Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Melissa Crooks

New Haven,CT

Summary

Attentive Licensed Practical Nurse excited to bring expertise in patient care. Highly accomplished in quickly building rapport with patients, performing assessments, and using clinical knowledge and skills to treat patients. Committed to working as part of a larger team to deliver high-quality care to diverse patient populations. Self-motivated, decisive healthcare professional with proven bedside manner and clinical skills. Manage and document current conditions to effectively support patients and work within multidisciplinary healthcare team to enhance outcomes.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

LPN Charge Nurse

The Villa At Stamford
Stamford, CT
10.2022 - Current
  • Established direct lines of communication between nursing staff and other interested departments, supporting patient care with collaboration between personnel with complementary specialties.
  • Guaranteed exceptional care quality by correctly administering medication, inserting and caring for catheters, dressing and changing wounds and assisting with personal hygiene.
  • Counseled and educated patients specific to diagnosis and health history.
  • Administered high consequence medications with exacting accuracy, monitoring patients for side effects and supporting patient comfort and comprehensive recovery.
  • Promoted positive relationships between patients, families, visitors, physicians, nurses, volunteers.
  • Evaluated patient care needs to prioritize treatment and maintain patient flow.
  • Assembled and used catheters, tracheotomy tubes or oxygen suppliers.
  • Performed routine checks on equipment used for patient care.
  • Documented patient medical histories, current symptoms and vitals.
  • Assessed patients' health conditions and monitored changes in their condition.
  • Collected blood, urine or sputum samples from patients to perform routine lab tests.

LPN School Nurse

Soliant Healthcare
East Haven, CT
11.2021 - 07.2022
  • Prepared students for examinations, tests or treatments and explained procedures.
  • Took temperatures ,dressed wounds and provided other basic patient care or treatments.
  • Educated parents or caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management.
  • Provided direct health care services to students involving triage, evaluation, and first aid care for illness and injury.
  • Educated staff on proper infection control procedures and protocols.
  • Conducted vision, hearing, scoliosis, and other required screenings for students.
  • Worked one on one with Epileptic student, creating a safe environment and administering medication during an episode.
  • Communicated with students about feelings, need for assistance or social and emotional support.
  • Actively participated in professional development activities related to nursing practice.

Licensed Practical Nurse

Griffin Hospital
Shelton, CT
04.2021 - 09.2021
  • Administered all Covid-19 Vaccines to patients.
  • Worked in accordance with Department of Health to provide vaccines to all individuals.
  • Collected and documented vital signs to track current patient conditions.
  • Communicated concerns regarding clients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
  • Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures.
  • Responded to patient alarms and needs-assessment requests to identify course of treatment.
  • Used sterile techniques to prepare patients for procedures.
  • Observed strict confidentiality and safeguarded all patient-related information.

Dental Assistant

Dental of East Haven
East Haven, CT
06.2016 - 06.2017
  • Scheduled appointments for new and existing customers, factoring in provider availability, and scheduling loads
  • Supported dentists during procedures to restore teeth, like dental fillings, permanent and temporary crowns, root canals and extractions
  • Taught patients successful strategies for boosting oral hygiene, controlling plaque and protecting gums and tooth enamel from damage.
  • Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient.
  • Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
  • Created dental x-rays using traditional and digital methods to help dentists detect tooth decay, cavities and other issues needing to be treated.
  • Entered patient data into dental records system and observed confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy.
  • Took patient blood pressure, pulse and temperature and accurately recorded results in patient charts.
  • Built loyal patient following and retained return patients by providing empathetic and caring service.

Dental Assistant

Dr. Geller & Associates
Bronxville, NY
03.2012 - 08.2015
  • Used Dentrix to document and maintain patient information and health background
  • Sanitized trays, instruments and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety
  • Prepared and arranged instruments, medications and required materials, including cement, composites, and impression materials
  • Staged tray for procedures by arranging dental instruments and equipment.
  • Gathered medical information, dental health history and vitals from patients.
  • Escorted patients to exam rooms while making friendly conversation to prepare for cleanings and procedures.
  • Applied sealants and protective coatings to teeth to protect enamel and prevent cavities.
  • Followed dentists' directions for giving patients desensitizing agents to prepare for anesthetic administration.

Certified Nursing Assistant

Westchester Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing
Mount Vernon, NY
06.2007 - 05.2009
  • Assisted patients with mobility needs, including moving to and from beds, organizing wheelchairs and preparing assistive devices
  • Helped patients effectively manage routine bathing, grooming and other hygiene needs
  • Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy
  • Gathered dietary information, assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives and support wellness goals
  • Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms
  • Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment
  • Conferred with multidisciplinary healthcare team to help effectively manage patient conditions with regular testing and vitals assessments
  • Cleaned and prepared rooms between patients, using aseptic technique to prevent infections and cross contamination.
  • Exhibited compassionate care and communication regarding issues surrounding death and dying.
  • Managed and maintained patient rooms, shared-living areas and nursing stations.
  • Rendered hands-on nursing care under direct RN supervision, adhering to medical center policies and procedures.
  • Maintained accurate, timely flow of information by completing thorough patient records and updating healthcare team on patient status.
  • Fostered relationships with patients, caregivers and healthcare teams to achieve individual care plan targets.

Education

Practical Nursing Certification - Practical Nursing

Stone Academy - Hamden
West Haven, CT
04.2019

GED -

New Haven Adult Education
New Haven, CT
02.2016

Certified Nurses Aid -

Southern Westchester BOCES
Elmsford, NY
03.2007

Some College (No Degree) - Liberal Arts and Sciences

College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY

Skills

  • Multi-tasking and prioritization
  • Healthcare platforms
  • Empathetic and compassionate
  • Documenting incidents
  • Staff direction and task delegation
  • Rehabilitation techniques
  • Assisting physicians
  • Tracking symptoms
  • Educating families
  • Counting narcotics
  • Caring for wounds
  • Connecticut Licensed Practical Nurse
  • Training & Development
  • Critical thinking
  • Patient triaging
  • Samples collection

Certification

  • Licensed Practical Nurse June 25,2019
  • BLS/AED/CPR Training - August 24,2023
  • IV Certification November 2022

Timeline

LPN Charge Nurse

The Villa At Stamford
10.2022 - Current

LPN School Nurse

Soliant Healthcare
11.2021 - 07.2022

Licensed Practical Nurse

Griffin Hospital
04.2021 - 09.2021

Dental Assistant

Dental of East Haven
06.2016 - 06.2017

Dental Assistant

Dr. Geller & Associates
03.2012 - 08.2015

Certified Nursing Assistant

Westchester Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing
06.2007 - 05.2009

Practical Nursing Certification - Practical Nursing

Stone Academy - Hamden

GED -

New Haven Adult Education

Certified Nurses Aid -

Southern Westchester BOCES

Some College (No Degree) - Liberal Arts and Sciences

College of New Rochelle, The

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