Maria Schuler
Alburtis,PA
Summary
Dedicated healthcare professional with 27 years of experience, starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant in long-term care and progressing through roles in acute care, medical-surgical nursing, and cardiac critical care. Proven leadership and care management skills, currently pursuing dual master's degrees in Nursing and Business for Healthcare Management. Committed to implementing effective leadership, quality improvement, and fiscal management strategies to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN Case Manager Hospice
Serenity
Allentown, PA
04.2024 - Current
- Provided compassionate and specialized nursing care to hospice patients, focusing on pain management, symptom control, and emotional support
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team, including physicians, social workers, and spiritual care providers, to develop and implement comprehensive care plans for hospice patients
- Managed and administered medications in accordance with physicians' orders, ensuring effective symptom relief and comfort for patients
- Assessed patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, developing individualized care plans and adjusting interventions as necessary
- Supported patients and their families in making informed decisions about end-of-life care, facilitating open communication and addressing concerns
- Monitored and documented patients' vital signs, changes in condition, and responses to interventions, maintaining accurate and up-to-date medical records
- Provided education and emotional support to patients and their families, empowering them to actively participate in the care process
- Collaborated with hospice team members to coordinate and implement effective pain management strategies, enhancing the quality of life for patients
- Participated in regular interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care, share insights, and contribute to holistic care planning
- Conducted home visits to assess patients in their familiar environment, addressing any challenges or concerns that may impact their care
- Facilitated end-of-life discussions and advance care planning, ensuring that patients' wishes and preferences were respected and honored
- Engaged in continuous learning and professional development, staying updated on hospice care practices, regulations, and advancements
- Provided emotional support to grieving families, offering counseling and resources to help them navigate the bereavement process
- Coordinated with community resources and services to enhance the overall support network for hospice patients and their families
- Advocated for patients' comfort and dignity, ensuring that their end-of-life wishes were communicated and honored
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals, such as hospice aides and therapists, to provide comprehensive and coordinated care
- Assisted with the coordination of hospice volunteers, providing training and support to enhance the volunteer program's effectiveness
- Demonstrated proficiency in the use of hospice-specific documentation systems, accurately recording patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes
- Responded to urgent situations and provided timely interventions to address patients' changing needs and symptoms
- Facilitated family meetings and discussions to address concerns, answer questions, and ensure that families felt supported and informed
- Advocated for a patient-centered approach to care, tailoring interventions to align with patients' values, beliefs, and preferences
- Collaborated with local healthcare facilities and providers to ensure seamless transitions of care for hospice patients
- Provided guidance and support to nursing students and new staff members, contributing to the professional development of the hospice care team
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives, contributing insights and suggestions to enhance the overall quality of hospice care services
- Demonstrated empathy and cultural sensitivity in providing care to a diverse patient population, respecting and honoring individual differences
Director of Nursing
Weston Care Facility
Hellertown, PA
01.2024 - 04.2024
- Oversaw the daily operations of a nursing department, consisting of support staff.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to improve patient care outcomes and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop policies and procedures that promoted safe patient care practices.
- Provided leadership and guidance to nursing staff, fostering a positive work environment focused on professional growth and development.
- Implemented quality improvement programs aimed at reducing medication errors through enhanced medication reconciliation processes.
- Developed strong relationships with physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to facilitate effective communication and collaboration in patient care delivery.
- Ensured compliance with all state regulations related to nursing practice standards, licensure requirements, and documentation guidelines
- Developed staffing schedules based on patient acuity levels ensuring appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios were maintained at all times
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations and protect patient privacy
- Led interdisciplinary rounds to discuss patient progress, address concerns, and develop comprehensive care plans
- Managed the implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines for nursing staff, improving consistency of care delivery across the department
- Collaborated with infection control team to implement strategies aimed at reducing healthcare-associated infections such as central line-associated bloodstream infections or catheter-associated urinary tract infections
- Participated in quality improvement projects focused on reducing hospital readmissions through improved discharge planning processes
- Mentored nurse leaders within the department, providing guidance on leadership development and succession planning initiatives
Director of Nursing
Cedar Crest Surgery Center
Allentown, PA
04.2023 - 01.2024
- Infection Preventionist
- Safety / Quality Officer
- Trained RN's the evidence base standards for interventional pre/intra/post procedures in an ambulatory setting
- Participated in the accreditation process for AAAHC certification, and Department of Health inspection
Registered Nurse, Medical/Surgical Unit/ House Supervisor
Holy Family Senior Living, Inc.
Bethlehem, PA
06.2022 - 04.2023
- Responsible for maintaining, updating and reporting to the interdisciplinary teams: 802/672 and ACT 52 reports for the skilled patient population
- Responsible for maintaining, reviewing and reporting on quality measures, quality assurance, utilization review for a skilled patient population
- Reviewing, completing and submitting risk management reports
- Resource and teacher for supporting staff, RN, LPN, CNA, unit secretary
- Collaborate with primary care physicians, medical director, administrator, director of nursing, physical therapy manager and social services manager to implement quality care
- Manage staff assignments on unit
- Facilitate effective wound rounds weekly
Clinical Data Associate
Statistics and Data Corporation
Tempe, AZ
10.2021 - 06.2022
- Track and maintain audit-ready clinical study documentation within the electronic and/or hard copy Trial Master Files for multiple projects
- Assist in database setup including programming specification document creation and review, data entry screen and edit check testing, Case Report Form Completion Guidelines development, etc
- Perform data entry and query management including data listing review, query creation and resolution through the impediment and Rave platforms
- Maintain quality control of the data, project deliverables and closeouts
- Participate in and take minutes for internal and external team meetings, as necessary
- Generate, send, and track receipt of Training Forms for new database users, complete User Access Request Forms
- Adhere to all aspects of SDC's quality system
- Comply with SDC's data integrity & business ethics requirements
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Adherence to all essential systems and processes that are required at SDC to maintain compliance to business and regulatory requirements
- Proficient with iMEDnet database platform
- Follow GPD at all times
Electrophysiology Registered Nurse
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown, PA
05.2021 - 10.2021
- Scrub and Circulate in Cryotherapy/Radiofrequency ablations, single/dual chamber pacemakers/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and biventricular pacer devices
- Review patient data prior and post to any procedure implemented
- Perform all duties assigned
- Participate in daily and weekly quality controls for equipment
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Canters for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
Cardiac Catheterization Registered Nurse
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown, PA
05.2019 - 05.2021
- Monitor, circulate, and scrub in diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures.
- Implement care during scheduled lab hours, as well as on-call emergency hours.
- Perform all duties assigned.
- Adhere to department standards and protocols as outlined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Joint Commission.
- Administer intravenous conscious sedation, specialized cardiac support medications.
- Monitor and collect hemodynamics pre, intra, and post-procedure.
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team.
Medical Cardiac Critical Care Registered Nurse
St. Luke's' University Health Network
Bethlehem, PA
06.2017 - 05.2019
- Populate hemodynamics and labs
- Perform all duties assigned
- Implement complex care for the critical ill patient population
- Develop patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and nursing diagnosis secondary to subjective and objective data
- Provide strong clinical judgment
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team
- Implement the ability for problem resolution of patients/family members
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
Interventional Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse/Charge
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown, PA
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Administrate cardiac medications
- Deliver high-quality and compassionate treatments to the acute cardiac impaired patient population
- Utilize EPIC for documenting patients' assessments, labs, teaching plans, and medication responses
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
- Nursing resource for staff support
- Delegate workflow/patient assignments to colleagues
- Perform all duties assigned
Post Interventional Nursing Unit Registered Nurse
The Chester County Hospital, Penn Medicine
West Chester, PA
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Administrate cardiac medications
- Perform all duties assigned
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
- Perform nursing procedures and treatments as directed by physicians
- Implement professional, detail orientated documentation
- Provide pre and post diagnostic/interventional cardiac care
- Provide service excellence, and good interpersonal communication skills
Telemetry Unit Registered Nurse
The Brandywine Hospital
Coatesville, PA
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
- Monitor, assess, implement care to patients who require heart monitoring
- Demonstrate understanding and principles for evidence base nurse driven protocols
- Ensure safety of patient care
- Proficient in electronic documentation and PIXES
Cardiac Skilled Unit Registered Nurse
HCR Manor Care
King of Prussia, PA
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
- Implement complex wound changes to skilled patient population
- Collaborate communication between physician and healthcare team
- Responsible for patient health records
Cardiac Surgical Unit Registered Nurse
The Reading Hospital Medical Group
Reading, PA
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
- Monitor patient hemodynamics
- Ability to handle advanced cardiac equipment
- Collection of patient data post cardiac surgical procedure
- Maintain accuracy to patient documentation
Medical Nephrology Unit Registered Nurse
St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
Reno, NV
01.2009 - 12.2009
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
- Implement strong verbal and written communication skill
- Thorough knowledge of primary nephrology patient care
- Assessed and documented variety of assessments
- Identify abnormal renal and electrolyte patient data
- Collect, perform safe handling of patient specimens
- Provide continuity of care
Surgical Care Unit Registered Nurse
The Chester County Hospital, Penn Medicine
West Chester, PA
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Adhere to department standards and protocols per outlined by The Agency for Healthcare research and Quality, United States Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, and The Joint Commission
- Implement nursing care for the post-surgical patient
- Patient advocate
- Ensure effective communication and flow of information to interdisciplinary team
- Keep patient information private
Education
MBA - Nurse Executive
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA05-2027
MSN - Nursing Administration
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA05-2027
Bachelors - Science Nursing
Ohio University
01.2019
Diploma of Nursing - Nursing
Brandywine School of Nursing
05.2006
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Anne Arundel Community College
01.2004
Skills
- Clinical trials
- Clinical research
- Critical Care Experience
- ICU Experience
- Nursing
- Epic
- Triage
- Leadership
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Hospital Experience
- Vital Signs
- Medical Records
- Medication Administration
- Laboratory Experience
- EMR Systems
- Patient Care
- Primary Care Experience
- Documentation review
- Hospice care
- Supervising experience
- EMR systems
- Quality assurance
- Quality control
- Phlebotomy
- Customer service
- Teaching
- Research
- Nurse management
Certification
- RN License
- ACLS Certification
- BLS Certification
Timeline
RN Case Manager Hospice
Serenity
04.2024 - Current
Director of Nursing
Weston Care Facility
01.2024 - 04.2024
Director of Nursing
Cedar Crest Surgery Center
04.2023 - 01.2024
Registered Nurse, Medical/Surgical Unit/ House Supervisor
Holy Family Senior Living, Inc.
06.2022 - 04.2023
Clinical Data Associate
Statistics and Data Corporation
10.2021 - 06.2022
Electrophysiology Registered Nurse
Lehigh Valley Health Network
05.2021 - 10.2021
Cardiac Catheterization Registered Nurse
Lehigh Valley Health Network
05.2019 - 05.2021
Medical Cardiac Critical Care Registered Nurse
St. Luke's' University Health Network
06.2017 - 05.2019
Interventional Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse/Charge
Lehigh Valley Health Network
01.2014 - 01.2017
Post Interventional Nursing Unit Registered Nurse
The Chester County Hospital, Penn Medicine
01.2011 - 01.2014
Telemetry Unit Registered Nurse
The Brandywine Hospital
01.2010 - 01.2013
Cardiac Skilled Unit Registered Nurse
HCR Manor Care
01.2010 - 12.2010
Cardiac Surgical Unit Registered Nurse
The Reading Hospital Medical Group
01.2009 - 01.2010
Medical Nephrology Unit Registered Nurse
St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
01.2009 - 12.2009
Surgical Care Unit Registered Nurse
The Chester County Hospital, Penn Medicine
01.2006 - 01.2009
MBA - Nurse Executive
DeSales University
MSN - Nursing Administration
DeSales University
Bachelors - Science Nursing
Ohio University
Diploma of Nursing - Nursing
Brandywine School of Nursing
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Anne Arundel Community College
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