ER Registered Nurse
UnitedHealthcare
San Francisco, California
12.2002 - 06.2004
- Supported multidisciplinary teams with thorough patient assessments.
- Entered patient information in electronic health records accurately and efficiently.
- Administered medications and treatments as ordered by physicians in timely manner.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to medical staff promptly for follow-up.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to promote strong patient outcomes.
- Educated patients on diagnoses, treatment plans, and post-treatment instructions.
- Relayed patient status updates between providers during changes in condition.
- Participated in daily nursing huddles to review patient issues and concerns.
- Recognized need for additional testing or specialist referrals for further evaluation and treatment.
- Completed patient assessments and triaged patients by condition.
- Worked with doctors, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals to support quality patient care.
- Provided emergency care to critically ill or injured patients in timely manner.
- Applied critical thinking to resolve complex medical situations in ER setting.
- Administered medications, monitored vital signs, and delivered treatments as ordered by physicians.
- Assisted with intubations and performed CPR when needed.
- Gave oral, IV, and intramuscular medications while monitoring patient reactions.
- Supported patients and families during stressful situations to promote recovery and reduce compliance issues.
Registered Nurse
Middlemore Hospital
Auckland, New Zealand
07.1999 - 06.2002
- Supported patient triage in emergency department during fast-paced emergency care.
- Completed trauma assessments to identify immediate care needs for better patient outcomes.
- Worked with interdisciplinary teams to build treatment plans based on patient needs.
- Administered medications and observed patient responses during recovery.
- Tracked vital signs for trauma patients.
- Taught patients and families trauma care instructions and recovery steps to improve understanding and compliance.
- Trained new nursing staff on trauma response procedures and best practices.
Staff Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Auckland Area HEALTHBOARD
Auckland , NEW Zealand
03.1996 - 05.2001
- Administered intravenous medications and monitored response to treatment.
- Administered intravenous medications and tracked the response to treatment.
- Adjusted ventilator settings per physician orders.
- Adjusted ventilator settings according to physician orders.
- Monitored patient vital signs and oxygen saturation.
- Monitored patient vital signs and oxygen saturation levels.
- Assessed pain levels using age-appropriate scales and implemented interventions accordingly.
- Supported pain assessments using age-appropriate scales and carried out interventions.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop individualized care plans for each patient.
- Worked with physicians to develop individualized plans of care for each patient.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to develop patient care plans.
- Participated in multidisciplinary rounds to discuss patient status and plan of care changes.
- Recorded patient progress in an electronic health record.
- Trained new staff on unit protocols and emergency response procedures.
- Educated families on post-operative care and recovery protocols.
- Coordinated discharge planning activities to support transition home or transition to another facility.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during critical situations, enhancing patient and family coping mechanisms.
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill children.
- Completed continuing education classes and conferences on critical care nursing practices to stay updated on industry standards and improve patient care.
- Attended continuing education classes and conferences related to critical care nursing practices.
- Maintained current knowledge of evidence-based practice guidelines for pediatric intensive care unit nursing care.
Registered Nurse, NICU
Auckland area Healthboard
AUCKLAND , New Zealand
03.1993 - 05.2001
- Provided direct care for critically ill newborns in NICU setting.
- Taught families about neonatal care and supported emotional needs during hospitalization.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on NICU protocols and best practices.
- Built individualized plans of care for each infant based on assessment data and physician orders.
- Assessed and monitored development of premature infants in NICU.
- Administered medications, intravenous fluids, and other treatments to neonates as prescribed by physicians.
- Detected high-risk situations that could lead to complications in NICU patients. that could lead to complications or adverse events in NICU patients.
- Managed respiratory equipment such as ventilators and CPAP or BiPAP machines for critically ill neonates.
- Worked with interdisciplinary team members to support optimal patient outcomes.
- Partnered with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
- Helped with advanced life support during medical emergencies.
- Administered blood product transfusions to patients according to safety protocols. safely per protocol.
- Quickly recognized cardiopulmonary arrest and initiated life-saving measures effectively.
- Initiated rapid response protocols for sudden patient declines. when sudden patient decline occurred.
- Assessed patient condition and tracked vital signs to detect changes in health status.
- Reviewed laboratory values for trends to anticipate possible complications.
- Used technology to monitor hemodynamic data, including cardiac output and pulmonary artery pressures.
- Advocated for patient needs during interdisciplinary rounds to ensure comprehensive care. during interdisciplinary rounds and care meetings.
- Showed new nursing staff ICU protocols and best practices.
- Taught patients and families about treatment options and discharge steps.
- Offered emotional support to families of ICU patients throughout the hospital stay.
- Carried out advanced procedures, including intravenous medication administration, endotracheal intubation, and chest tube insertion.
- Assisted physicians during medical procedures such as resuscitations and surgeries.
- Attended continuing education seminars on advances in neonatal care practice.
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress using electronic health record systems.
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress using electronic health record systems.
- Managed respiratory equipment such as ventilators and CPAP or BiPAP machines for critically ill neonates.
- Attended continuing education seminars on advances in neonatal care practice.
Intensive Care Registered Nurse
Auckland area Healthboard
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
03.1993 - 05.2001
- Provided direct care for critically ill patients.
- Managed respiratory equipment, including ventilators and CPAP and BiPAP machines, for critically ill patients.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to the healthcare team.
- Delivered appropriate treatments to critical-care patients according to rules, policies, protocols, and procedures.
- Completed patient assessments, triaged cases, and recorded patient histories, symptoms, and observations.
- Trained new nurses on intensive care procedures and best practices.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
- Worked with an interdisciplinary care team to support patient outcomes.
- Assisted with complex procedures and provided post-operative care.
- Monitored and improved nursing-sensitive indicators, core measures, and other outcome metrics to ensure high standards of patient care.
- Led onboarding and training initiatives for new nursing staff to enhance team readiness and patient care quality.
- Served as charge nurse and provided patient care during shift transitions when nurses were ending or arriving.
- Participated in performance improvement activities within the intensive care unit.
- Reviewed laboratory results and diagnostic tests for accuracy and took action when needed.
- Established and nurtured professional relationships with healthcare team members, patients, and families to foster a collaborative care environment.
- Identified potential ethical issues among ICU patients and reported concerns promptly to the attending physician or supervisor.
Nurse Practitioner
Pasifika Healthcare
Henderson, AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND
08.1995 - 07.1999
- Coordinated patient care and services with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes.
- Assessed patient conditions and developed individualized care plans.
- Tracked patient progress and updated treatment plans for improvement.
- Managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for diverse disorders, improving patient health.
- Conducted thorough physical examinations to assess patient health., ordered lab tests, and evaluated medications.
- Reviewed lab results and imaging studies to support accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.
- Addressed patient needs within the healthcare system to ensure optimal care delivery.
- Taught patients health management and disease prevention strategies.
- Kept detailed records of visits, diagnoses, treatments, and test results in electronic health record systems.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team members to provide integrated services for complex cases.
- Partnered with physicians to coordinate strong patient care outcomes.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Information Technology
UNITEC Te Whare Wananga O Wairaka
Carrington Road Mt Albert12-1999
Skills
- Cardiac emergency response
- Critical care
- Intravenous therapy management
- Comprehensive health evaluation
- Patient evaluation
- Infection control practices
- Drug delivery
- Care coordination
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Team collaboration
- Team coordination
- Staff management
- Staff training
- Clinical problem resolution
- Problem solving
- Analytical thinking
- Clear communication
- Family education
- Team building
Certification
- CEN
- TNCC
- ACLS
- PALS
Affiliations
- UPC COUNCIL ER , QUALITY COUNCIL EDEN MEDICAL CENTER , PEDIATRIC RESOURCE , SEPSIS COMMITTEE .
Timeline
Charge Nurse
Eden Medical Center
07.2004 - Current
Travel ER Registered Nurse
UnitedHealthcare
12.2002 - 06.2004
Registered Nurse
Middlemore Hospital
07.1999 - 06.2002
Staff Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Auckland Area HEALTHBOARD
03.1996 - 05.2001
Nurse Practitioner
Pasifika Healthcare
08.1995 - 07.1999
Registered Nurse, NICU
Auckland area Healthboard
03.1993 - 05.2001
Intensive Care Registered Nurse
Auckland area Healthboard
03.1993 - 05.2001
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Information Technology
UNITEC Te Whare Wananga O Wairaka