Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Timeline
Generic

NICOLE BALCUNS

Kalamazoo,MI

Summary

Experienced BSN professional with 17 years of hands-on patient care and collaboration with healthcare teams. Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Brings a postitive attitude and commitment to continuous learing and growth.




Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Public Health Registered Nurse

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department
09.2022 - Current
  • VFC (Vaccines For Children) Coordinator
  • Responsible for the day to day operation of the VFC program and storage and handling of VFC vaccines
  • Implements federal requirements, as well as provide support for VFC providers across the district
  • Oversees VFC providers and their adherence to CDC, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and Local Health Department (LHD) requirements, including processing enrollments, vaccine orders, return/waste reports, performing site visits for compliance, quality improvement visits, etc
  • Staff training
  • Reviews supporting documents, reviewing and approving for accuracy
  • Updates Immunization manual, standing orders, signed by the Medical Director, reviewed yearly
  • Adheres to and implements Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations
  • Monitors storage units to ensure that VFC vaccine potency is maintained
  • Routine review and accessibility of temperature data
  • Follows federal requirements for documenting vaccines
  • Chart audits
  • Identification of any indicators of fraud and abuse
  • Reducing disease transmission through administering immunizations and providing education on infection prevention
  • Increase vaccination rates within the community through targeted campaigns and educational outreach efforts

Physician Substitute RN

Octapharma Plasma
12.2021 - 09.2022
  • Peformed medical evaluation of potential donors for automated plasmapheresis procedures
  • Determined donor suitability of new applicants in consultation with center physician
  • Provided limited emergency care
  • Conducted evaluations to ensure compliance with criteria for normal plasma donors
  • Maintained communication logs regarding suitability
  • Reviewed normal and abnormal blood tests to determine suitability
  • Counseled donors with abnormal test results and defered them accordingly

Correctional Registered Nurse

Kalamazoo County Jail
09.2020 - 12.2021
  • Exercised independent judgment calls in selecting an appropriate course of action
  • Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions
  • Assessed patient conditions promptly upon admission to determine appropriate interventions and prioritize care needs
  • Provided direct patient care to inmates
  • Coordinated doctor call
  • Medical information gathering for inmates for care coordination with other facilities
  • STD counseling and testing
  • COVID 19 vaccination administration
  • Conducted health assessments to monitor inmate wellness and identify potential medical issues
  • Led emergency response efforts, coordinating with law enforcement personnel during critical incidents

Operating Room Registered Nurse

Surgery Center of Kalamazoo
05.2008 - 09.2020
  • Educated patients and families on illnesses, medications, and discharge instructions
  • Participated in education in-services
  • Participated in nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities
  • Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety
  • Evaluated patient care needs, prioritized treatments, and maintained patient flow in the operating room
  • Assessed patients prior to surgery and alleviated their concerns
  • Assisted surgical teams by preparing instruments, supplies, and equipment for a variety of procedures
  • Maintained a sterile environment within the operating room, reducing the risk of infection
  • Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment
  • Prepared equipment and supplies necessary for each surgical procedure, ensuring availability when needed by surgeons
  • Collected and labeled specimens to be transported to the lab for testing
  • Audit charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy
  • Credentialing department coordinator

Operating Room Registered Nurse

Bronson Methodist Hospital
06.2012 - 05.2013
  • Provided skilled, timely, and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients
  • Made sure trauma rooms were set up for possible trauma cases
  • Took report from the emergency room
  • Assisted surgical teams by preparing instruments, supplies, and equipment for a variety of procedures
  • Utilized sterile techniques and infection-control guidelines to maintain clean and safe environment
  • Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing
  • Managed efficient use of operating room resources, streamlining procedures and minimizing waste
  • Coordinated with surgeons and staff to deliver safe patient care during operations
  • Adapted quickly to changing situations in the operating room, utilizing problem-solving skills under pressure
  • Prepped operating rooms to comply with environmental asepsis standards.
  • Performed pre-operative assessments to prepare patients for surgery
  • Coordinated patient care throughout surgical procedures, ensuring optimal safety and efficiency
  • Monitored vital signs and maintained sterile environments to prevent infection risks during surgeries

Surgical Technician

Surgery Center of Kalamazoo
05.2006 - 05.2008
  • Provided scrubbing surgical assistance and support to surgeons during ophthalmology, orthopedic, plastic, and ENT surgical procedures
  • Maintained a sterile field
  • Maintained documentation of post-operative instrument reconciliations and protocols for quality care
  • Handled numerous sanitization tasks for surgical sites by cleaning and sterilizing, maintaining supply inventories, and organizing items effectively
  • Managed operating room setup by cleaning and sterilizing instruments and surfaces, maintaining supply inventories and organizing surgical tools
  • Gathered and set up equipment, tools, and supplies, then arranged instruments according to surgeons' preferences or instruction
  • Safe handling of specimens
  • Created safe operating environments for invasive and non-invasive procedures.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Goshen College
Goshen, IN
02.2020

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI
2008

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Multitasking ability
  • Analytical
  • Medical documentation
  • Reliability
  • Emotional support
  • Effective communication
  • Human trafficking awareness
  • Specimen collection
  • Patient care coordination
  • Quality Improvement
  • Basic Life Support certification
  • Vital sign monitoring
  • Excellent knowledge of sterile and aseptic technique

Interests

  • Gym Workouts
  • Yoga
  • Cycling
  • Nutrition

Timeline

Public Health Registered Nurse

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department
09.2022 - Current

Physician Substitute RN

Octapharma Plasma
12.2021 - 09.2022

Correctional Registered Nurse

Kalamazoo County Jail
09.2020 - 12.2021

Operating Room Registered Nurse

Bronson Methodist Hospital
06.2012 - 05.2013

Operating Room Registered Nurse

Surgery Center of Kalamazoo
05.2008 - 09.2020

Surgical Technician

Surgery Center of Kalamazoo
05.2006 - 05.2008

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

Goshen College

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE