Open To Work
Jolene Stepanski
Fenton,MI
Work Preference
Summary
Empathetic healthcare professional with strong skills in patient advocacy and education. Experienced in hospice care, providing emotional support and guidance to patients and families during difficult transitions, fostering comfort and dignity throughout the care journey.
Overview
1
1
Certification
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Case Manager
The Medical Team
Flint, Michigan
12.2018 - Current
- Coordinated interdisciplinary patient care plans, ensuring comprehensive support through collaboration with families and healthcare providers.
- Assessed patient needs to develop tailored care strategies.
- Monitored patient progress, adjusting care plans to meet evolving requirements.
- Educated patients and families on health management techniques, empowering them with resources to enhance self-care and improve health outcomes.
- Documented patient interactions accurately in electronic health records systems.
- Advocated for patients' needs within healthcare facilities and community resources.
- Coordinated medical services between primary care providers, specialists, hospitals and outpatient clinics.
- Developed discharge plans for patients transitioning from acute care settings to home or alternate facilities.
- Actively participated in multidisciplinary rounds discussing complex cases with members of the healthcare team.
- Communicated regularly with family members regarding patient care needs and progress toward goals.
- Facilitated referrals to community resources for additional support services.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards concerning utilization review, ethical decision making and legal aspects of case management practice.
- Facilitated transitions between care levels by effectively coordinating resources, ensuring seamless patient experiences and continuity of care.
- Identified high-risk cases requiring intensive monitoring or specialized interventions.
- Provided direct nursing care such as wound dressing changes, IV therapy, medication administration and patient education.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives related to case management processes.
- Attended continuing education seminars relevant to case management practices.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care.
- Educated families about end-of-life care and available resources.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses diligently.
- Mentored new nursing staff on hospice protocols and procedures.
- Advocated for patients' comfort and dignity throughout their care journey.
- Provided emotional support for patients and families during difficult times.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient's progress towards goals of care plan.
- Educated family members about end of life care options for the patient.
- Counseled family members on grief management techniques during difficult times associated with terminal illness.
- Provided care and support to terminally ill patients and their families in a home-like setting.
- Performed physical assessments including wound care, skin integrity checks, catheter changes and care, IV therapy administration and other clinical skills as needed.
- Conducted daily visits to assess the needs of hospice patients in their homes or nursing facilities.
- Provided specialized care for pediatric and adult hospice patients from diverse backgrounds.
- Attended continuing education courses related to hospice nursing practices.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make sound judgments in order to provide quality end-of-life care for each patient.
- Coordinated with physicians to ensure the best possible treatment for the patient.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals including social workers, chaplains, pharmacists and dieticians on behalf of hospice patients.
- Administered medications as prescribed by physician orders according to established policies and procedures.
- Maintained accurate records on all treatments provided to hospice patients and reported any changes in condition promptly to physician staff.
- Facilitated referrals for additional services such as home health aides or psychosocial counseling.
- Delivered respectful, compassionate care to each patient and family member.
Telephone Triage Registered Nurse
Reverence Home Health And Hospice
Grand Blanc, Michigan
04.2016 - 12.2018
- Ensured timely responses to urgent calls for effective patient care. incoming calls to prioritize urgent cases requiring immediate attention.
- Assessed patient needs through phone consultations, guiding care strategies to ensure timely and appropriate interventions.
- Provided nursing advice following clinical guidelines for home health services.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement comprehensive patient care plans, enhancing patient outcomes.
- Monitored symptoms and reported changes to healthcare providers promptly.
- Educated patients and families on hospice and home health options, empowering them to make informed healthcare decisions.
- Documented patient interactions accurately in electronic health record systems.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory standards and best practices in telehealth nursing.
RN, PACU/Pre-Op Nurse/NURSE LIASON
McLaren Flint
Flint, Michigan
09.2006 - 10.2018
- Monitored patient recovery in post-anesthesia care unit to ensure safety and comfort.
- Administered medications according to physician orders and established protocols.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to prioritize patient safety throughout procedures.
- Assessed vital signs, promptly reporting any abnormalities to medical staff.
- Administered medications to manage progression off anesthesia medications, deal with side effects and promote recovery.
- Maintained accurate patient records and documentation to ensure compliance.
- Trained new staff on PACU protocols and best practices, enhancing patient care quality.
- Coordinated communication between surgical teams and PACU nursing staff, ensuring seamless patient transitions.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives, contributing to enhanced departmental efficiency.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care and medication instructions.
- Implemented patient discharge instructions and ensured understanding by patients.
- Provided effective communication between PACU team members, physicians, and other healthcare personnel.
- Provided education to families about post-operative care requirements. regarding home care instructions after surgery or procedures.
- Responded quickly and appropriately to emergent situations such as cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.
- Educated patients and families on health management and recovery processes.
Hospice Registered Nurse-On Call
Avalon Hospice
Flint, Michigan
02.2012 - 04.2016
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care.
- Assessed patient conditions, monitored behaviors and updated supervising physicians with observations and concerns.
- Assessed patients' condition and monitored vital signs, pain levels, medications, nutrition and other health related issues.
- Guided patients and families through care journey, enhancing comfort and understanding during challenging situations to promote recovery and improve compliance.
- Provided care and support to terminally ill patients and their families in a home-like setting.
- Educated families on hospice services and patient care techniques.
- Provided grief management counseling to families, offering support during the emotional challenges of terminal illness.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses effectively.
- Provided medications following physician prescriptions and standard operating procedures.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact, and evaluate patient care plans.
- Coordinated with healthcare providers for seamless patient transitions.
- Documented patient progress and care interventions accurately in records.
- Proposed and implemented strategies to improve team collaboration and patient care outcomes.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Responded quickly to urgent calls regarding symptom management or emergency situations.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to make sound judgments in order to provide quality end-of-life care for each patient.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals including social workers, chaplains, pharmacists and dieticians on behalf of hospice patients.
- Cared for both pediatric and adult hospice patients from diverse backgrounds with varying degrees of illnesses.
- Maintained strict patient data procedures to comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
Operating Room RN
McLaren Flint
03.2001 - 06.2006
- Collaborated with surgeons and anesthesiologists to enhance patient care outcomes.
- Collaborated effectively with multidisciplinary teams such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, physician assistants, promoting positive outcomes for each patient encounter.
- Participated in emergency procedures, demonstrating quick decision-making and adherence to protocols.
- Performed sterile techniques including scrubbing, gowning, gloving, draping and positioning of patients for surgical procedures.
- Instructed surgical technicians on proper setup of operating rooms prior to each procedure and operation.
- Prepared operating rooms by setting out and verifying equipment and assessing for compliance with asepsis standards.
- Ensured all necessary equipment was available prior to beginning a procedure or operation.
- Managed operating room supply inventory, ensuring readiness for all surgical interventions.
- Actively participated in team meetings with surgeons, anesthesiologists and other healthcare professionals discussing patient care plans.
- Educated patients and families on post-operative care instructions and expectations.
- Observed body language, movement, and demeanor to anticipate surgeon's needs and maintain procedure sterility during operation.
- Managed laboratory specimens to ensure proper handling and inspected containers for correct packaging and labeling.
Education
Associate of Science - NURSING
Charles Stewart Mott Community College
Flint, MI01-2001
Associate of Arts -
Charles Stewart Mott Community College
Flint, MI01-2001
Skills
- Care coordination
- Patient assessment
- Discharge planning
- Hospice care
- Chronic disease management
- Wound care
- Dementia care
- Pediatric Hospice Nursing
- Geriatric nursing
- Electronic health records
- Telehealth nursing
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Crisis intervention
- Organizational management
- Healthcare personnel supervision
- Professional mentoring
- Geriatric care
- Ostomy Care Management
Certification
- Registered Nurse
Accomplishments
- Hospice Heart of Caring Award Genesee County March 2026
Timeline
RN Case Manager
The Medical Team
12.2018 - Current
Telephone Triage Registered Nurse
Reverence Home Health And Hospice
04.2016 - 12.2018
Hospice Registered Nurse-On Call
Avalon Hospice
02.2012 - 04.2016
RN, PACU/Pre-Op Nurse/NURSE LIASON
McLaren Flint
09.2006 - 10.2018
Operating Room RN
McLaren Flint
03.2001 - 06.2006
Associate of Science - NURSING
Charles Stewart Mott Community College
Associate of Arts -
Charles Stewart Mott Community College