Leslie Tamayo

• Patient Advocacy & Care Coordination

Serve as the central point of contact for patients and their families, providing continuous support from initial diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care.
Guide patients through the complex healthcare system, coordinating appointments, diagnostic testing, and procedures to ensure timely access to care.
Facilitate effective communication between patients, physicians, and the interdisciplinary care team, including social workers and dietitians.
Collaborate with the care team to develop and implement individualized, patient-centered treatment plans.

• Patient Education & Support

Provide comprehensive, disease-specific education to patients and families, explaining diagnoses, treatment options, and potential side effects in an easy-to-understand manner.
Assess patients' physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs, offering emotional support and making appropriate referrals to counseling services.
Educate patients on how to manage symptoms and side effects, and provide resources for proper care and treatment at home.

• Barrier Reduction & Resource Navigation

Identify and address potential barriers to care, including: financial, logistical (transportation, childcare), and language issues.
Connect patients with internal and external resources, including community support groups, financial assistance programs, and legal aid.
Assist with referrals to outside resources and care coordination as needed.

• Clinical & Administrative Duties

Perform nursing assessments, triage, and direct patient care, which may include wound and ostomy care or accessing port/PICC lines.
Maintained accurate patient records and documentation in Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems.

Patient Care & Clinical Skills

• Provided direct and indirect patient care in a fast-paced outpatient setting, utilizing the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care plans in collaboration with the healthcare team.
• Performed in-person, telephone, and electronic health record (EHR) triage for symptom management and to determine patient needs and urgency.
• Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians and following established protocols.
• Prepared patients for a variety of surgical procedures, assisting providers during procedures and monitoring patients in the recovery room.
• Monitored and documented patient vital signs, medical information, and responses to care in the EHR.
• Maintained a safe environment of care by ensuring compliance with infection control standards and regulatory requirements such as TJC (The Joint Commission).

Care Coordination & Communication

• Coordinated care across the continuum, acting as a liaison between patients, families, inpatient transfers, and specialty services.
• Developed and implemented individualized patient education and self-management plans to empower patients in preventing illness and managing chronic conditions.
• Communicated clearly and effectively with patients, families, and the interprofessional team to facilitate patient flow and ensure high-quality care.
• Provided follow-up with patients after hospital discharge, including medication reconciliation and reviewing discharge instructions.

Administrative & Leadership

• Participated in continuous quality improvement (QI) initiatives to enhance clinical, operational, and safety-related performance.
• Acted as a resource and mentor for other staff.
• Managed clinic operations, including patient scheduling, medication refills, and completing prior authorizations.
• Oversaw daily clinic assignments for staff to ensure efficient patient care and flow.

Procedural unit care for Endoscopy, Cardiac Cath Lab and Interventional Radiology.

• Patient Care: Assessed, planned, and delivered comprehensive nursing care to patients before, during, and after specialized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Procedure Assistance: Prepared patients and equipment for procedures, monitored patient vital signs, and assisted physicians with specialized equipment like fluoroscopy.
• Medication Administration: Administered and monitored prescribed intravenous and oral medications, including sedation, and responded to adverse reactions.
• Documentation: Accurately documented patient assessments, care plans, medications, and progress in electronic health records (EHR) to ensure compliance and continuity of care.
• Emergency Response: Participated in life-saving measures such as defibrillation and CPR, and recognized potential risks and complications related to procedures.
• Patient Education: Educated patients and families on medical conditions, procedures, and post-procedure care requirements to support a smooth recovery.

• Patient care and treatment:

Performed health assessments, took vital signs, and administered medications and injections.
Provided wound care and assisted with procedures like catheterization or infusion treatments.
Monitored patients during and after outpatient procedures, ensuring a safe discharge.

Floated to other units as needed including: inpatient oncology, PACU, ER, and surgical floor.

• Patient and family education:

Educated patients on disease prevention, health management, and treatment plans.
Provided discharge instructions and guidance.

• Care coordination:

Collaborated with physicians and other specialists to order tests and manage patient care.
Coordinated care across different settings and manage transitions for patients with chronic conditions.
Advocated for patients to ensure they have access to the appropriate healthcare services.

• Administrative and operational tasks:

Documented patient care in electronic medical records.
Delegated tasks to other staff and supervised their work.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives.

Pre-Operative Care:

• Patient Assessment: Conducted thorough physical and psychosocial assessments, including medical history, allergies, and current medications.
• Preparation: Started IV lines, administered pre-operative medications, and ensured lab results and consent forms were complete and signed.
• Education and Support: Provided physician instructions and explanations of procedures, answered patient/family questions, and offered emotional support to alleviate anxiety.
• Coordination: Reviewed patient charts to ensure all necessary pre-operative evaluations were completed and communicated with the surgical team.

Post-Operative Care (Recovery Room/PACU):

• Monitoring & Assessment: Received patients from the operating room and continuously monitored vital signs and level of consciousness as they emerged from anesthesia.
• Airway Management: Maintained a patent airway and ensured adequate oxygenation, responding swiftly to any respiratory distress or complications from anesthesia.
• Pain & Symptom Management: Assessed pain levels and administered prescribed pain medications. Treated nausea and other post-operative symptoms.
• Wound Care: Monitored surgical sites for bleeding or complications and maintained clean, dry dressings.
• Emergency Response: Was prepared for and managed emergency situations with appropriate interventions and life-saving measures, according to protocol.
• Documentation: Accurately and concisely recorded all patient information, observations, medications administered, and interventions.
• Discharge Planning: Determined appropriate discharge criteria, provided post-operative and self-care instructions to the patient and their caregiver, and performed follow-up calls the next day.

• Administered a variety of intravenous treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hydration, antibiotics, and blood products, according to physician orders.
• Assessed patients before, during, and after infusions, closely monitoring for adverse reactions or complications.
• Performed vascular access procedures, including the insertion of PICC lines and the use of ultrasound guidance to ensure proper placement.
• Managed and maintained various vascular access devices, such as PICC lines, central venous catheters, and implanted ports, while adhering to infection control protocols.
• Educated patients and their families on treatment plans, potential side effects, and proper post-infusion care.
• Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare team members to coordinate patient care and ensure accurate medication orders.
• Participated in the management and processes of studies related to new cancer therapies.
• Maintained detailed and accurate patient records, including assessments, medication administration, and patient education.

• Patient assessment: Conducted initial evaluations and ongoing assessments of patient health.
• Care delivery: Provided direct patient care administering medications and performing treatments.
• Patient education: Informed patients and their families about their conditions, treatment options, and post-care instructions.
• Care coordination: Collaborated with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare team members to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Documentation: Maintained accurate and timely patient records, often using electronic medical records (EMR).