LISA COWLEY
Cahokia,IL
Summary
Professional Certified Hemodialysis Nurse with 10 years plus working in high volume dialysis center in busy urban location. Caring and supportive clinician committed to providing quality service to patients and maintaining high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in dialysis environment. Accomplished in implementing new processes to improve patient care, quality and outcomes.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Dialysis Registered Nurse
DaVita
St Louis, MO
08.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure comprehensive care for all patients undergoing dialysis.
- Coordinated care with other healthcare providers, such as dietitians and social workers, to ensure comprehensive support for patients during their dialysis journey.
- Improved patient outcomes through diligent monitoring of vital signs and timely intervention when necessary.
- Provided emotional support to patients coping with chronic kidney disease, helping them navigate complex medical information while maintaining hope for improved health outcomes.
Dialysis Technician
DaVita Dialysis Corporation
01.2014 - 07.2023
- Set up and operated dialysis machines for patients receiving treatment for kidney failure.
- Measured and recorded patients' pre-dialysis and post-dialysis vital statistics.
- Cleaned and connected fistulas, grafts, and catheters to prevent infection.
- Performed routine quality control and safety checks on all equipment.
- Started and ended reverse osmosis water systems and completed water quality monitoring tests.
- Followed directions when mixing dialysate and priming dialyzer with saline or heparinized solutions.
- Safely transported, transferred, and positioned patients on chairs for treatment.
- Explained dialysis procedures and hemodialysis machine operation to patients prior to treatment to ease anxieties.
- Monitored each patient closely during treatment to check for any adverse reactions or change in condition and reported emergencies to attending nurses.
- Cleaned and disinfected hemodialysis machines, chairs, trays, room and equipment.
- Recorded patient's pre-dialysis weight, vitals and any new medical conditions.
- Explained dialysis procedures to patients and answered questions and concerns prior to starting dialysis.
- Administered Heparin, oxygen, anesthetic, and saline as prescribed.
- Set-up equipment for dialysis and primed dialyzer in preparation for use.
- Provided in-patient care for 32 dialysis patients simultaneously focusing on providing clean, safe and comfortable treatment environment.
- Recorded client data on hemodialysis flow chart.
Patient Care Technician
Memorial Hospital Belleville
09.2011 - 08.2012
- Obtained patient vital signs and reported results to staff nurse or physician, noting changes from prior measurements.
- Answered patient assistance calls, assessed needs and offered qualified support.
- Collected and transported specimens to prepare for lab testing.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Helped patients maintain healthy skin by checking wounds, assessing integrity and bathing bedbound individuals.
- Responded to patient emergencies with immediate care and notified clinicians to provide comprehensive assistance.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Helped patients complete activities of daily living.
- Warmly greeted patients and visitors and made each feel welcome.
- Used wheelchairs, stretchers and movable beds to move patients between hospital locations.
- Responded to emergency situations to help with lifting and transporting patients.
- Provided physical support to patients through diverse types of mobility assistance.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Cahokia Nursing And Rehab
08.2004 - 01.2011
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing and teeth brushing.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Cared for residents in assisted living facility and delivered high-quality support to meet needs.
- Oversaw and maintained patients' rooms, group living areas and nurse stations.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
St. Louis Community College Forest Park
ST.LOUIS05.2023
Certificate - Medical Assisting
CALC Institute of Technology
Fairview, IL12.2013
Certificate - Nursing Assistance
SIUE
Edwardsville, IL07.2004
High School Diploma -
Cahokia High School
Cahokia 05.2004
Skills
- Nursing Assistance
- Patient Transport
- Maintaining Dialysis Equipment
- Biohazardous Waste Disposal
- Safety Protocols
- Machine Operations
- Interdisciplinary Care
- Monitoring Tests
- Compliance with Regulatory Guidelines
- Dialysis Treatment
- Blood Sample Collection
- Monitoring Data Quality
- Floor Assignments
Accomplishments
- Earned "Shining Star Award" for training numerous staff members on Hemodialysis Machines and providing great care to patients. Also, working extra days when my team was short staffed.
- I also, started a study session for new technicians who needed to take their state test for Certification of Dialysis.
Timeline
Dialysis Registered Nurse
DaVita
08.2023 - Current
Dialysis Technician
DaVita Dialysis Corporation
01.2014 - 07.2023
Patient Care Technician
Memorial Hospital Belleville
09.2011 - 08.2012
Certified Nursing Assistant
Cahokia Nursing And Rehab
08.2004 - 01.2011
Associate of Science - Nursing
St. Louis Community College Forest Park
Certificate - Medical Assisting
CALC Institute of Technology
Certificate - Nursing Assistance
SIUE
High School Diploma -
Cahokia High School