Maria Castoreno
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Accomplished Home Health LVN with a proven track record at St Rita home health, adept in clinical documentation and compassionate care. Expert in reducing hospital readmissions and enhancing patient safety through meticulous chronic disease management and empathetic patient interactions. Skilled in vital signs monitoring and infection control, wound care, administration of injection and medication safety and teaching, consistently achieving improved patient outcomes.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Home Health LVN
Comprehensive Health Services Inc.
03.2019 - Current
- Promoted continuity of care by maintaining detailed documentation of patients'' health status, interventions, and outcomes.
- Provided physical assessments, medication, and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by closely monitoring patients'' progress and adjusting care plans as needed.
- Protected patients and healthcare team members from infection by sterilizing equipment and reusable supplies.
- Enhanced overall patient experience through consistent demonstration of empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competency in diverse populations.
- Contributed to improved quality of life for patients with chronic conditions through skilled symptom management and education on self-care practices.
- Maintained patient privacy and confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations and organizational policies at all times.
- Maintained the highest standards of infection control by adhering to strict protocols for sanitation and personal protective equipment use.
- Ensured timely administration of prescribed therapies such as IV infusions or injections as part of a comprehensive care plan.
- Increased patient safety by diligently administering medications, wound care, and other treatments per physician orders.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
Home Health LVN
St Rita Home Health
12.2018 - Current
- Provided physical assessments, medication, and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions, wound care and labs.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by closely monitoring patients'' progress and adjusting care plans as needed.
- Protected patients and healthcare team members from infection by sterilizing equipment and reusable supplies.
- Enhanced overall patient experience through consistent demonstration of empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competency in diverse populations.
- Contributed to improved quality of life for patients with chronic conditions through skilled symptom management and education on self-care practices.
- Promoted continuity of care by maintaining detailed documentation of patients'' health status, interventions, and outcomes.
Home Health LVN
Tricare Home Health
03.2013 - 05.2022
- Promoted continuity of care by maintaining detailed documentation of patients'' health status, interventions, and outcomes.
- Provided physical assessments, medication, and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by closely monitoring patients'' progress and adjusting care plans as needed.
- Protected patients and healthcare team members from infection by sterilizing equipment and reusable supplies.
- Enhanced overall patient experience through consistent demonstration of empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competency in diverse populations.
- Contributed to improved quality of life for patients with chronic conditions through skilled symptom management and education on self-care practices.
- Maintained patient privacy and confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations and organizational policies at all times.
- Empowered patients to take control of their own health by teaching them about medications, nutrition, and exercise regimens tailored to their specific conditions.
- Maintained the highest standards of infection control by adhering to strict protocols for sanitation and personal protective equipment use.
- Increased patient safety by diligently administering medications, wound care, and other treatments per physician orders.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
Home Health LVN
Bexar Care Home Health
09.2007 - 03.2013
- Promoted continuity of care by maintaining detailed documentation of patients'' health status, interventions, and outcomes.
- Provided physical assessments, medication, and chronic disease management to home health patients.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Protected patients and healthcare team members from infection by sterilizing equipment and reusable supplies.
- Enhanced overall patient experience through consistent demonstration of empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competency in diverse populations.
- Contributed to improved quality of life for patients with chronic conditions through skilled symptom management and education on self-care practices.
- Maintained patient privacy and confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations and organizational policies at all times.
- Maintained the highest standards of infection control by adhering to strict protocols for sanitation and personal protective equipment use.
- Increased patient safety by diligently administering medications, wound care, and other treatments per physician orders.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
LVN Charge Nurse
Haven Hill Retirement Centre
01.2007 - 09.2007
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising nurse.
- Oversaw patient conditions, administered medicine, performed interventions and took detailed records.
- Promoted continuity of care by maintaining comprehensive medical records and updating physicians on significant changes in patients'' conditions.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Cultivated strong working relationships with physicians by maintaining open communication, providing timely updates on patients'' status, and actively participating in care coordination efforts.
- Bolstered patient safety through consistent implementation of fall prevention measures such as bed alarms, hourly rounding, and mobility assistance.
- Enhanced team communication by conducting regular staff meetings, addressing concerns, and promoting open dialogue.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans that addressed patients'' physical, emotional, and psychological needs.
- Reduced medication errors by closely supervising LVNs during medication administration and ensuring adherence to protocols.
- Analyzed patient assessments and laboratory data to bring any issues to attention of physicians.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Delivered direct quality care to patients by evaluating medical conditions and managing and assessing treatments.
- Assembled and used equipment such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers to effectively manage patient care.
- Managed daily staff assignments and patient scheduling to guarantee clinic coverage and flow.
- Documented vitals and medical histories in patient charts when assessing patients and communicated patient information to physicians and other nurses for care continuity.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families during challenging times.
Education
Lvn - Practical Nursing
Galen College San Antonio
12.2006
No Degree - Practical Nursing
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX12.2004
No Degree - Accounting
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX05.1985
Skills
Vital signs monitoring
- Geriatric Care
- Diabetes management
- Respiratory Care
- Cardiac Care
- Gastrointestinal Care
- HIPAA Compliance
- Wound Care
- Patient Assessments
- Breathing Treatments
- Medication Administration
- ADL Assistance
- Pulse oximetry tracking
- Chronic Disease Management
- Dementia Knowledge and Care
- Intravenous Medications
- Patient Education
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Patient Observation
- Specimen Collection
- Infection Control
- Behavioral assessment
- Dementia Knowledge and Care
- Critical Thinking
- Intravenous Medications
- Patient Education
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Patient Observation
- Specimen Collection
- Infection Control
- Behavioral assessment
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Home Health LVN
Comprehensive Health Services Inc.
03.2019 - Current
Home Health LVN
St Rita Home Health
12.2018 - Current
Home Health LVN
Tricare Home Health
03.2013 - 05.2022
Home Health LVN
Bexar Care Home Health
09.2007 - 03.2013
LVN Charge Nurse
Haven Hill Retirement Centre
01.2007 - 09.2007
Lvn - Practical Nursing
Galen College San Antonio
No Degree - Practical Nursing
San Antonio College
No Degree - Accounting
San Antonio College
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