Sandra Witt
Tomah,WI
Summary
Skilled nursing and lab professional with more than 15 years of experience and passion for providing highest quality of behavioral and medical care. Compassionate and empathetic advocate for patients and families. Skillfully assesses health status, develops diagnoses and manages care for patients with acute and chronic concerns. Experienced in structured and unstructured environments, smoothly coordinating multiple activities and competing priorities.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
R.N.
Mayo Clinic
04.2016 - Current
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans for optimal outcomes.
- Participated in hospital committees to recommend quality improvement initiatives.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions.
M.L.T. (ASCP)
Mayo
05.2008 - Current
- Followed laboratory protocols for specimen processing, analysis, and results reporting.
- Analyzed laboratory findings to check accuracy of results.
- Trained and oriented new medical technologists to perform and interpret tests.
- Identified patient and labeled specimens with correct information to protect patient from adverse errors.
- Operated, calibrated, and maintained sophisticated instruments and equipment to facilitate quality laboratory and patient care operations.
- Maintained required laboratory supplies inventory, and verified viability of supplies prior to use.
- Completed specimen collection and analysis while complying with OSHA, Universal Precautions, and quality assurance policies.
- Input medical tests and clinical results data into computer using [Software] for storage and retrieval.
- Participated in evaluation of new laboratory techniques, products and instruments.
- Conducted chemical analysis of body fluids to determine presence of normal and abnormal components.
- Participated in essential quality improvement programs to maintain accurate and timely laboratory testing and meet customer needs.
- Developed and implemented quality assurance programs to maintain accuracy of results.
- Collected and reviewed patient medical histories to accurately interpret test results.
- Employed microscopic techniques to collect and study blood samples to determine number of cells, morphology, and blood group, assessing compatibility for transfusion purposes.
- Utilized microscopy, spectrophotometry and chromatography following procedures for accurate results.
- Followed safety protocols and precautions for safe and hazard-free work environment.
- Maintained laboratory equipment and supplies, ensuring proper functioning and compliance with laboratory standards.
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal, and other regulatory standards.
- Enforced quality control protocols to maintain accuracy of test results.
- Identified and troubleshot technical issues related to laboratory procedures.
- Completed comprehensive diagnostic testing of blood, urine and other body fluids.
- Prepared reports to document laboratory results and findings.
- Conducted chemical analysis of blood, urine or spinal fluid to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
- Collected and studied blood samples to determine number of cells, morphology, blood group and blood type.
- Utilized expertise in microbiology, chemistry, and hematology to help with diagnosis of medical issues.
- Evaluated and interpreted laboratory results to determine diagnoses.
- Prepared laboratory samples for analysis and performed data entry for accurate reporting.
- Performed routine maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment to produce accurate results.
- Followed safety protocols to maintain safe and secure laboratory environment.
- Documented and reported equipment malfunctions to supervisor for fast resolution and maintenance.
- Performed comprehensive analysis of patient samples and generated detailed reports to inform medical staff of results.
- Prepared reagents and solutions, making readily available during testing for convenience.
- Recorded and maintained accurate data to facilitate tracking of results.
- Trained and supervised new laboratory staff to improve skills in laboratory procedures.
- Utilized various medical laboratory equipment to conduct tests and analyses.
- Participated in laboratory audits and assessments to maintain compliance and improve results.
- Maintained strict aseptic fields when collecting biological samples, minimizing staff, and patient infection risks.
- Assisted with laboratory research projects to advance knowledge and discovery in healthcare.
- Utilized advanced technologies to identify and analyze complex medical samples.
- Documented and verified patient information using laboratory information system.
- Kept supplies organized and well-stocked, requesting more supplies and avoiding unnecessary testing delays.
- Maintained safe work environment free of unnecessary hazards to protect staff and testing results.
- Collect blood and tissue samples with focus on accuracy and adherence to aseptic techniques.
- Conducted wide range of laboratory tests and recorded results.
- Upheld laboratory protocols dictated by facility, governing agencies, or special project requirements.
- Analyzed and interpreted data, accurately identifying and reporting laboratory results.
- Set up, maintained and verified sterility of lab equipment and tools.
- Operated wide range of laboratory equipment and instruments to complete analysis.
- Troubleshot problems with equipment and recalibrated devices or brought serious concerns to supervisor for handling.
- Helped management optimize laboratory processes for maximum efficiency and performance.
- Identified and traced quality control issues impacting laboratory results.
- Summarized test results and activities for management via verbal updates or written reports.
- Used correct formulas and procedures to prepare solutions and reagents for testing needs.
- Assessed new protocols and equipment for relevance and helped implement chosen updates.
- Removed samples of materials following good practices to achieve accurate test results.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI11.2023
Associate of Science - Nursing
Western Technical College
La Crosse, WI04.2016
Associate of Science - Medical Laboratory Technology
Western Techincal College
Lacrosse 04.2008
Skills
- Patient Triage
- EMR Systems
- Disease Prevention
- Patient Counseling
- Conflict Resolution
- Direct Patient Care
- Glucose Testing
- Patient Management
- Call Triaging
- Patient Education
- Infection Control Measures
- Medication Administration
- Operational Procedures
- Care Continuum Coordination
- Wound Care Management
- HIPAA Protocol Adherence
- Accurate Documentation
- Intramuscular Injections
- Disease Processes
- Staff Development and Precepting
- Safety Protocols
- Emergency Procedures
- Compassionate and Caring
- Clear Patient Communication
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- Microsoft Office
- Social Perceptiveness
- Patient Care Assessment
- Delegation and Motivation
- Blood Draw and Sample Collection
- Patient Preparation and Assistance
Certification
- Licensed Medical Laboratory Technologist- 2008-current
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)-2008-current
- R.N. 2016-current
- C.N.A. 1999-current
- Basic Life Support BLS 1999-current
Timeline
R.N.
Mayo Clinic
04.2016 - Current
M.L.T. (ASCP)
Mayo
05.2008 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Viterbo University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Western Technical College
Associate of Science - Medical Laboratory Technology
Western Techincal College
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