Zlatica Demko
Lake Mary,Florida
Summary
Dynamic critical care RN with extensive experience at AdventHealth South, excelling in critical care nursing and hemodialysis expertise. Proven ability to enhance patient outcomes through effective communication and interdisciplinary collaboration. Skilled in utilizing Epic and Cerner systems, demonstrating strong clinical judgment and leadership in high-pressure environments.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dialysis RN
AdventHealth South
, USA
04.2025 - 10.2025
- Executed hemodialysis procedures for acutely ill patients in the Renal Dialysis Unit and ICU.
- Provided support across PCUs as needed, ensuring patient care continuity.
- Served as a floater in the AdventHealth neuro and cardiac PCUs, adapting to dynamic environments.
PCU Multi Unit R.N.
AdventHealth Orlando
, USA
01.2023 - 04.2025
- Provided comprehensive nursing care to 4-5 high-acuity cardiac and neurological patients in a progressive care setting.
- Monitored continuous telemetry, interpreted cardiac rhythms, and promptly reported changes.
- Performed frequent neurological assessments (GCS, NIHSS, and pupil checks).
- Administered and titrated IV medications (e.g., heparin, insulin, Amiodarone) per protocol.
- Care for patients with conditions including stroke, TIA, seizure disorders, CHF, ACS, PEG tubes, tracheostomies, sepsis, and wound vacs.
- Collaborating with physicians, PT/OT, speech therapy, and case management.
- Educated patients and families on disease processes, medications, and discharge planning.
- Maintained accurate and timely electronic documentation (EPIC, Cerner, etc.).
- AdventHealth Multi-System PCU.
Telephonic Nurse Health Advisor/Post-Acute Care
AdventHealth Corporate
Maitland, USA
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Actively managed patients telephonically with multiple chronic diseases utilizing motivational interviewing skills to prevent recurrent hospitalizations and promote lifestyle and behavioral changes.
- Assisted high-risk patients; identified gaps in patient care.
- Provided education and individualized coordination of care to prevent readmissions while promoting self-management and potential behavioral changes to achieve the optimum level of health.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments via telephonic consultations.
Utilization Review Nurse
TurningPoint Healthcare Sol..
Lake Mary, USA
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Performed clinical reviews and provided recommendations based on appropriate guidelines for spine, hip, and knee surgeries, and pain management.
- Applied critical thinking, evidence-based clinical criteria, and clinical practice guidelines for medical/surgical services requiring precertification.
- Documented review outcomes and communicated decisions to stakeholders effectively.
- Analyzed utilization trends to identify areas for improvement in care delivery.
- Assessed patient medical records to determine the appropriateness of requested services and procedures.
Home Health Nurse
BrightStar Care HHA
Lake Mary, USA
01.2012 - 01.2019
- Accumulated over seven years of experience delivering home health services to diverse patient populations.
- Skilled in conducting patient assessments, administering medications, and providing wound care.
- Monitored patients' progress while developing tailored care plans to enhance recovery outcomes.
- Administered IV infusions as per physician orders, ensuring patient safety during procedures.
- Contributed to protocol development for safe infusion therapy service delivery.
- Evaluated patient conditions to adjust care plans based on individual needs.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to optimize treatment strategies and improve patient care.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient progress and treatment results.
Prior Authorization Nurse/Utilization Review
Centene Corporation
Maitland, USA
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Promoted the quality and cost-effectiveness of medical care by applying clinical acumen and the appropriate application of policies and guidelines to prior authorization requests.
- Reviewed authorization requests for treatments, procedures, surgeries, and DMEs.
- Completed medical necessity and level of care reviews for requested services, using the ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems, and InterQual.
- Performed prior authorization, precertification, and retrospective reviews, and prepared decision letters as needed in support of the utilization review contract.
- Coordinated with insurance payers to resolve discrepancies in authorizations.
- Provided education materials on topics such as prior authorization processes, coding guidelines, and reimbursement policies to internal staff members as well as external stakeholders.
- Interpreted benefit plans, medical necessity criteria, policy language, and state regulations for proper utilization of services covered under a health plan.
Short-Term Disability Telephonic Nurse
The Hartford, Inc.
Lake Mary, USA
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Telephonically reviewed Short-Term Disability insurance claims.
- Completed the initial case evaluation by assessing disability severity and treatment plans and establishing case-specific target return-to-work (RTW) dates.
- Referred complex cases requiring specialized expertise or additional testing and treatments.
Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse
American Renal Associates, Inc.
Orlando, USA
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Trained and educated adult patients on how to perform peritoneal dialysis at home.
- Administered peritoneal dialysis treatments to patients in outpatient settings.
- Provided care and teaching for the kidney transplant patient and caregiver, and follow-up care as needed.
- Trained new nurses on peritoneal dialysis protocols and best practices.
Dialysis Nurse / Charge Nurse
Orlando Park DaVita Clinic
Orlando, USA
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Direct Patient Care. Anemia and Vascular Access Management.
- Implemented dialysis treatment/provided counseling for patients with ESRD and other comorbidities.
- Administered dialysis treatments to patients compassionately and efficiently.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and infection control standards diligently.
Clinical Manager
New Smyrna Beach Artificial Kidney Center
New Smyrna Beach, USA
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Responsible for all administrative aspects, auditing clinic operations, establishing the budget, reviewing treatment plans, and communicating with executives.
- Anemia and Vascular Access Management/labs evaluations and meds adjustments.
- Responsible for retraining all staff members on how to operate the new model of Fresenius dialysis machines.
- Managed daily operations of kidney treatment services and patient care.
Acute Dialysis Nurse/Charge Nurse
Mobil Dialysis, Inc.
Sanford, USA
01.2002 - 01.2008
- Implemented dialysis treatments in critical settings for adults and pediatric patients at the ORMC and Arnold Palmer Hospital.
- Plasmapheresis, Red Cell Exchanges, Leukapheresis, and CRRT for critically ill patients.
- Trained ICU personnel on how to manage ICU patients on Peritoneal Dialysis and Continuous Renal Replacement independently.
Oncology/Med-Surg RN
Florida Hospital Altamonte Springs
Altamonte Springs, USA
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Provided patient-centered care to cancer and med-surg patients.
- Ensured compliance with standards of professional practice as well as state and federal regulations related to health care delivery services.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
Adventist Health University
Orlando, FL01.2021
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Bratislava University of Nursing
Slovakia, European Union01.1995
Skills
- PowerPoint, Excel, Epic Chart System, Cerner, InterQual
- ECG, ACLS, BLS
- Organizational skills
- Critical care nursing
- Home healthcare
- Analytical skills
- Critical care nursing
- Strong clinical judgment
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Cardiac care
- Co-worker and student precepting
- Anemia management
- Vascular access management
- Fluid management
- Infection control practices
- Continuous quality improvement
- Team leadership qualities
- Hemodialysis expertise
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Care coordination
Certification
Registered Nurse, FL, RN 9184203, 04/01/27
Timeline
Dialysis RN
AdventHealth South
04.2025 - 10.2025
PCU Multi Unit R.N.
AdventHealth Orlando
01.2023 - 04.2025
Telephonic Nurse Health Advisor/Post-Acute Care
AdventHealth Corporate
01.2019 - 01.2023
Utilization Review Nurse
TurningPoint Healthcare Sol..
01.2018 - 01.2019
Prior Authorization Nurse/Utilization Review
Centene Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2018
Home Health Nurse
BrightStar Care HHA
01.2012 - 01.2019
Short-Term Disability Telephonic Nurse
The Hartford, Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2016
Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse
American Renal Associates, Inc.
01.2011 - 01.2012
Dialysis Nurse / Charge Nurse
Orlando Park DaVita Clinic
01.2010 - 01.2011
Clinical Manager
New Smyrna Beach Artificial Kidney Center
01.2009 - 01.2010
Acute Dialysis Nurse/Charge Nurse
Mobil Dialysis, Inc.
01.2002 - 01.2008
Oncology/Med-Surg RN
Florida Hospital Altamonte Springs
01.2000 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
Adventist Health University
Associate Degree in Nursing - Nursing
Bratislava University of Nursing