Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Sarah Tschaar

Cocoa Beach

Summary

Dynamic and compassionate Nurse at Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, recognized for reducing absenteeism through proactive health initiatives. Expertise in chronic disease management and interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering a supportive environment for students/patients. Committed to mental health support and staff training, enhancing overall wellness and safety within the community.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Lead School Nurse

Florida Department of Health in Brevard County
04.2016 - Current
  • Reduced absenteeism rates by proactively addressing common illnesses and promoting preventive measures within the school community.
  • Played a pivotal role in the successful management of chronic conditions among students through diligent monitoring, coordination with families, and ongoing communication with healthcare providers.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to support students with special needs and develop appropriate care plans tailored to individual requirements.
  • Championed mental health awareness initiatives within the school community, fostering a compassionate environment where students felt comfortable seeking help when needed.
  • Advocated for student health needs at administrative meetings, ensuring adequate resources were allocated towards maintaining a safe learning environment.
  • Played a key role in minimizing the spread of communicable diseases through prompt identification and appropriate management of suspected cases.
  • Established an effective referral system for connecting students with relevant resources and support services both within the school setting and externally.
  • Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing school nursing practice by staying current on relevant policies, guidelines, and procedures.
  • Increased parent engagement in student health by conducting informative workshops and providing regular updates on wellness initiatives.
  • Enhanced teacher awareness of potential medical issues impacting classroom performance through regular training sessions on topics such as allergies, asthma management, diabetes care, and seizure recognition.
  • Mentored junior nursing staff members, fostering professional growth and skill development through targeted coaching and feedback sessions.
  • Promoted a culture of well-being by organizing various school-wide events focused on physical activity, nutrition, mental health, and overall wellness.
  • Enhanced school safety by developing and executing emergency response procedures for various medical situations.
  • Assisted in the development of individualized education plans for students with health-related challenges by providing expert input on accommodations and required supports.
  • Administered medication to students as prescribed by physicians to provide necessary treatment and manage health conditions.
  • Assessed student health and identified potential health concerns to provide appropriate care.
  • Served as liaison between families, school personnel, and other healthcare providers on behalf of students.
  • Educated students on various health topics to promote overall health and wellbeing.
  • Oversaw health services for school of 1000 students and faculty.
  • Provided support to students with special needs and disabilities to deliver appropriate care and meet educational needs.
  • Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
  • Participated in development of school safety plans to address areas of concern.
  • Maintained upkeep on defibrillators, blood pressure monitors and first aid kits to keep resources in working condition for emergencies.
  • Oversaw health services for school of 1000 students and faculty.
  • Improved student health outcomes by implementing comprehensive wellness programs and health education initiatives.
  • Streamlined nursing operations through the development of efficient systems for managing student health records, appointment scheduling, and medication administration.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of existing health programs and services on an ongoing basis, making data-driven recommendations for improvements as necessary.
  • Strengthened relationships with local healthcare providers to ensure timely access to essential services for students in need of specialized care or treatment.
  • Implemented emergency protocols in medical emergencies to promote safety for students and staff.
  • Oversaw health services for school of 1000 students and faculty.
  • Performed health screening for students and faculty by conducting Vision and Hearing evaluations.
  • Developed care plans and made referrals as necessary for students with health concerns or injuries.

Case Manager

Caprock Home Health
09.2014 - 03.2015
  • Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
  • Conducted thorough assessments of clients'' situations, identifying issues, goals, and necessary interventions.
  • Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information.
  • Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
  • Enhanced communication between clients and providers through consistent follow-ups and progress updates.
  • Achieved positive client outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive case management plans.
  • Advocated for client rights when interacting with external agencies or institutions, ensuring fair treatment at all times.
  • Contributed to team discussions and case conferences actively, sharing insights and expertise with colleagues to optimize client support strategies.
  • Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
  • Improved client satisfaction by efficiently addressing concerns or grievances in a timely manner.
  • Assisted clients in setting achievable goals while providing ongoing encouragement and support throughout the process of reaching those objectives.
  • Coordinated essential services for clients, resulting in improved overall well-being and self sufficiency.
  • Fostered open lines of communication with clients'' families and support networks, involving them in the case management process as appropriate.
  • Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
  • Improved client outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive case plans tailored to individual needs.

Infusion Nurse

Infectious Disease Specialists
05.2005 - 07.2008
  • Reduced complications by closely monitoring patients for adverse reactions during infusion therapy sessions.
  • Advanced knowledge base through regular attendance at continuing education seminars related to infusion nursing practice standards and emerging treatment options.
  • Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate care and administering medications through IV infusion.
  • Ensured safety by adhering to infection control protocols and handling hazardous materials according to regulatory guidelines.
  • Managed complex infusion cases involving multiple medications simultaneously, ensuring proper dosing, compatibility, and timing to maximize treatment effectiveness.
  • Promoted continuity of care by working closely with physicians to update treatment plans based on changes in patient condition or response to therapy.
  • Supported optimal vascular access device function by assessing patency regularly and troubleshooting issues promptly when identified.
  • Streamlined infusion procedures by maintaining a clean, organized, and well-stocked treatment area.
  • Counseled patients and caregivers and provided compassionate emotional support.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with patients and their caregivers by providing empathetic support, education on self-care strategies, and addressing concerns throughout the course of treatment.
  • Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.

Public Health School Nurse

Abilene Independent School District
08.2004 - 01.2008
  • Developed strong relationships with local healthcare providers to facilitate seamless referrals for specialized services when necessary.
  • Evaluated current measures against communicable disease outbreaks within the school setting, recommending improvements where needed to protect student health effectively.
  • Served as a resource for teachers and staff on best practices for managing chronic conditions in the classroom, fostering an inclusive learning environment.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices and emerging trends in school nursing and public health.
  • Assisted in developing school policies related to medication administration, ensuring safe and consistent practices across the institution.
  • Maintained accurate and confidential student health records, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and facilitating effective communication among healthcare providers.
  • Improved student health outcomes by implementing comprehensive health education programs and initiatives.
  • Provided first aid and emergency care to injured or ill students, prioritizing safety and wellbeing.
  • Reduced absenteeism rates by developing and promoting effective illness-prevention strategies.
  • Enhanced the school community''s understanding of public health issues through regular presentations and workshops.
  • Monitored immunization compliance to ensure all students met state-mandated vaccination requirements, maintaining a healthy learning environment.
  • Promoted mental wellness among students through targeted interventions and support services, addressing emotional challenges faced by today''s youth.
  • Conducted routine health screenings for early identification of potential health concerns, enabling timely interventions.
  • Educated parents on various public health topics during parent-teacher conferences or PTA meetings, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their children''s wellbeing.
  • Contributed to the development of a safe and secure school environment by participating in emergency preparedness planning and drills.
  • Collaborated with school counselors on crisis intervention efforts for students experiencing acute mental health episodes, providing appropriate support in time-sensitive situations.
  • Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to address the holistic needs of at-risk students, contributing valuable insights from a nursing perspective.
  • Supported students with special healthcare needs, collaborating with their families and other professionals to create individualized care plans.
  • Oversaw health services for school of over 600 students and faculty.
  • Performed health screening for students and faculty by conducting Vision, Hearing, Scoliosis and BMI evaluations.

Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse

Hendrick Medical Center and Texas Oncology
12.2000 - 08.2004
  • Educated patients and families about cancer treatments, side effects, and self-care strategies, empowering them to make informed decisions.
  • Managed complex medication regimens while monitoring for potential drug interactions or adverse reactions, mitigating risks associated with cancer treatments.
  • Enhanced patient safety with strict adherence to chemotherapy administration protocols and monitoring guidelines.
  • Provided individualized patient education on chemotherapy medications, infusion procedures, and side-effect management strategies to promote self-advocacy and coping skills.
  • Developed trusting relationships with patients through active listening skills and empathetic communication style, fostering a supportive environment during challenging times in their lives.
  • Reduced patient anxiety through clear communication and therapeutic relationship-building techniques.
  • Provided compassionate care for patients undergoing cancer treatment, addressing their emotional and physical needs.
  • Acted as a liaison between patients and their support networks by providing timely updates on treatment progress and addressing concerns or questions that arose during the treatment journey.
  • Implemented infection control measures to minimize the risk of complications among immunocompromised patients receiving chemotherapy infusions.
  • Maintained accurate documentation of patient care activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitating continuity of care among healthcare providers.
  • Streamlined the infusion process by effectively coordinating schedules with pharmacy and laboratory staff.
  • Coordinated referrals for supportive services such as nutrition counseling, mental health support, and financial assistance programs to address patients'' holistic needs during treatment.
  • Contributed to the development of department policies and procedures by offering insights from clinical experience, promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement in oncology nursing practice.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on the latest advancements in oncology nursing practice.
  • Advocated for patients'' preferences and goals of care during interdisciplinary team meetings, ensuring that their voices were heard in the decision-making process.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient, ensuring the highest quality of care.
  • Assisted physicians with procedures such as bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, and intrathecal injections for optimal patient care delivery.
  • Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
  • Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
  • Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
  • Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.

Education

Nursing

Cisco College
Abilene, TX
12-2000

Skills

  • Infection control measures
  • Staff training and development
  • Mental health support
  • First aid proficiency
  • Special needs care
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Chronic disease management
  • Medication administration oversight
  • Problem-solving
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Patient assessments
  • Health screening
  • Family education
  • Nutrition and wellness promotion

Certification

  • Certified Pharmacy Technician IV, Hendrick Health System - employment during nursing school

Timeline

Lead School Nurse

Florida Department of Health in Brevard County
04.2016 - Current

Case Manager

Caprock Home Health
09.2014 - 03.2015

Infusion Nurse

Infectious Disease Specialists
05.2005 - 07.2008

Public Health School Nurse

Abilene Independent School District
08.2004 - 01.2008

Oncology Infusion Registered Nurse

Hendrick Medical Center and Texas Oncology
12.2000 - 08.2004

Nursing

Cisco College

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