Colleen Buchanan
Kemptville,ON
Summary
Experienced care provider with the proven ability to perform personal care tasks, administer medication, and monitor health conditions. Strong focus on teamwork and achieving results, adapting to changing needs. Reliable, compassionate, and skilled in communication and problem-solving.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Personal Support Worker/Unregulated Care Provider
Bayfield Retirement Community
Kemptville, ON
01.2022 - Current
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimized patient treatment plans and outcomes.
- Assisted clients with daily living activities, promoting independence and wellbeing.
- Maintained accurate records of patient care, progress, and concerns, contributing to effective communication among healthcare team members.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive personal care.
- Monitored patient health status regularly, reporting any changes to the appropriate medical staff.
- Developed trust-based relationships with clients through active listening and empathetic communication skills.
- Remained calm during high-stress situations, demonstrating sustained focus and problem-solving in real-time.
- Utilized strong clinical judgment in prioritizing patient needs during high-stress situations, ensuring optimal outcomes.
- Mentored new nursing staff members, fostering teamwork and improving unit efficiency.
- Reduced medication errors through thorough double-checking of prescriptions and dosages.
- Increased quality of care by participating in ongoing professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, and online courses.
- Consistently adhered to strict safety guidelines while administering medications.
- Created an efficient shift handover process which improved continuity of care between nursing shifts.
- Streamlined communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive understanding of care plans.
Personal Support Worker
Hospice Care Ottawa, Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice
Ottawa, ON
01.2019 - Current
- Utilized advanced assessment skills to identify changes in patient condition, promptly intervening to manage symptoms effectively.
- Served as a liaison between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure clear communication and optimal care coordination.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families, fostering a sense of trust and open communication.
- Provided care for clients in maintaining personal hygiene through bathing, grooming, and dressing tasks.
- Turned and positioned bedbound patients to prevent bedsores and maintain comfort levels.
Personal Support Worker
Private Residence Autism and dementia Patient
Kemptville, Canada
01.2017 - 03.2020
- Assisted clients with daily living activities, promoting independence and wellbeing.
- Assisted clients in maintaining personal hygiene through bathing, grooming, and dressing tasks.
- Maintained accurate records of patient care, progress, and concerns, contributing to effective communication among family members.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive personal care.
Education
Health Care Aide Certificate - Equivalent to the Ontario PSW program
Assiniboine Community College
Brandon, MB05-2000
Licensed Practical Nurse Program - theoretical component, Equivalent to the Ontario RPN program
Assiniboine Community College
Brandon, MB04-2000
Skills
- Medication Administration
- Direct Patient Care
- Patient Assessment
- Critical Thinking
- Oragnization
- Clinical Documentation
- Patient Education
- Clinical judgment
- Compassionate Care
- Family Education
- Care plan implementation
- Palliative Care
Certification
- Non Violent Crisis Intervention
- Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Feeding and swallowing
- Lifts and Transfers
- N95 Mask Fit
- WHMIS
- 4 Step Safety Awareness
- First Aid + CPR AED
References
Available Upon Request
Educationandprofessionaldevelopment
- Assiniboine Community College, Brandon, MB, Health Care Aide Certificate (Equivalent to the Ontario PSW program), 2000
- Assiniboine Community College, Brandon, MB, Licensed Practical Nurse Program – theoretical component (Equivalent to the Ontario RPN program), 1996-1999
Timeline
Personal Support Worker/Unregulated Care Provider
Bayfield Retirement Community
01.2022 - Current
Personal Support Worker
Hospice Care Ottawa, Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice
01.2019 - Current
Personal Support Worker
Private Residence Autism and dementia Patient
01.2017 - 03.2020
- Non Violent Crisis Intervention
- Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Feeding and swallowing
- Lifts and Transfers
- N95 Mask Fit
- WHMIS
- 4 Step Safety Awareness
- First Aid + CPR AED
Health Care Aide Certificate - Equivalent to the Ontario PSW program
Assiniboine Community College
Licensed Practical Nurse Program - theoretical component, Equivalent to the Ontario RPN program
Assiniboine Community College