Sally Podzimek
Nurse
Cedar Rapids,IA
Summary
Dedicated Charge Licensed Practical Nurse offering 16-year background managing nursing staff, delegating assignments and assessing patient conditions. Expertise in progress monitoring, plan implementation and history taking. Certified in Leading Age. Devoted to service excellence in patient care and patient advocacy.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
LPN Charge Nurse
Methwick Community
Cedar Rapids, IA
12.2014 - Current
- Delivered direct quality care to patients by evaluating medical conditions and managing and assessing treatments.
- Analyzed patient assessments and laboratory data to bring any issues to attention of physicians.
- Assembled and used equipment such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes or oxygen suppliers to effectively manage patient care.
- Managed daily staff assignments and patient scheduling to guarantee clinic coverage and flow.
- Promoted patient independence by teaching self-care skills and explaining conditions and medications.
- Updated patient medical records with services provided, health conditions and response to treatments using MatrixCare.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising RN.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising RN.
- Developed individual care plans to meet patient needs and achieve treatment goals.
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Documented patient vitals, behaviors and conditions to communicate concerns to supervising RN.
- Reviewed patient history to verify conditions and current medications.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
- Provided basic patient care and treatment, such as administering UA tests, taking temperature and blood pressure and dressing wounds.
- Helped patients complete bathing, dressing and eating.
- Clearly and thoroughly explained diagnoses, treatment options and procedures to patients and loved ones, checking in to verify understanding.
- Provided diagnosis information, treatment possibilities, disease management tips and wound care advice to patients, loved ones and caregivers.
- Managed various general office duties such as answering multiple telephone lines, completing insurance forms and mailing monthly invoice statements to patients.
- Led and mentored 15 newly licensed nurses and nursing students to develop professional expertise.
- Collaborated with Social Worker on evaluation of care plan outcomes, implementing or adjusting interventions accordingly.
- Worked effectively within healthcare teams on successful fall prevention] and Level of Care initiatives.
- Conducted 22 patient assessments per month to obtain patient health history, pain levels, allergies and vital signs.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Collaborated with Social Worker on evaluation of care plan outcomes, implementing or adjusting interventions accordingly.
Nurse Manager
Methwick Community
Cedar Rapids, IA
02.2015 - 01.2017
- Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise.
- Supervised, directed and motivated high-quality performance from nursing staff.
- Reviewed department performance and adjusted coverage to compensate for changing conditions.
- Managed 5 nurses and nursing activities in 22-bed hospital by providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards.
- Coordinated and implemented in-service educational programs focusing on safety and adherence to protocols.
- Established and continuously optimized unit schedules and individual work assignments.
- Fostered improvement in staff development, personnel training and standards of patient care.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Evaluated skills of nursing personnel and verified staff certifications for validity.
- Promoted professional development opportunities to encourage nurses to pursue continuous training.
- Supervised professional and paraprofessional nursing staff and delegated tasks to maintain continuum of care.
- Conducted patient assessments and developed treatment plans.
- Engaged and participated in consults, patient care plan development and patient monitoring.
- Assessed patients to determine individual needs and develop care plans in coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
- Worked at least 360 hours per month as floor nurse to maintain clinical proficiency.
- Administered medications via oral, IV and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Delivered expert case management, milieu management, medication administration and emergency intervention.
- Vaccinated patients to protect individuals from measles, pneumonia, influenza and other illnesses of concern.
LPN
Recover Health
Cedar Rapids, IA
04.2013 - 12.2014
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Administered controlled narcotics
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs and preferences.
- Obtained patient vital signs and input/output measurements from inpatients.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Made valuable contributions to care-plan development and patient education processes backed by thorough research into client diagnoses.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Dispensed and administered patients' medications following care plans and physician's orders
- Provided exceptional patient care by meeting physical, psychological and overall care requirements to support daily living needs and independence
- Administered effective nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent and disabled patients
- Reviewed all medicines to identify possible adverse reactions, significant side effects, drug allergies and contraindicated medications
- Complied with applicable legal requirements for HIPAA and documentation standards
- Established realistic, measurable and observable goals consistent with patients' diagnosis
- Observed confidentiality safeguards for all patient-related information
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms
- Assessed patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure and recorded in electronic medical records
- Reviewed patient history to verify conditions and current medications
- Helped patients complete bathing, dressing and eating
- Assisted in development and implementation of service plans related to nursing and patient health care needs
- Adhered to treatment plan instructions when administering medications and treatments to patients
- Engaged and educated clients on appropriate behaviors and essential social interaction
- Demonstrated clinical competence in administering care to support physician orders, nursing care plan and policies
- Maintained open availability to rotate through on-call periods, night shifts and weekend visits
- Reported general, physical and mental condition of patients to support care initiatives
- Changed out tracheostomies, gastrostomy buttons and catheters regularly to prevent infection or other problems
- Interpreted patient needs, knowledge, growth and development to construct treatment plan
- Administered prescribed medication and treatment as permitted by state and local regulations in accordance with physician orders
- Documented patient assessment, evaluation and responses to therapy to facilitate therapeutic intervention
- Fostered strong relationships with clients and families to support comprehensive social, mental and physical care
- Supported personal care needs, shopping for groceries and cleaning house
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure and blood glucose levels
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes
- Collaborated with supervisor to assess patient needs, plan and modify care and implement interventions
- Monitored and tracked patient vitals in paper charting to keep team informed of changing conditions
- Accurately recorded interactions in medical charts, documenting accidents and interventions applied
Charge Nurse
Living Center East
Cedar Rapids, IA
06.2006 - 01.2008
- Worked with patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), diabetes or sepsis to asses needs and determine best options for care.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Cared for patients in twenty eight-bed unit, supporting fellow nurses in delivering outstanding treatment to patients.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Administered different therapies and medications in line with physician orders and treatment plan.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Worked with healthcare team to develop new dialysis treatment flow sheet and other log forms, improving clinical documentation and accountability.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes and treatment implementations.
- Administered medications and treatments to patients as ordered by physician, maintaining accountability for accurate narcotic count at end of each shift.
- Documented medications administered, treatments and patient procedures performed in appropriate records according to privacy requirements.
- Documented information in patients' electronic medical record, relaying information to clinicians and care providers to facilitate continuity of care.
- Cared for patients' wounds and changed dressings.
- Managed JP drains and chest, nasogastric, G and peg tubes.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Advocated for and strived to protect health, safety and rights of patient.
- Adhered to strict safety measures by carefully determining proper dosages before administering medications.
- Documented vitals and medical histories in patient charts when assessing patients and communicated patient information to physicians and other nurses for care continuity
- Achieved successful unit leadership by providing quality nursing care to one to 15 patients per day in 28-bed unit
- Updated patient medical records with services provided, health conditions and response to treatments using paper charting
- Delivered direct quality care to patients by evaluating medical conditions and managing and assessing treatments
- Conducted patient assessments to obtain patient health history, pain levels, allergies and vital signs
- Assembled and used equipment such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes or oxygen suppliers to effectively manage patient care
- Reviewed patient history to verify conditions and current medications
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms
- Circulated assigned floor to measure and record patients' fluid and food levels, implementing measures to promote healthy intake and output as necessary
Education
Associate of Science - Practical Nursing
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA05.2006
Skills
- Call Answering and Assistance
- Nursing Intervention Evaluations
- Supporting Daily Living Needs
- Conditions Reporting
- Care Planning and Modifications
- Patient Admission
- Nursing Staff Supervision
- Assessing Residents
- Local and State Regulations
- Dementia Knowledge and Care
- Feedback Acceptance
- Management Team Support
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Quality Assessments
Volunteer Work
I volunteer with Lifechurch currently greeter & usher, have helped serve for Servolutuon which is giving back packs; school supplies, they gave away free haircuts, eye exams, hearing & vision screenings. My goal is to assist with ministering with children/youth. I have also been a volunteer with Hercules Haven which is a sanctuary for abused & abandoned farm animals. My duties have been assisting With feeding & cleaning out animal stalls. Also help with fundraiser events.
Timeline
Nurse Manager
Methwick Community
02.2015 - 01.2017
LPN Charge Nurse
Methwick Community
12.2014 - Current
LPN
Recover Health
04.2013 - 12.2014
Charge Nurse
Living Center East
06.2006 - 01.2008
Associate of Science - Practical Nursing
Kirkwood Community College
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