Nurse Practitioner in Anticoagulation at Baylor Scott & White Clinic-Temple (2022-03 – Present)
Manage & monitor patients on anticoagulants (Pradaxa, Arixtra, Lovenox, Eliquis, Xarelto, warfarin) with blood clotting disorders, new/recurrent clots, LVAD patients, heart valve replacements, atrial fibrillation, low ejection fracture CHF, & strokes.
- Adjusting anticoagulant medication dosing based on lab results, indication, kidney/liver function, medication review, & patient response.
- Enroll new patients in clinic and obtain consent forms.
- Obtain PT/INR via finger sticks on all scheduled/walk in patients on warfarin.
- Respond to critical lab value pages, contact patient, & adjust warfarin medication dosing.
- Counsel patients and family on medication interactions, dietary restrictions, & the signs/symptoms (s/s) of bleeding, clotting, or stroke complications.
- Monitor patients with acute DVT/PE post hospital discharge until resolution & determine duration of therapy for anticoagulation.
- Conduct physical exams, review medical history, order necessary diagnostic testing, & evaluate labs results on patients with clotting disorders, DVT, & PE.
- Give teaching to self test machine patients. Check pt's skills bi-annually & give education/instruction as needed.
- Develop bridge & warfarin perioperative/procedural plans as well as give education on Lovenox/Arixtra administration to patients prior to surgeries/procedures.
- Collaborate with physicians/RN's/pharmacy working as a team to get best patient outcomes/plan.
- Do hospital discharge & SNF follow up visits on anticoagulation patients.
- Assist nurses with staffing needs for warfarin dosing adjustment.
- Approve bridge/surgery plans for pharmacists.
Registered Nurse in Anticoagulation at Baylor Scott & White Clinic-Temple (2017-10 – 2022-03)
- Obtain PT/INR via finger sticks on all scheduled/walk in patients.
- Adjusting medication dosage based on INR results to meet therapeutic target per standing order/pharmacist.
- Implement plan of care based on standing order or staffing with a pharmacist.
- Respond to critical lab values & take call for critical lab pages.
- Counsel pt and family on drug-food interactions as well as safety/ER precautions related to warfarin as well as DOAC's (direct oral anticoagulants).
- Assess for s/s of bleeding, thromboembolism, & appropriately refers to physician/ER as indicated.
- Give teaching to self test machine patients. Check pt's skills bi-annually & give education/instruction as needed.
- Order & monitor CBC/CMP's on DOAC pt's, then adjust medication as needed based on creatinine/GFR, etc through staffing with a pharmacist.
- Provide bridge & warfarin hold plans as well as education on Lovenox administration to patients prior to surgeries/procedures.
- Order & evaluate CBC results on all warfarin pt's bi-annually per standing order.
- Complete Warfarin RX refills under Dr. Halka.
- Schedule follow up visits/write home health orders as needed.
- Assist in training pharmacy residents as well as new RNs to the department.
Family Nurse Practitioner at Baylor Scott & White Gastroenterology (2015-07 – 2017-07)
Evaluated patient health care needs. Performed routine exams and obtain patient histories. Managed patient treatment based on assessment of needs.
- Initiated treatment via prescriptions, diagnostic tests, exams, and procedures.
- Coordinated patient care and made referrals to physicians, RN's, psychologists, nutritionists, etc., as needed. Collaborated and communicated with other nurses, physicians, and outside agencies regarding patient care.
- Taught wellness habits and educated patients on prevention of potential health problems & methods of dealing with present problems.
- Incorporated relevant findings from current research into specific areas of clinical practice.
Family Nurse Practitioner at Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Westfield (2014-11 – 2015-02)
Worked as a member of a comprehensive family medicine team.
- Performed comprehensive physical exams on patients with both acute and chronic concerns.
- Performed and interpreted screenings as needed.
- Provided appropriate services or referrals according to the patients' needs.
Registered Nurse in Endoscopy at Scott and White Hospital (2008-08 – 2013-12)
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing
- Trained new staff members (preceptor)
- Provided on-call care
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs, carefully documented patient vital signs, and administered sedation medications during procedures
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care
- Provided patient education related to disease process and treatment
- Assessment of patients, administered IV's
- Relief charge nurse
Registered Nurse in Endoscopy at Covenant Health System (2006-09 – 2008-08)
Assisted physicians with procedures as a technician as well as a nurse including:
- Bronchoscopy
- Endoscopic Ultrasound with fine needle aspiration
- Colonoscopy
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Paracentesis
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared them for lab testing
- Assessed need for, ordered, obtained, and interpreted appropriate lab tests
- Trained new staff members (preceptor)
- Provided on-call care at all times of day and night
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs, carefully documented patient vital signs, and administered sedation medications during procedures
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care
- Provided patient education related to disease process and treatment
- Assessment of patients, administered IV's
- Relief charge nurse
Nurse Technician in Antepartum at Covenant Health System (2005-02 – 2006-01)
- Monitored fetal heart tones
- Helped with patient assessments
- Obtained vital signs
Nurse Aide in Neurology at Covenant Health System (2004-02 – 2005-01)
- Monitored fluid intake and output levels
- Assisted patients with bathing, dressing, feeding, lifting and transferring
