Carolyn Sims

Develop and implement patient safety programs and initiatives Conduct root cause analyses of adverse events and near misses Collaborate with clinical and non-clinical staff to identify safety risks

PATIENT SAFETY SPECIALIST - VA NORTH TEXAS HEALTHCARE - Dallas, TX

(2024-08)

• Develop and implement patient safety programs and initiatives
• Conduct root cause analyses of adverse events and near misses
• Collaborate with clinical and non-clinical staff to identify safety risks
• Monitor compliance with patient safety policies and regulatory standards
• Facilitate safety training and education for staff
• Analyze incident reports and recommend corrective actions
• Lead safety committees and participate in quality improvement projects
• Prepare and present safety reports to leadership
• Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement
• Stay updated on best practices and regulatory changes in patient safety

Assistant Nurse Manager Hemodialysis - VA North Texas HealthCare - Dallas TX

(2022-01 - 2024-08)

• Directly supervises and evaluates the provision of patient care by other personnel assigned to the unit
• Makes daily patient rounds
• Does random chart audits
• Utilizes opportunities to teach and mentor other nursing and ancillary personnel
• Manages staff to meet established productivity targets as appropriate
• Reviews staffing/nursing assignments and revises as necessary to meet the specific needs of the patients on a shift-by-shift basis
• Coordinates staffing with Central Staffing Office/House Supervisor
• Makes ongoing changes to staffing as determined by fluctuations in census and patient acuity, to assure safe delivery of care
• Utilizes chain of command for unresolved or escalating issues
• Advocates for patients and staff to provide for safe delivery of care and/or a safe environment of care
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to provide coverage during shifts when staffing crisis/shortage occur hemodialysis Clinical Nurse cOordinator - Medical city healthcare ntx-division

(2020-06 - 2022-01)

• Direct management of staff, scheduling, and timekeeping and overseeing daily management of dialysis at Medical City Lewisville and Medical City McKinney
• Provide judgment and direction concerning patient care assignments using the organization's policies and procedures
• Uses evidence-based practices to achieve patient safety and quality clinical outcomes
• Maintain staff compliance with all policies, procedures, and regulatory standards
• Oversee that equipment maintenance is performed routinely and in accordance with regulatory standards
• Continuous assessment of the quality of patient care services provided in the unit, along with other members of the management team
• Work together with a multidisciplinary team to assist with providing high-quality, patient-focused care

RN Cath Lab - Texas Health Resources

(2017-06 - 2020-06)

• Provides pre/post catheterization care for patients (i.e., starts IV's, preps area for Cath, pull sheaths, etc.)
• Administers medication as directed
• Monitors patients' vital signs as per orders and records data in EPIC
• Performs CPR, defibrillate patients, and operation of temporary pacemakers and IABP, or Impella when necessary, until ICU bed available
• Participate in Code if arise
• Removal of Venous and Arterial sheaths and management and removal of TR-Bands and recovering patients' post-procedure
• Discharges patient from the facility after recovery complete and patient and family has received education
• Unit-based Council Charman 2019-2020
• RQI Superuser 2018-2020

RN Pat unit - Texas Health Resources

(2014-06 - 2017-06)

• Charge Nurse 2-3 times a week
• Maintain accurate, detailed documentation
• Supervision of staff
• Consult with multidisciplinary team members to ensure safe, high-quality surgery or procedure for the patient
• Prepare and assist with patient exams and treatments
• Educate the patient regarding the surgery, procedure, testing, and pre/post prep
• Conduct laboratory testing and EKG exam
• Unit-based Council Chairman 2015-2018
• Shared Governance Committee Member 2014-2016
• Evidenced-based Council Committee member 2015-2018
• Shared GovernanceS Co-Chair Leader 2016-2018

RN Acute dialysis - texas health resources

(2011-07 - 2014-06)

• Charge Nurse for a busy 8 bay acute inpatient dialysis unit. 25-30 plus patients daily
• Monitored and managed patients' daily flow in the unit to ensure safe and high-quality patient care
• Staff schedules
• Provide direct specialty patient care
• Monitored and ensured proper use of PPE and equipment as per THR policy
• Check the water in the water room every 4 hours per CMS requirements
• Start, monitor, and discontinue hemodialysis and/or apheresis treatment
• Give medications and blood products as ordered
• Operate and manage hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and apheresis machines
• Unit-Based Council Chairman 2012-2014
• Shared Governance Committee member 2012-2014

rn (cso) icu and acute dialysis - texas health resources

(2010-02 - 2017-12)

• Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of medical conditions (i.e., Sepsis or shock) and provide appropriate interventions
• Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices such as cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, and pressure lines
• Administer medications as directed
• Evaluate patients' vital signs and laboratory data to determine intervention needs
• Prioritize nursing care based on assessment data and identified needs
• Documentation of medical, surgical, medication histories, and assessment findings
• Advocate for patients' and family's needs and provide emotional support for patients and their families
• Administration of blood and blood products and monitoring for signs and symptoms related to transfusion reactions rn icu - Methodist dallas medical center

(2010-05 - 2012-06)

• Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of medical conditions (i.e., Sepsis or shock) and provide appropriate interventions
• Administer medications as directed by the physician
• Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices (i.e., Cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, and pressure lines)
• Prioritize nursing care based on assessment data and identified needs
• Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings
• Advocate for patient and family needs
• Administer blood and blood products, monitoring patients for related transfusion reactions
• Monitor patients' fluid intake and output
• Analysis of data obtained from the monitoring or diagnostic tests
• Document patients' treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, or plans and revise when needed
• Collection of laboratory specimens
• Assist physicians with procedures (i.e., Bronchoscopy, endoscopy, endotracheal intubation, and elective cardioversion)

RN icu - Methodist mansfield

(2009-11 - 2010-05)

• Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of medical conditions (i.e.sepsis or shock) and provide appropriate interventions
• Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices (i.e., cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, and pressure lines)
• Evaluate patients' vital signs and laboratory data to determine interventional needs
• Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings
• Advocate for patients' and family's needs or provide emotional support
• Administer blood and blood products and monitor for related transfusion reactions
• Document patients' treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, and plans and revise when needed
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals
• Identify and monitor patients at risk for complications due to nutritional status
• Identify patients' age-specific needs

Rn cvicu/ surgical TRAUMA - UNIVERSITY of arkansas for medical science

(2008-12 - 2009-10)

• Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of medical conditions (i.e.sepsis or shock) and provide appropriate interventions
• Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices (i.e., cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, and pressure lines)
• Evaluate patients' vital signs and laboratory data to determine interventional needs
• Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings
• Advocate for patients' and family's needs or provide emotional support
• Administer blood and blood products and monitor for related transfusion reactions
• Document patients' treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, and plans and revise when needed
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals
• Identify and monitor patients at risk for complications due to nutritional status
• Identify patients' age-specific needs rn CVicu - baptist health medical center

(2000-01 - 2009-06)

Charge Nurse 2003-2009

lpn acute dialysis - baptist health medical center

(1999-01 - 2000-01)

• Started, monitored, and discontinued hemodialysis treatment
• Monitoring patients, documenting, and reporting changes in patients' conditions
• Provided basic patient care or treatments, such as temperatures or blood pressures
• Sterilized equipment and supplies using germicides such as bleach
• Administer prescribed medications
• Collected blood samples to perform routine laboratory tests
• Recorded fluid removal and monitored for hypotension and dialysis disequilibrium
• Operated and monitored hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and plasmapheresis machines lpn acute dialysis - healthstaf nursing AGENCY

(1994-04 - 1999-02)

contracted with uams hospital