Karen (Elizabeth) Dodd
Eldridge,AL
Summary
Accomplished Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse with a proven track record at Clearview Cancer Center, enhancing patient outcomes through expert administration of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Skilled in patient education and emotional support, adept at fostering collaborative relationships with physicians and multidisciplinary teams. Demonstrated ability to improve treatment protocols and patient safety, ensuring compassionate care and optimal clinical results.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Alabama Cancer Care
05.2022 - 08.2024
- Educated patients and families about cancer treatments, side effects, and self-care strategies, empowering them to make informed decisions.
- Managed complex medication regimens while monitoring for potential drug interactions or adverse reactions, mitigating risks associated with cancer treatments.
- Enhanced patient safety with strict adherence to chemotherapy administration protocols and monitoring guidelines.
- Developed trusting relationships with patients through active listening skills and empathetic communication style, fostering a supportive environment during challenging times in their lives.
Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Clearview Cancer Center
10.2018 - 03.2022
- Educated patients and families about cancer treatments, side effects, and self-care strategies, empowering them to make informed decisions.
- Managed complex medication regimens while monitoring for potential drug interactions or adverse reactions, mitigating risks associated with cancer treatments.
- Enhanced patient safety with strict adherence to chemotherapy administration protocols and monitoring guidelines.
- Developed trusting relationships with patients through active listening skills and empathetic communication style, fostering a supportive environment during challenging times in their lives.
- Provided individualized patient education on chemotherapy medications, infusion procedures, and side-effect management strategies to promote self-advocacy and coping skills.
- Reduced patient anxiety through clear communication and therapeutic relationship-building techniques.
- Provided compassionate care for patients undergoing cancer treatment, addressing their emotional and physical needs.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based oncology nursing practices in infusion therapy.
- Acted as a liaison between patients and their support networks by providing timely updates on treatment progress and addressing concerns or questions that arose during the treatment journey.
- Utilized advanced assessment skills to identify early signs of treatment-related complications or disease progression for prompt intervention by healthcare providers.
- Implemented infection control measures to minimize the risk of complications among immunocompromised patients receiving chemotherapy infusions.
- Evaluated patients'' responses to treatments and adjusted nursing interventions accordingly, optimizing clinical outcomes.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient care activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitating continuity of care among healthcare providers.
- Streamlined the infusion process by effectively coordinating schedules with pharmacy and laboratory staff.
- Coordinated referrals for supportive services such as nutrition counseling, mental health support, and financial assistance programs to address patients'' holistic needs during treatment.
- Contributed to the development of department policies and procedures by offering insights from clinical experience, promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement in oncology nursing practice.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on the latest advancements in oncology nursing practice.
- Advocated for patients'' preferences and goals of care during interdisciplinary team meetings, ensuring that their voices were heard in the decision-making process.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient, ensuring the highest quality of care.
- Assisted physicians with procedures such as bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, and intrathecal injections for optimal patient care delivery.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Simon Williamson Clinic
01.2016 - 10.2018
Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Walker Baptist Medical Center
07.2011 - 01.2016
- Educated patients and families about cancer treatments, side effects, and self-care strategies, empowering them to make informed decisions.
- Managed complex medication regimens while monitoring for potential drug interactions or adverse reactions, mitigating risks associated with cancer treatments.
- Enhanced patient safety with strict adherence to chemotherapy administration protocols and monitoring guidelines.
- Developed trusting relationships with patients through active listening skills and empathetic communication style, fostering a supportive environment during challenging times in their lives.
- Provided individualized patient education on chemotherapy medications, infusion procedures, and side-effect management strategies to promote self-advocacy and coping skills.
- Provided compassionate care for patients undergoing cancer treatment, addressing their emotional and physical needs.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based oncology nursing practices in infusion therapy.
- Acted as a liaison between patients and their support networks by providing timely updates on treatment progress and addressing concerns or questions that arose during the treatment journey.
- Utilized advanced assessment skills to identify early signs of treatment-related complications or disease progression for prompt intervention by healthcare providers.
- Implemented infection control measures to minimize the risk of complications among immunocompromised patients receiving chemotherapy infusions.
- Evaluated patients'' responses to treatments and adjusted nursing interventions accordingly, optimizing clinical outcomes.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient care activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitating continuity of care among healthcare providers.
- Streamlined the infusion process by effectively coordinating schedules with pharmacy and laboratory staff.
- Coordinated referrals for supportive services such as nutrition counseling, mental health support, and financial assistance programs to address patients'' holistic needs during treatment.
- Contributed to the development of department policies and procedures by offering insights from clinical experience, promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement in oncology nursing practice.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on the latest advancements in oncology nursing practice.
- Advocated for patients'' preferences and goals of care during interdisciplinary team meetings, ensuring that their voices were heard in the decision-making process.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient, ensuring the highest quality of care.
- Assisted physicians with procedures such as bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, and intrathecal injections for optimal patient care delivery.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
- Worked with healthcare team to develop new dialysis treatment flow sheet and other log forms, improving clinical documentation and accountability.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Northwest Medical Center
07.2010 - 07.2011
Law Office Assistant
Ivey & Ragsdale Law Firm
03.1996 - 11.2008
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing-ADN Program
Bevill State Community College
Hamilton 05.2009
Associate of Applied Science - Business
Brewer State Jr College
Fayette, AL05.1987
High School Diploma -
Carbon Hill High School
Carbon Hill, AL05.1985
Skills
- Emotional Support
- Collaboration with physicians
- Oncology nursing care
- Immunotherapy Administration
- Biotherapy administration
- Side effect monitoring
- Nursing care planning
- Compassionate Care
- Central Line Care
- Clinical Documentation
- IV Insertion
- Adaptability to Change
- End of life care
- Port-a-cath care
- Venipuncture Expertise
- Motivational Interviewing
- Medication and IV administration
- Critical Thinking
- EMR / EHR
- Sanitation
- Preventive health
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Compassionate and Caring
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Excellent Communication
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Direct Patient Care
- Organizational Skills
- Active Listening
- Effective Communication
- Decision-Making
- Patient and family advocacy
- Patient Care Assessment
- Patient Education
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Vitals monitoring
- Clear Patient Communication
- Microsoft Office
- Safety Protocols
- Task Prioritization
- Medication Administration
- Infection Control
- Patient Condition Monitoring
- CPR/AED
- Interpersonal Skills
- Documentation
- Care Coordination
- Professionalism
- Collecting vitals
- First Aid
Timeline
Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Alabama Cancer Care
05.2022 - 08.2024
Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Clearview Cancer Center
10.2018 - 03.2022
Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Simon Williamson Clinic
01.2016 - 10.2018
Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse
Walker Baptist Medical Center
07.2011 - 01.2016
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
Northwest Medical Center
07.2010 - 07.2011
Law Office Assistant
Ivey & Ragsdale Law Firm
03.1996 - 11.2008
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing-ADN Program
Bevill State Community College
Associate of Applied Science - Business
Brewer State Jr College
High School Diploma -
Carbon Hill High School
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