Wandalyn MCGRAW

• Managed approximately 30+ incoming calls, emails and faxes per day from customers.'Receive and assess incoming patient information from Emergency Rooms, Case Managers, Centralized Psychiatric Placement, and Stand alone Emergency Rooms.
• This position is responsible for the following:
• Forward this Information to the Psychiatrist who will determine if appropriate criteria has been met for acceptance of the patient into the Behavior Health Unit or Medical Psychiatric Unit.
• Once acceptance has been obtained from the Psychiatrist, this information is effectively communicated to the House Supervisor and The Nursing Staff.
• Develop strong relationships with the Psychiatrist, Charge Nurses, Staff of CPT and the 4 Ochsner facilities that I serve as their Intake Nurse
• Maintain a record of each assessed patient record.
• Mentored new nursing staff, contributing to a supportive work environment and improved retention rates.
• Attended in-house trainings and continuing education classes.
• Provided physicians and other medical personnel with patient assessment details and answered patient care-related questions.
• Obtained lA RN license and current BLS & CPR certification.

This job functions as the liaison and communicator with the patient, caregivers, healthcare providers, and multi-disciplinary team members as well as post-acute care. Discusses alternative care options with patient / caregivers as well as the multi-disciplinary team and assists with discharge planning needs. Facilitates movement along the health care continuum to ensure quality. Manages the care of assigned patients through the healthcare system based on the patient's individual needs.

Prepares, executes, and reinforces post-discharge care plan.

• Created plans and communicated deadlines to ensure projects were completed on time
• Handled 25+ calls per day to address inquiries and concerns from Physicians, Post hospitalization care facilities, Insurance Companies, Family Members, and Primary Caregivers.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
• Served as a liaison between physicians and patients'' families to facilitate clear communication regarding treatment options and progress updates.
• Assessed patient conditions promptly upon admission to determine appropriate interventions and prioritize care needs.
• Provided emotional support to patients during challenging times, fostering a sense of trust and rapport that contributed to better overall wellbeing.

• 'Managed approximately 20 incoming calls, emails and faxes per day from customers.'Provided excellent service, including telephone and personal contact with all RRC customer groups inclusive of physicians, case managers, nurses, administrators, other transfer centers, and colleagues.
• Assist with telephone triage
• Maintained effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present the information clearly and professionally
• Conducted three way calls between the referring physician and the Ochsner accepting physician
• Place registration, and the bed request; communicates this request to the bed planners
• Communicates that bed request to the referring facility once it is established and assigned
• Set up transportation by flight or EMS

• Admission of : the acute psychiatric patient. Place and/or Discharge to appropriate disposition as ordered by the Physician
• Care of the mentally compromised client: Bipolar, Schizophrenic, Schizoaffective, Depression, Mania, Alcoholics, Overdose, Suicidal, and Homicidal patients; along with their comorbidity disease processes. Monitor Delirium and Detoxification be knowledgable of when to transfer to medical ED
• Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
• Detect deteriorations / improvements accurately document chart and report to physician
• Educate patients, caregivers on Diagnosis, treatments, disease process, F/U, medication compliance

• Admission, care and management of the mentally compromised client on an inpatient psychiatric unit
• Medication administration, Documentation in Electronic Health Record, Treatment Team, inclusive of: report on each patient to the Psychiatrist. Notified the Medical Physician of the patient's status
• Charge Nurse Representation in Treatment Team
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare personnel to meet patients' personal, physical, psychological and cognitive needs
• Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to termination while providing patient health education
• Partnered with team huddle to achieve overall well-being of all patients
• Provided patients / families with information about their treatment and available resources.
  

• Multiple travel contracts in Psychiatry, Rehabilitation Nursing, Telemetry, Medical/Surgical and Same Day Stay, Maintained 18 state RN Licensure
• Duties: Assessment, documentation, medication, administration, IV Therapy; Evaluation, Patient /Family Education
• Traveled from 01/2000 through 10/2007

• Scheduling of the field staff assignments. Inclusive of the following disciplines: Nursing, Home Health, Aide; Physical Therapy; and Respiratory Staff.
• Ordering of Durable Medical Equipment and supplies
• Liaison between The Home Care Client; the Home Care Department; and The Physician
• Obtaining physician orders
• Home Care Patient Visits as mandated
• Review of field staff documentation, patient certifications, and recertification for continued care

• Scheduled Home Care Visits perform Admission Certification
• Orders per the patient's primary physician: Wound care, IV Therapy; Lab Draws, Diabetic monitoring for compliance; set up diabetic medication; Lab draw for anticoagulant Therapy - educate the pt on physician changes in medication profile
• Liaison between the patient, physician, and the home care department

• Staff Registered Nurse attending the pre and post Cardiac Surgery Patient inclusive of those clients requiring an Angiogram and/or Angioplasty
• Prepare the patient for a Coronary Angiogram or Angioplasty
• Assess for completed documents on the surgical chart: Consent signed
• Initiate an IV, Initiate ordered IV fluids, administer medication per physician orders; document allergies
• Confirm NPO Status
• Prepare the insertion site Femoral Artery
• Monitor Vital Signs; Connect the patient to a Cardiac Monitor
• Obtain an EKG
• After the Procedure:
• Removed the Sheath once safe
• Restarted IV fluids to help clear the dye if ordered
• Monitored the patient for bleeding

• Care of the patient with disorders that affected any portion of the nervous system brain or spinal cord.
• Performed initial client assessment and analysis of the patient's needs to began care
• Maintain close collaboration with the Physician reporting changes in patient status or any complications
• The type of patients were those with problems with consciousness, communication, cognition, mobility, and sensation. Some conditions that resulted in the patients on this unit were brain or spinal cord neoplasm, head or spinal cord trauma, brain hemorrhages, cerebral vascular accidents, and seizures.
• Duties included: assessment, medication and pain management, wound care, documentation, education of the patient and family., hemodynamic monitoring, and arterial line initiation and maintenance. Priority on Communication with the health care team, and to serve as a patient advocate. Frequently worked with gun shot wounds, quadriplegia, paraplegics, and ventilator patients. Worked in conjunction with Respiratory Therapy
• Care included: suctioning to maintain a clear airway; foley insertion to accurately monitor intake and output
• Total Care of Activities of daily living including hygiene and skin care