Helena Hough
Registered Nurse
Cottekill,NY
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse Urgent Care
CareMount Medical
03.2021 - 01.2025
- Urgent care RN for busy office during COVID outbreak. Triage, assessment and treatment of walk-in patients. Phlebotomy, in office PCR testing, vaccinations, wound care and orthopedic care
- Achieved 100% inspection rating ensuring compliance with corporate requirements.
- Administered patient care, monitoring vital signs and responding to emergencies.
- Educated patients and families on health management and preventive care strategies.
- Led initiatives to improve workflow efficiency within the nursing unit.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
RN Covid Case Investigator
Ulster County Department of Health
03.2021 - 08.2021
- COVID case investigations. Issuance of legal isolation/quarantine orders. Case management. Follow up of all inpatient or deceased patients. Co-ordination with all Ulster County nursing home COVID cases.
- Conducted patient assessments to identify needs and coordinate appropriate interventions.
- Educated patients on disease management and self-care techniques, promoting lifestyle changes for improved health.
- Managed patient caseloads effectively, ensuring timely interventions and thorough follow-ups to mitigate potential complications.
- Managed complex cases of critically ill patients, ensuring optimal treatment plans were executed effectively.
Nursing Supervisor / Lead RN / Pre / Post Op Care / Cardiac Rehab
Ellenville Regional Hospital
03.2020 - 02.2021
- Managed and oversaw nursing care with strong commitment to offering patients optimal treatments, resources and quality care.
- Completed daily rounds of nursing department to verify nursing service personnel performance alignment with acceptable nursing standards. Advised, coached and mentored experienced and student nurses on medical issues, crisis management and appropriate nursing interventions.
- Delegated tasks and provided leadership for med/surg and emergency room nurses and support personnel.
- Supervised nursing staff, ensuring adherence to protocols and quality patient care standards.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient cases and optimize treatment plans.
Nurse Manager
Institute for Family Health
08.2019 - 03.2020
- Helped floor nurses make care decisions by applying exceptional clinical judgment and knowledge of facility policies.
- Maintained adequate unit supplies to meet expected patient demands.
- Oversaw nursing operations for OB/GYN/Family Practice unit, delivering leadership, assistance and management for staff of 15.
- Coordinated employee schedules and job assignments.
- Managed medication dispensing and control.
- Immunized adult, infant and pediatric patients.
- Advocated for patient-centered care approaches, enhancing overall service delivery quality.
- Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to support professional growth of nursing staff members.
- Developed and implemented quality improvement initiatives to provide best possible patient care and identify and address areas of concern.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives, resulting in streamlined workflows.
Charge Nurse
Institute For Family Health
11.2018 - 08.2019
- Overall responsibility for daily functioning of primary care clinic nursing staff and medical assistants. Collected biological samples for routine laboratory testing to assist diagnostic processes.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Educated patients, caregivers, and families on diagnoses, treatment and disease prevention.
- Coordinated emergency response efforts, ensuring rapid intervention for critical patients.
Admissions Nurse
Cornerstone of Rhinebeck
02.2009 - 09.2017
- Verified patient information and history to make admission arrangements in a 28-day inpatient, 98 bed detox-rehabilitation facility. Contacted insurance for authorizations to obtain payments for services rendered.
- Maintained strict documentation of medications, treatments and verified methadone and Suboxone program enrollment. Quick to act during emergency situations, remaining confident, calm and able to assume command to direct patient care and resource allocation. Provided clients and families with detailed education to increase knowledge in addiction.
- Established and presented a weekly lecture series on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis C, tuberculosis (TB) and Sexually transmitted diseases
- Improved the admissions process to reduce wait time and boost patient satisfaction.
- Oversaw 16-42 patients (based on the floor assignment) including medication administration (narcotics, psych meds, acute and chronic therapies), electronic medical records, treatments and order retrieval.
- Communicated effectively with pharmacies, doctors, clinical staff, and insurance companies. Known for revising department forms and procedures for clarity purposes.
- Continuously organized physical spaces for increased functionality and staff ergonomics.
- Streamlined intake processes, improving patient flow and reducing wait times.
- Effectively communicated with patients, families, and staff members to address concerns or questions related to the admissions process.
- Collaborated with insurance providers to verify coverage, obtain necessary authorizations, and facilitate payment arrangements as needed.
- Directed patient admission and discharge tasks while managing patients and coordinating care.
Clinical Coordinator / LPN / Occupational Healthcare Technician
Kingston Worx - Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley
11.2002 - 08.2009
- Occupational wellness clinic, hospital pre-employment physicals, DOT drug and alcohol testing, annual fitness for duty.
- Improved policies and procedures through development, implementation, revision and evaluation of new protocols.
- Administered medications and various vaccines and performed in-office labs and tests; EKG, pulmonary function, audiometry, phlebotomy, respirator fit testing, vision acuity tests.
- Coordinated patient care activities to enhance service delivery and streamline workflows.
- Worked closely with clinic administrators to maintain a safe, clean and well-organized environment in which patients could receive care.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Excelsior College
Albany, NY01.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NYSkills
- Advanced patient management
- Acute care nursing
- Fast-paced clinical nursing
- Leadership and management expertise
- Comprehensive women's health services
- Substance abuse recovery
- Integrated care for dual diagnosis
- Experience in med/surg nursing
- Cardiac recovery program
- Preoperative and postoperative care
- Health education delivery
- Equipment sterilization expertise
- Office-based urology procedures
Accomplishments
- Training - Trained team of staff nurses in medical procedures to ensure consistent quality of care.
- Achieved the first 100% rating in busy Urgent Care by ensuring compliance.
- Quality Assurance - Ensured and enforced medical office compliance with HIPAA, OSHA and CLIA regulations for maximum quality and control.
- Patient Advocacy - Explained treatment procedures, medication risks, special diets and physician instructions to patients.
Certification
- Certification in ACLS, PALS
- Emergency Medical Technician / Firefighter (retired)
- NYS DOH Infection control certification
Timeline
Registered Nurse Urgent Care
CareMount Medical
03.2021 - 01.2025
RN Covid Case Investigator
Ulster County Department of Health
03.2021 - 08.2021
Nursing Supervisor / Lead RN / Pre / Post Op Care / Cardiac Rehab
Ellenville Regional Hospital
03.2020 - 02.2021
Nurse Manager
Institute for Family Health
08.2019 - 03.2020
Charge Nurse
Institute For Family Health
11.2018 - 08.2019
Admissions Nurse
Cornerstone of Rhinebeck
02.2009 - 09.2017
Clinical Coordinator / LPN / Occupational Healthcare Technician
Kingston Worx - Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley
11.2002 - 08.2009
Associate of Science - Nursing
Excelsior College
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Skidmore College