Kathleen Roberta Nichols
Fairfield,CA
Summary
Care for various patients with exceptional clinical, interpersonal and time management abilities. Licensed in California and diligent about helping people of all backgrounds with diverse healthcare needs. Top skills in communication, IV certification, medication administration and wound care.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Veterans Affairs
04.2024 - Current
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols, ensuring patient safety and compliance.
- Monitored vital signs and assessed patient conditions, providing timely updates to healthcare teams for effective care.
- Assisted in developing individualized care plans, tailoring approaches to meet specific patient needs and preferences.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes through comprehensive care strategies and communication.
- Trained and mentored new staff on best practices in patient care, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Led initiatives to improve workflow efficiency, enhancing overall productivity within nursing operations at the facility.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Promoted patient safety through vigilant monitoring of vital signs and reporting any abnormalities to the appropriate healthcare provider promptly.
- Facilitated effective communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care during transitions between facilities or levels of care.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Advocated for patients'' needs effectively, working closely with healthcare providers to develop and implement appropriate care plans.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Streamlined patient flow in a busy clinic setting, ensuring timely access to care for all patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning.
- Safeguarded patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations and maintaining secure medical records.
- Champion for Women's Health. Training provided to other nurses on how to assist the PCM in a PAP procedure and documentation.
- Administration of Eligard Injections
- Knowledgeable of various vaccines on time frames and what patient is to receive
- Champion for FLU/COVID Clinic during walk in clinic.
- Champion for AED Machines
- Champion for BLS protocol and maintaining of equiment
Licensed Vocational Oncology Nurse
DGMC Radiation Oncology Clinic
01.2020 - 02.2024
- Observe strict HIPPA guide lines and safeguarded all patient-related information.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare team plan and implement effective treatment plans.
- Communicate effectively with patients and caregivers to explain diagnoses, treatment options and procedures.
- Direct implementation of improved patient care and documentation methods and procedures to achieve quality objectives.
- Chart changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider.
- Assisted patients with skin care and wound care dressing changes as needed.
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals and document as per policy.
- Conduct patient interviews to gather health history, vital signs and information about current medical issues.
- Provided behavioral and emotional support and provided care to all Veterans Assistance programs available.
- Answer patient calls, identify issues and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor.
- Department Infection Control Monitor maintain procedures to ensure facility-wide health and safety.
- Relay messages from patients to physicians about concerns regarding their care.
- Collaborate with internal and external health care teams to ensure consistent care.
- Trained in administration of Lupron, Eligard Injections
- Trained and able to document in hospital EMR: DGMC Genesis, JROC charting system: ARIA, VA charting system: CPRS.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Cross Country Staffing / Alameda Public Health Dept
05.2019 - 01.2020
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Communicated effectively with patients and care givers to explain diagnoses, treatments options and procedures.
- Gave immunizations per CDC policy to patients and administered Immunizations to patients that are due for vaccines.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Cross Country Staffing / NeuroRestorative
09.2019 - 12.2019
- Administered medications and therapies in accordance with physician’s orders.
- Administered prescribed medications and started intravenous fluids to address patient symptoms and underlying etiologies.
- Directed implementation of improved patient care and documentation methods and procedures to achieve quality objectives.
- Checked on patients at regular intervals to record food and fluid intake and output, taking measures to promote healthy levels as needed.
- Administered general care to patients, including recording of temperature, blood pressure, wound dressing.
- Answered patient calls, identified issues and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor.
- Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider.
- Evaluated patient care procedural changes for effectiveness and made necessary adjustments.
- Utilized computerized Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Provided training and supervision to 6-member staff.
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Contra Costa Medical Offices
11.2018 - 03.2019
- Collected biological samples for routine laboratory testing to assist diagnostic processes.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information per HIPPA.
- Communicated effectively with patients and loved ones to explain diagnoses, treatment options and procedures.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
California Medical Facility /CA Dept Of Corrections
11.2007 - 06.2017
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information per HIPPA.
- Administered medications and therapies in accordance with physician’s orders.
- Worked with doctors to evaluate intervention outcomes and make needed adjustments to care plans.
- Collected biological samples for routine laboratory testing to assist diagnostic processes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team plan and implement effective treatment plans.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Vacaville Convalescent & Rehab
03.2007 - 10.2007
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team plan and implement effective treatment plans.
- Communicated effectively with patients and loved ones to explain diagnoses, treatment options and procedures.
- Directed implementation of improved patient care and documentation methods and procedures to achieve quality objectives.
- Charted changes in patient conditions and discussed concerns with supervising healthcare provider.
- Administered medications and therapies in accordance with physician’s orders.
- Collected biological samples for routine laboratory testing to assist diagnostic processes.
- Assisted patients with daily tasks, such as dressing, hygiene upkeep and movement throughout the facility.
- Addressed patient care needs, collected vitals, dressed wounds and managed catheters.
- Provided behavioral and emotional support and closely supervised patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Answered patient calls, identified issues and determined how best to provide assistance within parameters established by facility and supervisor.
- Monitored infection control procedures to ensure facility-wide health and safety.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information per HIPPA.
Medical Assistant
California Dept. of Corrections & Rehabilitation
02.2005 - 12.2005
- Assisted physicians by preparing patients for procedures, including but not limited to EKGs, phlebotomy, glucose testing and pulmonary function tests.
- Conducted patient interviews to gather health history, vital signs and information about current medical issues.
- Prepared treatment rooms for patients, including cleaning surfaces and restocking supplies.
- Completed and submitted clinical documentation in accordance with agency guidelines.
- Relayed messages from patients to physicians about concerns, condition updates or refill requests to facilitate effective treatment.
- Organized charts, documents and supplies to maintain team efficiency.
- Participated in the maintenance of safe conditions within the facility and other related areas.
- Acted as a liaison between physician and patient.
Accounting Assistant
Fulton Pacific Bag Company
04.1998 - 11.2004
- Calculated and verified all figures and documents.
- Coordinated timely payments from vendors, clients and accountholders.
- Detailed financial data for management and stakeholders.
- Compiled financial data including compliant ledger and journal records.
- Updated accounting records with client checks and cash receipts.
- Monitored open accounts and pursued payments to control account balances.
- Posted financial data in Excel spreadsheets and managed inventory.
- Coded invoices and other records to maintain organized, accurate records.
- Maintained, books and accounting systems with accuracy by entering data precisely and proofreading.
- Updated and reconciled accounts payable with purchase orders for accuracy.
- Collaborated internally with team members and employees across multiple departments and accounting to ensure consistent circulation and billing data.
- Resolved vendor and employee inquiries about invoices and purchases quickly through research.
- Verified items billed against items received and followed-up with vendors and employees to reconcile variances.
- Answered office phone calls and emails for customer direction and questions.
- Monitored accounts payable/ receivable statuses and delegated related tasks.
- Tracked employee time and attendance for payroll.
- Communicated with vendors/ clients to facilitate timely payments and reduce outstanding accounts receivable.
Education
Licensed Vocational Nursing -
CSI Vocational School
Vacaville, CA01.2006
Skills
- Intravenous therapy certification
- Organizational skills
- Effective problem-solving skills
- Effective decision-making
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Computerized charting knowledge of Epic, Genesis Superuser & CPRS VA System
- Strong medical ethic
- Critical thinking proficiency
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Infection control standard
- Information documentation
- AED certification
- Setting appointments
- GL reconciliation
- Month-end documentation
- Accounts receivable
- Collections and invoice processing
- Data collection and sampling
- Accounts payable
- Managerial aptitude
- Internal controls and audits
- AR and AP expertise
- Payment coordination
- Expense account management
- Follow strict HIPPA guidelines
Accomplishments
- Patient Care Delivered compassionate care which exceeded hospital requirements.
- Physician Support Consistently praised by physicians for efficient assistance in minor surgical procedures and patient handling.
- Clinical Skills Monitored patient's respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration
- Documentation Documented patient information obtained from intake interviews.
- Member of ONS Oncology Nursing Society 2020 – Current
- Board Member of NVONS Napa Valley Oncology Nursing Society 2021- Current
Affiliations
- Member of ONS
Certification
- Current IV certification
- Current Licensed Vocational License
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification 2022-2024
Timeline
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Veterans Affairs
04.2024 - Current
Licensed Vocational Oncology Nurse
DGMC Radiation Oncology Clinic
01.2020 - 02.2024
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Cross Country Staffing / NeuroRestorative
09.2019 - 12.2019
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Cross Country Staffing / Alameda Public Health Dept
05.2019 - 01.2020
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Contra Costa Medical Offices
11.2018 - 03.2019
Licensed Vocational Nurse
California Medical Facility /CA Dept Of Corrections
11.2007 - 06.2017
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Vacaville Convalescent & Rehab
03.2007 - 10.2007
Medical Assistant
California Dept. of Corrections & Rehabilitation
02.2005 - 12.2005
Accounting Assistant
Fulton Pacific Bag Company
04.1998 - 11.2004
Licensed Vocational Nursing -
CSI Vocational School