Helen Kuekes

Staff Registered Nurse- Cath Lab Observation Unit

• Oversee various aspects of pre and post procedure patients from the cardiac cath lab and electrophysiology labs, by managing PA catheters and arterial lines, intra-aortic balloon pumps, vasoactive drug titration, dysrhythmia interpretation, and interventional site care.
• Assessed and documented changes in patient's condition and reported necessary changes to physicians for further treatment and recovery.
• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
• Train and coach new employees and students on protocols and best practices to promote ideal patient outcomes.

• Evaluated nursing staff's performance and developed education programs and professional development opportunities to improve individual and team competencies, clinical knowledge and delivery of care.
• Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to devise and manage individualized plans of care.
• Oversaw training, staffing and education of all nurses and patient care tech staff.
• Administered performance evaluations and probationary reviews to assess nursing personnel.
• Directed day-to-day nursing and operational functions for 47-bed cardiac telemetry and congestive heart failure units, ensuring exceptional delivery of care when developing well-rounded nursing teams.
• Worded as manager and educator to 85 nurses and patient care techs when educator position was vacant.

• Evaluated cardiac monitoring unit staff's performance and developed education programs and professional development.
• Trained and educated all new employee staff members on cardiac rhythm interpretation.
• Maintained annual competencies for all CMU staff.

• Day to day management of nursing staff's performance and professional development of Orthopedic team competencies, clinical knowledge and delivery of care.
• Administered performance evaluations and disciplinary action to all staff members.
• Manage 53 nurses and patient care techs across a 28-bed Orthopedic Unit.

• Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, monitoring admissions and discharges to unit from cath lab, ER and other departments from within the hospital.
• Femoral sheath puller for cardiac telemetry and PCU floors. Trainer to registered nurses in cardiac sheath pulling with proper technique and competencies.
• Preceptor to new employees and staff members to unit. Trainer to new nurses in proper care and safety standards and operational procedures.
• Developed and revised educational materials for new graduate nurse cardiac classes. Powerpoint presentations on pacemakers, congestive heart failure and cardiac rhythm interpretation.
• Member of unit based council for cardiac telemetry floor, making changes for unit to improve nursing standards, patient care and treatment.
• Clinical nurse chairperson hospital wide communication council. Editor of "Nurse's Notes" in-house newsletter highlighting nursing achievements within the hospital.
• Member of coordinating council, bringing all hospital wide councils together improving nursing based practices within the hospital
• Magnet champion for cardiac telemetry floor

• Manager to Catering and Banquet Hall.
• Assisted in family owned banquet and catering business
• Cook for weddings, parties and off site catering for 80-500 people.
• Employee payroll with Quickbooks.

• Assessed and managed various patient treatments for numerous patient diagnoses from myocardial infarction to acute respiratory distress and congestive heart failure.
• ICU trained registered nurse taking care of various patient with PA catheters, intra-aortic balloon pumps. Ventilator monitoring.
• Monitored patient cardiac rhythms and interpretation. Informing physicians of changes in patient conditions.
• Administration of critical care IV drips, managing patient vital signs and responses to medications.