Karen Hartman
Mount Union
Summary
Proficient Inventory Management Specialist with comprehensive experience in patient care and supply chain logistics. Expertise in tracking inventory, managing procurement processes, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Passionate about enhancing patient outcomes and operational efficiency within veteran services.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Audiology Healthcare Technician
Iowa City VA HCS
Iowa City
07.2022 - Current
- Direct patient care, greeting and escorting patients; patient instruction and counseling on hearing loss or hearing aids either on an individual basis or group setting; conducting hearing pass/fail screenings without interpretation; non-diagnostic otoscopy; cerumen management; taking earmold impressions; hearing aid troubleshooting and repair; etc.
- Resolved issues and made decisions regarding hearing aids and hearing assistive technology under audiologist supervision to enhance patient care.
- Prepare patients for testing procedures.
- I communicate and follow all veteran affairs guidelines for patient and family safety for their well-being, perform vital signs and document.
- Timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical record.
- I currently use all VA computer systems and programs to record patient care under CPRS, Vista, forum, rose, censitrak and follow all HIPPA guidelines.
- I have knowledge of normal and abnormal ear anatomy, hearing physiology and function to educate patients and families.
- I currently use proper PPE and disinfection techniques following sop's guidelines hearing aids, hearing assistive technology, hearing aid manufacturers and manufacturer software.
- Assist with documenting and code patient procedures for audiologist.
- Drove and set up a 31-foot mobile audiology clinic at community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCS), assisting patients with mobility and operating a wheelchair lift to ensure accessibility.
- Administrative duties: ordering and stocking office supplies; tracking loaner stock hearing aid inventory, electronic ordering and verifying orders; packaging and mailing hearing aids and accessories; responding to routine inquiries from patients; etc.
- I have assisted physician with specialized, complex procedures.
- I have cleaned and sterilized gastroenterology equipment.
- Maintained current certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Trauma Management System (TMS).
- Promoted a culture of respect and integrity by following ICARE values in daily practices.
Healthcare Technician
Iowa City VA HCS
Iowa City
08.2006 - 07.2022
- I perform the debridement of ingrown, elongated, or fungal toenails per the provider’s orders and provide education regarding preventative nail and foot care.
- I accomplish fitting multiple types of orthoses, proficient casting feet for orthotics molds, fittings of AFOs/KAFOs, orthoses modifications and the measuring of feet for the correct fit, measuring of calves and ankles for specialty compression stocking and orthoses/braces.
- I measure for and checking fit of diabetic footwear.
- I perform a variety of ankle/foot tapings for the treatment of injuries, infections, the setup of specialty instrumentation and this also includes full castings.
- Utilized measuring tapes and various mechanical tools, including drills and sanders, for precise podiatric procedures.
- Managed podiatric work-up, x-rays, laboratory, and other requests based on provider orders.
- Provided ongoing support and expertise through comprehensive assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of podiatry outpatients' care.
- Collaborated and coordinated patient care with internal and external resources.
- I assist in obtaining and preparing aerobic cultures and pathology specimens.
- I order, manage, dispense, and fit patients for over-the-counter inventory in clinic such as scaphoid pads, toe sleeves, hammertoe crest pads and other items.
- Managed and tracked human tissues/graft supplies in clinic and monitored items for outdates or loss of integrity per local policy and/or HIPAA guidelines.
- Maintained proper stock levels and cared for all unused instruments in the podiatry clinic.
- I ensure the proper cleanup and disposal of all contaminated procedures.
- I perform various routine and general clinic administrative functions including ordering and stocking of supply items, ensuring quality control stock rotation and medication accountability.
- Developed and delivered training programs to instruct new personnel in podiatry technician duties.
- I regularly train personnel including new podiatric medical students, residents and assigned learners.
- Applied knowledge of medications and orthotics to assess patient needs and recommend appropriate treatments.
- Conducted specialized clinic procedures, including preliminary intake and patient assessment.
Supply Technician
Iowa City VA HCS
Iowa City
06.2001 - 08.2006
- Primary responsibilities included working with CPRS, Implant tracking, Logistics, Medical supply, and Non-biological primary and secondary points of supply distribution; Also covered logistics procurement and managed inventory in other areas including Anesthesia, Dental, Respiratory Therapy, Laboratory, and Radiology services.
- Managed inventory transactions for multiple services in Medical Center and CBOCs, ensuring accurate stock levels and procurement processes.
- Evaluated quality and assessed dollar value of inventory line items across healthcare system to support informed purchasing decisions.
- Managed the accurate and timely replenishment of all assigned items.
- Maintained tracking and access to CPRS to get patient tracked implants logged by serial number.
- Coordinated functions with Clinical Management, Prosthetics, and Contract of Federal Supply Schedule and GSA contracts.
- Planned and initiated supply requisitions to ensure availability of necessary materials.
- Analyzed and determined stock levels and reorder frequencies independently.
- Coordinated supply procurements and receiving to ensure timely availability of essential supplies as needed.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Iowa City VA HCS
Iowa City
06.2000 - 06.2001
- Primary responsibilities included assisting patients with activities of daily living to include application of lumbo-sacral supports, abdominal binders, cervical collars, wrist splints, arm slings, knee braces, knee sleeves, compression hose, ankle supports, and many other devices that postop patients were required to utilize.
- Managed all aspects of ADLs, including bathing, cleaning incontinent patients, changing beds, ambulating, and feeding to promote patient comfort and dignity.
- I was able to safely assist patients to and from the toilet using various devices, such as walkers, wheelchairs and canes.
- Assisted in assembling equipment for sterile procedures, ensuring readiness for safe patient care.
- Adhered to principals of patient safety, fall prevention, infection control and universal precautions at all times.
- Facilitated communication among team members, improving collaboration and coordination of patient care.
- Positioned patients after various surgical procedures.
- I would need to know if patients were on bedrest, if they had to remain flat or any other specific positions ordered by the physicians.
- I am competent with Hoyer Lifts and Easy Stands for transfers before the ceiling lift system was installed.
- I was sure to always have the call light within patient reach to ensure their safety.
- If needed I would also assure the bed alarm was on, side rails were in the up position when ordered.
- If there were changes in the condition of patients’ I cared for I would immediately notify the appropriate staff member.
- Monitored daily vital signs using the Welch Allen machine and reported abnormalities to the charge nurse.
- I would assure that any electrical equipment I used was cleaned and plugged in to charge, ready for the next use.
- I would follow all signage for PPE as required for communicable diseases and standard PPE when no signs were posted.
- When recording information on the computer, I would be sure to remove my PIV card and lock the computer prior to walking away.
Education
High School Diploma -
East Union High School
Manteca, CA06-1988
Skills
- Audiometric assessment
- Patient care
- Podiatric orthotics
- Audiology equipment
- Diagnostic equipment
- Clinical support
- Emergency response training
- Inventory control
- Medical documentation
- Audiology device maintenance
- HIPAA compliance
- Anatomy and physiology
- Quality assurance
- Effective communication
- Collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Continuous learning and development
- Equipment safety
- Patient safety protocols
- Inventory management
- Hand tools
- Power tools
- Computer skills
- Reliability
- Patient confidentiality
- Clinical support
- Device safety standards
- Case management
- Reliability
Timeline
Audiology Healthcare Technician
Iowa City VA HCS
07.2022 - Current
Healthcare Technician
Iowa City VA HCS
08.2006 - 07.2022
Supply Technician
Iowa City VA HCS
06.2001 - 08.2006
Certified Nursing Assistant
Iowa City VA HCS
06.2000 - 06.2001
High School Diploma -
East Union High School