Jennifer Rickards, MSN, BSN, RN

General Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating patient care and maintaining interpersonal relationships with patients, families, and providers within our multidisciplinary AADP Team
• Working with departmental leadership to assist in the development and implementation of education for the AADP Program here at CHOP.
• Assessing patient’s health status, psychosocial and support needs (school), provides recommendations based on established plan of care, and escalates as necessary.
• Reviewing patient lab results, and escalating as needed.
• Triaging medication refill requests, and escalating as needed.
• Coordinating referral intakes and collection of appropriate medical records/diagnostic information; reviews medical records for triage, appropriateness for program, and scheduling.
• Assigning new patients/consults to appropriate specialties within AADP.
• Participating in meetings relevant to patient’s management.
• Tracking and maintaining data to helps prepare reports.
• Acting as a resource and mentor for new and established staff regarding patient needs/treatment plans.
• Participating in the development of patient educational materials (AADP Adult Transition Packet)
• Effectively communicating patient needs to and liaising with all multidisciplinary team members/specialties within the AADP platform to ensure quality patient care.
• Providing coverage or support for leaders when needed.

In Person Clinic Responsibilities include:

• Communicating with patients prior to clinic regarding medical records and clinic expectations to enhance patient experience.
• Creating schedules for multidisciplinary clinic patients, identifying appropriate specialty evaluation needs, and ensuring steady and seamless patient flow
• Creating multidisciplinary itineraries to assist providers' ability to easily follow and track patients throughout the day.
• Creating Medical Assistant Assignments
• Creating and monitoring secure chats within Epic for efficiency and communication.
• Troubleshooting unexpected obstacles throughout clinic day
• Facilitating post clinic patient care conference to obtain "real time" provider recommendations/treatment plans.
• Creating cumulative after visit summary letters

• Responsible for facilitating healthcare for the worldwide business traveler, including medical evacuations, repatriations, and telephonic triage.
• Provided medical recommendations including advice and education to callers regarding all health related concerns from minor conditions through life threatening events.
• Assessed each case with respect to its medical elements and cultural considerations.
• Directly liaised with corporate clients to discuss appropriate medical management of their employees based on disposition and location.
• Educated patients on disease management, self-care techniques, and wellness strategies to improve long-term health outcomes.
• Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
• Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
• Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
• Streamlined communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive understanding of care plans.

• Evaluated student performance through ongoing assessment, providing constructive feedback and promoting academic growth.
• Supervised students during clinical rotations, ensuring adherence to policies and procedures while promoting patient safety and quality care delivery.
• Responsible and accountable for overseeing, mentoring, and evaluating accelerated and traditional Baccalaureate candidates in a pediatric clinical setting.
• Facilitated appropriate in-service education and skill set development.
• Facilitated skill development through hands-on clinical training, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with practical application.

• Responsible for facilitating and evaluating candidates within the RN-BSN program at various Immaculata satellite campuses.
• Didactic classes overseen include Philosophical Foundations of Baccalaureate Nursing, Essentials of Holistic Nursing Practice, Holistic Nursing (2nd class in series), and Anthropology and Health.

• Performed IV placement for pediatric patients of all ages and diagnoses, including the tiniest of neonates.
• Responsible for the care and troubleshooting of central lines such as Broviacs, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCS), and implanted ports.
• Certified in Broviac repair through St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
• Certified for PICC insertion through Bard Access and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
• Required RN to work independently, prioritize efficiently, and communicate effectively to the interdisciplinary team in order to identify and implement appropriate vascular access.
• Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
• Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
• Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
• Cross trained to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Continuing Care Nursery during this time.

• Primary focus on facilitating care for the outpatient surgical candidate from the pre-operative area through post-operative teaching and safe discharge to home.
• Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
• Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
• Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
• Infusion therapy induction and management, performed endocrine studies, and assisted with conscious sedation procedures.
• Effectively liaised between physician and patient/family.
• Cross trained to Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit during this time. Assumed charge nurse role effectively and safely.
• Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
• Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.

• Primary focus on making swift and crucial healthcare decisions for the most critically burned victims.
• Daily wound assessment, cleansing, and dressing performed. Primary caregiver model in place, making the bedside nurse ultimately responsible for utilizing the interdisciplinary team in planning the care of the patient.
• Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
• Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
• Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
• Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
• Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds.
• Special Care portion of this unit focused on treating the tracheostomy and intubated patient, severe asthmatics, accidental overdose, and other acutely/critically ill children.
• Assumed charge nurse in both roles efficiently and effectively.

• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care, ensuring seamless communication between healthcare providers.
• Consistently maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Skillfully performed venipuncture, IV insertion, and catheterizations, ensuring proper technique and adherence to infection control standards.
• Provided health education to patients and families regarding discharge instructions and plans of care.