Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
I Care Award 2023
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Michelle Garza

Pharr

Summary

Registered Nurse with a Bachelor's in Nursing since 2012, bringing over 14 years of experience in Medical-Surgical-Telemetry. Caring, hardworking, and service-oriented RN with a focus on patient-centered case management. Extensive experience working with adult and geriatric populations in primary care and outpatient settings. Expertise in providing evidence-based, therapeutic care for patients dealing with core measures of diabetics, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary disorders. Worked across various healthcare settings, including inpatient, outpatient, acute care, COVID-19 units, medical-surgical, telemetry, orthopedics, rehabilitation, long-term care, hospice, and home health. Collaborative and responsible leader who has successfully trained new nursing staff while consistently delivering exceptional service to diverse populations in the Rio Grande Valley. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Prepared to provide comprehensive care management to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Adaptable nature allows for meeting changing needs and providing reliable support. Excels in patient advocacy, care coordination, and resource management with a compassionate approach that fosters trust and respect. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

PACT Care Manager- Gray Team

Dept. of Veteran Affairs
05.2021 - Current
  • The use daily of the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services involved in providing care to the patient and family/caregiver) in developing and patient -driven holistic care plan for life.
  • Demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge in assessing planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating care for a designated group of patients across the continuum of care.
  • Triaged patients in person, via telephone or virtual video communication and apply a collaborative team approach in identifying, analyzing, and resolving patient care problems.
  • Management to team patients with ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) including reviewing the patient records, decide if the patient needs more in-depth education; nursing visits and/or telephone calls between provider visits to assist in care management.
  • Monitor progress along clinical pathways, analyzes variations and initiates appropriate actions.
  • Review message manager and secure messaging to assist team to address/complete pending alerts communicated throughout tour of duty to facilitate care and address needs of the caller within 48 hours. Complete and document nursing notes in CPRS, as applicable, in a timely manner and close the encounter notes for patients not seen by a provider.
  • Provide patients with personalized, proactive, and patient-driven health care through such activities as assisting in developing a personal health plan, listening to the patient and addressing their needs/goals, engaging in group appointments, encouraging and supporting telehealth modalities, and creating an environment that benefits the veteran.
  • Developed strong rapport with patients and families through empathetic listening and compassionate communication techniques.
  • Managed complex caseloads, ensuring timely assessment, intervention, and documentation for optimal care outcomes.
  • Established and maintained relationships with clients, families and community partners to coordinate services to meet client's needs.
  • Promoted patient self-management by providing education on chronic condition management and healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Coordinated referrals to specialists, hospitalizations, ER visits, ancillary testing, and other enabling services for patients.
  • Responded to emergency situations and provided support to promote client safety and wellbeing.
  • Reduced hospital readmission rates by providing comprehensive discharge planning and follow-up support.
  • Prioritized time management effectively balancing competing demands within dynamic fast-paced healthcare environments.

CLASS RN Supervisor

Texas Visiting Nursing Services
09.2019 - 05.2021
  • Offering home and community-bases services to individuals with related conditions as cost-effective alternatives to a intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related conditions.
  • Case management thru a DSA and help CLASS individuals in organizing various services needed to achieve maximum levels of independence. Services provided on unique needs of individual plan of care developed by DSA-RN and Case manger
  • Treated patients suffering from chronic and acute medical concerns, including asthma, seizure disorders and pneumonia. Counseled caregivers and families on end-of-life planning and educated on patient care options. Consistently assessed and evaluated patients' health needs by coordinating across medical disciplines to create, implement and modify personalized care plans.
  • Served as an approachable leader who consistently addressed concerns raised by both nursing staff and families regarding patient care issues or operational challenges within the unit effectively resolving them promptly whenever possible.
  • Consistently acted as a strong advocate for patients and their families, ensuring that their needs were met while navigating complex healthcare systems.
  • Cultivated an atmosphere of teamwork and open communication among staff members, resulting in a more cohesive work environment and greater job satisfaction for the nursing team.
  • Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development by attending relevant conferences, workshops, and training sessions to stay current on the latest trends and best practices within nursing supervision.
  • Developed effective care plans tailored to individual patient needs, ensuring comprehensive treatment approaches.
  • Maintained regulatory compliance by conducting regular audits, reviews, and updates on policies and procedures.
  • Onboarded new employees through orientation meetings and training sessions before deployment to different departments.
  • Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
  • Managed critical situations calmly and efficiently, providing guidance to the nursing team during emergencies.
  • Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.

RN IIA

Mission Regional Medical Center
01.2013 - 09.2019
  • Worked on a Med-Surg-Telemetry Floor of 38 beds as well as Float to other floors as OB, Post-OP, Ortho, Medical-Surgical, Telemetry and Rehab floors.
  • Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care to deliver comprehensive services. Oversaw patient admission and discharge processes to coordinate efficient movements and related paperwork.
  • Monitored and recorded patient condition, vital signs, recovery progress and medication side effects. Instructed patients, caregivers and families on diagnoses, treatment options
  • Collaborated with doctors to plan post-treatment home care and prevent return hospitalization due to complications. Administered scheduled medications and therapies intravenously, rectally, orally, subcutaneously and via intramuscular injections while overseeing pain management plans.
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
  • Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
  • Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
  • Educated patients on disease management and self-care techniques, promoting lifestyle changes for improved health.
  • Managed care from admission to discharge.
  • Assessed patient conditions promptly upon admission to determine appropriate interventions and prioritize care needs.
  • Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
  • Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
  • Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
  • Utilized advanced clinical skills such as wound care management or IV therapy administration, leading to faster recovery times for patients treated under my supervision.
  • Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
  • Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
  • Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.


Travel Nurse

A Best Agency
12.2015 - 02.2017
  • Would float to certain locations needed for shortage of nurses in hospitals or other facilities in the Rio Grande Valley. Rehabilitation Hospital with post-op patients and administered medications, tracked dosages and documented patient conditions.
  • Maintained adequate unit supplies to meet expected patient demands. Updated patient charts to reflect changes to care plans, interventions and observations. Administered oral, intramuscular and IV medications to patients and monitored responses.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary personnel to create, implement and manage patient care plans suiting individual needs and preferences. Utilized EPIC EMR to document all patient interventions, such as evaluations, care plans and observations. Delivered information regarding care and medications to patients and caregivers in comprehendible terminology.
  • Delivered high-quality patient care during emergency situations, remaining calm under pressure and effectively prioritizing tasks according to urgency.
  • Improved patient outcomes through careful monitoring and thorough documentation of vital signs, medical histories, and treatment plans.
  • Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
  • Assessed patient conditions by taking vital signs and evaluating symptoms to determine appropriate treatment.
  • Demonstrated adaptability in rapidly adjusting to changing unit assignments, consistently maintaining high-quality care delivery across various clinical settings.
  • Maintained excellent time management skills during periods of high patient turnover while consistently delivering compassionate and patient-centered care.
  • Utilized strong assessment skills in identifying early warning signs of complications or deterioration in patients'' conditions, allowing for prompt interventions when necessary.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop and implement individualized care plans tailored to meet patients'' specific needs.
  • Educated family members on proper caregiving techniques, enabling them to provide more informed support for their loved ones during recovery periods.
  • Educated patients and families about medications, treatments and lifestyle changes to better understand and manage condition.
  • Managed a high patient caseload with efficiency and attention to detail, ensuring that each individual received personalized care tailored to their unique needs.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX
05-2013

Bachelor of Science - Biology/Health Education

The University of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX
05-2006

Associate of Science - Biology

South Texas College
Mcallen, TX
12-2003

High School Diploma -

P.S.J.A North High School
Pharr, TX
05-2000

Skills

  • Patient Care Management and assessments
  • Patient care triage and support
  • Effective Team Contributor
  • Proficient in English and Spanish
  • Workflow coordination
  • Proficient in time management
  • Resource utilization
  • Proficient in EPIC/Med-tech/CPRS/Microsoft word/Excel
  • Volunteer management
  • Able to function under-high pressured situations
  • Long-term care coordination
  • Clinical care
  • Critical thinking

Certification

  • CPR certified through American Heart Association
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification & ACLS certification.

I Care Award 2023

An "I Care Award" recognizes  VA employee who have gone above and beyond in there role to care for veterans, families, caregivers, survivors or fellow employees by exhibiting VA's core values of integrity , advocacy,  commitment, respect and excellence to some one within our care.

Languages

English
Full Professional
Spanish
Full Professional

Timeline

PACT Care Manager- Gray Team

Dept. of Veteran Affairs
05.2021 - Current

CLASS RN Supervisor

Texas Visiting Nursing Services
09.2019 - 05.2021

Travel Nurse

A Best Agency
12.2015 - 02.2017

RN IIA

Mission Regional Medical Center
01.2013 - 09.2019

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Bachelor of Science - Biology/Health Education

The University of Texas Pan American

Associate of Science - Biology

South Texas College

High School Diploma -

P.S.J.A North High School

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Michelle Garza