Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Certificationsandlicensures
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Yolanda Penalba

Montreal,QC

Summary

Seeking a challenging position as an Infection Control Nurse Counsellor to leverage extensive clinical experience in patient care, quality assurance, and health promotion. Committed to improving infection prevention protocols, ensuring patient safety, and driving continuous quality improvement in a healthcare setting.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Coordinator of Miyupimaatisiiun Tchayo CMC

Cree Health Board of James Bay
06.2023 - Current
  • Departments/Programs: Miyupimaatisiiun Center Tchayo, Psychosocial, Home Care, MSDC, Sampling Center, Physiotherapy and Occupational Rehabilitation
  • Supervised a team of staff, providing guidance and support to ensure high standards of patient care
  • Conducted regular performance evaluations and facilitated professional development opportunities for team members
  • Assist in new program development projects as a clinical lead for (Nisk and Piyauu pods)
  • Assembled a team to implement pathways for the new care model, enhancing efficiency and patient outcomes
  • Kept the team informed of the latest healthcare practices and technological advancements
  • Managed nursing schedules to ensure adequate staffing levels at all times
  • Addressed patient and family concerns promptly and compassionately, ensuring a positive patient experience
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, therapists, and social workers, to develop comprehensive care plans
  • Facilitated interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient cases and coordinate care
  • Collaborated with colleagues and team members to organize evaluation procedures
  • Conducted evaluations of vulnerable patients who needed to leave the community during forest fires
  • Established protocols and coordinated evacuation methods during forest fires and established priorities for evacuation
  • Built and maintained relationships with community organizations and stakeholders
  • Completed bi-weekly payroll for 68-70 employees.
  • Assisted in recruitment efforts by coordinating interviews and managing onboard activities for new hires.

Assistant to the Immediate Supervisor

Cree Health Board of James Bay
01.2022 - 06.2023
  • Departments: Miyupimaatisiiun Center Tchayo, Psychosocial, Home Care, MSDC, Sampling Center, Physiotherapy and Occupational Rehabilitation
  • Developed updated and implemented quality assurance procedures
  • Facilitated meetings with medical staff
  • Strong ability to manage and evaluate nursing staff
  • Proven ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently
  • Collaborated with staff administrators and external agencies on patient care plans
  • Trained nursing staff and implemented South Central /Myles/EMR programs
  • Versatile knowledge of nursing procedures and processes
  • Coordinated with medical staff to develop patient care programs
  • Prepared weekly staff schedules and adjusted as necessary
  • Responded to patient/family complaints in a timely professional manner
  • Prepared reports and summaries based on upper management requests
  • Coordinated patient and family education plans and programs
  • Health & Safety contact tracing
  • Contributed to a positive work environment with strong interpersonal skills and proactive teamwork attitude.
  • Strengthened client relationships through consistent follow-up communication and efficient problem resolution.
  • Boosted customer satisfaction by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving issues professionally.
  • Collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals in a timely manner.
  • Elevated executive productivity, managing complex calendars and arranging travel itineraries.
  • Ensured smooth day-to-day operations by managing email correspondence and promptly addressing inquiries.
  • Reduced medication errors by implementing a standardized medication administration protocol and providing thorough staff training.

Nurse Clinician

St. Mary’s Hospital
05.2006 - Current
  • Daily interaction with a variety of personnel including physicians, radiology technologists, other medical staff and patients
  • Directly assisted physicians in performing invasive and non-invasive procedures of critically ill clients
  • Assist with telemetry monitoring
  • Played an integral role in reporting patient changes in condition and symptoms to physicians.
  • Preceptor for new nursing students
  • Nurse in Charge
  • Delivered high-quality patient education on various topics related to disease management, self-care techniques, and preventative measures.
  • Managed complex cases involving multiple comorbidities while ensuring timely coordination of services across various departments within the organization.

Remote Nurse Clinician

Multi Option Nursing Agency
01.2011 - 01.2020
  • Company Overview: Departments: Tchayo Clinic, Awash Clinic, Home Care, CPS Liaison Nurse, Medicine
  • Covid Lead: Coordinated vaccination center, pre-Covid Triage screening patients and employees entering emergency, and ensuring infection control protocol is followed
  • Assumed Assistant Head duties as Interim
  • Counseling patients on health prevention and promotion approaches, symptom management for chronic illness, diabetes, hypertension, medication compliance, and follow up of Tuberculosis laboratory results
  • Organized and coordinated yearly Flu Vaccination Campaign and carried out routine vaccinations, close follow-up with Public Health for infection diseases
  • Team Leader: supported team, supervised medical assistants; assigned daily tasks, oversaw laboratory procedures, orders and requisitions
  • Assisted medical personnel in planning, evaluation, and delivery of inpatient and outpatient care
  • Coordination of medical evacuation and referring clients to community resources for urgent medical follow ups

Nursing Educator

Lester B. Pearson School Board (WICC)
01.2011 - 01.2019
  • Departments: CHSLD, Nursing Homes, Mental Health, Maternal/Child, Medical-Surgical, Physical Rehabilitation
  • Providing practical training to nursing students (LPNs & PAB’s) in a clinical setting
  • Assist students in developing skills of nursing and competency
  • Patience in teaching students at different levels of understanding
  • Adapted a teaching style to meet the varied learning needs of individule
  • Providing step-by-step guidance and demonstrations to ensure students grasp practical skills.
  • Observing and assessing student performance, offering constructive feedback, and evaluating their competencies in a clinical setting
  • Served as a mentor, encouraging professional development, and nurturing students’ confidence
  • Guiding students to think critically, analyze patient cases, and make informed decisions
  • Evaluated student performance through assessments and feedback, identifying areas for improvement and adjusting teaching methods accordingly.

Registered Nurse

Sainte-Elisabeth
01.2010 - 03.2013
  • Departments: Home Care, Clinical Trials/Research
  • Monitoring and treating clients at home, administering injections, intravenous, oral administration, ensuring active Tuberculosis clients are compliant with medication
  • Utilizing a centrifuge machine and analyzing blood samples, and routine blood draws at time points
  • Assisting in clinical trials of Diabetic and Dermatitis patients
  • Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
  • Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.

Education

Bachelors of Science - Nursing

University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
01.2013

Diplome d’etude Collegial (D.E.C) - Nursing

Vanier College School
Montreal, Quebec
05.2006

Skills

  • Relationship Building
  • Team Leadership and Team Management
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Operational Efficiency and Workflow Optimization
  • Communication and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

References

Available upon request

Certificationsandlicensures

  • CPR Certification
  • PDSB Certification
  • Immunization Certification
  • Perinatal Cultural Safety

Languages

English
Professional Working
French
Limited Working

Timeline

Coordinator of Miyupimaatisiiun Tchayo CMC

Cree Health Board of James Bay
06.2023 - Current

Assistant to the Immediate Supervisor

Cree Health Board of James Bay
01.2022 - 06.2023

Remote Nurse Clinician

Multi Option Nursing Agency
01.2011 - 01.2020

Nursing Educator

Lester B. Pearson School Board (WICC)
01.2011 - 01.2019

Registered Nurse

Sainte-Elisabeth
01.2010 - 03.2013

Nurse Clinician

St. Mary’s Hospital
05.2006 - Current

Bachelors of Science - Nursing

University of Victoria

Diplome d’etude Collegial (D.E.C) - Nursing

Vanier College School
Yolanda Penalba