Curriculum Vitae

Karen Bergeron, RN

Phone: 240-***-**** Cell

Email: ad2gpn@r.postjobfree.com

Experience Summary

COVID 19 Vaccination Nurse. Fourteen years administering flu vaccines and other immunizations in metro Washington, D.C. area, including Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Experienced IV nurse, administering infusions and chemotherapy, blood transfusions and working with central venous catheters, including PICC and large-bore CVC used in apheresis and dialysis.

Experienced and certified by ONS in chemotherapy preparation and administration.

Nursing experience working with the public and healthcare professionals on national and international levels for large federal government healthcare institution, screening and monitoring patients, as nurse navigator for clinical trials, supporting principle investigator, entering orders for physicians and admitting patients to NIH, the National Cancer Institute for treatment.

Fifteen years performing apheresis procedures, among the first certified as Hemapheresis Practitioner (ASCP), including management, initiated first stem cell harvest via apheresis in Louisiana for LSU Bone Marrow Transplant Program at University Hospital.

Experienced in general nursing duties working on large surgical floor and in critical care.

Some Labor and Delivery experience.

Employment

8/2022 to present (PRN) Norwood Summer Camp Nurse and relief nurse during regular school year, Potomac/Bethesda, Maryland (NRI Healthcare Agency)

Annual assignment every August for summer camp and as need during school year.

Responsible for care of children at private school during summer camp. Ages Pre-K through middle school as well as junior and senior counselors and adults.

Attended to injuries, emergencies, medication distribution and all related documentation.

11/2021 – 3/2022 (Short-term Temporary Position) CVS Pharmacy (SGS Contractor)

Immunization Nurse including COVID 19 vaccinations

Administered all COVID 19 Vaccinations and other immunizations, ages 5 y.o. and up. Included Flu shots, Shingrix, Pneumonia, Hep C, Tdap, Tetanus, MMR, etc. Assignment with CVS extended twice until COVID vaccinations volume decreased substantially and position no longer needed.

12/18/20 - 5/3/21 FlexRN Contractor Nurse

COVID-19 Vaccination Nurse

Initially in hospital for healthcare employees and later at Hagerstown, Maryland Mass vaccination site for COVID 19 public vaccinations until site closing.

9/15/09 – Present NRI Healthcare Agency (PRN position)

Special Project Nurse

Rockville, MD and Annandale, VA

• Staff immunizations and wellness clinics for large corporations in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and District of Columbia.

• Flu shots and H1N1 Immunizations with Health Department in Northern Virginia schools and mass community immunization projects.

• Staff relief nurse in private offices and occupational health clinics.

8/2012 – 11/2014 Adventist Healthcare (PRN Position)

Immunization Nurse

• Administered flu vaccines and other immunizations to employees and general public at Adventist facilities and

businesses in metro D.C. area.

• Performed phlebotomy to collect blood specimens for laboratory tests at wellness clinics at businesses in metro area as part of Adventist healthcare team.

12/22/12 – Present (Contract Position, PRN)

American Red Cross at National Institutes of Health

National Donor Marrow Program

• Field Nurse preparing stem cell donors for harvest in bone marrow transplants.

• Administer GCSF over 4 days to increase WBC counts and mobilize stem cells for apheresis harvest on Day 5.

2/23/11 to 6/8/11 Chemotherapy Nurse

Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

Bethesda, Maryland

• Administer chemotherapy to cancer patients in infusion center/

Oncology/Hematology office setting.

• Insert peripheral intravenous catheters, access and deaccess central venous catheters (implanted ports), administer injections.

• Perform phlebotomies and administer IV medications in treatment of hematological diseases.

1/4/10 to 2/11/11 Chemotherapy Nurse

Washington Oncology Hematology Center

Washington, DC

• Mix and administer chemotherapy to cancer patients in infusion center/

Oncology/Hematology office setting.

• Insert peripheral intravenous catheters, access and deaccess central venous catheters (implanted ports), administer injections.

• Perform phlebotomies and administer IV medications in treatment of hematological diseases.

• Collect blood samples and run complete blood counts.

6/17/09 to 8/12/09 Camp Nurse

Camp Sangamon for Boys

Pittsford, Vermont

• Served as the only medical person supporting boys’ summer camp in rural Vermont, ages 9 years and up.

• Responsible for care of approximately 150 people including staff, counselors and campers.

2/25/08 to 5/25/08 Labor and Delivery Nurse Internship

Shady Grove Hospital

Rockville, Maryland

• Participated in 3-month internship program for nurses

cross training to different area. The program consisted

of regular class work at the hospital and working 3 twelve-hours shifts

a week with a preceptor.

• Caring for laboring mother, assisting with delivery and care of newborn infant post delivery

• Certification in Fetal Heart Monitoring and Neonatal Resuscitation obtained.

9/99 to 9/4/07 Nurse Coordinator for Immunotoxin Clinical Trials

Scientific Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

The National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute

Bethesda, Maryland

• Nurse coordinator to Chief of Clinical Immunotherapy,

MD Principal Investigator of immunotoxin trials.

• First line of communication with patients, physicians

on national and international level seeking clinical trials in treatment of various types of cancer.

• Coordinated all aspects of eligibility screening, diagnostic testing, and admission for treatment.

• Served as liaison between physicians, Fellows, other health professionals and patients.

• Collected, entered and maintained computer databases for clinical trials

• Entered physician’s orders and verified completion.

• Obtained and reviewed medical records from outside sources to determine history and eligibility for clinical trials.

• Monitored patients on clinical trials.

• Arranged for collection and shipment of laboratory blood samples and tissue specimens.

• Collaborated with physicians, patients and families worldwide.

• Instructed, counseled, and met with patients and families. Arranged interpreters as needed.

• Developed written instructions and forms.

• Maintained computer data bases on patients.

2/98 to 9/99 Apheresis Nurse (Hemapheresis Practitioner)

Scientific Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

The National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute

Bethesda, Maryland

• Recruited to NIH/NCI to support research activities of

Surgery Branch Chief performing automated collection of white blood cells (leukapheresis) on Melanoma patients.

• Inserted bilateral intravenous catheters for procedures.

• Accessed, and maintained central venous catheters on patients with inadequate peripheral veins for procedures.

• Administered IV fluids and medications.

• Managed adverse reactions to procedures.

• Made regular phone calls to follow long term patients.

10/95 to 2/98 Apheresis Nurse (Hemapheresis Practitioner)

INOVA Fairfax Hospital

Falls Church, Virginia

• Served as the only Hemapheresis Practitioner on staff of

11 nurses and medical technologists in the Apheresis Department of large regional hospital.

• Performed therapeutic apheresis procedures including plasma exchanges, white blood cell reductions (leukapheresis), using COBE automated Blood Cell Separators on patients with hematologic, neurologic and neuromuscular disorders on adult and pediatric population.

• Collected peripheral blood stem cells using COBE automated Blood Cell Separators on cancer patients for autologous transplantation.

• Accessed and maintained large-bore central venous catheters for procedures.

• Administered blood and blood products and other IV fluid and medications during procedures

• Screened and collected various blood components from apheresis donors using COBE automated systems.

• Inserted bilateral peripheral intravenous catheters in donors for procedures

• Collected and centrifuged blood samples, ran complete blood counts on donors to determine eligibility.

• Maintained knowledge of FDA regulations in collecting and handling blood components.

• Treated adverse reactions to patients and donors.

7/93 to 6/95 Director, Apheresis Stem Cell Program

University Hospital / Louisiana State University Medical Center

New Orleans, Louisiana

• Developed the first Stem Cell Apheresis Program in the state for LSU Medical Center’s Bone Marrow Transplant Program.

• Performed stem cell collections using COBE automated Blood Cell Separator equipment on cancer patients for autologous transplantation.

• Inserted bilateral intravenous catheters for procedures.

• Accessed, maintained and removed central venous large-bore catheters.

• Administered blood and blood components, IV fluids, and IV medications, injections.

• Hired, trained and supervised other nursing staff.

• Treated reactions.

• Scrubbed and assisted Chief of Bone Marrow Transplant in surgery.

• Traveled abroad to transport bone marrow from donors for the International Marrow Registry.

11/86 to 4/93 Manager, Apheresis Department

The Blood Center for Southeast Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

• Developed and managed Apheresis Program for regional blood center serving 48 hospitals in southeastern Louisiana working with adult and pediatric patients.

• Hired, trained and supervised staff.

• Performed therapeutic procedures using automated blood cell separators on patients in hospitals, often in Intensive Care Units.

• Responsible for all donor apheresis operations collecting platelets, plasma, white blood cells on automated equipment.

• Established, equipped and trained staff for three apheresis centers.

• Treated adverse reactions.

• Maintained emergency supplies.

• Administered blood products and medications.

• Communicated with and reported regularly to medical director of blood center on all therapeutic procedures and followed physicians’ orders.

• Worked closely with attending physicians of the many hospitals in region serviced by our blood center. Advised physicians requesting our services under direction of Blood Center’s Medical Director.

• Provided departmental report at weekly blood center staff meetings. Worked closely with executive committee to formulate policies.

• Followed FDA regulations and guidelines of the American Association of Blood Banks and trained staff.

• Prepared and participated in FDA and AABB inspections.

• Wrote Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).

• Established and maintained Quality Control on all equipment.

• Initiated, planned and hosted the first Apheresis Donor Award Banquet.

• Represented the Blood Center at national meetings.

• Gave presentations at national meetings.

• Prepared annual budget.

• Purchased major equipment and supplies for department.

Non-Nursing andVolunteer Experience

2022 to present Election Judge,

Board of Elections, Frederick County, MD

Trained and worked all areas of poles during Primary and Gubernatorial elections at different precincts throughout county.

2009 to present Lector (Scripture Reader) and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Docent (Church seats 3500 attendees.)

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,

Washington, DC and other local Catholic Churches in Frederick area.

Education and Training

Associate of Science Degree in Nursing

Pensacola State College

Pensacola, Florida

Nurse Internship

West Florida Regional Medical Center

Pensacola, Florida

Licenses and Registration

Registered Nurse, Maryland, #R167459, Compact Multistate License, current.

Previously licensed in District of Columbia, Louisiana, Virginia, Vermont, Florida (original state of examination and licensure)

Chemotherapy Certification, Oncology Nurses Congress, Washington, DC, 2013-2015

Hemapheresis Practitioner Certification, American Society of Clinical Pathologists, #89, Permanent

IV Insertion Certification, Renewed with Perivascular Nurse Consultants

Basic Life Support, AED and CPR Certification, current.

Catholic Medical Bioethics Certification, January 2023

Affiliations

Member, Oncology Nurses’ Society

Board of Directors, American Society for Apheresis (National Organization)

President, Society of Hemapheresis Specialists, 1995 (National Organization)

Member, Association of Clinical Research professionals

Update 3/2023

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