Sara Thomas
Des Moines
Summary
Experienced nursing professional bringing demonstrated clinical expertise, leadership skills and technical knowledge. Proficient in updating charts, monitoring medications and working with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care. Quality-driven and efficient with strong interpersonal abilities.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Home Health Nurse
Core Medical Group
Manchester
01.2021 - Current
- Assessed patient health by conducting physical examinations and evaluating medical histories.
- Provided home health care services such as wound care, medication administration, and IV therapy.
- Developed personalized care plans for patients based on individual needs.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, lifestyle changes, nutrition, and preventive healthcare to enhance understanding and compliance.
- Instructed family members in basic nursing skills including wound care, injections, and catheterization.
- Monitored vital signs such as blood pressure or pulse rate to detect any changes in a patient's condition.
- Initiated referrals to appropriate community resources when needed.
- Provided emotional support and counseling to patients navigating difficult healthcare decisions, fostering resilience and informed choices.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss the progress of each patient's treatment plan.
- Coordinated discharge planning with physicians, social workers, case managers, therapists, and pharmacists to ensure continuity of care and patient safety.
- Troy Regional Home Health, Troy, AL, 01/2021-03/2021
- Amedysis Home Health, Lee Summit, Mo 03/2021-10/2021
- Erlanger Home Health, Chattanooga, TN 10/2021-03/2022
- Stat Home Health, Thibodoux, LA, 03/2022-06/2022
- Caladonia Home Health, St. Johnsburry, VT, 06/2022-08/2022
- Covenent Home Health, Crestview, FL, 08/2022-11/2022
- Coastal Home Health, Brookings, OR 12/2022-05/2023
- Accentcare, Grants Pass, OR 06/2023-03/2024
- Bayada Home Health, Springfield, MO, 04/2024-10/2024
Home Health Nurse
Jackson Nurse Professionals
Orlando
10.2018 - 01.2021
- Assessed patient health by conducting physical examinations and evaluating medical histories.
- Provided home health care services such as wound care, medication administration, and IV therapy.
- Developed personalized care plans for patients based on individual needs.
- Educated patients and families about disease management, lifestyle changes, nutrition, and preventive healthcare measures.
- Administered medications according to physician orders and monitored side effects of medications.
- Instructed family members in basic nursing skills including wound care, injections, catheterization, and other treatments as ordered by the physician.
- Performed assessments of the patient's physical condition to determine their level of function and need for assistance with activities of daily living.
- Initiated referrals to appropriate community resources when needed.
- Provided emotional support and counseling to patients facing difficult decisions regarding their health care options.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss the progress of each patient's treatment plan.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning with physicians, social workers, case managers, therapists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care plan.
- Baptist home health, Southhaven, MS, 11/2018-03/2019
- Elite home health, Springdale, AR, 03/2019-11/2019
- Ochner home health, New Orleans, LA 11/2019-03/2020
- Saline memorial home health, Bryant, AR, 03/2020-06/2020
- Androscoggin Home Health, Lewiston, ME -6/2020-09/2020
- Northwest Home Health, Springdale, AR 09/2020-12/2020
Home Health Nurse
Advanced Travel Nursing
Grand Junction
03.2018 - 10.2018
- Assessed patient health by conducting physical examinations and evaluating medical histories.
- Provided home health care services such as wound care, medication administration, and IV therapy.
- Developed personalized care plans for patients based on individual needs.
- Educated patients and families about disease management, lifestyle changes, nutrition, and preventive healthcare measures.
- Administered medications according to physician orders and monitoring side effects of medications.
- Instructed family members in basic nursing skills including wound care, injections, catheterization, and other treatments as ordered by the physician.
- Initiated referrals to appropriate community resources when needed.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss the progress of each patient's treatment plan.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning with physicians, social workers, case managers, therapists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care plan.
Case Manager
Mercy One Medical Center
Des Moines
06.2016 - 03.2018
- Assessed clients' needs, developed service plans and monitored progress towards goals.
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, caregivers, social services and other agencies to ensure client needs were met.
- Provided crisis intervention support for clients in emergency situations.
- Conducted home visits to assess the safety of living environments for clients.
- Developed individualized care plans with input from clients and their families.
- Collaborated with medical professionals to coordinate treatment plans for clients.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation according to agency guidelines.
- Provided referrals to appropriate health care providers or other community resources.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss treatment options.
- Acted as an advocate for vulnerable populations by advocating for policy changes at the state level.
- Administered medications according to physician orders and monitoring side effects of medications.
- Instructed family members in basic nursing skills including wound care, injections, catheterization, and other treatments as ordered by the physician.
- Performed assessments of the patient's physical condition to determine their level of function and need for assistance with activities of daily living.
- Monitored vital signs such as blood pressure or pulse rate to detect any changes in a patient's condition.
Registered Nurse
UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center
DesMoines
08.2011 - 05.2016
- Provided patient care and education to patients with chronic illnesses.
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care for assigned patients.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in nursing practices by attending continuing education classes or seminars.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives within the department.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Assisted physicians during examinations or surgical procedures.
- Coordinated discharge planning activities including arranging follow up appointments or referrals for additional services.
- Evaluated effectiveness of interventions through ongoing assessment of patient responses.
Patient Care Technician
UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center
DesMoines
01.2005 - 08.2011
- Delivered direct patient care and supported healthcare team to enhance patient experience
- Prepared patients for examinations and treatments, monitoring vital signs to ensure safety
- Performed EKGs, phlebotomy, and other laboratory tests as directed by physician or RN
- Observed changes in patients' conditions and reported any abnormalities to the RN on duty.
- Assisted with patient transfers from bed to wheelchair or stretcher.
- Collected specimens such as urine samples for testing purposes according to established protocols.
- Responded promptly to call lights, addressing requests from patients, families, and staff to maintain positive care environment
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IASkills
- Home health services
- Patient Monitoring
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Records management
- Diabetes care
- Medication administration
- Physician collaboration
- Chronic disease care
- Family Support
- HIPAA Compliance
- Care Coordination
- Patient Assessments
- Palliative Care
- Post-Surgical Care
- Care Plan Adherence
- Catheter Care
- Nutritional care
- Geriatric care
- Treatment implementation
- Regulatory compliance
- Rehabilitative services
- Data Collection
- Case Management
- Pain Management
- Patient education
- Resource Utilization
- Physical Assessment
- Complex wound management
- Risk Identification
- Intervention Planning
- Wound Dressing
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Sterile technique
- Blood collection
- Documentation
- Infection Control
- Goal Setting
- Training staff
- Excellent Communication
- Continuous Improvement
- Intake and discharge
- Written Communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Monitoring Vital Signs
- Body mechanics knowledge
- Colostomy care familiarity
- Medication administration
- Care plan development
- IV therapy
- Health education
- Wound care
- Patient assessment
- Crisis management
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Community resource referral
- Patient support
- Emotional support
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Chronic disease management
- Fall prevention
- Home safety evaluation
- Palliative care
- Geriatric care
- Care plan adherence
- Student training
- Post-surgical care
- Care coordination
- Recording vital signs
- Physician collaboration
- Catheter care
- End-of-life care
- Tracheostomy care
- Continuity of care
- HIPAA compliance
- Report preparation
- Mental Health Support
- Clinical documentation
- Preventive health
- Medical equipment operation
- Test interpretations
- Case management
- Interpersonal skills
- Respiratory care
- Medication review
- Allergic reaction management
- Insulin medication assistance
- Musculoskeletal Assessment
Certification
- Iowa RN - 127876 expires -8/2025
- California RN - 95356694 - expires -09/2025
- Oregon RN - 202003680RN - expires -08/2026
EMR
- Pointcare- homecare homebase
- Brightree
- Wellsky
Timeline
Home Health Nurse
Core Medical Group
01.2021 - Current
Home Health Nurse
Jackson Nurse Professionals
10.2018 - 01.2021
Home Health Nurse
Advanced Travel Nursing
03.2018 - 10.2018
Case Manager
Mercy One Medical Center
06.2016 - 03.2018
Registered Nurse
UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center
08.2011 - 05.2016
Patient Care Technician
UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center
01.2005 - 08.2011
Associate of Science - Nursing
Des Moines Area Community College