Summary

Certifications

Highlights

Experience

Cheri Dickenson

**** ******** ***, ********* ** 37660

Cell: 423-***-****

acwpvw@r.postjobfree.com

I established Apex Healthcare as a sole proprietor in 2008, it was the first nurse practitioner owned medical practice in the state of Tennessee to employee physicians. Adult Nurse Practitioner with 20 years of extensive experience in primary care, urgent care, certified pain management, psychiatry, in-patient alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Recruited by Mountain States Health Alliance hospital to establish an in-patient geriatric mental health program. Collaborated with Duke University, Vanderbilt University and East Tennessee State University as a preceptor to nurse practitioner students. Apex medical charts were selected by Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurance to use as a teaching tool for audits to other providers. Possess the skills and ability to be multi-task, excellent communication skills, collaborate with multi-specialist in the co-management of complex patients and refer as indicated, perform minor surgical procedures, delegate responsibilities, work with total autonomy or function as an underserved and with collaboration of other physicians that had established free clinics and volunteered their time to provide care to those who could not obtain healthcare. I have volunteered my time and donated multiple medical supplies to thee facilities. My educational background and professional experience has provided the opportunity to achieve my commitment to personal and professional excellence. Adult Nurse Practitioner in the State of Tennessee ANCC board certified in the state of Tennessee

Certificate to Prescribe in Tennessee 2003 to present Register Nurse multi-state

Certified pain management

CPR

Patient-centered care

Interpreting pathology results

Decision-making under pressure

Thorough examinations

Lab result evaluation

Exceptional patient care and interaction

Skilled in clinical interventions

Extensive knowledge of pharmacology and

psychopharmacology

Apex Healthcare, LLC January 2008 to June 2016

Adult Nurse Practitioner/Owner

Kingsport, TN

Assessed need for, ordered, obtained and interpreted appropriate lab test and diagnostic studies. Oversaw average of 25-30 patients per day.

Supervision of 12 employees

Conducted interviews, hiring and evaluations of employees. Established and implemented protocols, guidelines and procedures as required by state regulations including OSHA, HIPPA, waste management.

Managed the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of various disorders and diseases. Provided palliative care ranging from assessment to development and implementation of care plans. Carefully analyzed test results and information gathered during examinations to properly diagnose illnesses and diseases.

Regularly referred patients to medical specialists or other practitioners for more specialized courses of treatment.

Minor surgical procedures including I&D abscess, removal of moles, skin tags, warts, cancer (face not included), punch biopsies, toenail avulsion, trigger point injections, extraction of foreign bodies from ears/nose, removal of cystic lesions, debridement of minor diabetic ulcers and wounds. Provide a safe environment for staff and patients in the event of escalation of patient related to anger or substance abuse; staff educated with detailed plan of action that incorporated de-escalation of a situation and when to abort and contact 911

Patiently explained prescribed procedures and discussed test results with patients and their families. Exhibited expert knowledge of policies, procedures, ethical standards and laws regarding the delivery of medical care.

Discussed various treatment options extensively with patients and families. Strictly maintained the confidentiality of patients, families, colleagues and any sensitive situations. Maintained accurate medical records and documented patient case history in detail. Rapidly assessed and responded to medical emergencies. Collaborated/consulted with supervising physician and multi-specialist as indicated. Delivered high quality and compassionate treatment to indigent and low-income patients. Collaborated with office manager on finances, taxes, licensing, audits, insurance providers, vendors and maintenance of all equipment and regulations required by state law. Urine drug screens obtained and pill counts on each visit for pain management patients, assessed for aberrant behaviors.

Interpreted qualitative/quantitative confirmation and if indicated route of use including nasal, oral, intravenous or anal.

Provided staff education on medications including color, shape and number coding. Cornerstone Health Group, PC June 2007 to December 2007 Adult Nurse Practitioner

Weber City, VA

Oversaw average of 30-40 patients per shift.

Regularly referred patients to medical specialists or other practitioners for more specialized courses of treatment.

Carefully analyzed test results and information gathered during examinations to properly diagnose illnesses and diseases.

Patiently explained prescribed procedures and discussed test results with patients and their families. Exhibited expert knowledge of policies, procedures, ethical standards and laws regarding the delivery of medical care.

Prescribed and regulated medication as authorized. Determined appropriate imaging and laboratory exams needed. Assessment, diagnosis, determine, and implement plan of care. Supervising physician not on site, required the ability and skills to work with total autonomy. Virginia Center of Integrative Medicine December 2005 to June 2007 Adult Nurse Practitioner

Weber City, VA

Prescribed and regulated medication as authorized. Managed patients with appropriate therapy, medication, education, referral and follow-up. Determined appropriate imaging and laboratory exams needed. Required ability and skills to work with total autonomy, supervising physician not onsite. Charted clinical findings.

Provided medical consultations and treatments under physician supervision. Assessment, diagnosis, determine plan of care and implementation.

(practice relocated and changed name to Cornerstone Health Group, PC) Sycamore Shoals Hospital March 2001 to December 2003 Register Nurse/Nurse Manager

Elizabethton, TN

Recruited to facilitate an in-patient geriatric psychiatric program for patients with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Dementia and Parkinson's.

Supervised 4 employees, led recruiting and hiring, managed employee review process and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations.

Established protocols, scheduling, staffing, payroll, review of nursing notes, staff evaluation, facilitating and communication with families related to commitment of a patient. Checked facility for open windows, locked doors, malfunctioning smoke detectors and other safety hazards.

Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose. Documented all patient information including service plans, treatment reports and progress notes. Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services.

Consulted with psychiatrists about client medication changes, issues with medicine compliance and efficacy of medications.

Monitored patients prescribed psychotropic medications to assess the medications' effectiveness and side effects.

Executed appropriate risk-assessment and mitigation strategies. Education

Indian Path Pavilion January 1997 to February 2001 Registered Nurse/Charge Nurse

Kingsport, TN

Charted and recorded information in client files.

Tracked client movement on and off the unit by documenting times and destinations of clients. Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose. Checked facility for open windows, locked doors, malfunctioning smoke detectors and other safety hazards.

Efficiently gathered information from families and social services agencies to inform development of treatment plans.

Documented all patient information including service plans, treatment reports and progress notes. Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services. Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills.

Consulted with psychiatrists about client medication changes, issues with medicine compliance and efficacy of medications.

Guided clients in understanding illnesses and treatment plans. Monitored patients prescribed psychotropic medications to assess the medications' effectiveness and side effects.

Administered medication to patients presenting serious risk of danger to themselves and others. Consulted with and developed appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plans for dually diagnosed patients.

East Tennessee State University 1997

Bachelor of Science: Nursing

Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University 2003

Master of Science: Nursing

Johnson City, TN

ANCC Board Certified 2003-2020

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