Talithia Heath
Paterson Public Schools
Paterson
1
Certification
18
years of professional experience
Experienced New Jersey Registered Nurse with a BSN, Emergency School Nurse Certificate, and ongoing MSN / Instructional School Nurse Certificate and PMHNP specialization. Over ten years in school nursing, emergency response, and public health coordination. Skilled in tracheostomy care, wound vacuum-assisted closure therapies, and managing critical pediatric scenarios while ensuring compliance and student wellness.
Work History
Registered School Nurse
1 Year 10 Months- Emergency Management: Act as the primary first responder for all on-site school medical emergencies, utilizing active CPR Instructor credentials to manage critical health situations.
- Health Care Delivery: Provide comprehensive physical and emotional care to a diverse student population, managing acute and chronic pediatric conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, allergies, and seizure disorders).
- Management & Compliance: Maintained secure, confidential student health records, audited immunization data, and executed state-mandated health screenings (e.g., vision, hearing) to ensure compliance with public health regulations.
- Emergency Management: Acted as the primary first responder for on-site school medical emergencies, utilizing active CPR instructor credentials to effectively manage critical health situations and ensure student safety.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Partnered closely with teachers, building administrators, counselors, social workers, and the Paterson Public Schools Nursing Services team to develop individual healthcare plans (IHPs) and 504 accommodations.
- Health Education: Delivered targeted education on personal hygiene, nutrition, puberty, universal precautions, and disease prevention to promote student health awareness and foster safe practices.
Wellness Nurse
2 Years 8 Months- Assisted Director of Nursing Services in directing activities of licensed and non-licensed personnel to ensure effective health services delivery.
- Infection Control Leadership: Manage infection control workflows, reporting critical epidemiological data to the Board of Health (BOH) and educating staff on prevention protocols to facilitate emergency preparedness.
- Provided reports and recommendations for the Director of Nursing Services concerning the operations of the Nursing Department.
- Assisted in daily backup coverage for nursing staff to ensure continuous patient care.
- Provide reports/recommendations as required for the Director of Nursing Services concerning the operations of the Nursing Department.
- Share responsibilities for backing up Nursing Staff daily.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop personalized care plans for residents.
- Administered medication and monitored resident health to ensure safety and well-being.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create a safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Delivered a high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
Registered Nurse
2 Years- Performed nursing duties related to the MAT/Detox program and outpatient psychiatric patients.
- Psychiatric Triage & Mental Health: Conducted psychiatric case management, crisis triage, and physical/residential health assessments.
- Recorded patient outcomes accurately within specialized Electronic Medical Records (EMR/EHR), enhancing continuity of care.
- Conducted psychiatric case management, crisis triage, and health assessments to address and manage patient needs effectively.
- Conducted PPD placements and clinical skin testing assessments in a medical setting.
- Instructed as a Certified CPR Instructor, promoting on-site emergency readiness.
LPN / Graduate RN
2 Years 4 Months- Compiled statistical public health data for state and regional reporting, enhancing data accuracy and reliability.
- Initiate rapid emergency response activities, medical interventions, and external clinical referrals.
- Maintained inventory control of medical supplies and critical clinical medications, ensuring availability for patient care.
- Chart Auditing: Participate in comprehensive quality improvement activities, including clinical record reviews, chart audits, and skills competency evaluations.
- Maintain careful inventory control of medical supplies and critical clinical medications.
- Conducted audits of clinical charts to ensure compliance with quality standards.: Participate in comprehensive quality improvement activities, including clinical record reviews, chart audits, and skills competency evaluations.
- Monitored patients' vital signs, documenting changes and reporting concerns promptly.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by healthcare providers.
Assisted Director of Nursing
9 Months- Assisted Director of Nursing Services in directing clinical activities of licensed and non-licensed care personnel to maintain high standards of patient care.
- Lead, mentor, and develop nursing teams to maximize workplace contributions and performance metrics.
- Formulated operational recommendations for Director of Nursing Services to enhance daily clinical workflows.
- Provided support to nursing floor staff by assisting with patient care and daily operations. to ensure seamless continuity of clinical care.
- Oversee active infection control protocols, test staff/residents, and report compliance metrics directly to the BOH.
LPN / Detox
3 Years 9 Months- Supported rehabilitation patients through complex detoxification processes, ensuring safe and effective care.
- Administer prescribed medications independently, remaining fully compliant with state nursing guidelines.
- Assess psychological and immediate medical problems, escalating severe cases to counselors and physicians.
- Collaborate within multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to bridge communications between counselors and medical supervisors.
- Transcribe prescriptions accurately to Medication Administration Records (MAR) as ordered by staff physicians.
- Collaborated in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to enhance communication between counselors and medical supervisors.
- Managed daily operations of Mommy & Me Nursing Unit, ensuring efficient patient care.: Directed the day-to-day nursing operations of the Mommy & Me Nursing Unit independently.
Licensed Practical Nurse | Resident Service Supervisor
2 Years 1 Month- Managed clinical personnel activities and assigned staff to optimize patient care.
- Ensured compliance with medication administration protocols (including injections) and monitored treatment outcomes.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and patient care plans.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patient conditions for effective care management.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create individualized care strategies for residents.
Licensed Practical Nurse
2 Years 10 Months- Acted as Charge Nurse, advocating for patients and managing clinical nursing staff.
- Coordinated advanced clinical care, overseeing complex treatments such as Wound Care with Wound Vac, Tracheostomy Care, and management of Triple Lumen, Nasogastric, Sump, and PEG tubes.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and patient care plans.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patients' health status for interdisciplinary team reviews.
- Educated patients and families on health management and care procedures, promoting better recovery outcomes.
- Trained new staff on procedural best practices and compliance with safety regulations, elevating team performance.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers, and discharges.
Licensed Practical Nurse | Unit Manager
1 Year 11 Months- Clinical Unit Leadership: Led daily operations and staff allocations for nursing and care teams, enhancing safe and cohesive patient care delivery.
- Regulatory Compliance: Maintained quarterly and annual interdisciplinary care planning and clinical quality assurance tracking to meet strict state and federal guidelines.
- Patient & Family Liaison: Coordinated unit-wide patient and family health education, addressed family inquiries, and initiated specialized wound-care tracking rounds.
- Complex Care Oversight: Managed critical nursing interventions for long-term and continuing care patients, including those experiencing acute psychiatric distress or complex substance abuse recovery.
Licensed Practical Nurse
10 Years 9 Months- Supported RN in planning, updating, and coordinating interdisciplinary patient care plans to ensure comprehensive care.
- Recorded resident treatments accurately in electronic medical records to maintain up-to-date patient information.
- Reported changes in individual health status to physicians, supervisors, and families to facilitate timely interventions.
- Managed time-sensitive tasks effectively under pressure while maintaining composure during critical situations or emergencies.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs, and preferences.
- Provided compassionate palliative care for terminally ill patients while supporting their emotional needs during end-of-life stages.
- Mentored new nursing staff to enhance professional development opportunities within the team dynamic.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - RN to BSN
Skills
Medication management
Medication delivery
Health compliance auditing
Health screening
Healthcare planning
Emergency response planning
Vital signs monitoring
HIPAA compliance
Certification
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program | Walden University, Minneapolis, MN (In Progress)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Bridge Program | William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ (Expected Completion: April 2027)
- Post-Baccalaureate Instructional School Nurse Certification Program | William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ (Expected Completion: December 12, 2026)
- Emergency School Nurse Certificate | New Jersey Department of Education (2024)
- Registered Professional Nurse (RN) | NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (License: 26NR22263500) (2020)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | HoHoKus, NJ (License: 26NP06039000) (2006)
- Certified CPR Instructor | American Heart Association (Updated 2026)
- BLS Certified | American Heart Association (Updated 2026)
- Intravenous / Phlebotomy Certified | (2006)
- Certified Medication Tech | (2001)
- Home Health Aide | (2001)
Timeline
Registered School Nurse
Paterson Public Schools
10.2024 - CurrentRead More
Wellness Nurse
Sunrise of West Essex
02.2023 - 10.2025Read More
Registered Nurse
SERV Behavior Health
01.2022 - 01.2024Read More
Assisted Director of Nursing
Brookdale Emerson
03.2021 - 12.2021Read More
LPN / Graduate RN
CDC Foundation
08.2020 - 12.2022Read More
LPN / Detox
Straight and Narrow
11.2016 - 08.2020Read More
Licensed Practical Nurse | Resident Service Supervisor
Arden Courts
12.2015 - 01.2018Read More
Licensed Practical Nurse
Van Dyk Park Place Assisted Living
11.2015 - 2019Read More
Licensed Practical Nurse
Chestnut Hill Convalescent Center
05.2012 - 03.2015Read More
Licensed Practical Nurse | Unit Manager
Clara Maass Continuing Care
06.2008 - 05.2010Read More
Capella University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from RN to BSN
Read More