Julie Lebakken

Served as the AIM (Advanced Illness Management) nurse. AIM was a home based palliative care program.

-Screened all referrals for appropriateness for the program.

-Scheduled all patient home visits with a palliative care nurse practitioner.

-Was the triage nurse who handled all patient/ family phone calls and emails.

-Communicated all lab results via phone, email or mail and interventions ordered by the provider.

-Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis, disease trajectory, symptom management and goals of care.

-Served as the RN liaison between providers, patients and families to facilitate clear and accurate communication regarding medication dose changes, upcoming lab draws, tests and medical appointments.

-Developed strong relationships with patients and families, giving emotional support while addressing concerns or questions regarding care.

-Acted as a "community resource" specialist by referring patient's to various community programs for assistance with care needs.

-Ordered all office and medical supplies for the program as well as vaccines.

• Streamlined intake processes for increased efficiency, implementing electronic documentation systems.
• Provided exceptional customer service to patients and families, addressing concerns promptly and professionally.
• Improved overall department performance with active participation in quality improvement initiatives and process evaluations.
• Managed time-sensitive tasks efficiently by prioritizing workload based on clinical urgency levels.
• Ensured accuracy of patient information by meticulously reviewing medical records and updating as needed.
• Facilitated smooth transitions between healthcare settings by effectively communicating with providers across the continuum of care.
• Ensured compliance with HIPAA regulations, maintaining strict confidentiality when handling sensitive patient data.
• Consistently met or exceeded departmental performance metrics through diligent work ethic and focus on continuous improvement efforts.

Served as the Care Coordinator with the inpatient Palliative Care program at Mercyhealth Hospital in Janesville, WI.

-Screened hospitalized patients for appropriateness for a Palliative Care consult.

-Coordinated interdisciplinary family meetings to discuss goals of care.

-Assisted patients and families with completing advance directives for healthcare (HCPOA, Living Will & DNR).

-Facilitated code status discussions with patients and families.

-Facilitated goals of care discussions with providers, patients and families.

-Educated patients/families on end of life care in and out of the hospital setting.

-Coordinated transfer of patient care to the hospice setting by working with various hospice agencies.

• Advocated for older adult patients, ensuring they received appropriate resources and services to maintain their wellbeing.
• Facilitated smooth transitions between care settings by coordinating with other healthcare professionals and communicating effectively with patients and families.
• Enhanced patient safety by conducting regular assessments and promptly addressing any signs of decline or potential complications.
• Assessed fall risks among the elderly population, implementing targeted prevention strategies to reduce injury occurrences.
• Closely monitored acute conditions related to falls and accidents, as well as chronic conditions, such as arthritis and COPD.
• Promoted family involvement in the care process, providing education on geriatric conditions and assisting with caregiver support resources.
• Utilized effective communication strategies to build trusting relationships with geriatric patients, fostering their autonomy and dignity during the care process.
• Promoted kind, compassionate environment, utilizing active listening and effective communication skills for elderly patients and caregivers.
• Supported patients experiencing cognitive decline by implementing individualized interventions based on their unique needs and preferences.
• Anticipated needs of aging adults and worked closely with multidisciplinary team to provide individualized care to elderly patients.
• Prevented complications in geriatric patients with complex medical histories by closely monitoring vital signs and lab results, initiating timely interventions when needed.
• Actively participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices and emerging trends in geriatric nursing.
• Involved, educated and supervised family members in implementing best practices for older adults.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop holistic treatment plans that addressed physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of geriatric patients.
• Educated patients on such topics as nutrition and medication side effects.
• Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
• Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.

• Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
• Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
• Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
• Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
• Developed strong relationships with patients'' families, providing emotional support while addressing concerns or questions about care plans.

• Streamlined nursing processes on the surgical floor, implementing various time management techniques to enhance overall productivity.
• Provided emotional support to patients and families, addressing concerns or questions regarding surgical procedures, recoveries, and potential complications.
• Promoted teamwork amongst fellow staff members through effective communication and collaboration, fostering a positive work environment.
• Ensured accurate documentation of patient information within electronic medical records, maintaining compliance with regulatory guidelines and promoting efficient communication among healthcare team members.
• Facilitated smooth transitions from surgery to the surgical floor by effectively communicating with operating room staff and receiving detailed hand-off reports.
• Delivered compassionate care to patients from diverse backgrounds while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and understanding during their recovery process.
• Administered blood transfusions safely for post-surgical patients requiring additional blood products during their recovery process.
• Assisted in rapid response initiatives when encountering critical patient situations that required immediate intervention or escalation of care levels.
• Optimized hospital resource utilization by efficiently managing patient assignments based on acuity levels, resulting in balanced workloads for nursing staff.
• Educated patients about pain management options after surgery while closely monitoring them for any adverse reactions or side effects from prescribed medications.
• Conducted comprehensive assessments of incoming patients, identifying any potential risks or complications related to their surgeries.
• Reduced instances of surgical site infections by maintaining strict adherence to infection control protocols during wound care and dressing changes.
• Mentored newly hired nurses on the surgical floor, sharing valuable knowledge and expertise in order to optimize patient care delivery.
• Created warm, supportive atmosphere to keep patients feeling safe and comfortable immediately before and after surgery.