Tracy Lazaro, MSN
Whittier,CA
Summary
Committed Registered Nurse seeking to transition to an injection educator setting with more than 16 years of experience and specializing in adult cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, electrophysiology, mechanical circulatory support, and transplant medicine. Well-versed in the management of injectable medications. Collaborative and motivational leader with expertise in training new and experienced nursing staff consistent with regulatory requirements to patient populations as well as adult learners.
Overview
1
1
Certification
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
01.2014 - Current
- Provided direct nursing care for 3 adult/geriatric progressive care patients, specializing in post-cardiac surgery, vascular procedures, post stroke intervention, post-cath lab recovery, transplantation of the heart/lung/kidney, pacemaker, and Mechanical Circulatory Support.
- Implemented various management tools to assume the charge nurse role for a 30-bed Progressive Care Unit, tasked with bed flow and care coordination, service recovery situations, and break coverage, to promote a positive working environment.
- Utilized patient advocacy skills to collaborate with multi-disciplinary team for the development of individualized health care treatment plans and evaluation of supportive care measures.
- Utilized critical thinking and triage skills in the clinical management of patients, with an emphasis on the promotion of mental health and crisis event management.
- Leveraged project management abilities to design and develop 1-2 departmental initiatives annually using key insights to transform care at the bedside.
- Coordinate with specialty pharmacy to provide assistance with discharge medications for transplant patients.
- Administered medications and treatments according to physician orders, OSHA standards, and organization's policy and procedures, using pharmaceutical devices.
Visiting Professor
Chamberlain University, Nursing Program
Irwindale
03.2023 - 08.2024
- Provide direct/ indirect supervision and evaluation of 7-30 nursing students delivering nursing care in various healthcare/community organization settings.
- Focused training on nursing fundamentals including injection administration.
- Provide documented feedback analysis to students on level of performance based on course outcomes and maintaining accountability
- Utilized cross-functional expertise as a professional role model/mentor for students to develop rapport while concurrently integrating principles of competitive advantage and leadership
- Applied creative instruction methods and tools, including electronic media, to promote student learning objectives with a focus on hands-on product education and patient/consumer education
- Assist 7-10 students in developing strategic goals for their clinical experiences weekly
- Developed and implemented clinical teaching strategies and opportunities to improve students' situational awareness and adaptability while maintaining a high level of professional standards.
- Utilized networking skills to develop relationships with hospitals and hospital staff in order to provide various educational opportunities for students.
- Utilized technology-based resources such as slideshows, videos, and websites to enhance instruction in the classroom.
Unit Educator/Clinical Specialist
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Conducted on-site training programs of new medical device product launches for 200 staff and facilitate competencies as per regulatory requirements.
- Collaborated and networked with a multidisciplinary team in order to develop and implement lesson plans to meet the individual needs of students for new graduate and new hire educational programs using current evidence based nursing research
- Provided staff education for Joint Commission Surveys.
- Analyzed large datasets to identify trends, patterns and correlations for quality improvement and medical affairs
- Gathered requirements from stakeholders to design data models for quality reports
Registered Nurse PCU
Cedar Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
01.2010 - 12.2012
- Cross trained in interventional cardiology recovery for ablation, pacemaker insertion, TAVR, PCI, and sheath removal.
- Provided direct nursing care to 3-4 post cardio-thoracic adult and teen patients, including medication administration, wound management, and monitoring during invasive procedures, specifically cardioversion.
- Managed staffing levels within the unit while ensuring optimal levels of patient care.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to ensure best practice standards were met within the unit setting.
- Conducted consistent daily rounds to assess patient conditions, evaluate progress towards goals, and document changes in status or plan of care as needed.
- Collaborated with other departments such as pharmacy, laboratory services, physical therapy, to ensure proper delivery of services
Registered Nurse Med-Surg ICU
Cedar Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
01.2009 - 12.2009
- Provided care for 1-2 critically ill patients in an ICU setting, including monitoring vital signs and administering medications
- Utilized critical thinking and technical skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately
- Managed ventilators and other respiratory support devices as needed
- Prepared sterile field prior to invasive procedures according to established infection control guidelines.
- Coordinated daily rounds with interdisciplinary teams to discuss plan of care updates for assigned patients
Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse
Cedar Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
03.2008 - 12.2008
- Provided continuous monitoring of 3-4 patients' vital signs and cardiac rhythms
- Initiated emergency life-saving measures as needed according to ACLS protocol guidelines
- Educated patients about their condition and disease process and post- discharge care instructions
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Education
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT02.2018
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
California State University
Los Angeles, CA12.2006
Skills
- Injection administration
- Patient education
- Telemetry, Cardiology, and Advanced Cardiac Care
- Workflow and Patient Management
- Triage
- Treatment Coordination
- Adaptability
- Patient assessment
Certification
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), ANCC Cardiovascular Nursing Board Certified, Palliative Care Nursing Board Certified, LA city fire card
Hobbies and Interests
Founder & Director of non-profit PPE Now LA, Medical Volunteer for Camp del Corazon, Medical Volunteer for Hopes International, Board member of nonprofit Resilient Agency
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Visiting Professor
Chamberlain University, Nursing Program
03.2023 - 08.2024
Registered Nurse
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
01.2014 - Current
Unit Educator/Clinical Specialist
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
01.2013 - 01.2014
Registered Nurse PCU
Cedar Sinai Medical Center
01.2010 - 12.2012
Registered Nurse Med-Surg ICU
Cedar Sinai Medical Center
01.2009 - 12.2009
Cardiac Stepdown Registered Nurse
Cedar Sinai Medical Center
03.2008 - 12.2008
Master of Science - Nursing Education
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
California State University