LISA A. DEGRAFFE

Independently evaluate new and existing vascular patients in an outpatient setting, assessing physical status of patients via interview, health history, physical examinations, and diagnostic studies

• Recognize and evaluate patients who require the immediate attention of a physician and/or advise further medical treatment at the Emergency Room
• Use EPIC software programs for documentation
• Provide treatment and counsel after vascular studies
• Wound care and Management, perform other therapeutic procedures such as suture/staple removal at post-operative visits
• Determine appropriate consultations/referrals to other health professionals and community agencies
• Provide guidance, counseling, and education to patients their families/caregivers regarding disease process, treatment options, and follow-up care
• Maintain current knowledge of vascular health care and practices by participating in continuing education opportunities and professional organizations
• Interpreting diagnostic tests (e.g., vascular studies, CT scans, X-rays) to determine conditions requiring vascular surgeon intervention.
• Coordinating appropriate consultations and referrals to other healthcare professionals and community agencies.
• Delivering comprehensive guidance, counseling, and education to patients, their families, and caregivers on disease processes, treatment options, and follow-up care.
• Ensuring continuity of care through patient monitoring, triaging calls, RN visits, and emails.
• Managing prescriptions and refills and conducting follow-up calls.
• Collaborating effectively by participating in vascular team conferences and M&M\meetings, assisting in vascular surgeon's clinic visits, and relaying vital patient information to attending physicians to formulate treatment plans

• Hematology/Thrombosis Prevention and Treatment: provided anticoagulation evaluations, treatments and management for inpatients, outpatients and emergency room patients.
• Educated and counseled patients on anticoagulation therapy.
• Conducted comprehensive medical histories and physical assessments for patients accepted onto the program.
• Educated patients in the self-administration of parenteral therapy.
• Educate patients on drug interactions and nutritional restrictions.
• Evaluate and coordinate home care services.
• Coordinate medication delivery with the pharmacy.
• Monitor and manage patients' anticoagulation therapy at home.
• Educate patients' family members on how to make and maintain appropriate nutritional choices.
• Communicate with the patient's primary care doctor (PMD) when the patient is stable and their INR is within the therapeutic range.
• Use EMR and Carecast software programs for documentation.
• Facilitate and manage patients' transition to and from Coumadin for procedures.
• Identify prospective candidates for ongoing research.
• Coumadin clinic: Manage chronic and acute thrombosis cases, referring patients to the hematologist, vascular studies or the ER, Interpret labs, and prescription refills.
• On-call service: Page system used for on-call service.
• Phone triage for emergency care

• Provided specific and specialized care for patients with: ACS, CHF, pre- and post-PTCA and STENT procedures; Afib/flutter, Ablation, AICD
• Interpreted and initiated care for patients on telemetry monitoring
• Assessed and planned individualized patient care needs from admission to discharge; participated in interdisciplinary discharge procedures
• Implemented appropriate interventions and evaluated results
• Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
• Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
• Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
• Preceptor for Clinical Assistants and new staff
• Performed Charge-Nurse duties for a 38-bed unit

• Responsible for Cardiac Management in the adult population - Outpatient setting
• Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
• Discussed care plans with patients and explained test results and proper use of medications.
• Explained medications and side effects to patients, and thoroughly reviewed physician-ordered tests.

• Obtained blood specimens from patients at clinical sites and on various medical units by utilizing established venipuncture and capillary techniques
• Retrieved scheduled and routine specimens from medical floors
• Discussed and reviewed blood draw issues, concerns and/or difficulties with medical staff and nursing personnel

• Performed phlebotomy, subcutaneous and intra-muscular injections, administered ECG's, spirometry tests, and Holter monitoring
• Measured patient vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature to record information on patients' charts.
• Performed patient service duties by communicating directly with patients, answering questions and assisting with concerns.
• Prepared patients for Thallium/Persantine ETT and echocardiography