Tara Delahoy
Lenexa,KS
Summary
Registered nurse with dual degrees in Nursing and Molecular Biosciences, specializing in psychiatric care for children and adolescents with behavioral health issues. Experienced in crisis intervention, therapeutic communication, and comprehensive patient assessments, ensuring high-quality care delivery. Strong analytical and clinical judgment skills contribute to effective teamwork and patient advocacy.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Relief Charge Nurse - Behavioral Health
University Of Kansas Health System
Overland Park, KS
06.2026 - Current
- Respond quickly to emergent behavioral health situations
- Supervise nursing staff to ensure quality patient care and adherence to protocols.
- Oversee, coordinate and perform patient admissions, transfers and discharges.
- Review paperwork and EMR of high acuity patients being presented for admission.
- Serve as a preceptor for new nurses by providing orientation to unit policies and procedures, coaching on clinical skills, and mentoring on professional development issues.
- Scheduling shifts to ensure adequate nurse coverage at all times.
- Delegate tasks appropriately among staff members according to their qualifications.
Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health
University Of Kansas Health System
Overland Park, KS
01.2025 - Current
- Deliver nursing care to patients with acute behavioral health conditions in high-acuity environment, ensuring safety and stability.
- Perform ongoing assessments of patients' physical, psychological, and behavioral status and recognize significant changes requiring intervention or escalation.
- Manage psychiatric emergencies and unpredictable behavioral situations with calm, objective, and professional approach, minimizing risk to patients and staff.
- Utilize crisis-management, therapeutic communication, and de-escalation techniques when interacting with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, impaired judgment, or behavioral dysregulation.
- Evaluate safety risks and implemented appropriate responses to situations involving potential harm, prioritizing safety of patients and staff.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and objective documentation of patient assessments, behavior, interventions, significant events, and responses to treatment.
- Communicate sensitive information effectively with patients, families, physicians, advanced practice providers, therapists, social workers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Exercise independent clinical judgment while prioritizing safety and responding to rapidly changing circumstances.
- Administer medications and monitor patients for therapeutic response, adverse effects, and changes in condition.
- Participate in the management of patients requiring emergency interventions, including situations involving severe behavioral dysregulation and risk of harm.
- Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards while caring for individuals experiencing significant psychological and emotional distress.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Rockhurst University
12-2024
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Bioscience
University of Kansas
12-2022
Associate of Science - Biology
Johnson County Community College
12-2019
Skills
- Crisis management and de-escalation
- Behavioral health emergencies
- Clinical assessment and observation
- Risk and safety assessment
- Objective documentation
- Critical thinking and clinical judgment
- Patient and family communication
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Evidence-based practice
- Electronic medical records
- Confidentiality and ethical practice
- Management of high-stress environments
Certification
- Registered Nurse - State of KS - Compact License
Timeline
Relief Charge Nurse - Behavioral Health
University Of Kansas Health System
06.2026 - Current
Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health
University Of Kansas Health System
01.2025 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Rockhurst University
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Bioscience
University of Kansas
Associate of Science - Biology
Johnson County Community College