Colleen Elkin

Provides trauma informed nursing care to clients with physical or mental health needs and/or concurrent psychiatric and/or substance abuse/misuse disorders. Provides direct health care services to clients presenting with a wide variety and complexity of acute and chronic illnesses/diseases. Performs physical, substance use and psychiatric assessments, refers clients to the physician for further examination, administers prescribed treatments and medications. Observes, monitors, evaluates and documents client progress, symptoms and behavioral changes and performs a variety of health care interventions. Provides education and support to clients using a health promotion approach. Works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, other health care professionals, clients and the community.

Responsible for providing intake health assessments and complete nursing care for up to 50 incarcerated patients and providing First Aid to members of the Vancouver Jail staff. Maintaining health records including Medication Administration Records, patient histories, assessments and various other nursing reports for data collection. Maintain and inventory medications, medical equipment and supplies. Coordination of specialist and ER referrals.

Responsible for providing primary care of the critically ill adult patient. Complete management of intubated and ventilated patients. Intravenous initiation, arterial line, central line and hemodialysis catheter access management including Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy treatments. Management of intracranial pressure monitoring devices in patients with extraventricular drains and ICP or Lycox catheters. Cardiac arrest team member and patient management using cardiac monitoring and life support equipment and documentation. Data collection and chart auditing for the Critical Care Database.

Providing primary emergency medical assistance to festival attendees in need. Responsible for triaging, patient assessment and intervention, managing respiratory and cardiac emergencies, alcohol and poly-pharmacy overdoses. Assigned Charge Nurse responsibilities regarding the coordination of medical staffing assignments, patient triaging and placement, facilitating communication between interdisciplinary medical team members, coordinating patient follow up care and medical supply orders.

Responsible for providing primary care for adult and pediatric patients presenting with multiple traumas, cardiac events, respiratory failure and various other medical emergencies. Responsible for triaging patients, often using standard protocols and initiating treatments and diagnostics while patients await placement. Providing complete management of patient care and supervisory roles working in collaboration with LPNs and Care Aides.