Nicola Crich BSc BScPA CCPA
St. Thomas,ON
Summary
Dynamic Physician Assistant bringing 3+ years of treating patients and coordinating care with other healthcare staff. Proven history of leveraging critical thinking, analysis and medical knowledge to deliver superior care in high-pressure environments. Prioritizes clinical and operational tasks in fast-paced medicine settings.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Emergency Medicine
Windsor Regional Hospital Ouellette Campus
- Collaboratively and independently performed a variety of procedures of different acuity and skill level
- These included suturing, joint aspiration, paracentesis, intubation, joint relocation, joint sheath dissection, point of care ultrasound, splinting, and incision/drainage
- Liaised with police and paramedics for transfer of patients to our care in a streamlined and timely manner
- Worked in close contact with consulting specialists in order to smoothy and efficiently transfer care from the emergency department to their service
- Assisted with level one traumas which included stroke patients, VSA patients, code blue, high impact collisions, and vascular emergencies
- These situations required high levels of communication, attentiveness, clear understanding of my role, and organization
Emergency Medicine
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Collaborated with physicians and physician assistants to care for patients of all acuity levels
- Working specifically with other physicians assistants allowed for a clear understanding of the role and scope of practice
- Used a sliding schedule within each shift that required rotation through multiple zones while continuing care for patient in each previous zone
- With movement through multiple zones strong communication and organization skills was required
- Ensured the staff physician was updated on the status of each patient promptly while continuing to maintain a level of independence appropriate for a student learner
- Continued to develop skills in POCUS, suturing, incision and drainage, silt lamp examination, resuscitation and foreign body removal
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
The Hospital for Sick Children
- Ensured the comfort and care of my pediatric patient was forefront in the encounter through effective age-appropriate language, ensuring their overall safety and adjusting my behaviour to an age-appropriate level
- Displayed professionalism when communicating with outpatient practicing physician and aiding these physicians in transferring their patients to the emergency department to seek care
- Aided in a multitude of procedures including but not limited to casting, burn debridement, sedations, laceration repair, foreign body removal and POCUS
- Independently assessed patients with a range of complaints while maintaining the proper student supervising physician protocol
- These included, acute surgical abdomens, constipation, afebrile and febrile seizures, chest pain, dehydration, ovarian torsion, parotitis, ocular emergencies among others
- Liaised with parents and guardians of the patients to ensure all parties were informed and comfortable with the plan
- While allowing for these conversations, I ensured that the patient’s wishes and goals were forefront in the decision making processes when age-appropriate
Internal Medicine
St. Thomas Elgin General
- Directly cared for patients suffering from COVID-19 and other complex illness which consisting of family planning, goals of care, and end of life planning
- This type of care required compassion, empathy, and confidence
- This care allowed for personal reflection and growth of the skills required to be a well-rounded medical professional for all stages of care and life
- Worked in the intensive care unit alongside multiple intensivists caring for patients with complex medical conditions
- Including but not limited to large pulmonary embolisms, COVID-19, Guillain-Barre syndrome, pneumonia, COPD, and DKA
- Allowing growth and improve of critical thinking, independent learning, leadership and decision-making skills
- Independently performed sterile procedure on critically ill patients while ensuring adequate supervision and assistance
- These including lumbar puncture, thoracentesis, and paracentesis
- Balanced caring for the patient directly under my care and assisting the supervising physician on consults and procedures
- Thus, improving and challenging my time management skills
- Worked with nurses, doctors, residents and other students in a multidisciplinary setting resulting in growth of interpersonal skills, communications skills and professionalism
General Surgery
St. Thomas Elgin General
- Assisted in managing the inpatient unit for the general surgery team which consisted of pain management, medication alterations, building patient repour, ensuring discharge paperwork was completed and daily rounding
- Completed detailed discharge summaries, consultation notes and progress notes in a timely and efficient manor
- Performed detailed consultations for the general surgery team while on call and during regular shift hours
- Independently and proficiently prepped, locally anesthetized and excided variously types of skin lesions
- First assisted on multiple procedures in the operating room including operating the laparoscopic instruments, suturing and stapling, and cauterizing
- Procedures included appendectomy, cholecystectomy, bowel resection, mastectomy, hernia repair, large lesion excision, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Pediatrics
Dr. Pavri – Private Practice in Pediatrics
- Confidently executed in-depth newborn physicals while on the Mother Baby Unit at LHSC
- Cultivated repour with parents while counselling on vaccinations, proper feed schedules for baby, mental health issues post-partum, and common concerns during the newborn period
- Coordinated with lactation consultants to assist new mothers in the proper techniques for breastfeeding and tips to overcome the challenges that individuals who breast feed face
- Completed consultations for conditions such ADHD, autism, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, oppositional defiant disorder, POTS and other behavioral issues in patients that were infants, adolescences and teenagers
Psychiatry
London Health Sciences Center
- Company Overview: Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
- Worked in close contact with the site chief of psychiatric to manage the inpatient unit, this consisted of titrating medications to therapeutic dose, managing comorbid medical problems and participating in CCB hearings
- Worked in close contact with the social worker on the team to assist in finding housing options, bridging to outpatient resources and the psychosocial aspect of the patients care
- Managed multiple patients in the psychiatric intensive care unit, these patients are at increased risk of aggression and violence, increased acuity and often more long-standing psychiatric illnesses
- Performed in depth psychiatric interviews and counselled patients on medications, psychotherapy techniques, diagnosis and the prognosis of their condition
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Family Medicine #1
Dr. Marzcuk Family Practice
- Independently managed patient complaints while taking histories and physical examinations both virtually and in person
- Create appropriate care plans, medication changes, referrals and diagnosis in an efficient and timely manor
- Communicated effectively and rapidly with the supervising physician and patients while managing the new restrictions during the COVID 19 pandemic
- Integrated new Canadian guidelines into practice, practiced antimicrobial stewardship and independently performed research to ensure the patients had the most up to date
- Cultivated good therapeutic relationships and repour with the patients while navigating the challenges that were faced treating patients whose cultural, personal and primary language differ from my own
Family Medicine #2
Stratford Family Health Team
- Collaborated with multiple doctors, nurses and physician assistants to coordinate several COVID-19 vaccination clinics
- Developed and strengthen skills in counselling by participating in the planning and management of mood and anxiety disorder in the pediatric and geriatric population
- Further refined and cultivated my clinical skills in performing and assisting in the performance of pap smears, well child checks, vaccinations and injection, IUD insertions, ear syringing, and Vanderdoes procedure
- Educated and assisted patient with their end-of-life planning through completion of living wills, code status and SDM appointment in a respect, empathetic and professional manor
Family Medicine #3
London Lambeth Medical Team
- Autonomously performed dermatoscopic examination of a variety of skin lesions and conditions that presented to the dermatology practice
- Facilitated smooth and efficient communication with the Emergency Department when patients of the Family Health Team required emergency care
- Independently performed detailed yet concise histories, physical and care plans for patient during after-hours clinic and during regular clinic hours
- Aided in the facilitation and smooth execution of multiple COVID-19 vaccination clinics by drawing up vaccinations, relaying with paramedics during adverse events, education and counselling patients on the COVID-19 vaccine
Anesthesia
Toronto Western Hospital
- Company Overview: Anesthesia Services
- Monitored patients under full sedation during OR proceedings under the supervision of the staff anesthesiologist
- Drew up medications and administered doses to the patients at the appropriate times under instruction
- Assisted during intubation and placement of IVs
- Anesthesia Services
Thoracic Surgery
London Health Sciences Center
08.2022 - Current
- Worked with a variety of surgeons in their outpatient clinic, completing follow up appointment, new consultations and minor procedures
- Followed all guidelines to ensure evidence-based decisions were made
- Utilized a variety of platforms including phone, web-based video chat and in person assessments
- Balanced clinic flow and timeliness with patient center care
- The high paced nature of these clinics fostered and developed my time management and organization skills
- Liased with administrative staff for nonscheduled patient calls that potentially required higher level of care or investigations
- Directed these patients to the appropriate clinical setting based on their clinical presentation to mitigate unwarranted emergency room visit
- Collaboratively and independently performed a variety of procedures of different acuity and skill level
- These included chest tube insertion, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and ultrasound guided drainage
- Managed an inpatient unit with up to 25 patients
- Implemented each surgeons’ patient plan while giving real time feedback regarding their patient and their outcomes
- Executed timely follow ups on all imaging studies and coordinated the flow of information between all team members, allied health and family members
Trauma Surgery and General Surgery
Hamilton General
03.2021 - 08.2022
- Directly cared for patients suffering from COVID-19 and other complex illness which consisting of family planning, goals of care, and end of life planning
- This type of care required compassion, empathy, and confidence
- This care allowed for personal reflection and growth of the skills required to be a well-rounded medical professional for all stages of care and life
- Independently performed sterile procedures on critically ill patients while ensuring adequate supervision and assistance
- These including PEG tube placement, tracheostomies, pigtail placement and removal, chest tube removal and placement, arterial line removal and suturing
- Manage the trauma and acute care surgery floor which consisted of pain management, medication alterations, building patient repour, ensuring all paperwork was completed and daily rounding
- This was completed independently and as a team with an average patient list of 30 with the upper limit of 65 patients
- Foraged a strong relationship with the nurses’ staff allowing for an efficient, respectable, and safe working environment
- This relationship allowed for mutual trust and assisted in streamlining acute issues on the ward
- First assisted in the operating room for a variety of general surgery procedures including but not limited to cholecystectomies, appendectomies, bowel resection, bowel detorsions, hernia repairs, EUAs, and IOCs
- Participated in the primary, secondary and tertiary assessments in a level one trauma center following ATLS guidelines
- These tasks include POCUS exam, pigtail placement, chest tube placement, arterial line placement, joint relocation, triaging imaging, and the full ABCDEs of ATLS
- Liaised with police and paramedics for transfer of patients to our care in a streamlined and timely manner
- Collaborated with multiple health care professionals including residents, nurses, physician assistants, physical and occupation therapist, pharmacists, social workers and respiratory therapists
- This allowed for strong patient centered care and improved disposition planning
Bartender and Server
Bertoldis Trattoria
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Required to conduct oneself in a profession manor during high-volume, stressful and strenuous situations
- Formed strong professional relationships which allowed for teamwork, effective communication, and problem solving occurred during each shift
- Required to perform complex tasks, such a maintain the bar and service area independently, while ensuring that each customer was satisfied and treated with respect
- Worked upwards of 14 hours shifts up to 7 days a week
Education
Bachelor of Science - Physician Assistant
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario01-2021
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology
University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario01-2018
Skills
- Trauma and Thoracic Surgery experience
- Interprofessional collaboration
- Patient examination
- Chronic disease management
- Direct patient care
- Family planning
- Palliative care
- Oncology
- Patient-centered care
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Dedicated to personal growth and improvement
- Committed to collaboration while maintaining effective personal decision making
Accomplishments
- Speaker at 2023 CCPA convention
- Deans Honour List - UWO '16,'17,'18
Certification
- ATLS Certified 2021
- BLS Certified via Red Cross
- WHMIS Certified - UOfT
Timeline
Thoracic Surgery
London Health Sciences Center
08.2022 - Current
Trauma Surgery and General Surgery
Hamilton General
03.2021 - 08.2022
Bartender and Server
Bertoldis Trattoria
01.2018 - 01.2019
- ATLS Certified 2021
- BLS Certified via Red Cross
- WHMIS Certified - UOfT
Emergency Medicine
Windsor Regional Hospital Ouellette Campus
Emergency Medicine
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
The Hospital for Sick Children
Internal Medicine
St. Thomas Elgin General
General Surgery
St. Thomas Elgin General
Pediatrics
Dr. Pavri – Private Practice in Pediatrics
Psychiatry
London Health Sciences Center
Family Medicine #1
Dr. Marzcuk Family Practice
Family Medicine #2
Stratford Family Health Team
Family Medicine #3
London Lambeth Medical Team
Anesthesia
Toronto Western Hospital
Bachelor of Science - Physician Assistant
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology
University of Western Ontario
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