Jean-Marie Antoinette Girard

• Provided direct nursing care to medical-surgical patients including assessments, treatments, medications and documentation of care.
• Utilized evidence based practice guidelines when making decisions regarding patient care needs.
• Participated actively in unit meetings to discuss clinical issues related to patient outcomes, care plans, staffing concerns.
• Provided compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill patients and their families.
• Performed vital signs monitoring for early identification of changes in patient condition or response to treatment plan.
• Adhered to hospital policies and procedures while providing quality patient centered care.
• Supervision of Licensed Practical Nurses and Patient Care Techs.

As a Staff RN for the Med/Surg Department, the management and delivery and documentation of patient care includes, but is not limited to as follows: Assessment/re-assessments, Development of the plan of care, Implementation of appropriate patient care interventions, Evaluation of appropriate patient care interventions, Supervises and coordinates other licensed and non-licensed and non-licensed personnel in the provision of care to patients as assigned, and Provides guidance and mentorship to non-licensed personnel and students, as appropriate.

Plan and provide professional nursing care for patients in accordance with the medical and nursing plans of care and established policies and procedures. Provide nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the scope of the RN as defined by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. The PAT Nurse is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and coordinating patient care prior to procedure or surgery.

PAT RN Responsibilities:

Please reference responsibilities for this position, previously listed below with prior employment details.

Personal Attributes:

I have taken this department from infancy and brought structure, a wealth of knowledge, and wisdom to the PAT process as a whole to this facility after being seasoned in this nursing specialty. I have encouraged genuine communication skills, organization, accuracy, friendliness, efficiency, and safety in becoming the patient advocate of this nursing role. I have built a great rapport with the clerical/clinical staffs of the surgeon offices by demonstrating the importance of ensuring patient safety is the key goal and outcome for the patient after their scheduled procedure. By sharing acquired knowledge in obtaining health information/records, cardiac/medical clearances in a timely manner, has overall, significantly decreased the individual risk of the patient for any probable anesthesia event, along with preventing same day cancellations causing patient distress, in addition to resulting of overage in supplemental cost ie., staff/equipment.

The Peri-Operative RN performs peri-anesthesia nursing assessments for each individual scheduled for outpatient and AM surgeries in accordance with standards of nursing practice. The PAT RN identifies factors influencing the patient's upcoming procedure. Collaborates with appropriate entities to gather clinical data. Formulates then initiates a specific plan of care for the patient that achieves the identified outcome. Excellent verbal and written communication skill used. The PAT RN also identifies and communicates opportunities for improvement, self-directed, occasionally called upon to supervise Techs. Meets the established criteria for the RN2 level nurse.

PAT RN Responsibilities:

-Assess each patient scheduled for surgery as an OP or AM admit. Obtains a comprehensive health history of the peri-anesthesia patient by phone or in person. History includes planned and prior surgical procedures, anesthesia history, medical conditions, medications, allergies, and systems review ( CV, Resp/Pulm, Neuro, GI, Urology, Musculoskeletal, Endocrine, Hematological), general and psycho-social.

-Utilizes critical thinking to analyze data from patient assessments/interviews to plan care. Documents orders for appropriate work based on risk factors, anesthesia guidelines, types of surgical procedure and surgeons pre-operative orders. Confers with anesthesiologist and surgeon as needed/required. Coordinates patient appointments for lab, EKG, etc., and/or physician intervention. Reports all findings of results to appropriate ordering physician. Involves patient or caregiver in decisions regarding and/or revolving around patient care.

-Assess, provide and/or coordinates patient and/or caregivers educational needs related to surgical procedure.

-Instructs patients and/or caregivers on significant pre-op information to include but not limited to: where/when to check in, what medications to take and when, NPO requirements, clothing requirements, control of valuables, contact lens restriction, ID of responsible caregiver, transportation provider for discharge, and coordinates pre-op tours for pediatric or special needs patients.

-Demonstrates effective/accurate communication (verbal/written & computerized). Creates a positive climate for communication. Demonstrates timely, accurate, concise, complete and appropriate communication and documentation. Maintains the confidentiality of patient/staff and hospital information from written, verbal, and electronic sources. Utilizes constructive problem solving techniques to promote change and resolve issues.

-Utilizes current knowledge achieved through evidence based research or educational activities to enhance or improve clinical practice.

Provided high skilled assessments, implementation, reporting and coordination of complex care and interventions.  Provided supportive, compassionate and therapeutic communication and environment for intermediate and step-down patients.  Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings, collaborated with patients, families, health care providers and professionals.  Advocated for the patient as a whole.  Arranged and oversaw continuous monitoring and nursing vigilance.  Proficiently administered prescribed and non-prescribed medications and therapies through multiple routes.  Performed excellent venipuncture skills and IV special infusions.  Adhered to protocols, assisted and performed bedside procedures including bedside sedation.  Obtained and maintained airway/advance airway and mechanical ventilation.  Administered breathing treatments, parenteral nutrition, tube feedings, and wound care.  Managed supervised and coordinated unlicensed personnel in the provision of care to assigned patients.  Provided guidance,  monitoring and mentorship to unlicensed personnel and students as appropriate.

Managing continuity of care for patients in numerous facilities nationwide experiencing job action criteria in relation to the re-negotiation of nursing contracts between labor unions and the facility/employer.  Specializing in Cardiovascular Services but not limited to patient care in other genres of nursing in other units, i.e., Medical-Surgical, Renal, and Rehabilitation. 

Contract and Per-Diem Nursing with Integris Baptist Heart Hospital and Integris Southwest Medical Center. 

Baptist Medical Center floor nursing on units such as Heart, Lung Transplant/LVAD Unit, Intermediate Cardiac Care Unit, Cardiac Suites and Post Coronary Care Unit.

Managing  complex care of the acutely ill patient and collaborating with all dynamics of caregivers and family.  Managed continuous complex care of hemodynamics, respiratory carom fluid balance, m renal function, organ rejection, infection, pain control, nutrition, psychological issues, stress, social problems, and rehabilitation care.  Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams.  Administered powerful anti-rejection drugs, closely monitored patients for signs of organ rejection.  Taught and educated patients and their families expected outcomes in lifestyle changes along with the management of being an organ donor recipient.

Cardiac Suites/IMC/PCCU positions including all RN care for the 23-hour observation, admitted, and intermediate care/step-down patient.   Assessments, care of, intervention, and education to the cardiac patient and their caregivers/families.

Fulfilled shift assignments in hospital units as an In-House Contract/Flex Pool RN assuming the responsibility for the delivery  of patient care by utilizing the nursing process.  Areas of care included: Medical-Surgical, Oncology, Intermediate Step Down, Ortho-Neuro, Cardio/Pulmonary and Rehabilitation.

Six (6) month travel assignment in Tacoma, WA., MultiCare Allenmore Hospital. Specializing in Cardiovascular Services, providing excellent RN care to the admitted patient, including assessments, medication administration, lab/specimen collection, IV placement, patient education/instruction along with managing discharge criteria.

Provided excellent patient care entailing all RN responsibilities to the cardiac admission for angina/chest pain and for patients meeting criteria for surgical intervention.  Including but not limited to coronary stent/angioplasty placement, coronary bypass candidates, AV Node Ablation/EP mapping/studies and patients recovering from carotid intervention.