LEIKA MONICA CERVANTES

Plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient preparation of patients for surgical or invasive procedures. Assesses patients' medical histories, performs necessary tests, and collaborates with healthcare teams to ensure that patients are optimally prepared for their procedures. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and clinical expertise will contribute to the overall quality of care provided to patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough assessments of patients scheduled for surgical or invasive procedures to evaluate their physical and emotional readiness.
• Review patients' medical histories, including pre-existing conditions, allergies, medications, and previous surgeries, to identify potential risks or complications.
• Coordinate and perform diagnostic tests such as blood work, ECGs, X-rays, and other assessments as required to ensure patients are medically fit for their procedures.
• Assess and document patients' current medications, including dosage and frequency, and make recommendations for any necessary adjustments or changes in consultation with physicians.
• Provide patients and their families with detailed information about the upcoming procedure, including what to expect, preoperative instructions, and potential risks.
• Work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement individualized care plans for each patient.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records, including preoperative assessments, test results, and communication with the healthcare team.
• Adhere to strict infection control protocols and ensure that patients are screened for contagious illnesses to minimize the risk of surgical site infections.
• Monitor and address any safety concerns related to the patient's condition, such as allergies, fall risk, or other vulnerabilities.

• Performs nursing care for the patient in the immediate postoperative/post anesthesia period, assessing, communicating patient status with the physician and anesthesia providers and documenting care given in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU)
• Nursing care is specific based on the type of anesthesia administered and procedure or surgery performed
• Adheres to the mission, values and philosophy of Presence Health
• Pre-Op and PACU
• Effectively organizes time, equipment, supplies
• Assesses and documents the patient’s physical and emotional status upon arrival in the Preop Area or PACU
• Provides nursing care to meet patient needs related to surgical condition and type of anesthesia administered
• Performs safe and individualized nursing care for the patient in the immediate preoperative and postoperative/post anesthesia period
• Develops a plan of care for the patient based on the assessment data
• Monitors patients and informs surgeon or anesthesia personnel of patient status and notifies of changes/complications in a timely manner
• Provides comfort and reassurance to the patient and promotes privacy and dignity
• Uses equipment accurately
• Confirms that proper techniques and procedures are used according to accepted standards of practice
• Performs thorough preoperative or postoperative patient assessment prior to discharge of the patient
• Follows preoperative or postoperative orders from the physician, to include preop testing
• Assists in managing inventory of supplies, drugs, and equipment to maintain availability and stock levels in the preoperative or postoperative area
• Performs other duties as requested
• Pre-Op
• Ensures the patient history and physical is on the chart, along with any lab work received from the physician’s office, and x-rays if appropriate to the surgery
• Participates in the site marking of the patient, if appropriate
• Completes the Safe Surgical Checklist
• Starts IVs on patients
• Obtains the patient signature on the surgical or procedure consent form and if separate, for the anesthesia consent form
• Assists anesthesia with the placement of intrascalene blocks
• Confirms patient’s current medications and completes the medication reconciliation form
• Calls patients prior to surgery or procedure to give preoperative instructions and to confirm allergies, medical conditions that could impact surgery or procedure and to explain the facility process
• PACU
• Reviews postoperative instructions from the surgeon with patient and caregiver and documents in the patient’s medical record
• Performs medication reconciliation and teaches on new prescriptions
• Provides patient with written discharge instructions and any needed supplies, i.e.2x2 dressing sponges, sunglasses
• Calls patients postoperatively to assess their post-op condition

• The Staff Nurse is a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) who practices within (based upon knowledge and experience, the nursing process and leadership skills
• The RN incorporates the carhe scope of the Illinois Nurse Practice Act to ensure the delivery of comprehensive, high quality, individualized nursing care, alive factors of human care and performs established procedures in accordance with the organization’s and nursing division policies, procedures, and standards of care
• The RN coordinates family involvement in the assessment/treatment and continuing care of the patient, and delegate tasks to competent and appropriate caregivers
• Adheres to the mission, values and philosophy of Presence Health
• Assesses each patient’s biophysical, psychosocial, environment, spiritual, cultural, self-care, educational and discharge planning based on age and development status
• Utilizes the caring behaviors of empathy, active listening and cultural sensitivity and supports patient dignity
• Develops and prioritizes an outcome directed plan of care to assigned patients and changes as necessary
• Performs clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies, procedures, standards of practice and within scope of the State Nurse Practice
• Evaluates the effectiveness of nursing interventions
• Modified the plan of care focusing on age and development status and patient outcomes
• All Level1 nurses must meet and maintain annually all of the Level1 performance standards and expectations as outlined in the Level1 section of the RN Levels of Practice Program

• The Registered Nurse / RN provides planning and delivery of direct and indirect patient care through the nursing process of Assessment, Planning, Intervention, and Evaluation
• The Registered Nurse / RN develops nursing care plan in coordination with patient, family, and interdisciplinary staff as necessary
• The RN / Registered Nurse will communicate changes in patient’s clinical condition with Physicians, Nursing Supervisor/Manager, and co-workers as appropriate
• The Registered Nurse / RN will also participate in discharge planning process
• This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions
• Other duties may be assigned

• Facilitated overall nursing staff performance and care of45 bed unit; apply strong commitment to quality control ensuring cohesiveness and involvement between nursing staff and resident’s family
• Provided direct patient care with emphasis on meeting both physical and emotional needs of residents
• Demonstrated exemplary documentation skills by accurately maintaining nurses’ notes and promoting sufficient communication among care staff
• Administered IV fluids, medications, and antibiotic and observe for adverse reactions and side effects
• Monitored, examined, reported, and followed-up on laboratory data, blood work, and urinalysis results
• Employed sharp analytical and problem solving skills in assessing patients for skin integrity, lung sounds, bowel sounds, and wounds, and performed catheterization and dressing changes
• Delegated assignments, and supervised efforts of nursing staff as charge nurse

• Providing short-term care at different locations to fill nursing positions when there is shortage
• Provided skilled and competent nursing care and also have the ability to get along with many different types of people, adapt to new environment quickly, and always act professionally
• Diagnosed conditions, treat diseases and injuries, recognize symptoms, explain preventative measures, administer drugs, provide customer service, offer alternative treatment options, and have knowledge of potential drug interactions
• Performs other duties as assigned

• Facilitated overall nursing staff performance and care of45 bed unit; apply strong commitment to quality control ensuring cohesiveness and involvement between nursing staff and resident’s family
• Provided direct patient care with emphasis on meeting both physical and emotional needs of residents
• Demonstrated exemplary documentation skills by accurately maintaining nurses’ notes and promoting sufficient communication among care staff
• Administered IV fluids, medications, and antibiotic and observe for adverse reactions and side effects
• Monitored, examined, reported, and followed-up on laboratory data, blood work, and urinalysis results
• Employed sharp analytical and problem solving skills in assessing patients for skin integrity, lung sounds, bowel sounds, and wounds, and performed catheterization and dressing changes
• Delegated assignments, and supervised efforts of nursing staff as charge nurse
• (Central Nursing & Rehab Center and Peterson Park Health Care Center)

• Under general direction, manages and directs nursing care activities and coordinates care planning with other disciplines
• Ensured efficient and coordinated clinic flow by coordinating and planning clinic activities; communicates patient’s needs; makes referrals; serves as a resource person of insurance information
• Delivered direct patient care; assessed patients physical, psychosocial and/or emotional needs; provided patient and family teaching; triaged patients and informs physician of patient status; responded to phone messages from patients and informs physicians as needed; ordered supplies, stocks; maintained patient’s rooms; sterilized instruments
• Administered medications as assigned; served as a resource person for knowledge of medication uses, side effects, and dosage; checked for proper medication order; documents medications; obtained required consent forms to administer immunizations; notifies pharmacies of physician approved prescriptions; reviewed drug samples to insure they have not exceeded the expiration date; labeled sample drug; and educated patients of medication administration