Rachel Pontious
Flora,IL
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with career in direct patient care, long term care. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Always willing to learn.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
RN
Petersen Healthcare
Flora, IL
12.2020 - Current
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion and airway management.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom reoccurrence.
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Led successful team comprised of RNs, LPNs and ancillary staff.
Merchandiser
Driveline Merchandising
Effingham, IL
10.2020 - 04.2022
- Removed damaged, out-of-code, not-in-set and discontinued items from displays.
- Inspected merchandise for quality and arranged proper display location on floor.
- Monitored inventory levels and kept adequate stock in product displays on sales floor.
- Updated pricing and signage to complete product displays and educate customers.
- Answered customer questions regarding store merchandise, department information and pricing.
- Worked with managers and advertising directors to optimize promotions.
Hostess/Server
Dennys Restaurant
Salem, IL
01.2016 - 10.2018
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing and cash management practices.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays and delivery bags.
- Noted special patron requests and followed up with kitchen to confirm delivery.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business.
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
Server
Village Garden Restaurant
Salem, IL
03.2012 - 04.2013
- Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing and cash management practices.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Checked identification for minimum age for sale of alcoholic beverages.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
Education
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
Olney, IL- Fairfield IL 05.2020
Licensed Practical Nursing -
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
Olney, IL07.2019
High School Diploma - General Studies - Accounting
Altamont Community High School
Altamont, IL05.1998
Skills
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Patient Examination
- Clear Patient Communication
- Medical Procedure Preparation
- Preventive Healthcare
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Nursing Consultation
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- Patient Condition Monitoring
- Patient Care Assessment
- Accurate Documentation
- Treatment Preparation
- Compassionate and Caring
- PICC Lines
- Medication Side Effect Knowledge
- Nursing Assignments
- Heart Failure
- Patient and Family Advocacy
- Pulmonary Conditions
- Admissions and Discharge Processes
- Cerebrovascular Accidents
- Equipment and Instrument Sterilizatoin
- First Aid
Timeline
RN
Petersen Healthcare
12.2020 - Current
Merchandiser
Driveline Merchandising
10.2020 - 04.2022
Hostess/Server
Dennys Restaurant
01.2016 - 10.2018
Server
Village Garden Restaurant
03.2012 - 04.2013
Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
Licensed Practical Nursing -
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
High School Diploma - General Studies - Accounting
Altamont Community High School
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