Oliver Velazquez
Austin,TX
Summary
Bilingual and proficient nurse, dual certified in adult and pediatric critical care, with extensive experience in caring for patients at every stage of life, from infants with congenital heart defects to adults with neurologic injuries requiring precise monitoring and intervention. Areas of expertise include high-acuity assessment, airway support, hemodynamic management, and invasive monitoring, all delivered with a commitment to compassion, integrity, and a servant heart. Committed to furthering clinical knowledge through admission to MTSA, with the goal of evolving into a safe, thoughtful, and spiritually grounded anesthesia provider.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Critical Care Registered Nurse
University of Texas Dell Seton Medical Center – Neurocritical Care Unit (Level I Trauma Center)
02.2025 - Current
- Provide advanced neurocritical care in a high-acuity Level I Trauma environment. Care for patients with traumatic brain injury, malignant stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and complex neurosurgical cases. Manage External Ventricular Drains for CSF diversion and ICP control, interpret Licox brain tissue oxygenation trends alongside ICP and CPP targets, and apply neuroprotective strategies based on multimodal monitoring. Support postoperative hemicraniectomy patients, serve stroke patients requiring precise ventilation strategies, and neurologic instability requiring continuous EEG coordination. Manage sedation, airway readiness, seizure control, and neurophysiologic trends while collaborating closely with neurosurgery, anesthesia, trauma, and multidisciplinary teams.
Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse
Texas Children’s Hospital: PICU / CICU
11.2023 - Current
- Deliver high-acuity pediatric critical care to infants, children, and young adults with congenital heart defects, respiratory failure, shock, and complex multisystem disease. Specialize in postoperative congenital cardiac surgery stabilization including single-ventricle physiology, shunt-dependent lesions, and post-bypass recovery. Manage ventilations, invasive hemodynamics, advanced vasoactive infusions, chest tubes, mediastinal drains, and temporary pacing wires. Utilize NIRS monitoring for cerebral and somatic perfusion assessment and collaborate with intensivists, cardiology, anesthesia, perfusion, RT, and surgical teams to anticipate deterioration and support safe recovery.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
HealthTrust – St. David’s HealthCare ICU (Per-diem)
08.2023 - 02.2025
- Float across Medical, Surgical, and Neuro ICUs caring for diverse high-acuity patients including respiratory failure, sepsis, shock, and neurologic compromise. Manage ventilations, sedation, analgesia, vasopressors, and hemodynamic monitoring across multiple facilities with varying protocols. Maintain strong communication, safe transitions of care, and rapid adaptation to different workflows and team structures.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park – ICU (Travel)
01.2023 - 08.2023
- Provided critical care to ventilated and hemodynamically unstable patients requiring sedation, paralytics, continuous vasoactive support, and frequent reassessment. Participated in rapid responses and Code Blue events with calm execution and clear communication. Supported continuity of care through precise handoffs and evidence-based practice.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Centura St. Anthony – ICU (Travel FEMA Assignment)
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Delivered ICU care during high-demand surge conditions. Managed multi-organ failure, respiratory instability, and complex medical deterioration in rapidly changing workflows. Demonstrated adaptability, prioritization, and collaborative problem solving under extreme acuity and volume.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Ascension Seton Northwest – ICU (Travel)
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Served during peak pandemic periods, caring for critically ill patients requiring ventilators, sedation, paralytics, and advanced hemodynamics. Maintained precision, teamwork, and rapid decision making in an unpredictable clinical environment.
Critical Care Registered Nurse
MD Anderson Cancer Center – ICU RN / Charge Nurse / Team Leader / Preceptor
09.2017 - 01.2021
- Provided specialized oncologic critical care to patients with multi-organ failure, septic shock, post-operative instability, and treatment-related complications. Served as Charge Nurse and Team Leader, coordinating unit operations, staffing, bed flow, and emergencies. Functioned as a Certified Preceptor, training and mentoring new ICU nurses in advanced hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, clinical prioritization, and emotionally supportive patient and family communication.
Graduate Registered Nurse
Methodist San Jacinto Hospital – ICU
01.2017 - 08.2017
- Completed an accelerated ICU residency and provided high-acuity care for medical-surgical ICU patients with respiratory failure, shock, and multi-organ instability. Managed ventilators, vasoactive medications, sedation, and frequent reassessment to support safe, evidence-based care.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Nursing
University of Texas Health Science Center
Houston, Texas08.2017
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Nursing
Houston Community College
Houston, Texas08.2016
Skills
Advanced airway and ventilation support – adult and pediatric ventilator management, endotracheal and tracheostomy care, RSI readiness, EtCO₂ waveform analysis
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring – arterial line setup/leveling/zeroing, waveform interpretation, central venous catheter care with CVP trending, FloTrac hemodynamic analysis
- Advanced vasoactive and critical care pharmacology – administration and titration of vasopressors, inotropes, sedatives, analgesics, and neuromuscular blocking agents to maintain hemodynamic, respiratory, and neurologic stability in high-acuity settings
EVD and intracranial pressure management – bedside setup and sterile assistance for placement of EVDs, ICP bolts, and Licox brain oxygen probes
Renal replacement and metabolic optimization – CRRT, fluid balance regulation, electrolyte and acid-base correction
Temperature and perfusion management – NIRS cerebral and somatic perfusion monitoring targeted temperature management (TTM) with Arctic Sun
Certification
- Registered Nurse, Texas State License # 910476
- CCRN (Adult) November 2019, Expires 05/2026
- CCRN (Pediatric) January 2026, Expires 12/2028
- ACLS, BCLS, PALS, NIHSS
Leadership:
- Preceptor and clinical educator – Precept new graduate ICU nurses, experienced RNs transitioning into specialty critical care roles, and student nurse interns from UT Austin; provide structured training in advanced assessment, neuromonitoring, and high-acuity clinical judgment; serve as a preceptor for ultrasound-guided peripheral IV placement in the Neurocritical Care Unit at Dell Seton.
- Resource and advanced clinical support nurse – Function as a designated resource nurse in the PICU/CICU at Texas Children’s Hospital and the Neurocritical Care Unit at Dell Seton, providing real-time clinical guidance, escalation support, and multidisciplinary coordination for high-acuity or rapidly deteriorating patients.
- Stroke Champion – Neurocritical Care Unit (Dell Seton) – Serve as a unit-based stroke champion, reinforcing evidence-based stroke pathways, monitoring compliance with quality metrics, assisting with algorithm changes, supporting staff education, and contributing to rapid identification and intervention protocols.
Timeline
Critical Care Registered Nurse
University of Texas Dell Seton Medical Center – Neurocritical Care Unit (Level I Trauma Center)
02.2025 - Current
Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse
Texas Children’s Hospital: PICU / CICU
11.2023 - Current
Critical Care Registered Nurse
HealthTrust – St. David’s HealthCare ICU (Per-diem)
08.2023 - 02.2025
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park – ICU (Travel)
01.2023 - 08.2023
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Centura St. Anthony – ICU (Travel FEMA Assignment)
12.2021 - 05.2022
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Ascension Seton Northwest – ICU (Travel)
01.2021 - 12.2021
Critical Care Registered Nurse
MD Anderson Cancer Center – ICU RN / Charge Nurse / Team Leader / Preceptor
09.2017 - 01.2021
Graduate Registered Nurse
Methodist San Jacinto Hospital – ICU
01.2017 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Nursing
University of Texas Health Science Center
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Nursing
Houston Community College