SARAH DUNCAN
Monterey,LA
Summary
Knowledgeable Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with solid foundation in psychiatric care and mental health treatment. Proven history of delivering compassionate and comprehensive mental health services to diverse patient populations. Demonstrated expertise in patient assessment and individualized care planning.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
APRN, PMHNP-BC
Freedom Behavioral Health of Ferriday
08.2024 - Current
- Conduct psychiatric evaluations, collect patient history, and assess mental and emotional conditions.
- Develop individualized treatment plans.
- Prescribe and manage psychotropic medications, monitor for side effects, and adjust treatment as needed.
- Work with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and primary care providers to ensure coordinated care.
- Address acute mental health crises, including risk of suicide or self-harm.
- Educate patients and families about mental health conditions, treatments, and coping strategies.
- Maintain accurate and thorough patient records in compliance with healthcare regulations.
RN Charge Nurse
Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Ferriday
01.2023 - 08.2024
- Assess patients with acute and chronic mental health disorders, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders.
- Implement therapeutic interventions to promote clients' coping skills, emotional regulation, and recovery.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Coordinated discharge planning, collaborating with patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure seamless transitions of care.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient information, enabling informed decision-making among the healthcare team members.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
- Conducted daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
Unit Manager/ Charge Nurse/ Utilization Review
CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Behavioral Health
01.2016 - 01.2023
- Provided leadership and direction to the nursing staff, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants.
- Oversaw the delivery of patient care on the unit, ensuring adherence to evidence-based practices, standards of nursing care, and regulatory requirements.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Mentored new hires during orientation periods for seamless integration into the team while maintaining high-quality patient care standards.
- Assisted in development and implementation of policies, procedures, and regulations for unit operations.
- Conducted rounds to assess patient status, review treatment plans, and address any concerns or issues related to patient care
- Collaborated with healthcare providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and therapists, to coordinate interdisciplinary care and treatment modalities
- Developed and implemented staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage based on patient acuity and unit needs
- Lead quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient outcomes, safety, and satisfaction
- Implemented evidence-based practices and performance improvement measures to optimize care delivery and clinical processes
- Monitored key performance indicators, such as patient satisfaction scores, patient safety metrics, and compliance with regulatory standards, and took corrective actions as needed
- Evaluated employee performance regularly for professional growth opportunities, accountability measures, and feedback-driven improvement strategies.
RN Team Leader, COS-C
Louisiana Home Care of the Miss-Lou
01.2011 - 01.2016
RN MDS Coordinator
Heritage Manor Health and Rehab
01.2009 - 01.2011
RN MDS Coordinator
Camelot Leisure Living
01.2005 - 01.2009
Education
Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA05-2024
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA08-2021
Associate of Science in Nursing -
Alcorn State University
Natchez, MS05-2005
Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Organization and time management
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Dependable and responsible
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
References
- Dr. Nabil Gad, CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Behavioral Health, Psychiatrist, 318.792.3554
- Ms. Jacqueline LaMarche, Central Louisiana State Hospital, PMHNP-BC, 318.201.4687
- Dr. Natisha Cleveland, Therapeutic Medical and Psychiatric Services, DNP, PMHNP-BC, 318.914.2045
- Keante Evans, CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Behavioral Health, LMSW, 318.466.6010
Certification
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse License (APRN) - Louisiana Board of Nursing.
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC) - American Nurses Credentialing Center.
- Drug Enforcement Administration Registration (DEA) – United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
- National Provider Identifier (NPI) – National Plan & Provider Enumeration System.
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) - American Heart Association or Red Cross.
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).
Timeline
APRN, PMHNP-BC
Freedom Behavioral Health of Ferriday
08.2024 - Current
RN Charge Nurse
Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Ferriday
01.2023 - 08.2024
Unit Manager/ Charge Nurse/ Utilization Review
CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Behavioral Health
01.2016 - 01.2023
RN Team Leader, COS-C
Louisiana Home Care of the Miss-Lou
01.2011 - 01.2016
RN MDS Coordinator
Heritage Manor Health and Rehab
01.2009 - 01.2011
RN MDS Coordinator
Camelot Leisure Living
01.2005 - 01.2009
Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
McNeese State University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
McNeese State University
Associate of Science in Nursing -
Alcorn State University
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