Denise Vankoughnett
Prince Albert,SK
Summary
Proficient and caring nursing team member offering outstanding patient-facing experience. Adept at addressing patient needs with compassionate care and attention to detail. Diligent about maximizing satisfaction, safety and wellness while serving patients of all backgrounds. Dependable healthcare team member with sound judgment, excellent clinical abilities and smooth bedside manner. Track and chart vitals and other markers to help patients, support team treatment goals and boost outcomes. Exceptional approach in LTC patient support. Experienced nursing professional with excellent skills in patient assessment, disease management and medication administration. Proven track record of delivering high-quality care.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
LPN
Mont St Joseph Home
04.2010 - Current
- Adhered to treatment plan instructions when administering medications and treatments to patients.
- Accurately recorded interactions in medical charts, documenting accidents and interventions applied.
- Documented accurate and complete patient information to address patient problems and expected outcomes.
- Administered controlled narcotics, inserted IVs and performed catheterizations.
- Performed routine evaluations of each patient's status, needs and preferences.
- Assisted with admissions, appointments, transfers and discharges.
- Obtained patient vital signs and input/output measurements from inpatients.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Managed patient care through closely monitoring respiration, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
- Comforted and counseled patients and families throughout care process.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of healthcare and social service providers to address patients' needs through effective intervention and care planning.
- Used aseptic techniques to provide sterilized wound care and dressing applications.
- Cared for wounds, provided treatments and assisted with procedures.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Gathered lab specimens, ordered testing and interpreted results to diagnose patients.
- Delivered updates in patient status to charge nurse, recording changes in medical records.
- Educated patients and caregivers on medical diagnoses, treatment options, chronic disease self-management and wound management.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Minimized staff and patient infection risk by cleaning and disinfecting equipment instruments.
- Performed functional assessments for admission and discharge.
- Monitored and tracked patient vitals in POC to keep team informed of changing conditions.
- Managed appointment calendar for scans, lab tests, and evaluations.
- Cared for over 40 LTC residents each day and 120 LTC residents each night with quality-driven support.
- Made valuable contributions to care-plan development and patient education processes backed by thorough research into client diagnoses.
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport.
- Collaborated with other health care professionals to assess patient needs, plan and modify care and implement interventions.
- Member of the OH&S and Ethics committee.
Continuing Care Assistant
Mont St Joseph Home
03.2004 - 04.2010
- Engaged patients in daily activities such as bingo, arts and crafts, bible study, manicures and baking to promote stimulation and personal interaction.
- Supplied physical support to assist patients in performing daily living activities such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking.
- Cared for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry and cleaning premises.
- Measured and recorded food and liquid intake or output to report changes to medical or nursing staff.
- Encouraged and provided moral support for patients to help adjust to disabilities and illnesses.
- Helped patients care for themselves by teaching use of cane or walker and special utensils to eat.
- Prepared and served food for patients and family members, following special prescribed consistencies and health related diets.
- Provided routine skincare by helping residents in applying non-prescription topical medications to skin.
- Observed and examined patients to detect symptoms requiring medical attention such as bruises, open wounds and persistent coughs.
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing and teeth brushing.
- Provided assistance in daily living activities by dressing, grooming, bathing and toileting patients.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Kept accurate records of patients' care, condition and progress.
- Documented vital signs to inform nurses and physicians of any changes in patient status.
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Assisted with patient transfer and ambulation.
- Agreed to take on additional shifts and extra hours during busy periods and holidays to maintain proper staffing and floor coverage.
- Turned and positioned bedbound patients to prevent bedsores and maintain comfort levels.
- Maintained and organized patient rooms and communal spaces to minimize environmental and safety hazards.
- Assisted in feeding patients by offering fluids and snacks and recording amounts consumed in residents charts.
- Monitored, tracked and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Assisted patients with mobility issues in areas such as beds, wheelchair usage and automobile travel.
- Participated in fun group activities with patients to boost mood, improve overall memory and provide light entertainment.
- Followed safe lifting techniques and individual resident lifting instructions.
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns and medically relevant symptoms.
- Promoted patient socialization, self-care and development by recognizing and using patient strengths to motivate patient.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Transported patients via wheelchair to and from rehabilitation and daily activities.
- Delivered compassionate care and clear communication in handling issues of death and dying.
- Helped patients care for themselves by teaching proper, safe use of ambulation assistive devices such as canes or walkers.
- Placed and removed protective devices such as bedside rails and hand restraints to prevent patient injury during treatment.
- Used wheelchairs and walkers to assist with patient ambulation in room, hallways and bathroom.
- Provided total hygiene care to 20 patients per shift by assisting with skincare, bathing and toileting.
- Collaborated with peers and attended meetings to brainstorm new activities for patients and discuss ways to resolve issues.
- Employed mobility devices and electric lift equipment to lift patients from chairs to beds, following safety procedures to avoid injuries.
- Adhered to all resident lifting and safe lifting instructions and rules.
- Collaborated in consults, patient care plan development and patient monitoring.
- Assisted patients with therapy exercises as specified by care team.
- Used hand written and Point of Care software to maintain records of services performed and apparent condition of patients.
- Sanitized wheelchairs, walkers and lift equipment.
Manager of Private Care Home for the Elderly
Nelson Care Home
09.1995 - 02.2003
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to residents, handled challenging situations with ease.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Maintained excellent attendance record, consistently arriving to work on time.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional care.
- Exceeded goals through effective task prioritization and great work ethic.
- Improved operations through consistent hard work and dedication.
- Responsible for hiring/firing of staff.
- Made up schedules for all staff.
- Assisted with care of residents.
- Administered and ordered medication for residents of care home.
- Planned recreational activities and outings for residents.
- Worked closely with home care assessors and family members when residents required being moved to facility that could meet their increasing care needs.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks
Education
Associate of Science - Practical Nursing (LPN)
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences And Technology
Prince Albert, SK06.2010
GED -
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences And Technology
Prince Albert, SK04.2003
No Degree - Continuing Care Aide
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences And Technology
Prince Albert06.1995
High School Diploma -
Central High School Sedgewick
Sedgewick, AB09.1991
Skills
- Task Delegation
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Patient Assessments
- Direct Patient Care
- Dementia Knowledge and Care
- Medical Records Management
- Multi-Tasking and Prioritization
- Medication Administration
- Transcribing Orders
- Care Planning
- Wound Care
- Long-Term Care
Timeline
LPN
Mont St Joseph Home
04.2010 - Current
Continuing Care Assistant
Mont St Joseph Home
03.2004 - 04.2010
Manager of Private Care Home for the Elderly
Nelson Care Home
09.1995 - 02.2003
Associate of Science - Practical Nursing (LPN)
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences And Technology
GED -
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences And Technology
No Degree - Continuing Care Aide
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences And Technology
High School Diploma -
Central High School Sedgewick
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