Leah Gara
Westfield,MA
Summary
Patient-oriented nurse with over 15 years of hands-on experience providing direct patient care. Proficient in patient assessments, charting, medications, and working with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care. Skillfully completes tasks and fosters relationships with patients, caregivers and coworkers to drive patient care goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
LPN Field Nurse
Better Health Care Solutions
Springfield, MA
08.2022 - Current
- Assessed and evaluated patient needs, developed and implemented nursing care plans, and monitored progress.
- Provided direct patient care including wound management, medication administration, IV therapy, assessments, and treatments.
- Instructed patients on health maintenance, disease prevention, medications and treatment regimens.
- Performed physical examinations to assess the health of patients in the field setting.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records using electronic medical record systems.
- Identified potential risk factors for acute illness or injury in the field setting and provided appropriate interventions.
- Provided counseling services regarding chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension to help patients manage their condition more effectively.
- Monitored vital signs such as temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, oxygen saturation levels.
- Administered prescribed medications following established protocols while monitoring for adverse reactions or side effects.
- Educated and counseled patients and caregivers on medication usage, disease management and diagnoses.
- Advocated for patients, ensuring needs were met in accordance with personal beliefs and preferences.
Quality Assurance Nurse/Office Staff Nurse
Altranais Home Care
Springfield, MA
11.2016 - 08.2023
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of patient care to ensure quality standards were being met.
- Maintained accurate records of all patient care activities and reported any discrepancies to the supervisor.
- Ensured that medical staff was adhering to established protocols and procedures related to patient safety and quality assurance.
- Investigated complaints from patients or their families regarding perceived lapses in quality of care received.
- Provided clinical leadership and direction to the LPN team to ensure quality patient care.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate patient care services.
- Investigated incidents or complaints involving LPNs and took corrective action when necessary.
- Managed inventory control systems related to medical supplies.
- Coordinated scheduling of shifts among the LPN team members according to workload demands.
- Established direct lines of communication between nursing staff and other other health care providers, supporting patient care with collaboration between personnel with complementary specialties.
- Worked as part of healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care and implement interventions.
LPN
Abbott House
Lynn, MA
08.2013 - 11.2016
- Assisted physicians with patient care by taking vital signs, administering injections and performing other nursing duties.
- Maintained accurate medical records of each patient's health condition.
- Provided direct physical and emotional support to patients and their families.
- Ensured that all medications were administered accurately and on time as prescribed by the physician.
- Monitored patient progress during treatments or procedures, reporting any abnormalities to the healthcare team immediately.
- Assessed patient needs through interviews and physical examinations while adhering to safety standards.
- Provided emotional support during difficult times such as end-of-life decisions or family disputes over treatment options.
- Performed wound care including changing dressings, cleaning wounds, applying ointments and medications and providing other necessary treatments.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop long term goals for patients who require ongoing treatment.
- Delegated appropriate tasks to CNAs.
- Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.
- Worked with social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists to assess patient needs, plan and adjust plans of care and actualize nursing interventions to promote and restore patient health.
- Collected blood, urine or sputum from patients to perform routine laboratory tests.
LPN
Ledgewood Rehabilitation And Skilled Nursing Center
Beverly, MA
04.2008 - 03.2014
- Assisted physicians with patient care by taking vital signs, administering injections and performing other nursing duties.
- Provided direct physical and emotional support to patients and their families.
- Performed routine laboratory tests including urinalysis, blood glucose monitoring and others.
- Maintained accurate medical records of each patient's health condition.
- Observed patients for any changes in their condition or behavior, reported findings to the supervisor or physician in charge.
- Coordinated with interdisciplinary team members such as doctors, nurses and social workers to ensure quality patient care was provided.
- Participated in educational programs to keep up-to-date on new developments in nursing practice.
- Monitored patient progress during treatments or procedures, reporting any abnormalities to the healthcare team immediately.
- Performed wound care including changing dressings, cleaning wounds, applying ointments and medications and providing other necessary treatments.
- Conducted daily rounds visiting assigned patients ensuring they are comfortable and have all necessary supplies available.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions implemented based on patient responses or feedback from family members.
- Delegated appropriate tasks to CNAs.
- Managed CNA assignments.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA06-2024
High School Diploma -
Lynn English High School
Lynn, MA06-2004
LPN Certificate
Harmony Health Care Institute
Merrimack, NH12-2007
Skills
- Patient assessment
- Medication management
- Diabetes management
- Medical Documentation
- Palliative Care
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Compassion
Timeline
LPN Field Nurse
Better Health Care Solutions
08.2022 - Current
Quality Assurance Nurse/Office Staff Nurse
Altranais Home Care
11.2016 - 08.2023
LPN
Abbott House
08.2013 - 11.2016
LPN
Ledgewood Rehabilitation And Skilled Nursing Center
04.2008 - 03.2014
Associate of Science - Nursing
Holyoke Community College
High School Diploma -
Lynn English High School
LPN Certificate
Harmony Health Care Institute