Latosha Woods
Olive Branch,MS
Summary
Compassionate and decisive Registered Nurse with more than 26 combined years’ experience as a Charge Nurse, Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse, Hospice Nurse/Case Manager and Care Coordinator. Supervise medical support staff, interdisciplinary teams, and new employees. Strong communication, analytical, and strategic planning skills. Employ high-quality nursing practices, design individual care plans, and expertly manage difficult emergency room situations for optimal patient care. Mentor multiple student nurses and serve as preceptor for new nurses
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse Case Manager
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Atlant, GA
05.2023 - Current
- Coordinated with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive medical care to patients.
- Provided education to patients and their families on disease management, medications and other treatments.
- Evaluated referrals from physicians, hospitals, clinics and other sources for appropriateness of services requested.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care for complex cases.
- Identified community resources available for assistance with housing, transportation or financial issues impacting a patient's health status.
- Created discharge plans that ensure continuity of care after hospitalization or clinic visits.
- Actively participated in performance improvement initiatives within the organization.
- Communicated regularly with patients via phone calls or emails to check on their progress and answer any questions they may have.
- Attended continuing education courses related to case management topics such as chronic illness management, utilization review techniques and ethical considerations.
- Analyzed data from various sources including claims information, laboratory results and medication histories to identify potential risks or gaps in care.
LTSS Coordinator
Amerigroup/Anthem
Memphis, TN
09.2019 - 05.2023
- Prepared reports summarizing program activities and outcomes for management review.
- Attended relevant conferences or trainings related to the field of Long Term Services and Supports.
- Partnered with community agencies to increase access to available resources within local communities.
- Identified potential opportunities for expansion of existing LTSS programs based on changing customer needs.
- Developed and implemented strategies to ensure compliance with LTSS regulations.
- Conducted assessments of individuals' needs, preferences, and eligibility for services.
- Collaborated with providers to coordinate care plans and develop individualized approaches to support clients.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss client progress and plan interventions.
- Provided education and training to clients, families, staff, and community partners regarding LTSS resources and services.
- Maintained accurate records of all services provided according to agency policies and procedures.
- Facilitated communication between clients, family members, providers, case managers, health professionals, payers. as needed.
- Analyzed data from multiple sources including Medicaid claims data to identify gaps in service delivery or potential areas of improvement.
- Reviewed documents such as prior authorizations, clinical notes, financial information related to LTSS programs, services..
- Developed relationships with external organizations that provide additional resources for clients needing access to LTSS programs, services..
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary staff to improve overall patient care and response times.
Care Delivery Care Manager
HUMANA AT HOME
Memphis, TN
12.2016 - 09.2019
- Assisted clients in developing and achieving short-term and long-term goals.
- Provided advocacy for clients to ensure their needs are met through appropriate services.
- Conducted assessments of client's physical, psychological, cognitive, social, economic and environmental needs.
- Coordinated with other health care providers, such as physicians and psychiatrists, to develop comprehensive treatment plans.
- Developed service plans based on assessment findings; monitored effectiveness of plans regularly.
- Facilitated the coordination of medical appointments and transportation for clients when needed.
- Maintained accurate records of client visits and progress notes in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
- Provided crisis intervention services to clients when necessary.
- Educated family members about patient's condition, treatments and available resources.
- Monitored client's compliance with medications prescribed by physician or psychiatrist, if applicable.
- Arranged referrals for additional services such as housing assistance or financial aid programs when needed.
- Served as a liaison between clients' families and community agencies providing services to them.
- Evaluated potential living arrangements for clients including independent living facilities or supervised residential settings.
- Ensured that all documentation is completed accurately according to state regulations.
- Developed and implemented care management plan to address needs and goals.
- Created plan of care to assist patients in reducing problems or barriers to achieve optimal level of health.
- Facilitated communication between members of health care delivery while involving clients in decision-making processes to minimize service fragmentation.
- Monitored care plan to evaluate effectiveness, document interventional achievement and suggest changes.
- Used motivational interviewing to educate, support and motivate change.
- Promoted integrations of long-term services and support to enhance continuity of care.
- Monitored vital signs and medication use, documenting variances, and concerning responses.
Hospice Nurse
CROSSROADS HOSPICE OF MEMPHIS
Memphis, TN
08.2008 - 12.2016
- Provided physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their families.
- Assessed patient's needs and developed individualized care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
- Administered medications as prescribed by physicians while monitoring for side effects.
- Monitored vital signs, observed changes in condition, and reported any concerns to physician.
- Educated patients and family members on disease process, medication administration, nutrition and symptom management.
- Assisted in end-of-life decision making processes with respect to patient wishes.
- Facilitated communication between the patient and family and all members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Participated in palliative care meetings to discuss current cases and develop treatment plans for complex cases.
- Performed advanced nursing functions such as wound care or IV therapy according to established standards of practice.
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress notes, treatments administered, medications given.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations such as pain crisis or respiratory distress.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals including social workers, chaplains, doctors., to ensure quality care is provided throughout the hospice experience.
- Reviewed medical history of patients admitted into hospice program to determine eligibility for services.
- Conducted home visits regularly to assess patient's condition and provide necessary interventions.
- Attended regular staff meetings with interdisciplinary team to review policies and procedures regarding patient care.
- Actively participated in community outreach activities promoting awareness about available hospice services.
- Listened to patients and loved ones, offering emotional support, and kindness to help with end-of-life transition.
- Delivered respectful, compassionate care to each patient and family member.
- Utilized effective interpersonal, writing and active listening skills to build and cultivate positive relationships with patients, caregivers, and physicians.
Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse
LE BONHEUR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Memphis, TN
01.2000 - 08.2008
- Participated in team meetings to discuss cases, new developments, best practices.
- Assessed and evaluated patient health status, including vital signs, physical condition, mental state, and medical history.
- Administered medications as prescribed by physician and monitored patient response to treatments.
- Provided emergency care for pediatric patients with a variety of medical conditions.
- Performed initial assessment of patients upon arrival in the emergency room.
- Educated parents on proper care and treatment options for their children.
- Collaborated closely with physicians, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality patient care was provided.
- Maintained accurate documentation of all treatments provided to pediatric patients in ER setting.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.
- Responded quickly to any changes in patient condition or urgent requests from physicians or family members.
- Assisted physicians during complex procedures such as intubations and lumbar punctures using appropriate equipment and techniques.
- Assured that all necessary supplies were available for use in the Pediatric Emergency Room.
- Instructed families on post-discharge care plans for their child's recovery process.
- Supported the emotional needs of families during critical times when their child was being treated in the PER environment.
- Facilitated communication between physicians, staff members, and families regarding diagnosis and treatment plans for pediatric patients.
- Recognized potential life-threatening situations early on and took immediate action accordingly.
- Coordinated transfer of critically ill children from ER to Intensive Care Unit when necessary.
- Utilized advanced technical skills to perform lifesaving interventions such as airway management or chest compressions when required.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Monitored patients' respiration activity, blood pressure and blood glucose levels in response to medical administration.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Helped patients and families feel comfortable during challenging and stressful situations, promoting recovery and reducing compliance issues.
- Observed strict safety measures, including checking medication dosages before administration to patients.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Coordinated with healthcare team to establish, enact and evaluate patient care plans.
- Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
Clinical Lead Nurse
Methodist University Hospital
Memphis, TN
08.1998 - 12.1999
- Developed and implemented policies, procedures, standards of care and quality assurance processes for the clinical unit.
- Assessed patient needs and developed individualized plans of care in collaboration with other health team members.
- Provided direct patient care services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation of outcomes.
- Mentored new staff members on nursing practice, policies and procedures.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate patient care activities.
- Monitored performance improvement initiatives related to the clinical unit's operations.
- Resolved conflicts between staff members or between patients and families and medical personnel.
- Reviewed medical records to ensure accuracy of documentation and appropriateness of treatments provided by nursing staff.
- Evaluated effectiveness of nursing interventions and made recommendations for changes as needed.
- Coordinated communication among physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and other departments to ensure continuity of care delivery.
- Actively participated in professional development activities such as continuing education programs and conferences related to nursing practice.
- Managed staffing resources within the clinical unit to meet daily operational needs while ensuring compliance with organizational policy and procedures.
- Provided guidance on complex cases involving multiple diagnoses or treatments.
- Facilitated orientation program for newly hired nurses in the clinical unit.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN05-2005
Associate of Science - Nursing
Methodist School of Nursing
Memphis03-1998
Biology
Jackson State University
Jackson, MSSkills
- Patient care and education
- Policy adherence
- Care planning
- Electronic record keeping
- Care plan adjustment
- Referral generation
- Relationship building
- Microsoft powerpoint, excel, and Word
- Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- First Aid/CPR
- Supervision and leadership
- Good Telephone Etiquette
- Organized and detail oriented
- Teamwork oriented
- Quality-oriented team player
Affiliations
- Participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree Drive Yearly.
- Volunteer with Sacred Heart Southern Missions Mobile Food Distribution
- Desoto Central High School Clean up Committee.
Timeline
Nurse Case Manager
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
05.2023 - Current
LTSS Coordinator
Amerigroup/Anthem
09.2019 - 05.2023
Care Delivery Care Manager
HUMANA AT HOME
12.2016 - 09.2019
Hospice Nurse
CROSSROADS HOSPICE OF MEMPHIS
08.2008 - 12.2016
Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse
LE BONHEUR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
01.2000 - 08.2008
Clinical Lead Nurse
Methodist University Hospital
08.1998 - 12.1999
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Memphis
Associate of Science - Nursing
Methodist School of Nursing
Biology
Jackson State University
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