Karina Monticone

• Daily utilizes advanced practice knowledge and skills to svstematically collect and evaluate health assessment data, and to manage a caseload of patients
• Administers or provides medications as delegated by authorizing physician
• Orders and interprets diagnostic tests
• Consistently demonstrates effective communication skills and works to eliminate communication barriers
• Provides the full spectrum of health care services to include health promotion, disease prevention, health protection, anticipatory guidance, counseling and disease management
• Consistently serves as an educational resource for the patient and family, community, and other health care professionals
• Consistently applies new knowledge relevant to population specific clinical practice
• Demonstrates current professional, managerial, and/or technical knowledge and skills
• Participates in departmental Quality Improvement program annually
• Most of all, works directly with kids to give them the best quality of care

Senior clinical project was chosen to be in surgery. For a full semester (4-months), I gained knowledge on several procedures from neurosurgery, elective surgery, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, endocrine surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery. As a capstone surgical student, I was responsible for prepping patients for surgery, assisting during surgery, and post-operative care. The surgeon, surgical PA-C, and I would work together as a team to provide the best care possible for patients. I would ensure sterile gloves, gowns, sutures and other tools needed for the procedure were present. I also would check with the surgeon to confirm their preferences regarding anesthesia, blood type and any other special instructions. I participated in daily patient rounds, assist in writing progress notes, conduct patient education, and help prepares discharge summaries. I also saw post-op patients in the clinic to ensure proper healing, suture removals, and assess risk for complication. Patient education was also given to patients at the clinic.

Participated in preventing and treating diseases in elderly patients, and to improve their quality of life. Devised treatment plans for disorders involving cardiovascular, endocrine and other internal systems in geriatric medicine.

• Directed patients on medication use and lifestyle modifications to improve health.
• Thoroughly examined elderly patients and elicited medical history data to use in assessing health and identifying conditions.

Learned core pediatric concepts to help identify growth, development, and behavioral issues among infants and children.

• Performed accurate and relevant physical exam techniques.
• Demonstrated a compassionate and patient-sensitive approach to history taking and physical examinations.
• Facilitated an age-appropriate and culturally sensitive therapeutic alliance with children, adolescents and their families.
• Assisted with basic developmental screening of children.
• Interacted with children and the families of children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities with comfort and confidence.
• Acquired knowledge for the diagnosis and initial management of common pediatric acute and chronic illness from newborns through adolescence including respiratory illness, asthma, abdominal pain/vomiting and/or diarrhea, febrile children, feeding concerns, jaundice, hypoglycemia .

Provided direct patient care in pregnancy, childbirth, preventive care, and prenatal care. Assisted in detection of sexually transmitted diseases, Pap test screening, oncology, well-women's examination, and family planning.

• Assisted in office procedures including colposcopies, conization of the cervix, IUD's, dilation and curettage, endometrial ablations, ultrasounds, sonograms, and endometrial or uterine biopsies.
• Performed several well-women's examinations with breast examinations and PAP exams
• Updated patient charts on EMR with HPI and data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments
• Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.

Assessed several patients to diagnosis and treat the full scope of child, adolescent and family psychopathology. Managed patients with delirium, alcohol withdrawal and substance intoxication, and suicide risk.

• Provided patient care both virtually and in-person to determine next course of action.
• Advocated for patients by communicating best intervention practices and discussing treatment goals together. Worked to identify insurance coverage limitations.
• Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment and management options, and lifestyle changes.

Worked with vascular surgeon to laser or essentially vaporize, plaque, calcium deposits and other build-up inside the vessel to restore blood flow to the peripheral tissue. By restoring adequate blood flow, foot sores and wounds are able to heal, thus preventing the need for amputation in almost all cases. Provided care throughout entire patient journey from pre-op, intra-op, and post-opp.

• First physician assistant student to ever first assist physician with vascular surgeries
• Set up entire sterile field as well as gown and gloved every medical personnel during each surgery
• Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
• Managed care from admission to discharge.
• Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals.

Assisted in treating various illnesses at every stage, including patients with diseases and conditions related to neurology, cardiology, pulmonology, renal issues, gastrointestinal problems, orthopedic concerns, pregnancy, gynecology, dermatology, and psychiatry

• Evaluated preliminary results and administered initial treatment such as stitching lacerations, splinting, I&D's, casting broken bones, cleaning wounds, and starting IV's.
• Provided basic clinical care to established standards and documented and reported patient admissions to licensed staff upon arrival to the ED.
• Operated diagnostic testing equipment such as EKGs, scans, ultrasounds and other devices.
• Examined patients to determine overall physical and emotional status.
• Showed compassion when dealing with family members and kept families informed of patient status.

Provided a wide range of medical, health and wellness care, including well-child exams, school physicals, behavioral health care, minor illnesses, chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and routine health exams in a medically underserved community.

• Reviewed patient records, medications and immunization statuses.
• Recorded patients health histories on EMR and worked with several providers to assist with over 125 patients weekly.
• Maintained high patient satisfaction through knowledgeable support and compassionate care.