Melissa Ballou
LPN
Whitesburg,KY
Summary
Dedicated LPN with a proven track record at Whitesburg Appalachian Regional Healthcare, excelling in vital signs monitoring and compassionate care. Demonstrated success in enhancing patient outcomes through expert wound care and empathetic patient support. Skilled in both geriatric and palliative nursing, consistently achieving high patient satisfaction levels. Proficient and caring nursing team member offering outstanding patient-facing experience. Adept at addressing patient needs with compassionate care and attention to detail. Diligent about maximizing satisfaction, safety and wellness while serving patients of all backgrounds. Dependable healthcare team member with sound judgment, excellent clinical abilities and smooth bedside manner. Track and chart vitals and other markers to help patients, support team treatment goals and boost outcomes. Exceptional approach in [Type] patient support. Passionate Nurse with demonstrated experience in hospital settings. Proven ability to build strong relationships with patients and families while providing compassionate care. Offers strong task prioritization and organizational skills.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
LPN
Whitesburg Appalachian Regional Healthcare
08.2016 - 02.2022
- Utilized time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively, allowing for efficient completion of daily responsibilities.
- Maintained accurate documentation of all relevant clinical data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Implemented infection control measures, ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients and staff.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Obtained patient vital signs and input/output measurements from inpatients.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
- Performed wound care treatments using sterile techniques, promoting healing and preventing complications.
- Adhered to treatment plan instructions when administering medications and treatments to patients.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality nursing care and closely monitoring vital signs.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Reduced medication errors by accurately administering medications and diligently verifying patient information.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge base and skillset as an LPN.
- Demonstrated adaptability in working with diverse patient populations across various healthcare settings.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during difficult times, fostering positive relationships built on trust and compassion.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction levels through effective communication and empathetic listening skills.
- Addressed any concerns or questions posed by patients or family members promptly to maintain confidence in their care plan.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Assisted in the management of chronic health conditions by providing education, support, and follow-up care.
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care, ensuring that patients were comfortable and families felt supported during the process.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify medical needs and develop appropriate treatment plans.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns, and medically relevant symptoms.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
LPN Charge Nurse
Heritage Hall Nursing Home
Clintwood , Virginia
09.2024 - Current
- Delivered direct quality care to patients by evaluating medical conditions and managing and assessing treatments.
- Documented vitals and medical histories in patient charts when assessing patients and communicated patient information to physicians and other nurses for care continuity.
- Updated patient medical records with services provided, health conditions, and response to treatments using [Software].
- Managed daily staff assignments and patient scheduling to guarantee clinic coverage and flow.
- Promoted patient independence by teaching self-care skills and explaining conditions and medications.
- Assembled and used equipment such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers to effectively manage patient care.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Achieved successful unit leadership by providing quality nursing care to [Number] to [Number] patients per day in [Number]-bed unit.
- Analyzed patient assessments and laboratory data to bring any issues to attention of physicians.
- Helped long-term care residents with bathing, dressing, feeding, and other daily living activities.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Helped patients complete bathing, dressing and eating.
- Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Provided diagnosis information, treatment possibilities, disease management tips and wound care advice to patients, loved ones and caregivers.
- Protected patients and healthcare team members from infection by sterilizing equipment and reusable supplies.
- Managed various general office duties such as answering multiple telephone lines, completing insurance forms, and mailing monthly invoice statements to patients.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Coordinated patient transfers to other facilities.
- Circulated assigned floor to measure and record patients' fluid and food levels, implementing measures to promote healthy intake and output as necessary.
- Supported diagnoses by taking blood samples from patients for laboratory testing.
LPN
McDowell ARH Hospital
09.1997 - 08.2016
- Utilized time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively, allowing for efficient completion of daily responsibilities.
- Maintained accurate documentation of all relevant clinical data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Implemented infection control measures, ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients and staff.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Obtained patient vital signs and input/output measurements from inpatients.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
- Performed wound care treatments using sterile techniques, promoting healing and preventing complications.
- Adhered to treatment plan instructions when administering medications and treatments to patients.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality nursing care and closely monitoring vital signs.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Reduced medication errors by accurately administering medications and diligently verifying patient information.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge base and skillset as an LPN.
- Demonstrated adaptability in working with diverse patient populations across various healthcare settings.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during difficult times, fostering positive relationships built on trust and compassion.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction levels through effective communication and empathetic listening skills.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
- Accurately recorded interactions in medical charts, documenting accidents and interventions applied.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Addressed any concerns or questions posed by patients or family members promptly to maintain confidence in their care plan.
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care, ensuring that patients were comfortable and families felt supported during the process.
- Assisted in the management of chronic health conditions by providing education, support, and follow-up care.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns, and medically relevant symptoms.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records.
- Assisted physicians during examinations or procedures as needed, playing a vital role in the overall patient experience.
- Increased nursing team cohesiveness through active participation in staff meetings and open communication with colleagues.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Supported the delivery of evidence-based interventions by staying current on best practices in the field of nursing.
- Contributed to continuous quality improvement efforts by identifying areas for potential growth within the nursing practice.
- Supported physicians during examinations and scans to assist with diagnostic procedures.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Helped patients complete bathing, dressing and eating.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
LPN
Hazard Appalachian Regional Healthcare Center
06.1995 - 09.1997
- Maintained accurate documentation of all relevant clinical data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Utilized time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively, allowing for efficient completion of daily responsibilities.
- Implemented infection control measures, ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients and staff.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
- Obtained patient vital signs and input/output measurements from inpatients.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Performed wound care treatments using sterile techniques, promoting healing and preventing complications.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality nursing care and closely monitoring vital signs.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge base and skillset as an LPN.
- Demonstrated adaptability in working with diverse patient populations across various healthcare settings.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction levels through effective communication and empathetic listening skills.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
- Accurately recorded interactions in medical charts, documenting accidents and interventions applied.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Addressed any concerns or questions posed by patients or family members promptly to maintain confidence in their care plan.
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care, ensuring that patients were comfortable and families felt supported during the process.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns, and medically relevant symptoms.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing, and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Assisted physicians during examinations or procedures as needed, playing a vital role in the overall patient experience.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Facilitated smooth transitions from acute care settings to long-term care facilities or home environments.
- Supported physicians during examinations and scans to assist with diagnostic procedures.
- Contributed to continuous quality improvement efforts by identifying areas for potential growth within the nursing practice.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Reviewed patient history to verify conditions and current medications.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families during challenging times.
- Provided patient education on health care issues and prescribed medications.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Helped long-term care residents with bathing, dressing, feeding, and other daily living activities.
- Clearly and thoroughly explained diagnoses, treatment options and procedures to patients and loved ones, checking in to verify understanding.
- Helped patients complete bathing, dressing and eating.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Supported diagnoses by taking blood samples from patients for laboratory testing.
Education
Associate of Science - RN
Southeast Community Kentucky And Community College
Cumberland KY05.2024
Associate of Science - LPN
Hazard Community And Technical College
Hazard, KY02.1993
High School Diploma -
Letcher High School
Jeremiah, KY06.1988
Skills
- Vital signs monitoring
- Medical Documentation
- Geriatric Nursing
- Catheter Care
- Tracheostomy Care
- Compassionate Care
- Diabetes management
- End of life care
- Nursing Ethics
- Rehabilitation Nursing
- Palliative Care
- Respiratory Care
- Health Promotion
- Home healthcare
- Cardiac Care
- Medication Administration
- Wound Care
- Medication Dispensing
- Patient Care
Section name
Tammy Fields RN Supervisor
P.O Box 125
Ermine, KY 41815
(606)-335-5560
Ashley Slone, RN
Jeremiah, KY
(606)633-3500
Staff RN at Whitesburg ARH
Timeline
LPN Charge Nurse
Heritage Hall Nursing Home
09.2024 - Current
LPN
Whitesburg Appalachian Regional Healthcare
08.2016 - 02.2022
LPN
McDowell ARH Hospital
09.1997 - 08.2016
LPN
Hazard Appalachian Regional Healthcare Center
06.1995 - 09.1997
Associate of Science - RN
Southeast Community Kentucky And Community College
Associate of Science - LPN
Hazard Community And Technical College
High School Diploma -
Letcher High School
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