Linda Bates BSN RN
Lake Charles,LA
Summary
- Linda is a dedicated and highly skilled Registered Nurse (RN) with over 40 years of experience in diverse healthcare settings, including pediatric home care, behavioral health, hospice, case management, and medical-surgical nursing.
- Expertise in providing high-quality patient care, managing complex cases, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal health outcomes.
- Extensive experience in case management, workers' compensation, disability claims, and legal nurse consulting, with a strong understanding of healthcare regulations, insurance policies, and patient advocacy.
- Proven ability to assess, develop, and implement individualized treatment plans for patients with acute and chronic conditions.
- Skilled in motivational interviewing, psychiatric evaluations, managing medically fragile children, patient & staff education and coordinating end-of-life care.
- Adept at patient and family education, compliance with HIPAA regulations, Patient Rights and EMR.
Overview
47
47
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN Pediatric Home Care
Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care
Beaumont, TX
07.2024 - 10.2024
- Provided skilled comprehensive care to medically fragile children in their home setting according to physician orders and in compliance with Standards of Practice to ensure the health and safety of the client.
- Activities may include, but are not limited to, tracheotomy care / replacement, airway maintenance, mechanical ventilation, G-button maintenance / replacement for nutritional support, passive/active ROM, personal hygiene, oral care, diapering, potty training, feeding (oral, enteral), wound/skin care, sleep hygiene and other tasks as required.
- Administered prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing protocols.
- Maintained thorough, accurate and confidential documentation in electronic medical records.
- Promoted a safe environment by providing supervision and monitoring of patients' physical condition and behavior.
RN Supervisor
CARC
Lake Charles, LA
02.2023 - 02.2024
- Supervise and direct medical care for group home residents.
- Developed, implemented and adjusted patient care plans in response to new symptoms or developments.
Classroom RN
PediaTrust
Lake Charles, LA
08.2023 - 01.2024
- Provided care and supervision to medically fragile children aged both to 19 y/o in a daycare setting.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Assessed patient health and developed individualized care plans accordingly.
- Administered prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing protocols.
- Responded quickly to life-threatening situations by providing appropriate interventions.
- Adhered to infection control procedures to facilitate safe, clean patient environment.
RN Supervisor
Share Care USA
Lake Charles, LA
05.2019 - 08.2023
- Provided consultation and direction to staff to ensure programs and services were implemented at the highest standards to maintain the health and safety of all clients at the highest level of care.
- Mandatory Medication Administration Educational training was conducted for DSWs, proficiency in administering medications safely and accurately to clients under their care was assessed, and the ability of the DSW to safely and proficiently perform other non-complex tasks as applicable to the needs of the client was evaluated.
- Yearly reassessments of the DSW's skills were conducted or as indicated, with appropriate documentation provided.
- Availability to DSWs and supervisors was maintained to answer questions and assist in problem resolution as applicable.
- Initial, Annual, Post-Hospitalization Assessments, and other documentation were completed as required based on special needs, healthcare requirements, condition changes, or Physician orders.
- Accurate invoices and mileage records were maintained, and completed paperwork was submitted in accordance with requested deadlines.
- Other activities were performed as required to ensure continuity of care, safety, and the well-being of clients receiving services from Share Care USA.
RN Supervisor A
Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home
Jennings, LA
07.2019 - 08.2019
- Highly responsible professional work providing supervision and management of direct and indirect resident care at a LA War Veterans Home, a large complex, 156 bed, 24-hr healthcare
- Observed and interpreted patients' symptoms, devised individualized care plans, delivered best and most suitable care and advice and communicated to nursing staff and physicians.
Staff Nurse
Compass Behavioral Health Unit
Kinder, LA
01.2019 - 04.2019
- Provided nursing care to the adult population admitted with primary psychiatric diagnoses. Nursing skills performed included admission assessments, evaluating responses to psychotropic medications.
- Monitoring side effects and adverse effects, monitoring lab work for therapeutic blood levels as indicated for specified medications.
- Evaluating and monitoring detox, and providing education to patients regarding their psychiatric diagnoses, prescribed medications, and the importance of compliance with their psychotropic medications.
- Additionally, education in healthy living skills was provided to assist patients in managing their psychiatric conditions.
- Maintained the integrity of the therapeutic milieu, ensured the safety and confidentiality of patients, and ensured that staff functioned within their job descriptions and the guidelines of the Behavioral Health Unit.
Adult & Geri Psych RN
Oceans Behavior Health Hospital
Lake Charles, LA
12.2018 - 03.2019
- Performed the duties of an RN, including but not limited to admission assessments, evaluating responses to psychotropic medications, monitoring side effects and adverse effects.
- Monitoring lab work for therapeutic blood levels as indicated for specified medications, and providing patient education regarding psychiatric diagnoses, prescribed medications, the importance of medication compliance, and healthy living skills to support psychiatric management.
- Maintained the integrity of the therapeutic milieu, ensuring the safety and confidentiality of both patients and staff.
RN Intake Coordinator
Oceans Behavior Health Hospital
Lake Charles, LA
10.2018 - 12.2018
- Assess and evaluate psychiatric and geriatric patients for admission criteria; review benefits; consult with admitting provider for orders.
RN Out-Patient Mental Health Services
Merakey
Lake Charles, LA
10.2017 - 09.2018
- Nursing services were provided to Medicaid clients with psychiatric-mental health diagnoses in an outpatient setting under the care of a PMHNP. Services included medication monitoring for compliance, administration of psychotropic injections and assistance with self-administration of psychiatric medications by teaching the use of weekly pill planners and other innovative aids tailored to the client's special needs.
- Efforts were made to facilitate the securing of prescribed psychiatric medications and funds for their purchase through communication with pharmacy staff, pharmacists, and caregivers.
- Admit & yearly comprehensive assessments performed, coordinate appointments with PCPs and specialist and arrange routine/required lab work as indicated by diagnosis.
- Bi-weekly home and community encounters were conducted with clients as part of the ACT treatment team.
RN Hospice
Heart of Hospice, LLC
Lake Charles, LA
04.2017 - 12.2017
- Provide palliative care to terminal patients.
RN Hospice
Christus Hospice & Palliative Care St Patrick
Lake Charles, LA
02.2017 - 04.2017
- Provide palliative care to terminal patients.
RN CCM LNC
Feather Case Management & Consulting LLC
Beach City, TX
09.2007 - 02.2017
- Medical Case Management services were performed in accordance with the Standards of Practice for Case Management set in place by the Case Management Society of America.
- Services were provided for Employers and Insurance Adjusters with injured workers in the states of LA & TX in accordance with State Worker's Compensation Jurisdictional Guidelines with the focus on expediting, facilitating and monitoring the treatment required for the work-related injury in the pursuit of rehabilitation and return to work in a timely fashion.
- This collaborative process utilizes the Nursing Process in conducting interviews, gathering information, performing investigations, conducting assessments of the injured worker, the injury, the progress being made with treatment, the response to treatment, the outcome of treatment as well as the coordination of care with all providers, advocacy for options and services that meet the needs of the injured worker, the requirements of Jurisdictional Guidelines, the requirements of Medical Treatment Guidelines, policy guidelines and the usual and customary practices followed by the provider through the implementation of specialized Case Management skills, good communication skills, effective use of resources and a focus on cost-savings through price negotiation and utilization review.
- Services provided for this employer were as a BSN with an unencumber RN Licensed in Louisiana and Texas, carrying the required certification as a Certified Case Manager (CCM) provided by the Commission for Case Manager Certification and Legal Nurse Consultant.
RN CCM CDMS LNC
Crawford & Company
Lake Charles, LA
01.1994 - 09.2007
- Working independently in the setting of a home-office environment, performing Medical Case Management services in accordance with the Standards of Practice for Case Management set in place by the Case Management Society of America.
- Services were provided for Employers & Insurance Adjusters for injured workers in the states of LA & TX in accordance with LA &TX Workers Compensation Jurisdictional Guidelines with the goal of facilitating and monitoring the treatment required for the work-related injury in the pursuit of rehabilitation and return to work in a timely fashion.
- Services provided for this employer were as a BSN with an unencumber RN Licensed in Louisiana and Texas, carrying the required certification as a Certified Case Manager (CCM) provided by the Commission for Case Manager Certification.
- Additionally, an educational study completed in 2001 for Legal Nurse Consultant with certification completed in 2006. Certification was also held as certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMSC) in 1997.
RN Staff & Nurse Manager Chemical Dependency Services; RN Staff Adult & Adolescent Psychiatric Services
Charter Hospital
Lake Charles, LA
11.1986 - 01.1994
- Employment at this free-standing Adult/Adolescent/Child Psychiatric and Adult Chemical Dependency Hospital as a staff RN on the Adolescent and Adult Units and as a staff RN and Nurse Manager on the Adult Chemical Dependency Unit.
- In all positions, nursing care was provided in compliance with the regulations of the Louisiana State Board of Nurse Examiners to the adult, adolescent and geriatric populations affected by various psychiatric / psychological and substance induced disorders.
- This care included, but was not limited to, performing physical and psychological assessments, conducting history and physical evaluations.
- Performing investigations and searches for contraband and weapons, administration and monitoring of psychotic, anti-psychotic, neuroleptic and detox medication, observation and monitoring of patient response to treatment modalities especially in the treatment of alcoholism during detox and the resumption of psychotropic medication.
- Patient and family teaching, crisis intervention, management of psychotic episodes and the appropriate use of confinement, maintenance of a safe environment, as well as working with an Interdisciplinary Team, participation in Treatment Team Meetings, developing the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team Plan of Care and the documentation of patient progress and response to interventions.
- Performed interventions for non-compliant patients, exercised 72hr holds, evaluated emergency admissions /discharges/transfers, screened/accepted in-take calls and when indicated, performed duties of Lab Tech and House Supervisor.
- Responded quickly to life-threatening situations by providing appropriate interventions.
- Identified potential safety hazards in the environment or among patients' behaviors.
- Educated patients on health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment options.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
Staff RN
Christus St. Patrick Hospital
Lake Charles, LA
10.1980 - 10.1986
- Employed as staff RN on Med/Surg with focus in the specialty areas of ICU/CCU with specialty training in post-op Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery patient care in ICU and in Surgery.
- Surgery focus was working as part of the CV/OH Team. During the time I worked with this Team, we performed the first 100 open-heart procedures in Lake Charles.
- Other surgical procedures performed were other cardiovascular procedures, thoracic procedures, GU, orthopedic and organ procurement (1st organ donation performed in Lake Charles).
- Special skills developed- ability to follow instructions, organization, planning for the unexpected, good communication, anticipation of needs, anticipation of need, flexible thinking skills, critical thinking skill.
- Leadership skills, transcribing doctor's orders, medication side effects, S/S of adverse drug responses, deterioration in patient condition, treatment planning, time management, assessment/evaluation/interviewing techniques, how to be in-charge & how to be part of a team, how to handle a 'Code' & when to 'let go'.
Staff RN
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
Lake Charles, LA
05.1977 - 10.1980
- New graduate Staff RN working all units in the hospital, especially the Med/Surg Unit with additional work performed in all other areas such as post-partum, nursery and post-op.
- Focus areas were ICU/CCU with additional work also performed in Surgery and Dialysis. Employment was terminated at LCMH to pursue experience working with open heart patients at St Patrick Hospital in ICU.
Education
Legal Nurse Consultant - Paralegal Studies
Kaplan College, School of Professional Studies
03.1998 - 07.2001
Bachelor of Science Degree - Nursing
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA 09.1973 - 05/1977
Skills
- Patient Assessment & Care Planning
- Case Management & Care Coordination
- Workers' Compensation & Disability Claims
- Legal Nurse Consulting
- Behavioral & Psychiatric Nursing
- Pediatric & Medically Fragile Patient Care
- Hospice & End-of-Life Care
- Insurance Verification & Authorization
- Utilization Review & Quality Assurance
- Medical Documentation & Compliance
- HIPAA & Healthcare Regulations
- Medication Administration & Management
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) Management
- Advocacy & Patient Rights
- Team leadership
- Crisis intervention & conflict resolution
- Health education & promotion
- Problem solving
- Emotional intelligence
- Clinical judgment
- Compassion and empathy
- Infectious disease control
- Patient satisfaction and process improvement
- Culturally-sensitive care
Certification
- Registered Nurse, LA, Compact License #037304
- AHA BLS Certificate #255419984359 Expires 04/2026
Gaps In Employment
- Seeking alternative employment opportunities
Professional References
- Veronica Thomas LPN
Talk/Text: (925) 550-6509
Email: teachervvt@yahoo.com
- Julie Higginbotham RN
Talk/Text: (337) 842-7479
Email: julie_higginbotham@la.gov
Timeline
RN Pediatric Home Care
Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care
07.2024 - 10.2024
Classroom RN
PediaTrust
08.2023 - 01.2024
RN Supervisor
CARC
02.2023 - 02.2024
RN Supervisor A
Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home
07.2019 - 08.2019
RN Supervisor
Share Care USA
05.2019 - 08.2023
Staff Nurse
Compass Behavioral Health Unit
01.2019 - 04.2019
Adult & Geri Psych RN
Oceans Behavior Health Hospital
12.2018 - 03.2019
RN Intake Coordinator
Oceans Behavior Health Hospital
10.2018 - 12.2018
RN Out-Patient Mental Health Services
Merakey
10.2017 - 09.2018
RN Hospice
Heart of Hospice, LLC
04.2017 - 12.2017
RN Hospice
Christus Hospice & Palliative Care St Patrick
02.2017 - 04.2017
RN CCM LNC
Feather Case Management & Consulting LLC
09.2007 - 02.2017
Legal Nurse Consultant - Paralegal Studies
Kaplan College, School of Professional Studies
03.1998 - 07.2001
RN CCM CDMS LNC
Crawford & Company
01.1994 - 09.2007
RN Staff & Nurse Manager Chemical Dependency Services; RN Staff Adult & Adolescent Psychiatric Services
Charter Hospital
11.1986 - 01.1994
Staff RN
Christus St. Patrick Hospital
10.1980 - 10.1986
Staff RN
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
05.1977 - 10.1980
Bachelor of Science Degree - Nursing
McNeese State University
09.1973 - 05/1977