Melissa Smallwood
Lexington,KY
Summary
Patient-focused Advanced Practice Registered Nurse possessing excellent communication and organizational skills. A 7-year background providing compassionate quality care in patient assessment, chronic and acute disease management, medication selection, antibiotic stewardship, cost effective testing, smoking cessation counseling and laboratory result interpretation.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Medical Group
Lexington, KY
07.2017 - Current
- Developed and implemented patient care plans for a variety of medical conditions.
- Performed health maintenance exams and screenings, such as Pap smears and immunizations.
- Conducted patient education sessions to promote health awareness and disease prevention.
- Smoking cessation counseling
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality patient care.
- Prescribed medications within scope of practice guidelines.
- Followed antibiotic stewardship guidelines and educated patients on risks associated with antibiotic overuse/misuse.
- Managed acute and chronic illnesses through comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation, and follow-up services.
- Facilitated referrals to specialists as needed based on assessment findings or physician requests.
- Evaluated outcomes by collecting data from patient charts and referring providers.
- Advised families regarding treatments options available for their loved ones.
- Provided emotional support to patients facing difficult diagnoses or end-of-life decisions.
RN
Baptist Health Medical Group
Lexington, KY
08.2015 - 06.2017
- I was selected to represent Baptist Health Richmond as one of eight nurses in the Baptist Health network to participate in a BSN to APRN program collaboration between Baptist Health and Eastern Kentucky University.
- Participated in a variety of campus events, such as career fairs, lectures, and workshops.
- Provided guidance and support to fellow students on academic issues.
Staff RN ICU
Baptist Health Richmond
Richmond, KY
04.2011 - 08.2015
- Assessed, monitored, and documented patient condition, symptoms, and response to treatments.
- Provided direct care to critically ill patients in the ICU setting utilizing evidence-based practice.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans for each patient based on assessment findings.
- Performed comprehensive physical assessments of all assigned patients and documented results in medical records.
- Educated family members regarding critical illness, treatment options and prognosis.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to develop and implement patient care plans that met the specific needs of the patient.
Staff Nurse
Saint Joseph Hospital
Lexington, KY
01.2010 - 04.2011
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress notes, medications administered and other relevant data.
- Developed individualized teaching strategies for each patient based on their specific needs.
- Provided care to patients with cardiac and pulmonary diseases using telemetry monitoring equipment.
- Assessed patient's vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels and respiratory rate.
- Monitored electrocardiogram for abnormal rhythms or other changes in cardiac status.
- Performed nursing assessments and interventions to stabilize patient's conditions as needed.
- Educated patients on their diagnosis and treatment plans, emphasizing lifestyle modifications.
- Managed medications such as antiarrhythmic agents according to physician orders.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of treatments by observing changes in the patient's condition.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for each patient.
- Conducted thorough documentation of all assessments, treatments, and progress notes in electronic medical records system.
- Provided emotional support and comfort to family members of critically ill patients.
- Implemented evidence-based practices while caring for Telemetry patients.
- Assisted physicians with invasive procedures such as central line insertions or intubations.
- Adhered strictly to infection control policies while providing direct patient care.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
Medical Technologist
Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center
Richmond, KY
05.1987 - 10.2009
- Performed laboratory tests such as hematology, urinalysis, coagulation and chemistry to detect abnormal conditions in patients.
- Maintained accurate records of patient test results and reported any abnormalities to the physician.
- Conducted quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of testing equipment.
- Calibrated laboratory instruments and prepared reagents according to established protocols.
- Assisted with training new medical technologists on proper techniques and safety regulations.
- Ensured compliance with all regulatory standards including HIPAA, OSHA and CLIA requirements.
- Monitored inventory levels of supplies, reagents and materials used in the lab environment.
- Analyzed data from laboratory experiments using advanced computer software applications.
- Performed routine and complex laboratory tests using variety of techniques, instrumentation and equipment to assist in medical diagnosis and treatment.
- Followed strict quality control procedures to deliver accurate test results.
- Documented medical test data and results in patient medical records.
- Conducted multiple tests at once using automated equipment and computerized instruments.
- Planned and carried out regular maintenance on equipment by following procedures and manufacturers' guidelines.
- Communicated with physicians to discuss lab test findings, procedures and other relevant information.
- Supported quality control processes by monitoring activities and reporting.
- Used microscopes and cell counters to perform assigned tasks.
- Evaluated body fluids and tissue samples to document findings such as normal or abnormal results.
- Reviewed test results to confirm accuracy and diagnosed causes behind irregular findings.
- Maintained safe work environment by wearing personal protective equipment.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY05-2017
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY12-2009
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Laboratory Science
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY12-1992
Associate of Science - Medical Laboratory Technology
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY05-1987
Skills
- At-Risk Patient Care
- Patient Care Coordination
- Diagnosis And Treatment
- Health Screening
- Diagnostic Screenings
- Patient Health Education
- Patient Education And Counseling
- Healthcare Team Collaboration
- Medication Management
- Medication Review
- Prescription Ordering
- Managing Chronic Concerns
- Medical And Health Provider Referrals
- Compassionate Caregiver
- Caregiving Skills
- Medical Charting
- Patient-Centered Standards
- Preventive Health
- Evidence-Based Practices
- History Documentation
- Electronic Health Records Management
- Lab Result Evaluation
Certification
- certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and an AANP member
- Licensed by the Kentucky Board of Nursing: RN license 112838; APRN KY license 3011404
- NPI number 1831627389
- DEA license number MS 48604489
- Certified Medical Technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, ASCP
Accomplishments
- I was one of eight Registered Nurses employed in the Baptist Health Network selected to participate in the BSN to APRN funded by Baptist Health in collaboration with Eastern Kentucky University's APRN program.
Baptist Health Patient Experience Ratings
- overall rating 4.9/5
Timeline
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Medical Group
07.2017 - Current
RN
Baptist Health Medical Group
08.2015 - 06.2017
Staff RN ICU
Baptist Health Richmond
04.2011 - 08.2015
Staff Nurse
Saint Joseph Hospital
01.2010 - 04.2011
Medical Technologist
Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center
05.1987 - 10.2009
Master of Science - Nursing
Eastern Kentucky University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Eastern Kentucky University
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Laboratory Science
Eastern Kentucky University
Associate of Science - Medical Laboratory Technology
Eastern Kentucky University