Ann Wealand

Pre-procedure and post-procedure management/care for busy private gastroenterology practice performing approximately 30-50 EGD and colonoscopies daily. Pre-procedure assessment utilizing critical thinking skills for patients undergoing MAC anesthesia. Post-procedure care for patients undergoing above mentioned procedures. Strong IV skills for daily assignment which includes 10-15 patients per RN.

Direct access colonoscopy screening for patients via phone using specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Work closely with anesthesia providers and gastroenterologists to ensure clinically appropriate patients for procedures performed in ambulatory surgery center.

Initiated and managed care of complex disease issues for patients requiring long term and end of life care while residing at home or nursing facilities.

Maintained documentation of patient assessment, interaction, intervention, and responses to care.

Served as a liaison between patients, families and multi-disciplinary healthcare providers to optimize hospice services for quality care.

Educated patients and families about disease progression, treatment options, and additional hospice services available to patients.

Pre-procedure care of cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology, and vascular patients. Care of pre-procedure patients included physical assessment, medication profile, education to patients and families, obtaining informed consent, and IV placement.

Catheterization lab care included prepping patients, maintenance of airway, administering conscious sedation, utilization of equipment/devices and critical care skills to deliver optimal care to emergent patient cases presenting with acute MI, cardiogenic shock, chronic total occlusion lesions, and heart block.

Post-procedure care of cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology, and vascular patients included physical assessment, pain management, arterial and venous sheath maintenance and discontinuation, transfer and discharge of patients.

Other roles included phone calls made to patients to provide pre-procedure instructions, charge and preceptor duties.

Assisted with diagnostic stress testing, managed patients on Coumadin therapy, and telephone triage.

Assisted gastroenterologists with EGD and colonoscopy procedures. Provided pre/post procedure care, education, and discharge instructions.

Clinical research coordinator for private practice.

Provided care for cardiac surgical and medical patients requiring critical care medication administration, post-procedure care of coronary bypass surgery, valve repair, carotid endarterectomy, and thoracotomy procedures. Provided care to cardiac patients with multi organ failure and hemodynamic instability.

Performed charge and preceptor roles.

Managed care of patients diagnosed with end-stage CHF and cardiomyopathy in community setting. Administered critical care IV medications and maintenance of central infusion ports.

Collaborated with cardiologists and primary care doctors to optimize therapeutic medical outcomes for patients.

Educated patients and families of disease progression and treatments.

See above description for July 1997 - November 1997

Provided care to medical cardiac patients. Provided pre-procedure and post-procedure care and education for cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, and pacemaker implant patients.