Matthew Rifenbark

• Effective Communication and Active Listening
  – Building rapport, showing empathy, and using open-ended questions to understand patients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• Mental Status Examination (MSE)
  – Assessing a patient's cognitive, emotional, and psychological functioning (e.g., appearance, mood, thought process, insight, etc.).
• Psychiatric Interviewing Skills
  – Conducting structured or semi-structured interviews to assess mental health conditions (e.g., using DSM-5 criteria).
• Behavioral Assessment and Observation
  – Identifying patterns of behavior, triggers, and consequences relevant to the patient’s psychological or psychiatric concerns.
• Motivational Interviewing Techniques
  – Using non-judgmental, collaborative methods to enhance a patient’s motivation for behavior change (e.g., in addiction or lifestyle modification).

Nasogastric (NG) Tube Care and Feeding Intake and Output (I&O) Monitoring Urinary Catheter Care Pre- and Post-operative Care Documentation and Electronic Health Record (EHR) Use Infection Control and Standard Precautions

• Inserting, securing, and maintaining NG tubes, verifying placement with X-ray confirmation, administering enteral feedings, and monitoring for signs of intolerance (nausea, distension, residuals).
• Precisely tracking all fluid intake (oral, IV, enteral) and output (urine, emesis, drains, stool). Recognizing imbalances early helps prevent dehydration, fluid overload, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Inserting, maintaining, and removing indwelling (Foley) catheters under sterile technique. Monitoring urine output, preventing infection (CAUTI), and promoting patient comfort.
• Preparing patients for surgery (e.g., teaching about NPO status, assisting with consent forms, pre-op checklist). Post-op care includes frequent pain management, early ambulation, and monitoring for complications (e.g., DVT, pneumonia).
• Accurately charting patient assessments, interventions, medications, and responses in the EHR. Maintaining legal and ethical standards in documentation is critical for continuity of care.
• Practicing proper hand hygiene, using PPE correctly, isolating infectious patients when necessary, and understanding transmission-based precautions (airborne, droplet, contact).

• Vital Signs Monitoring
  – Accurately measuring and interpreting temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
• Wound Care and Dressing Changes
  – Performing sterile or clean technique dressing changes, assessing wound healing, and documenting appropriately.
• Medication Administration
  – Safely administering oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and topical medications, including checking the “five rights.”
• Patient Hygiene and Mobility Assistance
  – Assisting with bathing, repositioning, ambulation, and using mobility aids to promote comfort and prevent complications like pressure ulcers or DVTs.
• Monitoring for Post-Op Complications
  – Recognizing early signs of infection, bleeding, respiratory issues, or circulatory problems and reporting findings promptly.