Karen Steward
Houston,TX
Summary
Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner experienced in building strong relationships with geriatric and chronically ill patients and families. Delivered optimal patient outcomes through advocacy, chronic condition management, and community resource utilization. Focused on enhancing quality of life for patients in home settings and providing comprehensive support for their medical and emotional needs.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
Kelsey-Seybold-Cypress Texas
Houston, Tx
2022.06 - Current
- Assesses patients to determine individual needs and develop care plans in coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
- Managed palliative care visits at Kelsey-Seybold Cypress Texas clinic
- Provided support in serious illness conversations to help patients and families navigate care decisions. Understands Hospice and palliative care services and qualifications.
- Participated in IDT rounds with interdisciplinary team to develop strategies aimed at decreasing re-hospitalization rates in high-risk population.
- Collaborated with families, caregivers, and patients to identify optimal treatment, diagnostic, and prevention options tailored to individual needs.
- Prescribes appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Orders and interprets diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Discusses care plans with patients and explains test results and proper use of medications.
- Conducts screenings, diagnostic treatment and rehabilitative services on primary health care team.
- Prescribed symptom medications and adjusted supportive treatment plans
- Coordinated referrals to hospice, social work, and behavioral health
- Provided support to families during difficult times by offering emotional guidance and understanding of their unique situation.
- Counseled patients and family members on end-of-life decisions, symptom management, and advance directives.
- Coordinated with other health professionals to ensure comprehensive care for the patient.
Home Visit Nurse Practitioner
Village Medical
Houston, TX
2018.07 - 2022.05
- Discusses care plans with patients and explains test results and proper use of medications.
- Performs Transitional Care home visits to coordinate care and prevent re-hospitalization
- Attends and participates in High Utilizer rounds involving an interdisciplinary team to create a plan to decrease the re-hospitalization rate in our high risk population.
- Demonstrated proficiency in HCC coding and quality measures, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance.
- Orders and interprets diagnostic tests to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Prescribes appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Works with families, caregivers and patients to determine best options for treatment, diagnosis and prevention.
- Collaborated with families, caregivers, and patients to identify optimal treatment, diagnosis, and prevention options tailored to individual needs.
Nurse Practitioner
Crossroads Hospice
Houston, TX
2018.06 - 2020.03
- Performed face-to-face home visits to determine hospice eligibility
- Performed Face to Face home visits to determine hospice eligibility
- Responded to incoming calls from patients and families to provide support and information about hospice services. and made PRN home visits including end of life visits.
- Participated in IDT meetings with Medical Director and hospice team to collaboratively address needs of patients and families during end-of-life journeys.
Nurse Practitioner
IPC Healthcare/Teamhealth
Houston, TX
2015.05 - 2018.07
- Performed medical visits in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities facilitating patients' post acute care/rehabilitation.
- Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Guided caregivers and family members in delivering emotional and psychological support tailored to individual patient needs.
- Worked with families, caregivers and patients to determine best options for treatment, diagnosis and prevention.
- Advised caregivers and family members in providing emotional and psychological care to support patient needs.
- Assisted patients in adhering to prescribed care regimens to promote optimal health outcomes.
Nurse Practitioner
Compassus Hospice
Houston, TX
2017.11 - 2018.05
- Performed duties aligned with Crossroads Hospice under the same Medical Director.
- Managed hospice symptom control during Crossroads patient home visits.
- Assessed pain, comfort, and decline for Crossroads Hospice patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary Crossroads Hospice teams on care plans.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Greater Houston Physician Medical Association
Houston, TX
2013.01 - 2015.04
- Worked in women's health services providing counseling on reproductive issues and assisting with family planning needs.
- Examined wounds and treated lacerations using bandaging, suturing, and topical medications to promote healing and prevent complications.
- Assessed and treated STDs in both males and females.
- Provided preventive care through well-child checks, adult physicals, and gynecological examinations to enhance patient health and early detection of issues.
- Performed patient physicals and compared and contrasted results with established medical records to provide proper diagnosis and facilitate appropriate treatment.
- Prescribed appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities to support health and comfort of patients.
- Discussed individualized care plans with patients, clarifying test results and guiding proper medication use for improved health outcomes.
Home Health Registered Nurse
Girling Home Health
Humble, TX
1998.06 - 2013.01
- Traveled to patients' homes on a daily basis to assess health conditions and provide a superior level of nursing care.
- Traveled to patients' homes on daily basis to assess health conditions and provide superior level of nursing care.
- Coached patients transitioning from hospitals and rehab facilities to at-home treatment, ensuring continuity of care and understanding of their health needs.
- Incorporated therapeutic, rehabilitative and nursing goals into detailed, individualized care plans based on diagnoses.
- Trained, guided, supported and supervised home health aide care providers.
- Educated patients on use and benefits of equipment such as home blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters.
- Communicated changes in patients' health and concerns to physicians promptly to facilitate timely interventions.
- Contacted family immediately when issues arose with at-home patients in an effort to find effective resolutions.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Delivered after-hours care to patients based on strict role-call rotations.
- Collaborated with vendors to procure medical equipment, supplies and services.
- Updated patient care plans through regular evaluations and assessments, aligning treatment strategies with evolving health conditions.
Registered Nurse, Home Health Care
Cappadonna Health Care That Became Girling Home Health
Humble, TX
1997.06 - 1998.06
- Maintained skills and responsibilities from employment at Girling Home Health.
- Assessed Girling Home Health patients during home visits and updated nursing care plans.
- Administered medications and monitored symptoms following Cappadonna Health Care home care orders.
- Performed wound care and dressing changes for home health clients.
Education
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
The University of Texas School of Nursing Houston
Houston, TXBachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Texas Nursing School Houston
HoustonSkills
- Palliative Care
- End-of-Life Care Planning
- Palliative Care Training
- Hospice eligibility
- Comprehensive Assessments
- Treatment Planning
- Symptom management
- Care coordination
- Care coordination
- Care Quality Improvement
- Critical Thinking
- Palliative evaluations
- Care coordination
Timeline
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
Kelsey-Seybold-Cypress Texas
2022.06 - Current
Home Visit Nurse Practitioner
Village Medical
2018.07 - 2022.05
Nurse Practitioner
Crossroads Hospice
2018.06 - 2020.03
Nurse Practitioner
Compassus Hospice
2017.11 - 2018.05
Nurse Practitioner
IPC Healthcare/Teamhealth
2015.05 - 2018.07
Family Nurse Practitioner
Greater Houston Physician Medical Association
2013.01 - 2015.04
Home Health Registered Nurse
Girling Home Health
1998.06 - 2013.01
Registered Nurse, Home Health Care
Cappadonna Health Care That Became Girling Home Health
1997.06 - 1998.06
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
The University of Texas School of Nursing Houston
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Texas Nursing School Houston