Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

MONICA SMALLWOOD

Harvey,LA

Summary

Experienced Registered Nurse prepared with strong emphasis on patient care and clinical skills. Proven ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, adapting to changing situations with ease. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high stress situations. Excels in communication, empathy, and problem-solving to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Reliable and results-driven, with focus on delivering high-quality care and maintaining positive, supportive environment.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Travel Dialysis Nurse

TRUSTAFF Agency/Oschner Health Care
New Orleans, LA
06.2021 - Current
  • Worked 13 week contracts over the course of 16 months as an Acute Hemodialysis Nurse providing care to patients experiencing acute and chronic renal failure
  • Provide treatment modalities that include hemodialysis (HD), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and peritoneal dialysis (PD)
  • Provide quality care to patients ranging from pediatric to geriatric with various ethnic backgrounds and diversities
  • Adapted quickly to change while enjoying learning new things and trends in dialysis during the pandemic crisis
  • Proficient in the use of the Prismax , Fresenius K, Baxter PD, Millenium and WRO water systems
  • Have the opportunity to take my skills on the road at various facilities and enjoy new adventures all while earning a living
  • Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
  • Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
  • Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
  • Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
  • Worked with healthcare team to develop new dialysis treatment flow sheet and other log forms, improving clinical documentation and accountability.

Dialysis/Apheresis Nurse

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE
New Orleans, LA
11.2006 - Current
  • Function in a contracted Dialysis Nurse position through Fresenius that affords the opportunity to travel/ float to various hospitals within the Southeast New Orleans, LA area. Each hospital is individualized and has specific terms of the contractual services
  • Charge nurse duties and direct quality care through performing dialysis modalities including hemodialysis (HD), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and peritoneal dialysis (PD)
  • Therapeutic apheresis procedures include product collections, depletions, exchanges and extracorporeal photopheresis
  • Frequently administer blood and blood products and monitor for signs and symptoms of reactions
  • Preceptor to new staff to help achieve individual, departmental, and hospital wide initiatives
  • Provide quality care to the pediatric- geriatric patient with various ethnic backgrounds and diversities at both private and teaching hospitals
  • Proficient in the use of the following instrumentation: Fresenius K and T series, Millenium and WRO water systems, Liberty Cycler, Cobe Spectra, Spectra Optia, Fenwall Amicus, and Cellex Photopheresis
  • Analyzed emergency situations and took prompt action to save lives.
  • Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
  • Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
  • Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
  • Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
  • Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.

Travel Dialysis Nurse

Foundation Medical Staffing/Brookwood Baptist Hosp
Birmingham, AL
03.2021 - 06.2021
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.

Surgical Nurse

WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER
Marrero, LA
03.2006 - 11.2006
  • Maintained sterile surgical environment and secured confidential data to protect patients' health and privacy
  • Circulator in a variety of specialties that included general, orthopedic, plastic, gynecology and cystoscopy
  • Assisted families by answering questions, supplying general information and providing frequent updates on patient progress.
  • Created warm, supportive atmosphere to keep patients feeling safe and comfortable immediately before and after surgery.
  • Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
  • Communicated medical information and discharge instructions to patients and families to reduce return visits.
  • Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
  • Connected with patients and families from variety of cultural and economic backgrounds to establish and maintain open communication for improved patient outcomes.
  • Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
  • Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.

Apheresis Nurse

THE BLOOD CENTER
New Orleans, LA
11.1999 - 08.2005
  • Mobile therapeutic apheresis nurse that provided procedures at various hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi
  • Wrote Standard Operative Procedures for the use of Haemonetic's instrument used for therapeutic collections ( therapeutic leuko reduction, red blood cell exchange, plasma exchange.)
  • Performed apheresis to collect and deplete body of blood forming cells that contribute to autoimmune diseases (sickle cell disease, luekemia, myasthenia gravis, Guillan Barre', polycythemia vera, thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura, ect)
  • Administered large volumes of blood and blood products and monitored for symptoms of reactions
  • Provided education to patients, families, and other healthcare professionals about autoimmune diseases and apheresis procedures
  • Assessed patients to determine individual needs and develop care plans in coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
  • Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.

Chronic Dialysis Nurse

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE
Marrero, LA
07.1995 - 11.1999
  • Supervised dialysis technicians and provided hemodialysis treatments in a clinic setting to patients in chronic renal failure
  • Assessed and implemented care plans for patients' physical, emotional, dietary, and social needs to facilitate compliance with end stage renal disease (ESRD) regime
  • Evaluated patient histories, complaints, current symptoms, and reported findings to appropriate members of the multidisciplinary team.
  • Provided skilled, timely and level-headed responses to chronically-ill patients with demanding needs
  • Promoted an environment for patient and staff that modeled a family environment

Ambulatory Surgery Nurse

WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER
Marrero, LA
08.1991 - 07.1995
  • Provided care of the pre, intra, and postoperative patient
  • Maintained sterile surgical environment and provided intra operative assistance during procedures.
  • Circulator in various outpatient surgical procedures that included eye ,ear, nose, throat, plastic, orthopedic. and minor surgeries
  • Assisted families by answering questions, supplying general information and providing frequent updates on patient progress.
  • Created warm, supportive atmosphere to keep the pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient feeling safe and comfortable immediately before during and after surgery.
  • Communicated medical information and discharge instructions to patients and families to reduce return visits.

Oncology Nurse

WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER
Marrero, LA
07.1988 - 08.1991
  • Performed medical/surgical tasks and administered chemotherapy drugs and pain medication per physician orders
  • Educated patients on such topics as nutrition, medication side effects, proper skin treatments, and mouth care after chemotherapy and radiation.
  • Completed chemotherapy administration as dictated by physician's instructions on each patient's chart.
  • Followed protocols regarding radiation safety and adhered to proper disposal of chemotherapy agents
  • Counseled patients, provided listening ear and emotional support in a calm environment to facilitate healing

Education

Diploma - Nursing

Charity Hospital School of Nursing New Orleans
1988

Skills

  • Compassionate and Caring
  • Renal Diet and Nutrition counseling
  • Patient Condition Monitoring during dialysis
  • Clear Patient Communication
  • Patient and Family Advocate
  • Make Nursing Assignments when in charge
  • Lab Results Interpretation skill with prompt reporting to MD
  • Adhere to Infection Control policies and procedures
  • Intra op Liver Transplant
  • Proficient in maintenance, access, and usage of central lines
  • Skillfull in care and cannulation of arteriovenous accesses

Certification

  • Registered Nurse - 1988-present
  • Compact Nursing License
  • ACLS Training
  • BLS training

Timeline

Travel Dialysis Nurse

TRUSTAFF Agency/Oschner Health Care
06.2021 - Current

Travel Dialysis Nurse

Foundation Medical Staffing/Brookwood Baptist Hosp
03.2021 - 06.2021

Dialysis/Apheresis Nurse

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE
11.2006 - Current

Surgical Nurse

WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER
03.2006 - 11.2006

Apheresis Nurse

THE BLOOD CENTER
11.1999 - 08.2005

Chronic Dialysis Nurse

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE
07.1995 - 11.1999

Ambulatory Surgery Nurse

WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER
08.1991 - 07.1995

Oncology Nurse

WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER
07.1988 - 08.1991

Diploma - Nursing

Charity Hospital School of Nursing New Orleans

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MONICA SMALLWOOD