Sondra Koch
Dubuque,IA
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse with over 13 years of experience in offering comprehensive patient care in critical care environments. Works well with diverse patient population and foster trusting relationships to improve outcomes. Efficiently coordinate with healthcare professionals to advance patient care.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, MICU
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
10.2024 - 09.2025
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
Registered Nurse, CVICU
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
02.2022 - 10.2024
- Assisted with invasive CVICU procedures, such as central line placements and pulmonary artery catheter insertions, ensuring aseptic technique and patient comfort throughout the process.
- Demonstrated proficiency in titrating vasoactive medications according to physician orders while closely monitoring hemodynamic parameters for early detection of adverse effects or trends that may require intervention or escalation of care.
- Assisted in life-saving procedures such as CPR, defibrillation, and advanced airway management during critical events.
- Participated in daily rounds with physicians, contributing valuable insights into patient conditions based on continuous assessments.
- Managed ventilator settings, invasive lines, and other complex medical equipment, ensuring optimal patient safety.
- Provided emotional support to patients'' families during challenging situations, fostering trust between healthcare team members and loved ones.
- Reduced complications by promptly identifying and addressing critical changes in patient conditions.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Unitypoint Health - Dubuque
01.2012 - 02.2022
- Observed patients' vital signs and administered physician-prescribed medications and treatments.
- Oversaw delivery of care for all patients on 10-bed Intensive Care Unit, providing direct care to up to 2 patients, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses and nursing assistants as a unit charge nurse.
- Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion.
- Delivered age-appropriate medical care for adult, adolescent and geriatric ICU patients.
- Updated patient charts using EPIC with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Assisted in providing education to new nurses and new employees through participating in a preceptor program, as well as volunteering to educate at unit validation fairs.
Director of Nursing
Dubuque Specialty Care
12.2018 - 05.2019
- Developed positive employee relations, incentives and recognition programs to promote teamwork and mutual respect.
- Prepared and reviewed infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
- Planned and assigned workload to 50-person nursing staff to direct patient care.
- Established new policies and updated existing policies to improve standard of care for patients.
- Collaborated with staff, management and external groups to coordinate patient care.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
Adjunct Clinical Instructor
Clarke University
08.2013 - 05.2015
- Oversaw laboratory and clinical environments to help students advance knowledge and abilities.
- Assessed student knowledge levels and abilities with detailed assessments.
- Contributed educational and clinical expertise to help optimize training courses and boost student learning.
- Strived to continuously update course strategies and content based on current trends and technological advancements in healthcare.
Telemetry Technician
Unitypoint Health - Dubuque
09.2008 - 01.2012
- Monitored and documented heart rhythms according to physicians' orders.
- Observed and evaluated cardiac activity and reported changes to medical staff.
Surgical Scheduler
Unitypoint Health - Dubuque
03.2005 - 09.2008
- Sent daily case confirmations and checked with leadership on daily basis to make emergency changes and routine schedule updates.
- Completed skilled administrative work to support all nursing staff and operational requirements.
- Carried out front office duties utilizing data entry skills in framework of medical database.
- Entered correct procedures for physician and billing purposes.
Patient Registrar
Unitypoint Health - Dubuque
07.2002 - 04.2005
- Verified important patient information such as demographics and insurance information for entry into patient management system.
- Coordinated with nursing staff to process and direct patients to appropriate departments
- Compiled and filed medical charts.
- Utilized knowledge of electronic medical record systems and medical terminology to perform diverse data entry tasks.
- Secured patient information and confidential medical records in compliance with HIPAA privacy rule standards to protect patient's privacy.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT05.2018
Associate of Science - Nursing
Northeast Iowa Community College
Peosta, IA12.2011
Skills
- Staff Supervision
- Critical Care Expertise
- Clinical judgment
- Compassionate care
- Emergency management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Reliable and responsible
Accomplishments
- Daisy Award Nominee
- Caring Hearts Award
- You Make A Difference Award
- Employee of the Month Award
Affiliations
- American Association for Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
- Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Trauma Nurse Certification (TNCC)
- National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification (NIHSS)
- Advanced Critical Care Nurse Certification (CCRN)
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Certification in Quality and Safety
- Infection Preventionist in Long Term Care Facilities Certification
Timeline
Registered Nurse, MICU
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
10.2024 - 09.2025
Registered Nurse, CVICU
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
02.2022 - 10.2024
Director of Nursing
Dubuque Specialty Care
12.2018 - 05.2019
Adjunct Clinical Instructor
Clarke University
08.2013 - 05.2015
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Unitypoint Health - Dubuque
01.2012 - 02.2022
Telemetry Technician
Unitypoint Health - Dubuque
09.2008 - 01.2012
Surgical Scheduler
Unitypoint Health - Dubuque
03.2005 - 09.2008
Patient Registrar
Unitypoint Health - Dubuque
07.2002 - 04.2005
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Western Governors University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Northeast Iowa Community College
Similar Profiles
Carine BolombeloCarine Bolombelo
Surgical Technologist at University of Iowa Hospital and ClinicsSurgical Technologist at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
Ann DallAnn Dall
Staff Nurse at University of Iowa Hospital and ClinicsStaff Nurse at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
Melanie AndersenMelanie Andersen
Senior Certified Pharmacy Technician at The University of Iowa Hospital and ClinicsSenior Certified Pharmacy Technician at The University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
Tillie RoventineTillie Roventine
Lead Teacher, Toddler Room at ABC Learning ChildcareLead Teacher, Toddler Room at ABC Learning Childcare
Seth sullensSeth sullens
Landscape Groundskeeper at Golf Course MaintenanceLandscape Groundskeeper at Golf Course Maintenance