Laura Garcia
Summary
Dynamic Licensed Vocational Nurse with extensive experience in many health care settings. Excelling in patient care management. Proven ability to enhance patient satisfaction through compassionate care and effective communication. Skilled in time management, monitoring patients, treatment plan implementation and fostering optimal outcomes in diverse healthcare settings.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
06.2014 - Current
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Prevented medication errors by meticulously reviewing physician orders and administering medications as prescribed.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Facilitated effective communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care during transitions between facilities or levels of care.
- Advocated for patients'' needs effectively, working closely with healthcare providers to develop and implement appropriate care plans.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors, and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising nurse.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Fostered a positive work environment by collaborating with colleagues, sharing knowledge, and mentoring new nursing staff members.
- Streamlined patient flow in a busy clinic setting, ensuring timely access to care for all patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for optimal patient outcomes.
- 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.
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Provided patient education on health care issues and prescribed medications.
- Coordinated patient transfers to other facilities.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Field Nurse
Americare Home Health Agency
12.2013 - 06.2014
- Promoted patient safety through vigilant monitoring of vital signs and reporting any abnormalities to the appropriate healthcare provider promptly.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and attentive care.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors, and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising RN
- Provided patient education on health care issues and prescribed medications.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Educated family members on proper caregiving techniques, alleviating stressors associated with caring for loved ones at home.
- Provided excellent wound care management, resulting in faster healing times for patients with complex wounds.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns, and medically relevant symptoms.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Reviewed patient history to verify conditions and current medications.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families during challenging times.
- Supported diagnoses by taking blood samples from patients for laboratory testing.
- Clearly and thoroughly explained diagnoses, treatment options and procedures to patients and loved ones, checking in to verify understanding.
- Provided diagnosis information, treatment possibilities, disease management tips and wound care advice to patients, loved ones and caregivers.
- Educated patients and caregivers on disease processes, medications, plans of care and individualized treatment plans.
- Complied with applicable legal requirements for HIPAA and documentation standards.
- Reviewed all medicines to identify possible adverse reactions, significant side effects, drug allergies and contraindicated medications.
- Observed confidentiality safeguards for all patient-related information.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during difficult situations, fostering trust and open communication.
- Established realistic, measurable and observable goals consistent with patients' diagnosis.
- Administered effective nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent and disabled patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive care plans, facilitating optimal patient recovery.
- Conducted regular home safety assessments to minimize fall risks and ensure a secure environment for recovery.
- Coordinated with healthcare providers for timely referrals to specialists or additional services as needed.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by building strong relationships and addressing individual concerns.
- Served as a mentor to new nurses entering the field, sharing best practices and offering guidance when needed.
- Actively participated in case conferences with other members of the healthcare team, discussing patient progress and adjusting care plans as needed.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between various levels of care by maintaining ongoing communication with patients'' primary physicians.
- Educated patients on preventative measures, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality, personalized care to individuals in their home setting.
- Streamlined documentation processes, ensuring accurate patient records and efficient communication between healthcare providers.
- Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to changing patient needs or scheduling demands while maintaining consistent quality of care.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current on industry trends and advancements in healthcare delivery systems.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Prevented medication errors by meticulously reviewing physician orders and administering medications as prescribed.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Advocated for patients'' needs effectively, working closely with healthcare providers to develop and implement appropriate care plans.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Taylor Home Health
11.2011 - 12.2013
- Promoted patient safety through vigilant monitoring of vital signs and reporting any abnormalities to the appropriate healthcare provider promptly.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors, and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising [Job Title].
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Strengthened infection control measures by strictly following hand hygiene protocols and utilizing personal protective equipment when necessary.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Protected patients and healthcare team members from infection by sterilizing equipment and reusable supplies.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Facilitated effective communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care during transitions between facilities or levels of care.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Fostered a positive work environment by collaborating with colleagues, sharing knowledge, and mentoring new nursing staff members.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for optimal patient outcomes.
- Safeguarded patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations and maintaining secure medical records.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and attentive care.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Educated family members on proper caregiving techniques, alleviating stressors associated with caring for loved ones at home.
- Provided excellent wound care management, resulting in faster healing times for patients with complex wounds.
Licensed Vocational Nurse/Facility Director
Vida Adult Day Care
03.2012 - 11.2012
- Supervised/Managed daily operations of the Adult Day Care.
- Responsible for following all state regulations and ADC policies/procedures.
- Ensured all staff/client in-services and education were completed within a timely manner as per policy and procedures.
- Responsible for all client health care/safety needs.
- Responsible for maintaining accurate staff and client records.
- Communicated all client medical needs, medical concerns and reported any abnormalities immediately to the primary care physician and registered nurse on staff.
LVN/Assistant Administrator and Director of HR
Amigo Home Health Agency
01.2002 - 12.2011
- Assisted administrator with daily home health agency operations.
- Performed in home nursing visits as needed.
- Maintained informed of changes to federal/state laws and regulations.
- Ensured staffing needs were met.
- Maintained employee records.
- Communicated with all medical staff and physicians to maintain compliance and meet all patient needs.
- Performed marketing and developed tools to promote and provide the public information the services provided by the agency.
LVN/ IV Infusion Department Manager
Lees's Pharmacy Infusion Department
10.1997 - 01.2001
- Managed Daily operations to include safe IV medication preparation and delivery.
- Performed marketing and in-service training to local nursing agencies/facilities on proper use of IV pumps and delivery systems.
- Maintained compliance of IV mixing room to meet state/federal standards.
- Provided staff development tools and education.
- Developed educational programs for staff, patients and customers.
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures.
- Performed initial and on-call set ups of gastrostomy and IV patients in home with home health nurses and patients family.
Education
No Degree - Nursing
Texas Southmost College
McAllen, TX10-1990
Skills
- Medication administration
- HIPAA compliance
- Geriatric care
- Vital signs monitoring
- Catheter care
- Compassionate care
- Patient care
- Clinical judgment
- Patient education
- Direct patient care
- Infection control
- Patient assessment
- Mental health support
- Healthcare software proficiency
- Documentation accuracy
- Diabetes management
- Workflow coordination
- Treatment plan implementation
- Medical examination
- Aseptic techniques
- Care plan development
- Anatomy
- Intravenous therapy and blood withdrawal certification
- Care plans
- Reporting and documentation
- Personal hygiene support
- Nursing processes
- Treatment outcome monitoring
- Patient and family communication
- Screening and triaging
- HIPAA guideline adherence
- Vital signs
- Patient relationship building
- Caregiving skills
- Immunization administration
- Emergency response
- Patient assessments
- Wound care
- Breathing treatments
- Medication dispensing
- Transcribing orders
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
06.2014 - Current
Licensed Vocational Nurse Field Nurse
Americare Home Health Agency
12.2013 - 06.2014
Licensed Vocational Nurse/Facility Director
Vida Adult Day Care
03.2012 - 11.2012
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Taylor Home Health
11.2011 - 12.2013
LVN/Assistant Administrator and Director of HR
Amigo Home Health Agency
01.2002 - 12.2011
LVN/ IV Infusion Department Manager
Lees's Pharmacy Infusion Department
10.1997 - 01.2001
No Degree - Nursing
Texas Southmost College
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