Kyle McElwain

• Provided high-quality personal care services such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and feeding to ensure patient dignity.
• Monitored patient vitals, blood glucose levels, fluid intake and output, patient weight.
• Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety.
• Prevented pressure ulcers development through frequent turning, repositioning of patients, and diligent skin assessments.
• Assisted nurses with wound care procedures ensuring proper healing processes took place.
• Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
• Supported ambulation and physical therapy needs by conducting planned exercise routines.
• Helped patients with self-feeding and assisted feeding, based on individual needs.
• Assisted and monitored patients on a ventilator or with tracheostomy care.
• Pre-operative and post-operative patient care for cardio-thoracic and pulmonary patients.

• Monitored patients' heart rhythms and functions through cardiac monitoring strips.
• Cleaned and sterilized telemetry equipment, maintained functionality of cables and monitoring equipment, helped troubleshoot interruptions in patient monitoring.
• Performed and recorded 12-Lead ECG on patients.
• Monitored electrical brain activity of EEG and video recordings of epilepsy patients.
• Facilitated discharge processes for patients to outpatient and skilled nursing facilities, providing necessary documentation and instructions for follow-up care.
• Interpreted tests and identified arrhythmias and heart abnormalities on patient's EKG and telemetry and reported to cardiologist.
• Answered telephone calls to offer unit information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
• Identified and documented data trends of pacers and AICDs, analyzing results and reporting issues.
• Maintained current and accurate medical records for patients.
• Participated in case reviews, sharing expertise on cardiac monitoring with fellow technicians and medical professionals.
• Transcribed doctors' medication orders, lab test requests, and care plans.
• IMCU Equipment Council Chairman which oversaw maintaining and supplying medical equipment, ordering and sending out broken equipment for repair, and implementing ideas to increase nursing efficiency.
• Member of hospital-wide Interdisciplinary Practice Council comprised of different jobs and leadership positions whose goal is to implement ideas and policies to maintain a culture of safety, ensure excellence, and improve patient quality.

• Maintained a sterile environment within the operating room, adhering to strict infection control policies and procedures.
• Managed emergency situations efficiently and effectively, responding to rapid changes in patient status with appropriate interventions.
• Assisted during complex procedures, providing expert input on anesthetic considerations and ensuring optimal patient comfort throughout surgery.
• Ensured timely availability of anesthesia equipment, maintaining inventory and coordinating with supply chain team.
• Developed strong relationships with colleagues across disciplines, fostering a collaborative work environment that enhanced patient care quality.
• Assisted with transports of invasively monitored O.R. and I.C.U. patients.
• Stocked anesthesia supplies in anesthetizing locations, fiber optic carts, ploss carts and emergency airway bags.
• Collected and performed blood gas analysis, using blood gas analyzing and centrifuge equipment to monitor and determine carbon dioxide, sodium, pH and oxygen saturation in patients.
• Provided airway management interventions, tracheal intubation, and ventilatory support.
• Started peripheral IVs and performed phlebotomy draws; assisted in placement of arterial, central, and femoral lines for hemodynamic monitoring.
• Assisted with sterile bedside procedures such as epidurals, blood patches, nerve blocks, thoracentesis/paracentesis procedures, etc.
• Set up and performed platelet separation and auto-transfusion equipment.
• Monitored patients on an intra-aortic balloon pump.
• Member of hospital code and rapid response team.
• Improved interdepartmental communication by participating in multidisciplinary healthcare team meetings, providing input on anesthesia-related concerns.

• Ensured optimal surgical outcomes by accurately handling, processing, and tracking surgical instruments.
• Improved workflow efficiency by promptly transporting patients to and from the operating room.
• Maintained a high level of professionalism under pressure, ensuring the surgical team was able to perform their duties without additional stress or distractions.
• Set-up and maintained a sterile environment for obstetric and gynecological procedures
• Facilitated timely surgical procedures by efficiently preparing the operating room according to surgeon specifications.
• Enhanced team collaboration through open communication channels with nursing staff, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals involved in patient care operations.
• Recorded patient vital signs, gathered specimens for analytical analysis, and performed newborn hearing screens.
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• Assisted nursing staff with patient care, ensuring timely completion of tasks and improved patient satisfaction.
• Monitored inventory levels and advised management of need for replenishment.
• Facilitated smooth discharge processes for patients, providing necessary documentation and instructions for follow-up care as directed by physicians or nurses.
• Answered telephone calls to offer unit information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
• Supported hospital compliance efforts by adhering to privacy policies and HIPAA regulations when handling sensitive patient information.
• Consistently met deadlines for completing administrative tasks while managing competing priorities during high-pressure situations on the unit floor.
• Demonstrated flexibility in adjusting work hours to meet fluctuating demands of the unit, ensuring coverage during both peak times and staff shortages.
• Maintained current and accurate medical records for patients.
• Transcribed doctors' medication orders, lab test requests, and care plans.
• Observe telemetry monitors for arrhythmias; document and communicate arrhythmias to nurses or physicians.

• Actively participated in continuous education programs related to hospital aide duties to stay current on best practices within the healthcare industry.
• Assisted nurses with daily tasks, ensuring efficient workflow and timely medical care for patients.
• Facilitated smooth patient transfers between departments by coordinating schedules and assisting with transport as needed.
• Aided in the prevention of pressure ulcers through diligent repositioning of bedridden patients every two hours or as per nursing guidelines.
• Managed inventory levels of medical supplies efficiently while minimizing wastage and adhering to budgetary constraints set forth by the Hospital Administration Department.
• Documented patient information and care activities in electronic health record.

• Assisted in the completion of research projects, conducting literature reviews and gathering relevant information.
• Developed strong analytical skills by utilizing statistical software to analyze large datasets for meaningful insights.
• Developed strong problem-solving skills through troubleshooting experimental challenges as they arose during the research process.
• Fostered a positive and supportive work environment, collaborating closely with fellow research assistants to achieve collective goals.
• Increased efficiency in lab operations by maintaining a clean and organized work environment while adhering to safety protocols.
• Contributed to the publication of research findings, co-authoring articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Research Publications:

i. Wang L, Fortune B, Cull, G, McElwain KM, Cioffi GA. "Microspheres method for ocular blood flow measurement in rats: Size and dose optimization." Experimental Eye Research. January 2007; 84 (1): 108-117.

ii. Wang L, Fortune B, Cull G, McElwain KM, Cioffi GA. "Microspheres method for ocular blood flow measurement in rats: Size and doe optimization." Experimental Eye Research. October 2006. [Epub ahead of print]

• Implemented county-wide infection control program in keeping with CDC, JHACO, other regulatory agencies.
• Surveyed and collected data for nosocomial infections in local hospitals and in the community around the Linn-Benton County area.
• Assisted with educating local medical personnel by participating in orientations, mandatory annual health training programs and epidemiology related in-service programs.
• Aided with the development of a regionalized network for the hasty distribution of vaccinations and medical equipment in the emergence of an epidemic or biological attack.
• Coordinated efforts with the newly established Department of Homeland Security shortly after 9/11, 2001 terrorist attack.