Helen Winter
Summary
Registered Nurse with 15 years of experience at St Joseph's Health Centre, with excellent knowledge of patient demographics and diabetes care needs throughout the lifespan. Highly skilled in diabetes management and fostering empathetic patient relationships, with extensive involvement in diabetes advocacy and care, with a passionate focus on the interface of quantitative clinical results and qualitative patient experience. Expert knowledge of the psychology of chronic disease.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
St Joseph's Health Centre
02.2009 - Current
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop comprehensive care plans for patients presenting with diverse medical conditions in the Emergency Department.
- Reduced patient wait times by efficiently triaging patients based on acuity levels and prioritizing urgent cases.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by delivering compassionate, culturally sensitive care tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Advanced patient education efforts by developing customized discharge instructions that addressed each individual''s unique health needs and promoted adherence to prescribed treatment regimens.
- Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis, and treatment.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Communicated openly and collaboratively with all healthcare staff to organize successful patient care.
- Demonstrated strong clinical reasoning skills when assessing patients'' conditions, initiating appropriate interventions, and escalating concerns to physicians as needed.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Optimized patient flow within the Emergency Department by collaborating with charge nurses in coordinating bed assignments and discharges according to capacity constraints.
Public Health Registered Nurse
Unity Health System
01.2024 - 02.2024
- Provided high-quality care for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease through regular monitoring and medication management.
- Delivered culturally sensitive care to diverse populations, adjusting communication styles and treatment approaches as needed.
- Developed strong relationships with patients built on trust, empathy, respect, resulting in increased patient adherence to treatment plans recommendations from their healthcare providers.
- Educated patients on use and benefits of equipment such as home blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters.
- Assessed health status of patients by eliciting health histories, conducting physical assessments and analyzing data to formulate plans of care.
- Called patients to share lab results and discuss physician orders.
- Encouraged health-promoting behaviors to improve patient health and reverse disease.
Psychiatric Nurse
Unity Hospital
03.2018 - 01.2020
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for effective treatment planning and optimal patient outcomes.
- Provided education to patients'' families regarding mental health disorders, treatment options, and community resources available for support.
- Provided direct quality care to patients by monitoring, recording and evaluating psychiatric conditions.
- Evaluated the efficacy of implemented care plans through regular monitoring of patient progress toward established goals.
- Enhanced therapeutic communication skills through active listening and empathetic responses, fostering trust and rapport with patients.
- Advocated for patients'' rights and best interests during treatment team meetings, collaborating effectively with medical professionals from diverse disciplines.
- Explained useful coping methods to relieve depression and anxiety.
- Administered medication and treatments to patients to observe and record responses.
- Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
- Assessed incoming patients'' mental health status, determining the appropriate level of care required for stabilization.
- Served as a resource person for colleagues seeking guidance on complex psychiatric cases or clinical challenges encountered within the unit.
Diabetes Nurse Educator
Decent
09.2008 - 03.2009
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify gaps in knowledge and self-care skills, leading to targeted interventions for improved glycemic control.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of educational interventions through ongoing monitoring of patient progress, adjusting approaches when necessary for maximum impact.
- Facilitated support groups for individuals living with diabetes, promoting peer connections and empowering self-advocacy skills.
- Developed instructional materials and resources to aid patients in understanding complex medical information related to diabetes management.
- Enhanced patient understanding of disease management by providing tailored education on medication, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.
- Served as a liaison between patients and providers, ensuring timely communication of vital information for optimal treatment decisionmaking.
- Provided culturally sensitive education to diverse patient populations, fostering trust and rapport for better engagement in care plan execution.
- Gave public talks on importance of health education and specific disease prevention and treatment strategies.
- Monitored health trends and data to identify health concerns and develop related health education initiatives.
- Designed and conducted health education surveys to assess health needs and risk factors within communities.
- Acted as a resource for colleagues seeking guidance on complex diabetes cases, offering expert consultation to improve patient care delivery.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive diabetes care plans.
Skills
- Extensive knowledge of diabetes and endocrine education, physiology, harm reduction to provide empowering compassionate care
Advanced knowledge of CGM technology and education - Advanced knowledge of insulin pumps, teaching, adjustment, algorithms, and report interpretation
Excellent skills in assessments of learning needs, and teaching of diabetes management
Passionate advocate for trauma-informed, patient-centered care addressing social determinants of health and demographics of St Joseph’s catchment area
Excellent knowledge of community supports and funding resources for people with diabetes
Strong positive relationships with ACC team and physicians, able to float into different ACC areas if needed
- 15 years experience providing care to patients with diabetes in various stages of crisis
Timeline
Public Health Registered Nurse
Unity Health System
01.2024 - 02.2024
Psychiatric Nurse
Unity Hospital
03.2018 - 01.2020
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
St Joseph's Health Centre
02.2009 - Current
Diabetes Nurse Educator
Decent
09.2008 - 03.2009
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