JODY FITZGERALD

Responsible for administering IV therapies and medications to diverse patient populations, monitoring vital signs and assessing patient responses during infusion treatments, educating patients on infusion procedures, side effects, and self-care techniques, maintaining accurate documentation of patient records and treatment protocols, insuring compliance with safety standards and infection control practices, assisting in training new nursing staff on infusion techniques and protocols, coordinating with pharmacy to manage medication orders and supplies efficiently, conducting regular assessments on patients receiving infusions to ensure safety standards were met, being prepared for and providing prompt emergency response in the case of infusion or allergic reaction utilizing standing MD orders

Influx Children's Shelter

Managed various components and staff that comprise the Medical Administration Department, including: Medical, Medical Records, Referrals Management, Discharge Team, Staff Development, Epidemiology, Patient Safety, and Compliance. Supervised managers and supervisors within departments, responded to questions and complaints, and ensured compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and contractual obligations. Continuously monitored metrics, identified and mitigated conditions which would/could result in errors or inconsistencies, and established corrective action reports and plans to improve and maintain identified challenges. Developed new and revised existing protocols and competencies as needed to provide and streamline system improvements and ensure patient safety

Administered monoclonal antibody infusions to patients 12 years of age and older in regional infusion centers and mobile/home settings. Conducted thorough pre and post-infusion physical assessments, pre and post-infusion education, monitored throughout and following infusion, and provided emotional support to patients during treatment visits. Prepared for and provided prompt emergency response in the case of infusion or allergic reaction utilizing standing MD orders

New Orleans COVID Deployment

Emergency management team leader serving in multiple key positions, including Intake Charge RN, Patient Advocate/Patient Safety Officer, Nurse Manager, Shelter Manager, Deputy Operations Section Chief, and Operations Section Chief during the most prevalent ESF-8 disaster and incident response in recent United States history. Responsible for maintaining fast-paced and ever-changing operational cadence, system-wide control, and the coordinated accountability of 400+ medical professionals in a 24/7, 1000-bed capacity Alternate Care Site for COVID-19-positive patients. Recognized for extensive contributions to policy development and process improvement initiatives, as well as personnel management practices. Constant coordination with Louisiana state officials in unified ACS management: patient care coordination taking into account statewide mandates and CDC guideline changes affecting ACS operations, compliance, unique patient issues/needs/incidents, intake screening and outside facility issues, difficult patient placement and case management assistance requests, coordinating COVID testing and receipt of lab results, continuity of operations planning and implementation of critical care resources to ensure staff and patient safety and survival during multiple tropical weather events, etc.

Provide nursing care to pediatric patients ages birth to 17 years. Handle medical emergencies resulting from events such as respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, ingestion, minor burns, injury, hematology/oncology, neurological, GI/GU, acute and chronic psychological disorders, wound care, and more. Assess, stabilize, and plan care for acute and chronic patients. React quickly and effectively in emergency situations, demonstrating sound decision making that helps save patient lives. Delegate to and supervise ER techs, relief charge RN

Immigrant Children's Shelter Deployment- Tornillo, Tx

ORR Influx Children's Shelter. Responsible for admitted patient care coordination: admission from clinic, care and delegation of care tasks, coordinating off-site specialist visits, and discharge of UAC's from infirmary; real time documentation in WebEOC for state tracking purposes. Close communication with physicians, APPs, and other departments to ensure continuity of care throughout stay

Hurricane Harvey Deployment - Houston, Tx

Worked alongside military, law enforcement, and national DMAT Team to provide medical care to individuals affected by hurricane flooding and destruction in temporary medical shelter setting to assist overburdened local hospitals. Responsible for 10 RNs with 10 evacuee patients each, with varied medical conditions and needs. Daily tasks included admission, discharge planning, dialysis coordination and scheduling, coordination with case management to meet immediate and long-term needs, pick-up/placement, etc.

Provide nursing care to hematology/oncology patients in outpatient clinic setting. Head to toe patient assessments, home medication reviews, access mediports, draw and review labs, administer meds and infusions such as IVIG, iron, and blood products such as PRBCs, platelets, and albumin, deaccess ports, educate patients and their families.

Provide nursing care to pediatric patients ages birth to 17 years. Handle medical emergencies resulting from events such as respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, ingestion, minor burns, injury, hematology/oncology, neurological, GI/GU, acute and chronic psychological disorders, wound care, and more. Assess, stabilize, and plan care for acute and chronic patients. React quickly and effectively in emergency situations, demonstrating sound decision making that helps save patient lives. Delegate to and supervise ER techs, serve as team lead in the department, serve as preceptor to nursing students/graduate RNs/travel nurses. Member of Education & Trauma Committees in CED. Assisted in build of EDM computer system for the department. Relief charge nurse as needed