Michelle Ponce
Riverside
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse delivering comprehensive care to high-acuity patients with complex cardiac and neurological conditions. Strong collaborator with interdisciplinary teams, ensuring patient safety and effective monitoring. Dedicated to educating patients and families, reducing readmissions through proactive discharge planning.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse - PCU/Telemetry unit
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Downey
04.2025 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive care for high-acuity patients with complex cardiac and neurological conditions.
- Collaborated with neurologists and interdisciplinary teams for continuous monitoring in a Level IV epilepsy unit.
- Managed tracheostomy and enteral feeding for ventilator-dependent patients, ensuring safe and effective medication administration.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families, facilitating coping and recovery during critical health events.
- Educated patients and families on disease management and discharge planning, enhancing understanding to prevent readmissions.
- Evaluated hemodynamic responses to cardiac medications, adjusting care plans accordingly.
- Documented patient care and progress in Cerner EMR, ensuring accuracy and effective communication.
- Administered medical treatments including intravenous fluids, medications, and blood transfusions.
Student Nurse Worker - Step-Down / Telemetry Unit
Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center
Downey
08.2024 - 04.2025
- Assisted with patient care activities, including monitoring vitals, facilitating hygiene, and supporting mobility under RN supervision to enhance overall care.
- Accompanied Level IV epilepsy patients, assisting nurses during seizure events with oxygen application, suctioning, and reorientation to ensure patient safety.
- Maintained a safe and therapeutic environment through regular rounding and effective communication with nursing team.
Lead Surgery Scheduler
Placentia-Linda Hospital
Placentia
02.2019 - 01.2023
- Managed daily OR scheduling, collaborating with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and perioperative teams to enhance case flow and reduce delays.
- Cultivated communication, organization, and multitasking skills applicable to acute-care nursing coordination.
- Scheduled surgeries using electronic health record systems for efficient patient management.
- Coordinated with medical staff to confirm surgery dates and times.
Procedural Scheduler
St. Jude Medical Center
Fullerton
02.2016 - 02.2019
- Coordinated daily surgical schedules for multiple surgeons and departments, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Collaborated with medical staff to optimize operating room utilization, ensuring timely patient care.
- Resolved scheduling conflicts by prioritizing urgent cases and reallocating resources, minimizing delays in surgery.
Surgical Care Liaison / Scheduler
La Veta Surgical Center
Orange
02.2011 - 11.2015
- Managed surgical block time utilization, increasing procedure availability and reducing patient wait times.
- Scheduled procedures to streamline operational flow and improve patient throughput.
- Conducted cost analysis for surgical equipment, identifying opportunities for cost savings and improving insurance reimbursement.
- Resolved customer issues effectively, ensuring satisfaction through knowledgeable service.
Medical Assistant
Rajesh Khanijou, MD
Anaheim
08.2007 - 06.2011
- Assisted physicians with patient care by taking vital signs, patient histories and preparing patients for examinations.
- Assisted in patient examinations and documented medical histories.
- Assisted physician during procedures by ensuring availability of necessary instruments.
- Prepared examination rooms and ensured proper sterilization of instruments.
- Coordinated appointment scheduling and managed patient flow to optimize office operations.
- Facilitated communication with insurance providers for pre-authorizations and referrals.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
National University
San Diego, CA05-2026
Associate Degree - Nursing
Cerritos College
Cerritos, CA12-2024
Associate of Science - Health Information Technology
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA05-2018
Skills
- Telemetry monitoring
- Ventilator & Tracheostomy Care
- IV Therapy
- IV insertion
- Transfusion management
- IVIG
- Wound care
- Drain Management
- Infection control
- Patient evaluation
- lab result interpretation
- Patient Education
- Cerner EMR
- SurgiNet
- Allscripts
- Critical Thinking
Certifications And Licensure
- Registered Nurse License, 95409865
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), 255406034213
- Basic Life Support (BLS), 255416953985
- NIHSS Certified
Timeline
Registered Nurse - PCU/Telemetry unit
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
04.2025 - Current
Student Nurse Worker - Step-Down / Telemetry Unit
Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center
08.2024 - 04.2025
Lead Surgery Scheduler
Placentia-Linda Hospital
02.2019 - 01.2023
Procedural Scheduler
St. Jude Medical Center
02.2016 - 02.2019
Surgical Care Liaison / Scheduler
La Veta Surgical Center
02.2011 - 11.2015
Medical Assistant
Rajesh Khanijou, MD
08.2007 - 06.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
National University
Associate Degree - Nursing
Cerritos College
Associate of Science - Health Information Technology
Santa Barbara City College