Melinda Nowak
Palatine,Illinois
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional offering proven clinical knowledge, excellent interpersonal strengths and technical abilities. Knowledgeable about EMR charting, medication administration and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on optimizing patient care and support. Quality-focused and efficiency-driven leader.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Care Coordinator
Northwest Community Hospital
01.2013 - Current
- Oversaw quality assurance programs to enhance performance and consistently achieve superior care standards.
- Created weekly schedules for nurses, taking into account sick days and vacation time.
- Coordinated, monitored, assigned and documented patient and clinical care activities.
- Implement new policies and educate staff on changes.
- Provide ongoing case management to patients to implement appropriate treatment plan, adhere to quality models and maximize utilization of services needed to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Identified nurses' and staff training needs and devised training programs to close gaps.
- Participated in nursing research and evidence-based clinical audits and leveraged data to improve research-based methodologies within clinical areas.
- Created customized care plans, working with hospital staff and families to assess and meet individual needs.
- Developed and modified patient care plans and assisted interdisciplinary team in identifying client needs and goals to determine priorities of care.
- Managed support services and fostered communication among social workers, therapists, hospital staff and patients.
- Collaborated with healthcare leaders and physicians to support and offer resources in performance of duties to maintain high-quality and efficient patient care.
- Gathered and recorded patient health information and data to assess, identify and manage characteristics that affect care outcome.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Oversaw care of suicidal patients and acted swiftly to reduce risk of harm to themselves or others.
- Responded to numerous volatile situations and violent outbreaks to restore safety and security of patients and staff.
- Monitored primary care needs for patients to coordinate access to appropriate providers.
- Initiated [Type] and [Type] therapeutic interactions with patients to assist in identifying sources of anxiety.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Strengthened training and nursing knowledge by taking part in continuing education programs and [Type] workshops.
- Remained calm during high-stress, critical situations, demonstrating sustained focus and problem-solving in real-time.
- Protected confidentiality of information related to patient care activities and EMS operations.
- Educated patients and families on diagnosis, neurological conditions and processes, treatments and expected outcomes.
- Came up with treatment plans and communicated with patients about options, medications and self-management.
- Gathered and maintained patient information and social and medical history obtained from relatives, patients and other professionals.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Staff Nurse
Northwest Community Hospital
12.2004 - 01.2013
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic and cognitive status of patients.
- Ordered, interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient condition.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety and rights of patient.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Adhered to strict safety measures by carefully determining proper dosages before administering medications.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Assessed and evaluated mental health needs, working with multidisciplinary team to initiate, manage and modify individualized care plans.
- Strengthened training and nursing knowledge by taking part in continuing education programs and [Type] workshops.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Administered medications to [Number] patients and monitored response to medications.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Participated in [Type] policy committee to discuss policies, propose revisions and implement changes.
Education
BSN - Nursing
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IAMSN - Psychiatric Mental Health
Walden University
Maryland05.2020
Skills
- In-Service Programs
- Health Care System
- Electronic Health Records Systems
- Medicare Compliance
- Patient Condition Monitoring
- Treatment Preparation
- Epic Systems
- Microsoft Windows
- Critical Thinking
- Diagnostic Test Ordering
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Treatment Plan Modification
Certification
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Accredited Case Manager
Certified Case Manager
Timeline
Clinical Care Coordinator
Northwest Community Hospital
01.2013 - Current
Staff Nurse
Northwest Community Hospital
12.2004 - 01.2013
BSN - Nursing
University of Iowa
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health
Walden University
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Accredited Case Manager
Certified Case Manager
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