Olivia Ponessa
Medical University of South Carolina
Mount Pleasant,SC
Summary
Dedicated Patient Care Technician at MUSC with extensive hands-on experience in cardiac overflow, GI, and pediatric acute care settings. Skilled in phlebotomy, rapid clinical assessment, and delivering compassionate, high-acuity patient care in fast-paced hospital environments. Graduated Cum Laude from the College of Charleston in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Aspiring Cardiovascular Perfusionist with exposure to open-heart surgery and ECMO-adjacent environments, supported by strong interdisciplinary communication skills within critical care settings. Recognized for adaptability, integrity, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to continuous learning and patient-centered care. Eager to contribute clinical experience, professionalism, and collaborative teamwork to a dynamic healthcare team.
1
Certification
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Patient Care Technician II
2 Years- Support cardiac/GI overflow units as well as in a pediatric setting.
- Documented patient information accurately in electronic health records system.
- Educated patients on health management, promoting adherence to treatment protocols.
- Trained new staff on clinical procedures and patient handling techniques effectively.
- Performed blood draws, EKGs, and other diagnostic tests accurately and efficiently for prompt analysis by healthcare professionals.
- Contributed to a positive patient experience by keeping rooms clean, organized, and well-stocked with supplies.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of patient rooms and medical equipment.
- Supported patients with daily living activities, enhancing overall care experience.
- Perform phlebotomy and administrative transport coordination.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to maintain safe care workflows.
- Assisted nursing staff with patient care tasks, ensuring comfort and safety.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to healthcare providers promptly.
- Supported the needs of 24+ residents under long-term care.
Restaurant Hostess
4 Months- Greeted and seated guests promptly, ensuring a positive dining experience.
- Managed reservation system to optimize table turnover and guest flow.
- Collaborated with servers and kitchen staff to facilitate smooth service operations.
- Assisted in training new hostesses on customer service standards and procedures.
- Coordinated special events, managing seating arrangements to accommodate large parties efficiently.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by handling telephone inquiries while attending to in-person guest needs seamlessly.
- Handled high-pressure situations gracefully, managing multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a calm demeanor.
Floral Designer
3 Years 1 Month- Designed custom floral arrangements for events, ensuring alignment with client vision and preferences.
- Managed inventory of fresh flowers and supplies, streamlining procurement processes to reduce waste.
- Collaborated with team members to execute large-scale installations, enhancing overall aesthetic appeal of venues.
- Trained new staff on design techniques and customer service best practices, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Transported and set up floral arrangements for large-scale functions, comprising weddings, funerals, and banquets.
- Adapted quickly to changing trends in the floral industry, acquiring new skills as needed to effectively serve diverse client needs.
- Consistently met tight deadlines for large-scale orders, coordinating logistics to ensure timely delivery and installation of arrangements.
Education
Non-degree Coursework
- Awarded Trident Technical College Honor Society [2025]
B.S. - Exercise Science, Cum Laude
- Cum laude graduate
- 3.579 GPA
- President's List [February, 2025]
- President's List [June, 2025]
- Dean's List [June, 2024]
- LIFE Scholarship Recipient [2021-2025]
- Quest Club Member - Promoted mental health awareness and community resilience by leading discussions and wellness events.
- Chi Omega Sorority Member [2021 - 2023]
Skills
Patient assessment & hemodynamic awareness
OR communication & workflow familiarity
Phlebotomy & sterile-field awareness
Clinical data interpretation
Team-based problem solving
Calm performance under pressure
Blood glucose testing
CPR certification
Certification
Basic Life Support (BLS) – Current
Timeline
Patient Care Technician II
Medical University of South Carolina
06.2024 - Current
Restaurant Hostess
Wando River Grill
01.2024 - 05.2024
Floral Designer
Festoon
03.2021 - 04.2024
Trident Technical College
Non-degree Coursework
College of Charleston
B.S. from Exercise Science, Cum Laude
Honors & Awards
Cum Laude Graduate – College of Charleston (May 2025), President’s List – College of Charleston, Trident Technical College Honor Society (2025), Dean’s List – College of Charleston
Leadership & Service
- Shoreline Youth Leader – Mercy Shore Church: Youth mentorship & community-building.
- Quest Club – College of Charleston (2024-2025): Mental health advocacy.
- Key Club – Wando High School (2017–2021): Mental health advocacy.
- Student Council – Wando High School (2017–2021): Treasurer and Incentives Chair.
- Cheerleading – Wando High School & All-Star Teams (2016–2021): Built leadership and discipline.
Shadow Experience
- 01/08/2024 - MUSC downtown Charleston, SC - Robotic Mitral Valve Replacement
- 07/16/2025 - MUSC downtown Charleston, SC - Open Heart Aortic Valve Replacement
- 09/17/2025 - MUSC downtown Charleston, SC -Open Heart Blanding Aortic Valve Disease
- 09/17/2025 - MUSC downtown Charleston, SC - Open Heart Blanding Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- 03/26/2026 - Roper Saint Francis downtown Charleston, SC - Open Heart Aortic Valve Replacement
- 03/26/2026 - Roper Saint Francis downtown Charleston, SC - Open Heart Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- 03/28/2026 - Roper Saint Francis downtown Charleston, SC - Open Heart Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- 03/28/2026 - Roper Saint Francis downtown Charleston, SC - Open Heart Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- 03/28/2026 - Roper Saint Francis downtown Charleston, SC - Open Heart Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting