Sandra Melhado
Tucson
Summary
Dear Hiring Manager(s),
I am excited to express my interest in joining your nursing team. As a new graduate LPN with 12 years of experience as a patient care technician, I can bring my knowledge and skills to contribute effectively in a bedside nursing role. One of my strengths is building strong bonds with patients and their families through open and effective communication, enabling me to provide tailored, high-quality care.
Additionally, I have the ability to communicate effectively with the medical team and maintain organized documentation for seamless coordination of care. My dedication is centered around delivering optimum care and exceptional support to every patient under my care. I prioritize the recovery and well-being of both the patient and their supportive family member(s), as well as fostering positive relationships with my colleagues.
With a passionate, uplifting, and compassionate approach, I strive to create a supportive atmosphere for all. I am confident that my skills and knowledge will make me an excellent asset to your nursing team. I am eager for the opportunity to work, grow, and learn alongside your team.
Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to meeting you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Sandra Melhado
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Licensed Practical Nurse- Preceptorship
Oro Valley Hospital
03.2025 - 04.2025
- Improved patient outcomes by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and documenting relevant information.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments, and assisted with procedures.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuous quality improvement in patient care delivery.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Demonstrated excellent technical skills in wound dressing changes, IV therapy administration, catheter insertion, and other routine nursing procedures.
- Facilitated efficient communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to promote continuity of care across settings.
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs, and performed catheterizations.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Provided compassionate palliative care for terminally ill patients while supporting their emotional needs during end-of-life stages.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning.
- Educated patients and families on health promotion, disease prevention, and self-care management strategies.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns, and medically relevant symptoms.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Maintained a safe and therapeutic environment for patients through effective risk assessment and crisis intervention strategies.
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic testing and procedural support for optimal treatment decisions.
- Delivered culturally competent care that respected diverse patient populations'' unique values, beliefs, and traditions.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by adhering to infection control protocols and maintaining accurate documentation of patient data.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores by consistently delivering high-quality nursing care tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Answered incoming phone calls from patients to provide basic assistance and triage medical concerns.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Enhanced patient care by performing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by providing thorough discharge planning and follow-up care coordination.
- Implemented infection control protocols, significantly reducing incidence of hospital-acquired infections.
- Assisted in minor surgical procedures, enhancing patient comfort and supporting surgical team efficiency.
- Monitored patient reactions to medications and treatments, quickly addressing adverse reactions.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives by providing feedback on care processes and patient experiences.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team members to develop individualized care plans for patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop comprehensive care plans, optimizing patient outcomes.
- Delivered wound care and managed dressings, preventing infections and promoting healing.
- Administered medications to ensure adherence to treatment plans, improving health outcomes.
- Coordinated with pharmacy staff to ensure accurate medication dispensing, minimizing errors.
- Maintained meticulous records of patient care, treatments, and progress, ensuring continuity of care.
- Advocated for patients' needs and preferences with healthcare providers, fostering patient-centered care.
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Reviewed patient history to verify conditions and current medications.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families during challenging times.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Helped patients complete bathing, dressing and eating.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
- Provided diagnosis information, treatment possibilities, disease management tips and wound care advice to patients, loved ones and caregivers.
- Supported diagnoses by taking blood samples from patients for laboratory testing.
Patient Care Assistant
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
10.2023 - Current
- Attended to patient and family's immediate needs and concerns by acknowledging and providing required attention
- Recorded temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate
- Supported patient mobility needs with correct assistive devices and proper body mechanics to prevent injuries
- Recognized and reported abnormalities or changes in patients' health status
- Gathered medical information, weight and height measurements and vital signs
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives
- Upheld confidentiality requirements and regulatory compliance guidelines
- Documented residents' mental status, sleep, and eating patterns in medical record
- Helped enhance unit operations by continuously delivering accurate, efficient care and maintaining performance objectives
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment
- Monitored and maintained cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assigned station and service areas
- Reassured patients by explaining medical practices and processes in easy-to-understand terminology
- Aided physicians in wound care and patient assessments
- Logged and filed classified documents
- Responded to in-person and telephone requests for information to support office staff
- Coordinated and processed personnel files and medical records
- Coached patients and caregivers on treatment processes, hospital policies, medication hazards, specific diets and doctor advice
- Organized and distributed correspondence, memoranda and telephone messages
- Managed unit training and activity schedules
- Maintained clean and safe environment to promote patient safety and comfort
Patient Care Technician
Northwest Medical Center
07.2022 - 10.2023
- Answered patient assistance calls, assessed needs, and offered qualified support
- Obtained patient vital signs and reported results to staff nurse or physician, noting changes from prior measurements
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery
- Assisted in transferring patients, beds and patient care equipment to other rooms adhering to necessary safety precautions
- Responded to patient emergencies with immediate care and notified clinicians to provide comprehensive assistance
- Helped patients maintain healthy skin by checking wounds, assessing integrity, and bathing bedbound individuals
- Collected and transported specimens to prepare for lab testing
- Supported patient admissions, discharges, and transfers to promote team productivity
- Applied oxygen via nasal cannula, simple masks and nebulizer masks under direction of nurse in charge
- Educated patients and families on proper care and treatment to facilitate successful home care
- Used principles of growth and development to provide age-specific treatment and care
- Completed activities of daily living for patients unable to self-care, and assisted those with limited mobility in completing tasks
- Changed linens in rooms, keeping spaces fresh and clean for patient health and satisfaction
- Documented patient information and care activities in electronic health record
- Assisted nursing staff with completing daily rounds, documenting vital signs and answering calls
- Helped patients with self-feeding and assisted feeding, based on individual needs
- Uphold infection control and prevention policies across different patient-facing areas
- Reduced risks of patient infection and cross-contamination by cleaning and sterilizing equipment
- Transported patients between rooms and appointments or testing locations
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy
- Provided care to patients throughout lifespan with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and culture
- Delivered high-quality care to neuro patients in hospital facility
- Assisted patients with proper A.M care such as: bathing, grooming, shaving, oral hygiene, nail care and more
- Ambulated patients to their restrooms, beds, and wheelchairs with proper body mechanics
- Set up patient rooms for admissions
- Phlebotomy work
- Assisted patient with discharges and transfers via wheelchair, gurney, or patient bed
- Collected patients' prescription medication from inpatient pharmacy
Patient Care Technician
Kaiser Permanente Foundation Hospital
06.2014 - 06.2021
- Collected urine specimens, stool specimens, and sputum specimens for the R.N
- Transferring patients from PACU to the Medical/Surgical/Telemetry department
- Transfer patients from bed to gurney and gurney to bed with proper equipment and body mechanics
- Performed one to one observation protocol with patients due to suicidal thoughts, safety, and/or elopement
- Provided safety rounding and did housekeeping in each of my patient' rooms
- Assisting patients with their Activities of Daily Living and for patients who are not able to do so themselves such as shaving, bathing, feeding, ambulating, and dressing
- Performed EKG's
- Delivered and collected patient meal trays
- Documented intake for solids and liquids for each meal
- Protected patients' bony prominence with wedges or pillows
- Re-positioning bedridden patients every Q2 hours
- Assisted with physical examinations
- Assisted patients who are in hospice and comfort care
- Performed post-mortem care
- Reported any changes in the patients physical, mental, or emotional condition to the R.N in a timely manner
- Experienced and knowledgeable with using mechanical lifts for transferring patients from bed to chair or from bed to gurney
- Obtaining vital signs, I's and O's, hourly rounding, and safety rounding and input them into the chart/PC and report any deviation
- Experienced with Level II Trauma patients and assisted with re-positioning, skin checks
- ADL's, ambulation, and much more
- Experienced with patients in rehabilitation centers where I worked with patients who are paraplegic, contain left or right sided weakness due to strokes, and also neurological patients who are all learning how to perform ADL's on their own
- I assist patients with their feeding and perform max assist ambulation that requires operation of high quality mechanical lifts
- Worked with pediatric, telemetry, stroke, ICU, altered mental status, orthopedic, and trauma patients
- I have gone to several training classes within this hospital and have obtained a certification of completion on training with Level II Trauma Patients
- CPR/ AED Certified
- BLS certified
- Attended Trauma Academy trainings within the hospital regularly
- Successfully completed a Medical Terminology course
- Knowledgeable with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint
- Bilingual in Spanish and English
Certified Nursing Assistant
Vacaville Convalescent And Rehab Center
09.2013 - 06.2014
- Set up patient rooms for admissions
- Phlebotomy work
- Assisted patient with discharges and transfers via wheelchair, gurney, or patient bed
- Collected patients' prescription medication from inpatient pharmacy and discharge pharmacy
- Collected urine specimens, stool specimens, and sputum specimens for the R.N
- Transferring patients from PACU to the Medical/Surgical/Telemetry department
- Transfer patients from bed to gurney and gurney to bed with proper equipment and body mechanics
- Performed one to one observation protocol with patients due to suicidal thoughts, safety, and/or elopement
- Provided safety rounding and did housekeeping in each of my patient' rooms
- Assisting patients with their Activities of Daily Living and for patients who are not able to do so themselves such as shaving, bathing, feeding, ambulating, and dressing
- Assisted with EKG's
- Delivered and collected patient meal trays
- Documented intake for solid and liquids for each meal
- Protected patients' bony prominence with wedges or pillows
- Re-positioning bed bound patients every 2 hours
- Assisted with physical examinations
- Assisted patients who are/were in hospice and comfort care
- Performed post-mortem care
- Reported any changes in the patients physical, mental, or emotional condition to the R.N in a timely manner
- Experienced and knowledgeable with using mechanical lifts for transferring patients from bed to chair or from bed to gurney
- Obtaining vital signs, I's and O's, hourly rounding, and safety rounding and input them into the chart/PC and reported any deviation
- Experienced with Level II Trauma patients and assisted with re-positioning, skin checks
- ADL's, ambulation, and much more
- Experienced with patients in rehabilitation centers where I worked with patients who are paraplegic, contain left or right sided weakness due to strokes, and also neurological patients who are all learning how to perform ADL's on their own
- I assist patients with their feeding and perform max assist ambulation that requires operation of high quality mechanical lifts
- Worked with pediatric, telemetry, stroke, ICU, altered mental status, orthopedic, and trauma
- Prioritize patient daily care per acuity and scheduled patient procedures
- Performed and assisted the resident in completion of personal hygiene needs which include: bathing, skin care, grooming, dressing, oral hygiene, and toileting needs
- Maintained and set up patient rooms/bedding
- Participated in mandatory in-service education programs as required by the facility
- Attempted to promote the resident mental alertness through involvement in activities
- Observed and reported any changed in the resident's physical, mental, or emotional condition to an RN or designee in a timely manner
- Assisted the resident with ambulation/transfers as specified
- Served nutritious meals as prepared to resident as directed
- Monitored vital signs and reported any deviation
- Assisted in maintenance of a healthful and safe environment
- Perform preventive maintenance on emergency equipment
- Performed proper body mechanics to provide safety to my residents as well as safety for myself
- Assist RN with sterile dressing changes
- Assisted with showers and bed baths for residents
- Reported change in residents' condition to RN
- Utilize PC to enter and retrieve patient data
- Answer multi-line phones, operate fax and copy machine
- Performed other duties as assigned by supervisor or designee
Education
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing
Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ04-2025
CNA Certification -
Vallejo Nursing School
Vallejo, CA09-2013
High School Diploma -
Vanden High School
Markley, Fairfield06-2013
Skills
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Collaborative relationship development
- Medical Terminology
- Safety compliance procedures
- Infection prevention
- Collaborative care planning
- Effective multitasking
- Clear and concise communication
- Patient Monitoring
- Patient Education
- Effective organizational skills
- Effective objective planning
- Comprehensive documentation practices
- Patient care background
- Daily living skills facilitation
- Healthcare service optimization
- Implementation of quality standards
- Nursing ethics
- Disease prevention
- Post operative care
- Restorative care
- Neurological care
- Cardiac care
- Oncology nursing
- Maternal-child nursing
- Triage management
- Diagnostic testing
- Medical equipment operation
- Hospice care
- IV therapy
- Pediatric nursing
- Clinical decision making
- Neonatal care
- Wound care
- HIPAA compliance
- Direct patient care
- Clinical documentation
- Medication dispensing
- Breathing treatments
- EMR / EHR
- Emergency response
- Pulse oximetry tracking
- Patient management
- Pain management
- Documenting incidents
- Charting and recording
- Cultural competence
Certification
- CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant
- Level II Trauma Academy Certification
- Medical Terminology Certification
- BLS Certification
Timeline
Licensed Practical Nurse- Preceptorship
Oro Valley Hospital
03.2025 - 04.2025
Patient Care Assistant
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
10.2023 - Current
Patient Care Technician
Northwest Medical Center
07.2022 - 10.2023
Patient Care Technician
Kaiser Permanente Foundation Hospital
06.2014 - 06.2021
Certified Nursing Assistant
Vacaville Convalescent And Rehab Center
09.2013 - 06.2014
Licensed Practical Nurse - Nursing
Pima Community College
CNA Certification -
Vallejo Nursing School
High School Diploma -
Vanden High School
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