MARY SPENCER
1249 Old Trail Drive, Crozet,VA
Summary
- Registered Nurse, Center for Acute Hospice Care, Hospice of the Piedmont, April 2020-November 2024
- RN Case Manager, Hospice of the Piedmont, June 2019-April 2020
- Registered Nurse, Northridge Internal Medicine, UVA Health System, May 2015-June 2018
- Registered Nurse, OR (Surgery), UVA Medical Center, August 2014-May 2015
- Patient Care Technician, 6 West (Neurosurgery), UVA Medical Center, February-August 2014
- Patient Care Technician, 5 Central (Digestive Health), UVA Medical Center, June 2013-February 2014
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse
Center for Acute Hospice Care, Hospice of the Piedmont
04.2020 - 11.2024
- Served as a patient advocate by ensuring that patients' needs, preferences, and concerns were addressed in all aspects of care delivery
- Assessed and managed patient treatments for a wide range of diagnoses, ranging from acute respiratory distress to glioblastoma to pancreatic cancer
- Educated patients and their caregivers on critical illness, end-of-life decisions, and self-care strategies for patients who were scheduled to return home or to a facility
- Provided expert wound care management for complex surgical patients, monitoring wounds and collaborating with physicians to address potential complications
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes to facilitate continuity of care across shifts
- Supported patients and their families during extremely difficult times by providing compassionate education and counseling, regarding treatment plans and end-of-life decisions
Case Manager
Hospice of the Piedmont
06.2019 - 04.2020
- Served as a liaison between patients, families, physicians, and every member of the patient's hospice team, ranging from physicians to chaplains to CNA's, to ensure the best care possible for every patient
- Ensured timely delivery of medical treatments for optimal symptom management while maintaining a high level of compassion
- Educated patients and families about illness progression, treatment options, and available resources for additional support
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date documentation of all patient visits and phone calls, including assessments, interventions, medication changes, outcomes, and communications with patient's care team
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during the end-of-life process, promoting dignity, comfort, compassion and understanding
Registered Nurse
Northridge Internal Medicine, UVA Health System
05.2015 - 06.2018
- Conducted venipuncture for diagnostic testing, started intravenous fluids, performed urinalysis, tests for strep throat and influenza, administered nebulizer treatments on a daily basis
- Acted as liaison between patients and physicians for an extremely busy outpatient General Medicine practice, which involved "rooming" patients, taking vital signs, conducting physical assessments, asking for chief complaints/concerns, relaying information to physicians, conducting all ordered treatments and tests once doctors had seen patients
- Ran the clinic's INR Lab; was responsible for checking dozens of patients' INR readings each day; conferred with physicians about whether to alter patients' warfarin doses; relayed doctors' recommendations, answered questions, provided further information and advice on how to keep, or return patients to a safe INR range
Registered Nurse
Main OR (Surgery), UVA Health System
08.2014 - 06.2015
- Ensured proper positioning of patients during surgeries, minimizing risk of injury or discomfort
- Managed the care of surgical instruments throughout procedures, ensuring proper handling, cleaning, and sterilization
- Streamlined communication between UVA Attending Physicians, Residents, Circulating Nurses, Surgical Technicians, UVA Medical Students, Medical Device Sales Representatives, etc. during surgical procedures
- Reduced surgery delays by efficiently preparing the operating room with necessary equipment, instruments, and supplies
- Maintained detailed documentation of surgical procedures and interventions for accurate medical records and billing purposes
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC)
Charlottesville, VA06-2014
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN06-1987
High School Diploma -
Holton-Arms School
Washington, DC06-1983
Skills
- caring for patients medically, physically, mentally and spiritually to the best of my ability
- interacting with patients and their families/loved ones with compassion and respect
- communicating with physicians, other nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, nursing facility personnel and funeral directors in a manner that is both friendly and professional
- charting in a concise, organized, thorough and timely manner
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Virginia, License Number: 0001253458, Expiration date: 10/31/2027
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- CPR Certified through American Heart Association
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Center for Acute Hospice Care, Hospice of the Piedmont
04.2020 - 11.2024
Case Manager
Hospice of the Piedmont
06.2019 - 04.2020
Registered Nurse
Northridge Internal Medicine, UVA Health System
05.2015 - 06.2018
Registered Nurse
Main OR (Surgery), UVA Health System
08.2014 - 06.2015
Associate of Applied Science - Nursing
Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC)
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Vanderbilt University
High School Diploma -
Holton-Arms School
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE BEFORE NURSING
- WVIR-TV (NBC AFFILIATE) Charlottesville, VA 06/1993 to 03/1996 Anchor, Reporter, Producer
- OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN FRANK GUARINI (D-NJ), Washington, DC 01/1992 to 01/1993 Press Secretary, Legislative Assistant
- WDBJ-TV (CBS AFFILIATE) Roanoke, VA 10/1990 to 03/1992 Anchor, Reporter, Producer