Vivian Mears
Asheville
Summary
I enhanced communicable disease nurse response at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, leveraging my expertise in epidemiology and exceptional communication skills. My work not only improved local health policies but also fostered a collaborative environment.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Public Health Nurse Consultant
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
06.2011 - Current
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions for local health department nurses enhancing their skills and knowledge in communicable disease investigation, response, and reporting.
- Provided extensive materials and answered questions from local health department nurses during COVID-19 and many other disease outbreaks, while advising on protective measures.
- Contributed to the development of local policies and procedures aimed at addressing communicable diseases.
- Provided peer oversight for public health team members, ensuring adherence to best practices and delivery of high-quality care services.
- Drafted and edited correspondence and prepared meeting materials.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Enhanced communication among team members to foster collaborative and supportive work environment.
- Streamlined internal processes to enhance team efficiency and improve overall project outcomes.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
Public Health Registered Nurse
New Hanover County Health Department
02.1995 - 06.2011
- Conducted epidemiological investigations, identifying disease trends and implementing appropriate interventions.
- Implemented surveillance systems that tracked emerging infectious diseases in real-time allowing prompt responses towards potential outbreaks.
- Served as a liaison between healthcare providers and government agencies to coordinate disaster response efforts during emergencies.
- Improved community health by conducting disease prevention and control programs.
- Coordinated mass medication dispensing efforts, thus increasing accessibility to essential medications during public health emergencies.
- Participated in community outreach events to promote awareness about preventive care measures and available healthcare services.
- Assessed and responded to individual and community sexually transmitted infection health education needs.
- Safely administered flu and pneumonia vaccinations, providing education to customers on vaccines, dosage, indications, precautions, contraindications and potential side effects.
- Educated community members about environmentally-related health issues.
- Reviewed patient records for unusual issues, cluster infections and known pathogens so that outbreaks could be remedied quickly.
- Developed and streamlined systems for monitoring and tracking program effectiveness.
- Created fact sheets, media advisories, brochures, ads and newsletters.
- Delivered key information to callers regarding general communicable disease and sexually transmitted health conditions and identified appropriate resources within community.
- Drafted and edited correspondence and prepared meeting materials.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Collected information about signs and symptoms, performed risk assessments, ordered laboratory testing, performed STI-focused exams, collected specimens, provided treatment and referrals to local health department patients.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
LSU Medical Center School of Nursing
New Orleans, LASkills
- Public health
- Immunization administration
- Disease prevention
- Environmental health
- Case management
- Qualitative and quantitative data analysis
- Analytical thinking
- Client engagement
- Consultations
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Patient assessments
- Infection control
- Medical terminology
- Client services
- Multicultural competence
- Sexual health education
- Emergency preparedness
- Client counseling
- Cultural sensitivity
- Team oversight
- Epidemiology
- Health assessment
- STD testing
- Intake and discharge
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Compassionate and caring
- Basic life support
- Reliability
- Critical thinking
Certification
- CPR/AED Certification
- NC Driver's License
- NC Public Health Nursing Certification
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Public Health Nurse Consultant
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
06.2011 - Current
Public Health Registered Nurse
New Hanover County Health Department
02.1995 - 06.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
LSU Medical Center School of Nursing
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