Heather Cortez
Findlay,OH
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.
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Health Coach-RN
Surgical Associates Of Northwest Ohio
Findlay, OH
09.2021 - Current
- Discussed such topics as proper nutrition and lifestyle changes to help patients live healthier lives.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
Nursing Supervisor-RN
Children's Resource Center
Bowling Green, OH
05.2021 - 09.2021
- Led successful team comprised of RNs, LPNs and ancillary staff.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
RN, Medical-Surgical
Wood County Hospital
Bowling Green, OH
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Minimized hospital stays with recovery-centered approaches, reducing average in-patient stay length.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients on medical-surgical unit, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments, and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians and unit clerks.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
LPN Office Nurse
Orthopaedic Institute Of Ohio
Findlay, OH
09.2013 - 12.2020
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs and preferences.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments and assisted with procedures.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
LPN Office Nurse
Findlay Family Practice
Findlay, OH
09.2003 - 09.2013
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs and preferences.
- Obtained patient vital signs and input/output measurements from inpatients.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments and assisted with procedures.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
Education
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH12.2021
Certificate In Practical Nursing - LPN
Southern Ohio College
Findlay, OH05.2003
Skills
- Compassionate and Caring
- Clear Patient Communication
- Accurate Documentation
- Telephone Skills
- Customer Relationships
- Patient Health Information Privacy
- Client Assessments
- Medical Procedure Preparation
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Preventive Healthcare
- Equipment and Instrument Sterilizatoin
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- EMR Systems
- Intramuscular Injections
- Medication Side Effect Knowledge
- Protected Health Information
- Patient and Caregiver Education
- Emotional Support
- Patient Flow
- Medical Histories and Vital Statistics
Timeline
Health Coach-RN
Surgical Associates Of Northwest Ohio
09.2021 - Current
Nursing Supervisor-RN
Children's Resource Center
05.2021 - 09.2021
RN, Medical-Surgical
Wood County Hospital
01.2021 - 05.2021
LPN Office Nurse
Orthopaedic Institute Of Ohio
09.2013 - 12.2020
LPN Office Nurse
Findlay Family Practice
09.2003 - 09.2013
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Owens Community College
Certificate In Practical Nursing - LPN
Southern Ohio College
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