Leslie Clark
KENNEWICK
Summary
With a robust background at Kadlec Medical Center, I excel in patient education and interprofessional collaboration. Leveraging skills in EMR/EHR and compassion, I've significantly enhanced patient care and satisfaction. My proactive approach and dedication to continuous improvement have driven successful outcomes in diverse nursing roles. I have been implemental in starting new departments and positions at a major medical center. My vast experience lends itself to many RN roles.
My latest position as an RN was in behavioral health. This was a new office position which I started from the ground up.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Psychiatric RN
Comprehensive Healthcare
01.2019 - 11.2023
- Administered IM medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
- Educated patients about medication, side effects (long and short term).
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' families, providing emotional support while addressing concerns or questions about care plans.
- Served as a liaison between physician, therapist, patient and patients' families to facilitate clear communication as appropriate.
- Provided emotional support to patients during challenging times, fostering a sense of trust and rapport that contributed to better overall wellbeing.
- Implemented infection control measures within the two office buildings, maintaining a safe environment for both patients and staff members.
- Weekly follow up phone calls with all patients receiving medication.
- Prior Authorizations for medications
- Scheduled medication deliveries to RN office.
Admit/PACU Registered Nurse
Proliance Surgeons Surgery Center
02.2013 - 01.2019
- Admit patients by diligently taking H/P, starting IV, prepping surgical site, and administering antibiotic as ordered
- Assist anesthesiologist with nerve blocks pre and post surgery.
- Enhanced patient safety by diligently monitoring vital signs and administering medications post surgery.
- Recovered patients post surgical (orthopedics, T&A, pediatric, GICU, pain control management).
- Reduced recovery times through effective pain management and close collaboration with the surgical team.
- Maintained accurate records of medication administration, vital signs monitoring, and other critical data points for proper evaluation of patients'' progress during recovery.
- Mentored new PACU nurses, sharing best practices for efficient patient turnover and discharge processes.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing compassionate care and maintaining open communication with patients and families.
- Promoted teamwork among nursing staff, fostering a supportive environment conducive to high-quality patient care.
- Assisted in maintaining a clean and organized work environment, adhering to infection control standards for optimal patient health as the Infection Control RN.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current with advancements in nursing practices and trends within the PACU specialty area.
- Increased patient comfort during recovery by addressing anxiety and concerns about surgery results.
- Assisted surgeons in post-operative procedures, ensuring optimal wound healing and preventing complications.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Post surgical phone calls for patient follow up
CDIS - RN
Kadlec Medical Center
04.2007 - 09.2013
- Initiated and developed the CDIS program for Kadlec Medical Center
- Assisted in the development of policies and procedures related to clinical documentation processes, promoting consistency across the organization.
- Communicated with physicians to explain importance of accurate and clear documentation.
- Expedited accurate clinical documentation completion by promptly responding to queries from healthcare providers and support staff, offering timely guidance and support.
- Effectively managed multiple priorities while maintaining strict adherence to established deadlines, ensuring the consistent delivery of exceptional clinical documentation services.
- Maintained strong knowledge of medical terminology, diseases and conditions and procedures.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop best practices in clinical documentation, streamlining processes and reducing errors.
- Played an integral role in the successful implementation of new EHR software, providing valuable input during system design phases and facilitating seamless transition periods for all involved parties.
- Contributed to revenue optimization by identifying opportunities for appropriate clinical documentation improvement.
- Carefully reviewed patient files for clarity on diseases, diagnoses and procedures to determine quality of care.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines through meticulous attention to detail in completing clinical documentation tasks.
- Served as a resource for healthcare professionals seeking guidance on various aspects of clinical documentation, fostering effective communication among team members.
- Questioned physicians regarding missing or unclear health record documentation and requested further information for clarification purposes.
- Audited and reviewed patient information via EMR management to verify accuracy and completeness.
Clinical Nurse Educator
Kadlec Medical Center
09.2005 - 09.2007
- Part time Clinical Nurse Educator for the Short Stay Unit.
- Led the development of annual training plans based on identified gaps in knowledge or skills among clinical staff members.
- Supported departmental goals by aligning educational programs with organizational objectives.
- Facilitated open communication between management and clinical staff, addressing concerns and implementing solutions to improve overall team satisfaction.
- Maintained and trained RN based education for the unit
- Oriented and trained new RN's for specific procedures (pulling heart cath. sheaths, IV therapies, pre and post of care, ER overflow, MI rule out, outpatient cardioversion).
- Streamlined onboarding processes for new hires, resulting in decreased time to full productivity.
- Contributed to hospital accreditation efforts by ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices in nursing education by participating in hospital wide nursing education for competencies.
- Conducted regular assessments of nursing practices, ensuring adherence to highest standards of care.
- Facilitated interdisciplinary training sessions, promoting cohesive approach to patient care as the unit was multidisciplinary.
- Improved patient education on disease management and prevention with customized nursing interventions.
Lead RN - Short Stay Unit
Kadlec Medical Center
09.2002 - 09.2007
- One of three RN's to start the Short Stay Unit as it was new to the facility.
- Created and managed daily nursing assignments based on caseload and acuity.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
- Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care plans, resulting in better health outcomes as this was a multidisciplinary unit.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality nursing care and implementing evidence-based practices.
- Served as a liaison between physicians and patients'' families to facilitate clear communication regarding treatment options and progress updates.
- Mentored new nursing staff, contributing to a supportive work environment and improved retention rates.
- Assessed patient conditions promptly upon admission to determine appropriate interventions and prioritize care needs.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Provided emotional support to patients during challenging times, fostering a sense of trust and rapport that contributed to better overall wellbeing.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Managed patient caseloads effectively, ensuring timely interventions and thorough follow-ups to mitigate potential complications.
- Administered IV infusion therapies such as IVIG, Remicade, Iron, Tysbri, Antibiotics, Blood by IV, Mediport and Pick line.
- Implemented infection control measures within the unit, maintaining a safe environment for both patients and staff members.
- Utilized advanced clinical skills such as wound care management or IV therapy administration, leading to faster recovery times for patients treated under my supervision.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
Lead RN Surgical
Kadlec Medical Center
07.1999 - 07.2002
- Created and managed daily nursing assignments based on caseload and acuity.
- Super User at the facility as it was transitioning to EMR charting from paper charting for all nursing and physicians.
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' families, providing emotional support while addressing concerns or questions about care plans.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options as appropriate.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Served as a liaison between physicians and patients'' families to facilitate clear communication regarding treatment options and progress updates.
- Mentored new nursing staff, contributing to a supportive work environment and improved retention rates.
- Assessed patient conditions promptly upon admission to determine appropriate interventions and prioritize care needs.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Provided emotional support to patients during challenging times, fostering a sense of trust and rapport that contributed to better overall wellbeing.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Managed patient caseloads effectively, ensuring timely interventions and thorough follow-ups to mitigate potential complications.
- Participated in professional development opportunities regularly to stay current on best practices in the field of nursing.
- Coordinated discharge planning efforts with social workers, case managers, and other multidisciplinary team members for smooth transitions posthospitalization.
- Utilized advanced clinical skills such as wound care management or IV therapy administration, leading to faster recovery times for patients treated under my supervision.
- Streamlined documentation processes to ensure accurate record-keeping and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Columbia Basin College
Pasco05-1999
Skills
- Basic life support
- Staff development
- Patient counseling
- Clinical judgment
- Vital signs monitoring
- Compassion and empathy
- Interprofessional collaboration
- IV insertion
- Clinical supervision
- Quality improvement
- Continuing education
- Geriatric care
- Evidence-based practice
- Supervising students
- Admission coordination
- Completing physical assessments
- Compassionate care
- Patient safety
- Teaching strategies
- Direct patient care
- Patient education
- Pharmacology
- Patient assessment
- Pain management
- Time management abilities
- Continuous improvement
- Decision-making
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
- Written communication
- High level of autonomy
- Problem-solving
- EMR / EHR
- Professional demeanor
- Patient recovery assessments
- Medication and IV administration
- Anesthesia recovery
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Post-anesthesia care
- Sedation administration
- Blood transfusion
- Oxygen therapy
- Discharge planning
- Airway management
- Nursing informatics
- Team coordination
- Cardiac monitoring
- Patient education and counseling
- Medication administration
- Strong clinical judgment
- Advanced cardiovascular life support
- Pain management oversight
- Infection control measures
- Accurate documentation
- Pediatric advanced life support (PALS)
Timeline
Psychiatric RN
Comprehensive Healthcare
01.2019 - 11.2023
Admit/PACU Registered Nurse
Proliance Surgeons Surgery Center
02.2013 - 01.2019
CDIS - RN
Kadlec Medical Center
04.2007 - 09.2013
Clinical Nurse Educator
Kadlec Medical Center
09.2005 - 09.2007
Lead RN - Short Stay Unit
Kadlec Medical Center
09.2002 - 09.2007
Lead RN Surgical
Kadlec Medical Center
07.1999 - 07.2002
Associate of Science - Nursing
Columbia Basin College
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