Karen Pirtle
Lincoln,AL
Summary
Accomplished RN with a track record of enhancing patient outcomes, adept in chronic disease management and compassionate care. Excelled in mentoring staff and reducing readmissions through effective case management and patient education. Skilled in EMR/EHR, showcasing exceptional attention to detail and prioritizing patient-centric approaches.
Proactive and goal-oriented with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Treatment Nurse
HMR
11.2023 - Current
- Enhanced patients comfort levels by addressing individual needs and preferences during treatments.
- Participated in quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing the overall effectiveness of the Treatment Nurse role within the facility.
- Administered prescribed medications as part of wound treatment regimens, promoting proper healing.
- Assisted in the development of educational materials on proper wound care techniques for both staff members and patients alike.
- Assisted in training new nursing staff on best practices for wound care and treatment protocols.
- Maintained patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations when discussing wound care treatments and related matters with other healthcare professionals.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Contributed to positive clinical outcomes by following evidence-based guidelines for various types of wounds such as pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, and diabetic ulcers.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for optimal patient outcomes.
- Supported infection control initiatives by adhering to strict hygiene standards when performing wound care tasks.
- Managed inventory of wound care supplies, guaranteeing availability of necessary materials for effective treatments.
- Streamlined documentation processes for better care coordination among the healthcare team.
- Conducted regular assessments of patients wounds to evaluate progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
Clinical Nurse Educator
Diversicare
06.2023 - 11.2023
- Evaluated clinical staff performance, identifying areas of improvement and providing constructive feedback to drive continuous growth.
- Utilized adult learning principles to adapt teaching methods according to individual learner needs, maximizing comprehension and retention of material presented.
- Led the development of annual training plans based on identified gaps in knowledge or skills among clinical staff members.
- Assisted in the design of simulation exercises, enhancing hands-on learning experiences for clinical staff members.
- Facilitated open communication between management and clinical staff, addressing concerns and implementing solutions to improve overall team satisfaction.
- Streamlined onboarding processes for new hires, resulting in decreased time to full productivity.
- Promoted patient safety by leading quality improvement initiatives within the nursing department.
RN Supervisor
Rainbow Omega
10.2022 - 06.2023
- Managed critical situations calmly and efficiently, providing guidance to the nursing team during emergencies.
- Served as an approachable leader who consistently addressed concerns raised by both nursing staff and families regarding patient care issues or operational challenges within the unit effectively resolving them promptly whenever possible.
- Consistently acted as a strong advocate for patients and their families, ensuring that their needs were met while navigating complex healthcare systems.
- Improved patient satisfaction scores by fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.
- Ensured accurate documentation of patient information in electronic medical records system for optimal data integrity and accessibility across healthcare providers.
Home Health RN Case Manager
Encompass Home Health
11.2018 - 10.2022
- Managed complex caseloads efficiently by prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities to support staff, and maintaining detailed records.
- Expedited wound healing using advanced wound care techniques such as negative pressure therapy or hydrocolloid dressings when appropriate.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through diligent monitoring of patients'' progress and timely interventions in-home settings.
- Promoted a safe living environment for patients by conducting thorough home safety evaluations and recommending necessary modifications or equipment upgrades.
- Empowered patients and their families to take an active role in care decisions, fostering a sense of self-efficacy and improving long-term health outcomes.
- Increased patient satisfaction by providing compassionate care, addressing concerns, and advocating for their needs.
- Mentored new RNs entering the field of home health case management fostering a supportive learning environment for professional growth.
- Prevented complications from chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart failure through targeted patient education initiatives tailored to individual needs.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory guidelines governing home healthcare practice through meticulous attention to detail in documentation processes and quality assurance measures.
- Educated patients and families on disease processes, medications and treatments.
- Provided physical assessments, medication, and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
Medical ICU Registered Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
02.2017 - 11.2018
- Responded efficiently to medical emergencies within the hospital setting, providing life-saving interventions as needed.
- Administered blood products according to established protocols, closely monitoring patients for transfusion reactions or complications.
- Assisted physicians with invasive procedures such as central line insertions or bronchoscopies while maintaining strict sterile technique.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during critical illness or end-of-life situations.
- Served as a preceptor for new nurses, facilitating orientation and integration into the ICU setting.
- Mentored nursing students during clinical rotations in the Medical ICU setting, fostering professional growth.
- Improved family satisfaction by delivering clear, empathetic communication regarding patient status and care plans.
Cardiovascular ICU Registered Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
01.2016 - 02.2017
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex cardiac patients.
- Coordinated seamless transfer of critically ill patients from emergency departments or other units to the Cardiovascular ICU for specialized care.
- Reduced readmission rates through thorough discharge education and post-discharge follow-up calls.
- Performed advanced life support measures during code situations, contributing to successful resuscitations efforts when needed.
- Delivered high-quality patient care, managing critical cases such as heart failure, myocardial infarctions, and post-operative recovery.
- Provided emotional support to families during difficult times, fostering an environment of trust and open communication.
- Facilitated smooth patient transitions from the cardiovascular ICU to step-down units or other hospital floors by providing comprehensive hand-off reports.
- .Administered blood products following hospital protocols while maintaining meticulous documentation of transfusion-related events.
- Utilized advanced medical equipment to monitor patients vital signs and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
- Addressed potential complications early on by closely monitoring patients responses to treatments and adjusting plans as necessary.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Calhoun Community College
Tanner, AL12-2015
Skills
- Compassionate care
- Clinical documentation
- Ethical practice
- Chronic disease management
- Verbal and written communication
- HIPAA compliance
- Patient relationship building
- Care planning
- Case management
- EMR / EHR
- Multi-tasking and prioritization
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Patient management
- Geriatric nursing
Certification
- Registered Nurse License (RN) - State Board of Nursing.
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
Timeline
Treatment Nurse
HMR
11.2023 - Current
Clinical Nurse Educator
Diversicare
06.2023 - 11.2023
RN Supervisor
Rainbow Omega
10.2022 - 06.2023
Home Health RN Case Manager
Encompass Home Health
11.2018 - 10.2022
Medical ICU Registered Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
02.2017 - 11.2018
Cardiovascular ICU Registered Nurse
Huntsville Hospital
01.2016 - 02.2017
- Registered Nurse License (RN) - State Board of Nursing.
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Calhoun Community College
Similar Profiles
Rasue BarnettRasue Barnett
Maintenance Technician at HMRMaintenance Technician at HMR
Amanda RobesonAmanda Robeson
Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement at HMRQuality Assurance/Performance Improvement at HMR
Grant WatkinsGrant Watkins
Project Manager at HMR ArchitectsProject Manager at HMR Architects