KAREN COOK
Fort Worth,TX
Summary
Registered Nurse with experience spanning case management, triage, utilization review, and bedside surgical and rehab care. Supports patient outcomes through condition monitoring, medication and benefit review, care gap resolution, and clear communication with physicians, families, insurers, and interdisciplinary teams.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Case Manager (RNCM) | Triage RN | Patient Care Manager | Clinical Liaison
Heart to Heart Hospice
Fort Worth, TX
05.2016 - 08.2026
- Managed interdisciplinary hospice teams and coordinated individualized care plans to support continuity of care.
- Provided patient and family education on medications, treatment plans, and end-of-life care; communicated changes in condition to physicians.
- Conducted clinical assessments and medication reviews, trained new clinical staff, and maintained relationships with facilities and community partners to enhance care delivery.
- Conduct telephonic or virtual assessments to evaluate medical, psychosocial, and social needs, developing individualized care plans for diverse patient populations.
- Coordinate care across providers, specialists, social services, and insurers to ensure continuity, appropriate interventions, and timely access to resources.
- Review medical records, treatment plans, and clinical documentation to determine medical necessity and support care decisions.
- Monitor patient progress through regular follow-up calls, adjusting care plans and documenting all interactions in EHR and case management systems.
- Advocated for patient needs by addressing care gaps, resolving barriers, and coordinating referrals to community resources, home health, and durable medical equipment to ensure comprehensive support.
- Navigate insurance coverage, authorizations, and benefit questions; collaborate with utilization review teams to resolve denials or pre-approval issues.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, case management guidelines, and organizational policies while maintaining accurate, timely documentation.
- Facilitated comprehensive care coordination, ensured smooth discharge processes, managed chronic conditions effectively, and supported patient advocacy.
- Demonstrated proficiency in utilizing EHR systems, managing case software, navigating telehealth platforms, and optimizing documentation workflows.
- Utilized understanding of medical necessity criteria, managed insurance processes, and implemented evidence-based guidelines effectively.
Registered Nurse, Post-Surgical
Baylor Surgical Hospital
Fort Worth, TX
12.2015 - 06.2016
- Assessed surgical patients preoperatively for Baylor Surgical Hospital care plans.
- Monitored vital signs and patient status during perioperative recovery.
- Administered medications and IV therapies per physician orders.
- Coordinated with physicians and clinicians to communicate condition changes, ensuring seamless continuity of care.
- Developed and revised individualized care plans to address patient needs and enhance clinical outcomes.
Registered Nurse, Case Manager
New Century Hospice
Fort Worth, TX
05.2015 - 09.2015
- Managed hospice patients’ care plans with interdisciplinary team collaboration.
- Coordinated admissions, recertifications, and discharges for hospice services.
- Assessed symptom burden and updated comfort-focused nursing interventions.
- Maintained medication information and assessed changes while providing emotional support to patients and families during care transitions.
- Coordinated home health aide services and collaborated with physicians and team members to effectively respond to changes in patient needs.
Registered Nurse
Forest Park Medical
Fort Worth, TX
09.2015 - 12.2015
- Administered medications and intravenous therapies per physician orders.
- Reviewed post-surgical assessments and documented care plans, clinical changes, and treatment responses to ensure optimal patient recovery.
- Provided compassionate bedside care to patients in surgical and recovery units. for Forest Park Medical patients across surgical and recovery units.
- Checked and recorded vital signs of patients to track health status. and documented changes in Forest Park Medical charts.
Registered Nurse
John Peter Smith
Fort Worth, TX
12.2014 - 05.2015
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses during care shifts.
- Evaluated neurological and progressive-care patient needs, updated care plans, and communicated critical changes to care team.
- Coordinated treatment plans with physicians, therapists, and nursing staff.
- Assessed patient conditions and documented findings in Forest Park Medical records.
Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse
Texas Rehabilitation Hospital
Fort Worth, TX
11.2011 - 12.2014
- Coordinated nursing team activities and supported care planning for complex conditions, training new staff on quality control procedures to ensure high standards of patient care.
LVN
Global Rehab
03.2009 - 10.2011
- Earlier Nursing Experience | 2009 – 2011
- Provided skilled nursing care to rehab patients, ensuring adherence to individualized care plans.
- Administered medications and monitored responses under physician and care plan orders.
- Monitored and documented vital signs, assessments, and updates in patient charts, enhancing continuity of care.
LVN
Weatherford Regional
10.2010 - 03.2011
- Earlier Nursing Experience | 2009 – 2011
- Administered medications and treatments following physician orders and care plans.
- Monitored rehabilitation patients, documenting condition changes for registered nurses to inform care decisions.
- Supported therapy staff with mobility assistance and daily patient care to enhance patient recovery.
LVN
Ethicus
10.2009 - 09.2010
- Earlier Nursing Experience | 2009 – 2011
- Administered medications per physician orders and Global Rehab care plans, ensuring adherence to treatment protocols.
- Monitored rehabilitation patients' vital signs, promptly reporting changes to ensure timely medical interventions.
- Documented patient assessments in medical records and nursing charts, facilitating continuity of care and accurate health records.
LVN
NurseCore
08.2009 - 03.2011
- Earlier Nursing Experience | 2009 – 2011
- Delivered direct nursing care to rehabilitation patients, ensuring comfort and support during recovery at Global Rehab.
- Monitored vital signs and communicated significant changes to supervising nurses to inform patient care decisions.
- Administered medications per physician orders and facility procedures, ensuring patient safety and adherence to treatment plans.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Nursing
University of Texas at Arlington
08-2015
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing (RN)
Lamar College
Port Arthur, TX01-2013
Skills
- Case Management
- Care Coordination
- Utilization Review
- Clinical Documentation
- Prior Authorization
- Provider Communication
- Telephone Triage
- Follow-up management
- Care Plan Review
- Chronic Condition Support
- Patient and Family Education
- Telehealth Technology
- Pharmaceutical assessment
- Compliance audits
Personal Information
Title: REMOTE RN CASE MANAGEMENT | CARE COORDINATION | TRANSITIONS OF CARE
Certification
Registered Nurse (RN), Texas | Stroke Certified | Botox & Fillers Certified | IV Therapy Experience
Timeline
RN Case Manager (RNCM) | Triage RN | Patient Care Manager | Clinical Liaison
Heart to Heart Hospice
05.2016 - 08.2026
Registered Nurse, Post-Surgical
Baylor Surgical Hospital
12.2015 - 06.2016
Registered Nurse
Forest Park Medical
09.2015 - 12.2015
Registered Nurse, Case Manager
New Century Hospice
05.2015 - 09.2015
Registered Nurse
John Peter Smith
12.2014 - 05.2015
Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse
Texas Rehabilitation Hospital
11.2011 - 12.2014
LVN
Weatherford Regional
10.2010 - 03.2011
LVN
Ethicus
10.2009 - 09.2010
LVN
NurseCore
08.2009 - 03.2011
LVN
Global Rehab
03.2009 - 10.2011
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Nursing
University of Texas at Arlington
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing (RN)
Lamar College