Marilou Dachtler

Assess and document patients’ medical history and physical assessment. Obtain pertinent preoperative lab work and diagnostic studies. Assess for preoperative risks and notify surgeon or anesthesiologist of abnormalities. Verify the presence of surgeon’s history and physical and any clearance papers needed before surgery.

Each week, I spend some time in post op where I manage the care of postoperative patients until discharge, including the administration of meds/fluids as needed. I review the doctor’s postoperative instructions with the patients before discharge. I am responsible for our unit-based Quality Assurance Program and document those results each month for our department director. I often help to create/prepare charts for the next day of surgery, calling offices to get need orders, labs, H&Ps, clearances to ensure that there are no problems the day of surgery.

Worked 2-3 days a week to increase my work hours to full-time while working in the preop center. Provided care for in-patient and out-patient cases, including careful monitoring of EKG and vital signs, providing meds/fluids for the comfort and stabilization all under the supervision of anesthesiologists.

Monitored post op patients recovering from anesthesia. Administered required meds/fluids for their comfort and stabilization. Gave postoperative instructions before discharge

Provided leadership for 60 ICU staff members. Responsible for hiring of new staff. Managed monthly and daily work schedules. Completed time cards and employee evaluations. Responsible for day to day management of three 8 bed units. Assisted in day to day emergencies in hospital.

Provided care to medical and surgical ICU patients of all ages in a 24 bed ICU trauma center complex. Gained experience with complex cardiac, respiratory, neurological, endocrine patients. Learned strong assessment skills and to use high tech equipment. Collaborated with physicians and other health care team members to give necessary quality care in emergency situations. Obtained RN II by creating nursing manual and education process for Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump use.