Heather Richardson
Panama City,FL
Summary
Dedicated health education professional eager to leverage strong understanding of health promotion principles, theories and best practices. Skilled in creating educational materials and delivering presentations with sharp eye for detail. Strong interpersonal skills for building positive relationships with focus on counseling. Personable with strong work ethic.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Health Educator / SWAT Coordinator
Florida Department Of Health In Bay County
04.2023 - Current
- Improved community health by developing and implementing targeted educational programs.
- Raised awareness of public health issues through organizing workshops, seminars, and presentations.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to create comprehensive patient education materials for various medical conditions.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of health education initiatives through data analysis and feedback from participants.
- Developed strategic partnerships with local organizations to promote healthy lifestyles within the community.
- Increased participation in wellness programs by creating engaging marketing campaigns and promotional materials.
- Assisted in policy development to support community-wide health improvement efforts.
- Trained volunteers and interns, ensuring a productive workforce for community outreach events.
- Designed culturally competent curriculum tailored to diverse populations, addressing specific barriers to healthcare access and utilization.
- Monitored trends in local public health issues using research findings, news reports, and stakeholder input.
- Cultivated relationships with media outlets as a subject matter expert contributing articles or interviews on pertinent topics.
- Served as a liaison between different agencies striving towards common goals of reducing disparities faced by marginalized communities.
- Maintained accurate and complete records to document program activities and outcomes.
- Developed and distributed health education materials to increase awareness and understanding.
- Gave public talks on importance of health education and specific disease prevention and treatment strategies.
- Complied with legal and ethical standards to meet regulatory requirements.
- Managed project timelines for successful completion, ensuring milestones were met and deadlines were adhered to.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Oversaw scheduling tasks efficiently, ensuring optimal staff coverage during peak times without sacrificing quality of service delivery or exceeding budget constraints.
Surgical Instrument Technician
Ascension
01.2019 - 02.2023
- Improved surgical instrument processing efficiency by implementing a streamlined workflow for sterilization procedures.
- Enhanced patient safety through meticulous inspection and maintenance of surgical instruments.
- Reduced instrument repair costs by performing regular preventative maintenance on delicate equipment.
- Contributed to successful surgeries by ensuring timely availability of properly sterilized and functional instruments.
- Received commendation from surgeons for consistently providing well-organized surgical trays with the necessary tools.
- Assisted in reducing infection rates by adhering to strict decontamination protocols for all reusable medical equipment.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to optimize instrument setup, resulting in reduced surgery preparation time.
- Maintained comprehensive records of instrument usage, repairs, and sterilization cycles to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Kept abreast of industry advancements, attending professional development courses to enhance knowledge in surgical instrumentation technology.
- Trained new staff members on best practices for safe handling, care, and storage of surgical instruments.
- Streamlined inventory management processes to minimize tool shortages and ensure prompt replacement of damaged items.
- Supported positive patient outcomes by working closely with surgical team members to anticipate needs during procedures.
- Ensured proper disposal or recycling of single-use devices according to established guidelines and regulations.
- Utilized advanced automated cleaning systems for efficient removal of organic matter from complex instruments.
- Evaluated new products and recommended appropriate additions or upgrades to the existing inventory of surgical instruments based on performance data and user feedback.
- Increased accuracy in tracking instrument usage by implementing a barcode scanning system for easy documentation purposes.
Sterile Processing Technician
Panhandle Pediatric Dentistry
08.2010 - 12.2018
- Enhanced patient safety by ensuring proper sterilization and packaging of medical equipment.
- Streamlined workflow for the department by organizing instruments and equipment in a systematic manner.
- Reduced risk of infections by maintaining a clean and sterile environment within the processing area.
- Ensured timely availability of surgical instruments by prioritizing urgent requests and efficiently managing workload.
- Increased compliance with infection control standards through regular inspection and maintenance of sterilizers.
- Supported surgical teams effectively by preparing instrument trays according to procedure requirements.
- Improved quality assurance processes by implementing documentation procedures for all stages of the sterilization process.
- Facilitated seamless communication between departments, coordinating with clinical staff on equipment needs and availability.
- Optimized inventory management by conducting routine audits, identifying discrepancies, and resolving issues promptly.
- Contributed to cost savings initiatives through effective utilization of resources and minimizing waste.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry best practices, participating in relevant training programs and workshops.
- Assisted in staff development by providing guidance to new team members on proper sterile processing techniques.
- Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement, actively seeking ways to enhance efficiency within the department.
- Promoted a safe working environment, adhering to established guidelines for handling hazardous materials.
- Achieved high levels of accuracy in record-keeping, logging important data related to sterilization cycles and equipment usage.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Health
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL05.2026
High School Diploma -
Shaw Adult Center
Panama City, FL05.2007
Skills
- Materials Preparation
- Interventions Understanding
- Presentation Skills
- Research Abilities
- Program Support
- Scientific Terminology
- Applicant Screening
- Prevention Strategies
- Resource Advocacy
- Class Instruction
- Community Outreach
- Data Collection
Timeline
Health Educator / SWAT Coordinator
Florida Department Of Health In Bay County
04.2023 - Current
Surgical Instrument Technician
Ascension
01.2019 - 02.2023
Sterile Processing Technician
Panhandle Pediatric Dentistry
08.2010 - 12.2018
Bachelor of Science - Public Health
Gulf Coast State College
High School Diploma -
Shaw Adult Center
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