Karina Allen
Bowie,MD
Summary
Disciplined and personable Circulator with CNOR certification and 15 years of experience. Highly educated in asepsis and sterility standards and procedures. Known professionally for anticipating the needs of practitioners and monitor patients.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Defense Health Agency
12.2008 - Current
- Collaboration with surgeons in various surgical services to assess, coordinate, plan and implement evidence base practices to deliver efficient, cost-effective surgical care for the beneficiaries at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
- Responsible for the patient outcomes resulting from nursing care provided during the surgical procedure.
- Possess clinical knowledge, judgment, and critical thinking skills based on scientific principles, perioperative nursing plans and implements nursing care to address the physical, psychological, and spiritual responses of the patient.
- Delegate approved patient care tasks to trained and competent ancillary staff, while retaining accountability for the outcome of perioperative nursing care.
- Conduct preoperative assessment and document nursing care given during the surgical procedure.
- Maintain all required certifications and current licensure to practice nursing.
- Orient newly assigned personnel, students, and reservists to the operating room policies and procedures.
- Provides guidance, consultation and leadership to staff members related to patient care, staff issues, unit management and efficiency of service.
- Monitor quality assessment and improvement activities and provides guidance in the
implementation of programs to provide for continuous improvement in clinical, managerial or administrative arenas. - Collaborate with surgical team for the effective utilization of resources to ensure
optimal patient care is provided within individual specialty surgical services. - Responsible for knowledge and safe operation of equipment used in patient care in the operating room.
- Knowledgeable in safe practices for emergency procedures, proper handling of hazardous materials, and maintaining physical security.
- Ensure compliance of infection control guidelines and practice of Universal Precautions; collaborate with MOR Infection Control Representative regarding
issues, trends and information affecting his/her team.
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Washington Hospital Center
03.2006 - 12.2008
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Served as a liaison between the surgical team and family members, providing timely updates on patient progress.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Coordinated with anesthesia providers to ensure proper administration of anesthesia during procedures.
- Coordinated with surgeons and staff to deliver safe patient care during operations.
- Conducted thorough preoperative assessments to identify potential risks and address concerns prior to surgery.
- Adapted quickly to changing situations in the operating room, utilizing problem-solving skills under pressure.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient.
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Sibley Memorial Hospital
03.2008 - 09.2008
- Provided high-quality care for diverse patient populations, addressing individual needs and concerns.
- Provided direct support to surgical team during surgical procedures.
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Assisted physicians in operating room by providing necessary supplies and equipment.
- Managed efficient use of operating room resources, streamlining procedures and minimizing waste.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety, and rights of patient. - Streamlined communication among surgical team members, facilitating efficient flow of information during critical moments in surgery.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment.
Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients. - Implemented time-out protocols before starting surgeries, verifying correct patient identification and procedural details.
- Scrub Nurse in complex surgeries with precise execution of tasks, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients.
- Prepared equipment and supplies necessary for each surgical procedure, ensuring availability when needed by surgeons.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Enhanced patient safety by implementing strict adherence to surgical protocols and guidelines.
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Sibley Memorial Hospital
09.2007 - 09.2008
- Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
- Assisted physicians in operating room by providing necessary supplies and equipment.
- Circulate in the operating room for Caesarean Section surgical procedure.
- Provide assistance to the surgical team and providing reassurance to the patient during Caesarean Section.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Maintained accurate documentation of intraoperative phase of perioperative nursing care, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and aiding in quality improvement initiatives.
- Adapted quickly to changing situations in the operating room, utilizing problem-solving skills under pressure.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Maintained a sterile environment within the operating room, reducing the risk of infection.
- Coordinated with anesthesia providers to ensure proper administration of anesthesia during procedures.
- Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment.
- Implemented time-out protocols before starting surgeries, verifying correct patient identification and procedural details.
Education
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN07.2016
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Missouri - St Louis
St Louis, MO12.2005
Skills
- Patient Advocacy
- Scrub Nurse Skills
- Circulator Nurse Skills
- Patient and family advocacy
- Training staff
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Procedure Room Preparation
- Attention to Detail
- HIPAA Compliance
- Complex Medical Terminology
- Instrument passing
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Relationship Building
- Care Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Clinical Assessments
- Instrument Sterilization
- Chart updating
- Maintaining Sterility
- Student Precepting
- Patient and Family Education
- Patient Charting
Certification
- Licensure: Registered Nurse-March, 2006
- CNOR Certification-November, 2020
- BLS Provider-March, 2023
Timeline
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Defense Health Agency
12.2008 - Current
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Sibley Memorial Hospital
03.2008 - 09.2008
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Sibley Memorial Hospital
09.2007 - 09.2008
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Washington Hospital Center
03.2006 - 12.2008
Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner
Walden University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Missouri - St Louis
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