Patricia Higgins, BSN RN
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Accomplished Registered Nurse with strong background in patient care coordination and healthcare management. Demonstrates expertise in clinical assessment, discharge planning, and patient advocacy. Known for fostering team collaboration, adapting to evolving needs, and delivering meaningful outcomes. Equipped with excellent communication skills, critical thinking, and ability to navigate complex healthcare systems.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse Case Manager, Start of Care
AHN Healthcare at Home
09.2023 - Current
- Case Manager for up to 50 patients, coordinating care with LPNs, HHAs and field supervisors.
- Functioned as Start Of Care Nurse to initiate home care, identify patient needs and make appropriate referrals.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary care teams to establish a plan of care, implement achievable goals, prevent hospitalization and enhance treatment strategies for discharge planning.
- Provided education and support to patients and families, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare needs.
- Proficient with skilled nursing care such as home infusion protocols that include lab draws, antibiotic administration and teaching and chemotherapy infusions, wound/ostomy care, pleural drain, LVAD management and solid organ transplant protocols.
- Proficient in patient and caregiver teaching for chronic health conditions.
- Proficient with Oasis scoring, MCG guidelines and utilization management.
Travel Staff RN
UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
02.2022 - 08.2023
- Level 1 Trauma Center-Internal travel ICU Nurse
- 30 yrs of ICU experience, broad experience in all ICU's with a specialty in Cardiothoracic ICU care
- Managed critical patient situations effectively, stabilizing conditions and preventing further complications.
RN, ICU
AHN Allegheny General Hospital
05.1997 - 02.2022
- Level 1 Trauma Center-Float ICU RN to all ICU's and their associated step down units, Emergency Department, Recovery Room, IV team, and Post op renal transplant unit.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and providing high-quality care in the ICU setting.
- Served as an advocate for patients and their families, addressing concerns and facilitating open lines of communication between healthcare providers and loved ones.
- Preceptor to both graduate and student nurses
- Participation in various committees- skin and wound care, central line infection prevention, indwelling catheter infection prevention.
- Solid organ transplant coordinator experience
ICU Charge Nurse
UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
05.1991 - 05.1997
- Mentored and trained new nurses, ensuring they were well-prepared to provide high-quality care in critical situations.
- Collaborated with physicians to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized patient interventions.
- Streamlined communication between interdisciplinary teams for improved patient outcomes and continuity of care.
- Facilitated rapid response situations by quickly identifying deteriorating patients and alerting appropriate personnel for intervention measures.
- Participated in regular rounds with interdisciplinary team members to discuss ongoing plans of care tailored specifically towards patients'' evolving needs.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA08-1999
Associate of Science - Nursing
Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA08-1991
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Epic Medical Record System
- HCHB Operating System
- ICU experience
- Clinical judgment
Certification
- Registered Nurse License, PA
- CPR
- ACLS
Timeline
Registered Nurse Case Manager, Start of Care
AHN Healthcare at Home
09.2023 - Current
Travel Staff RN
UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
02.2022 - 08.2023
RN, ICU
AHN Allegheny General Hospital
05.1997 - 02.2022
ICU Charge Nurse
UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
05.1991 - 05.1997
- Registered Nurse License, PA
- CPR
- ACLS
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Pittsburgh
Associate of Science - Nursing
Community College of Allegheny County
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