Melissa Alcorta
Austin,TX
Summary
Hardworking nursing professional bringing 25+ years of experience delivering exceptional care in the acute care setting. Cared for both adult and pediatric populations. Well-organized and forward-thinking in managing patient needs. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin
Austin, TX
01.2001 - Current
- Charge Nurse for 32 bed post anesthesia care unit. Oversaw delivery of care for all patients on 32-bed post anesthesia care unit, providing direct care to up to 2 patients, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians and unit clerks
- Precepted nurses, providing guidance on unit functions and individual roles, hospital policies and procedures and nursing best practices
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities to prevent further disability
- Updated patient charts using Compass with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare personnel to meet patients' personal, physical, psychological and cognitive needs
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy
- Provided exceptional care to 2 high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation
- Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented all patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems
- Updated patient charts using Compass with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments
Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Medical Park Tower Surgery Center
Austin, United States
09.2021 - Current
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Evaluated patient pain, nausea, difficulty breathing and fear and agitation in recovery room and employed various nursing interventions to manage vulnerabilities
- Monitored vital signs and levels of consciousness to verify sedation wore off properly and patient regained consciousness
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action
Legal Nurse Consultant
Independent Contrator
Austin, TX
10.2021 - Current
- Serve as RN expert witness
- Review medical records, depositions and relevant literature
- Educate attorneys on medical facts and issues relating to a case
- Prepare written reports and medical chronologies
Registered Nurse, Surgical ICU
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
07.1997 - 05.2001
- Charge Nurse for 42 bed surgical intensive care unit, including daily scheduling, tasking and administration
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety
- Monitored patient condition, including interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities to prevent further disability
- Performed triage on all incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions
- Documented patient information obtained from interviews concerning symptoms, medications and prior treatment
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action
- Observed and reported patient condition, progress and medication side effects to accurately document updates
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX05.1997
Skills
- 20 years of Acute Care Expertise
- Strong foundation in caring for thoracic, orthopedic, neurological, urological, gynecological and general surgical patients
- Experience in caring for and management of COVID positive patients
- Data collection through chart audits and patient interviews
- Strong clinical judgment
- Strong Communication Skills
- Medical Records Management
- EMR / EHR
- Data Entry
- Process improvement
- Precepting
- Infection Control and Aseptic Procedures
- Triaging
Affiliations
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- Texas Nurse Association
Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Basic Life Support
Honors & Awards
- Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurse. 3 time recipient of Daisy Award. This award recognizes nurses who deliver compassionate and extraordinary care.
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing- Inductee
References
References
Mary Pat Schneider , RN
Ascension Seton Medical Center
512-517-5654
Jenny Anderson, RN
Ascension Seton Medical Center
512-689-6915
Donna Wilder, RN
Ascension Seton Medical Center
512-731-3058
Timeline
Legal Nurse Consultant
Independent Contrator
10.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Medical Park Tower Surgery Center
09.2021 - Current
Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin
01.2001 - Current
Registered Nurse, Surgical ICU
MD Anderson Cancer Center
07.1997 - 05.2001
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
The University of Texas Medical Branch
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