Kristen Blevins
Galena
Summary
With a robust background in critical care and hospice management, I excel in patient/family education, team collaboration and critical thinking. My compassionate approach and strong clinical judgment have significantly improved patient outcomes, showcasing my ability to lead and innovate in high-stakes environments.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Triage RN
COPC
09.2024 - Current
- Triage, prioritize and respond to incoming patient calls for 83 primary care provider offices
- Evaluate and assess patient's health care needs based on patient's signs and symptoms utilizing established triage protocols and guidelines
- Obtain appropriate input and direction from the provider as needed to determine best clinical course of action and recommendations for specific patient health care needs
- Aligned nursing goals with department objectives to enhance overall performance metrics within COPC
- Educate patient, family members and caregivers on patient care instructions
Hospice Clinical Coordinator RN
OhioHealth
01.2020 - 09.2024
- Clinically coordinate new hospice admissions
- Assess urgent referrals to hospice and apply clinical expertise to determine need for prompt response
- Answer phone calls in hospice intake department, informing potential new patients of hospice program and benefits
- Assist field staff with hospice admission process, ensuring that all patient and family needs are met
- Collaborate with hospice physicians to get comfort kit medications placed in the home of new hospice patients
- Chart audit of new hospice admissions maintaining all CMS requirements and regulations
- Oversee hospital nurse navigators with new inpatient hospice referrals as Hospital team lead
- Strong understanding of Medicare requirements for hospice eligibility criteria
RN Case Manager
Mount Carmel Hospice
05.2017 - 03.2020
- Managed caseload of 16-18 hospice patients in their homes/facilities
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, collaborating closely with hospice teams
- Educated families on hospice services and provided emotional support throughout the entire process.
- Superior interpersonal skills to develop professional relationships and rapport with patients and families during a vulnerable time
- Coordinated discharge planning efforts with case managers to ensure continuity of care after transitioning from hospice services back into the community setting when appropriate.
- Triage incoming calls for hospice patients and families, requiring swift analysis and problem solving
- Assessed eligibility for hospice enrollment based on clinical findings and prognosis determination.
Staff RN ICU
OhioHealth
03.2016 - 04.2017
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and providing high-quality care in the ICU setting
- Educated patients' families on ICU procedures, treatment options, and disease processes to enhance understanding and involvement in decision-making processes
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during high-stress situations, fostering trust and positive relationships within the ICU environment
- Promoted infection control practices in the ICU by adhering to strict hand hygiene guidelines and proper PPE usage
- Actively participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices related to ICU nursing care management strategies
- Conducted thorough assessments of patients upon admission to the ICU, identifying urgent needs and initiating appropriate interventions
- Utilized advanced clinical skills such as central line management and arterial blood gas interpretation to deliver specialized nursing care in the ICU setting
Staff RN ICU/Patient Care Coordinator
University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center
03.2013 - 12.2015
- Administered medications safely and effectively, following established protocols and guidelines for dosage calculations and administration techniques.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for optimal patient recovery
- Administered life-saving treatments to critically ill patients, significantly improving patient outcomes.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families, easing stress of hospitalization.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices in the ICU setting.
- Provided emotional support to patients'' families while maintaining open lines of communication regarding treatment plans and progress updates.
- Recorded patients' medical status and treatment details in electronic charts to accurately document medical care.
- Maintained strict adherence to infection control protocols, reducing hospital-acquired infections in the ICU setting.
- Kept facility in compliance with HIPAA, OSHA and other applicable guidelines.
- Optimized resource utilization by regularly assessing staffing needs and making appropriate adjustments according to census fluctuations and acuity levels.
- Managed staff scheduling and time off to adequately staff nursing floors and allow nurses earned time off.
Staff RN Family Maternity Center
Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital
04.2012 - 02.2013
- Monitored and assessed mother and newborn after delivery to ascertain proper healing and recovery.
- Provided emotional support to new parents experiencing stress or difficulties adapting to parenthood.
- Conducted thorough assessments of maternal health during postpartum visits, promptly addressing concerns or complications that may arise.
- Facilitated successful breastfeeding experiences by providing guidance, support, and education to new mothers struggling with latching or milk supply issues.
- Educated new parents on how to properly care for infants by instructing parents on bottle feeding, bathing, circumcision care and breastfeeding.
- Reduced patient anxiety by fostering a supportive and nurturing environment during their stay.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Identified discharge planning needs as part of care plan development and implemented prior to discharge of patient.
Staff RN ICU
Lake Health System
05.2011 - 04.2012
- Managed critical care patients with complex medical conditions, providing compassionate care and support to families.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop individualized care plans for patients.
- Administered medications safely and effectively, following established protocols and guidelines for dosage calculations and administration techniques.
- Provided life-saving interventions during emergency situations, stabilizing patients and preventing further complications.
- Continually updated clinical knowledge through participation in professional development activities relevant to critical care nursing practice.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Kent State University
Ashtabula, OH12-2010
Skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Call triaging
- Case management
- Compliance monitoring
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Patient/Family education
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Intake and discharge
- Strong clinical judgment
- Staff supervision
- Postpartum care
- Hospice and palliative care
Accomplishments
Mount Carmel Nurse of the Year nominee 2019
Certification
BLS certified
Timeline
Triage RN
COPC
09.2024 - Current
Hospice Clinical Coordinator RN
OhioHealth
01.2020 - 09.2024
RN Case Manager
Mount Carmel Hospice
05.2017 - 03.2020
Staff RN ICU
OhioHealth
03.2016 - 04.2017
Staff RN ICU/Patient Care Coordinator
University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center
03.2013 - 12.2015
Staff RN Family Maternity Center
Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital
04.2012 - 02.2013
Staff RN ICU
Lake Health System
05.2011 - 04.2012
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Kent State University
Similar Profiles
Liz KukharavaLiz Kukharava
Pediatric Registered Nurse at COPCPediatric Registered Nurse at COPC
Gerell BrownleeGerell Brownlee
Phlebotomy Team Lead at COPCPhlebotomy Team Lead at COPC
Scott PodlasiakScott Podlasiak
Triage Nurse Specialist at the Care Navigation Department at COPCTriage Nurse Specialist at the Care Navigation Department at COPC
Thorsten AbruzzoThorsten Abruzzo
Sales Associate at Galahad Marine SalesSales Associate at Galahad Marine Sales
Emilee JohnsonEmilee Johnson
Sandbox Researcher at University Of Toronto, St. George CampusSandbox Researcher at University Of Toronto, St. George Campus