Heather Lynn Gaines
Pleasantville,NJ
Summary
Registered Nurse with over 17 years’ experience in the post-operative orthopedic and medical surgical setting. One year experience in an office setting as a clinical assistant to an orthopedic surgeon and one year as a home care RN. Specialization has been in the delivery of care to the post-operative patient on a medical-surgical floor with elective orthopedic procedures as well as the care of trauma patients, and more recently patients with GI, oncological, and other abdominal surgeries. Also caring for patients in a non-specialized cardiac setting, ostomy care/education, wound care and wound care management. Committed to delivering best-in-class patient care through effective education and counseling, proven leadership focused on increasing and enhancing patient care and satisfaction, and streamlining safety protocols for comprehensive patient care.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN, Medical-Surgical, Team Lead
Aya Healthcare
08.2022 - 06.2025
- Performed emergency medical procedures such as BLS, and other condition stabilizing interventions.
- Analyzed diagnostic tests and lab results to identify and assess patient conditions and report to physician in a timely fashion.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, and pain management techniques.
- Managed patients' pain by implementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management interventions.
- Started intravenous fluids, administered medications, and documented patient charts by recording food and fluid output and intake.
- Utilized EPIC and Cerner to document data related to patient care such as medications, interventions and patient responses.
- Monitored hemodynamic variances to identify signs of life-threatening complications.
- Performed intravenous therapy procedures and monitored chest tubes.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
RN Circulator
Complete Care of Linwood
02.2022 - 07.2022
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Worked closely with respiratory therapists to care for ventilated patients.
- Care of patients with gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes including proper medication administration and tube feedings.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Work with dieticians to ensure proper diet including International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative.
RN Step-down Trauma
Atlanticare Regional Medical Center
11.2020 - 01.2022
- Provided intermediate care to patients transitioning from trauma ICU
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Specialized care including care of chest tubes, external fixation, wound care, blunt trauma, MVA, GSW, head injuries.
Homecare Clinician Case Manager
AtlantiCare Homecare/LHC Group
11.2019 - 11.2020
- Development of plan of care for the post-acute care patient
- Communicating with care team for best patient care
- Communicating with physicians/APN/NP to report untoward findings and make any necessary revisions to POC
- Patient and family education regarding patient care and safe home environment
- Recommends additional disciplines based on initial assessment (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social worker and/or home health aide)
- Maintain current medication profile
- Provide in-home blood draws
Surgical Clinical Assistant
Rothman Orthopedics
07.2018 - 10.2019
- Pre-operative education of total hip and knee arthroplasty patient
- Working closely with surgeon to ensure patient understanding of health risks
- Working closely with pre-admission physicians to ensure proper medical clearances obtained including cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary function testing and all other specialty clearances required for best patient outcomes with elective surgeries
- Knowledge of multiple computer programs
- Obtaining authorizations for procedures ordered by physician
- Maintaining constant communication with post-operative patients to ensure patient is following plan of care
RN/Team Leader-Orthopedics
Atlantic Care Regional Medical Center
12.2007 - 06.2018
- Assessment, evaluation and the delivery of exceptional care for the orthopedic/trauma patient
- Administering of medications as prescribed and evaluation of effectiveness
- Performance of wound care on surgical sites
- Education of patients and family on discharge instructions
- Communication with Interdisciplinary Team to ensure complete and competent care delivery aligning with standards of Magnet Designation for Nursing as achieved by AtlantiCare
- Leadership by example of team of approximately eight RNs as well as ancillary staff to ensure safety in care delivery.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Drexel School of Nursing
Philadelphia, PA01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Stockton College
Galloway, NJ01.2006
Skills
- Assessing
- Planning
- Implementation
- Documentation
- Coordination of patient care
- Communication skills
- Working independently
- Management of drains
- Orthopedic Splints and Devices Application
- Care of patient with chest tube
- Care of patient with nasogastric tube
- Training new nurses
- Basic life support
- Discharge planning
- Culturally-sensitive care
- Telemetry monitoring
- Gastroenteral nutrition education
- Staff supervision
- Creating plan of care
- Safe Patient Handling
- Inter-Disciplinary Team Leadership
- Discharge Education
- Teaching
- Phlebotomy
- IV insertion
- Safe medication administration
- Wound care
- Wound vac changes
- Staple removal
- Suture removal
Certification
- Up to date BLS
- RN license
Timeline
RN, Medical-Surgical, Team Lead
Aya Healthcare
08.2022 - 06.2025
RN Circulator
Complete Care of Linwood
02.2022 - 07.2022
RN Step-down Trauma
Atlanticare Regional Medical Center
11.2020 - 01.2022
Homecare Clinician Case Manager
AtlantiCare Homecare/LHC Group
11.2019 - 11.2020
Surgical Clinical Assistant
Rothman Orthopedics
07.2018 - 10.2019
RN/Team Leader-Orthopedics
Atlantic Care Regional Medical Center
12.2007 - 06.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Stockton College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Drexel School of Nursing
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