Lakeema Carpenter

Registered Nurse with experience in medical-surgical, telemetry, psychiatric, ICU, and home infusion settings, combined with a strong background in case management support, care coordination, insurance authorization, managed care/Medicaid, and benefits verification. Skilled in comprehensive patient assessment, individualized care planning, discharge planning, patient education, multidisciplinary collaboration, and connecting patients with appropriate healthcare and community resources. Experienced in prior authorizations, denials and appeals, coverage verification, and clinical documentation.

Registered Nurse — Med-Surg / Telemetry / Psychiatric - Prime Agency — Thorek Memorial Hospital - Chicago, IL

(2025-10)

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments to identify medical, psychosocial, safety, and discharge needs.
• Develop and implement individualized plans of care based on patient needs and clinical findings.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
• Monitor patient conditions and communicate changes promptly to appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Provide patient and family education regarding medications, treatment plans, safety, and follow-up care.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Identify patient safety concerns and participate in interventions designed to promote safe patient outcomes.
• Support continuity of care through effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.

Registered Nurse — Telemetry / ICU - Aura Staffing — Loretto Hospital - Chicago, IL

(2025-02)

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop individualized plans of care.
• Assess patient needs and communicate changes in condition to physicians and other healthcare professionals.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient cases and coordinate care.
• Develop discharge plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary team members.
• Coordinate follow-up appointments and identify appropriate community resources for continued care after discharge.
• Refer patients to specialized healthcare resources and community agencies when additional support is required.
• Provide patient education and emotional support throughout treatment and transition of care.
• Document patient progress accurately in the electronic medical record.

Registered Nurse — Medical-Surgical / Telemetry - Prime Agency LLC — Kindred Northlake Hospital - Northlake, IL

(2025-03 - 2025-05)

• Performed comprehensive patient assessments and monitored response to treatment.
• Collaborated with healthcare professionals to coordinate care and promote positive patient outcomes.
• Maintained accurate electronic medical record documentation and patient progress notes.
• Communicated changes in patient condition to appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Participated in quality improvement initiatives focused on improving care delivery.
• Provided complex nursing care, including wound care, tracheostomy and ventilator care, medication administration, and infection prevention.
• Coordinated care needs with nursing, respiratory therapy, and other clinical disciplines.

Registered Nurse — Medical-Surgical Unit - Mount Sinai Hospital - Chicago, IL

(2023-06 - 2025-01)

• Conducted comprehensive nursing assessments and developed individualized patient care plans.
• Monitored patient conditions and promptly communicated significant changes to the healthcare team.
• Educated patients regarding disease management, medication adherence, treatment plans, and self-care.
• Maintained accurate daily documentation in electronic medical records.
• Coordinated care for patients with complex medical needs.
• Administered IV medications, fluids, and blood transfusions according to established protocols.
• Provided wound care and managed chest tubes and other complex clinical needs.
• Served as a preceptor for new nurses and nursing students.

Authorization Specialist - Option Care Home Infusion - Addison, IL

(2020-02 - 2023-01)

• Coordinated insurance authorizations and benefits verification for home infusion services.
• Reviewed insurance policies to determine coverage and authorization requirements.
• Processed insurance claims accurately and efficiently.
• Coordinated with healthcare teams to obtain timely authorizations and required documentation.
• Verified patient coverage and benefits through third-party insurance databases.
• Maintained accurate records of pre-authorizations, denials, appeals, and insurance verifications.
• Monitored pending authorization requests and followed them through completion.
• Assisted with resolving claim, billing, and reimbursement issues.
• Updated patient and insurance information in electronic systems.
• Supported compliance audits and maintained documentation according to organizational requirements.
• Navigated multiple healthcare and insurance systems to obtain information needed for authorization and coverage decisions.

Associate Degree - Nursing - Rasmussen University

Certificate - Medical Billing & Coding - Rasmussen University (2022-03)