Health Care Geriatric

Sonya W. Hicks

*** ***** ******

Talladega, Alabama 35160

Cell: 718-***-**** E-mail: ***********@*******.***

Patient-Focused Nurse on Adult-Gerontology, Forensic Nursing, and Geriatric Care

Respond effectively and efficiently to life-saving situations, capably handle emergencies, and performing multifaceted assessments, therapies, and interventions. Collaborate with physicians and surgeons regarding the patients’ condition, test results and assist surgeons during operative procedures. Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized health care plans and provide guidance and leadership within the area of specialty. Construct a friendly environment that is restorative, empathetic, and caring – widely recognized as an excellent caregiver and patient advocate. Oversee the administrative and operational activities of care plans while educating patients and providing emotional support to families. Possess outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and people skills; thrive in a highly demanding, agile and a fast-paced work environment.

Education

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Adult-Gerontology Graduate Program – (2015)

Graduated Cum Laude with a GPA: 3.71/4.0

South University, Montgomery, AL

Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) – (2010)

Graduated Cum Laude with a GPA: 3.67/4.0

University of Alabama Huntsville, Huntsville, AL

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) – (2006)

Coursework in Biology, Clinical Chemistry, and Microbiology – GPA: 3.50/4.0

Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL

Professional Experience

Charge Nurse (May 2023-Current)

St. Clair Correctional Facility, Springville, AL

In charge of nursing staff in the infirmary

Assess patients that are injured or that have overdose.

Patient treatments including HTN, infections, and wounds.

Care for patients that live in the infirmary.

Perform EKGs

Assist MD with care of patients.

Draw lab work.

Chart on infirmary patients

Staff Development Coordinator/Educator (July 2022-prn)

CRLH, Pell City, AL

In charge of training the newly hired staff and training and developing the existing ones.

Assess the performance level of new employees, conduct hands-on training, and identify the organization's training needs.

Improving employee productivity by creating and presenting training and development programs.

Developed and teach programs designed to enhance the skills of workers. Teach Geriatric mental health that included: Dementia types (Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, Vascular. Frontotemporal, Cognitive, Mixed, and Alcohol-related).

Provide physicals, TB test, administer Hep B vaccinations and drug screen to all potential new hires.

Forensic Staff RN (Sept 2021-May 2022)

Citizen Baptist, Talladega, AL

Provides comprehensive care to incarcerated patients who have experienced victimization.

Assist DOCs with body searches on admission.

Medication pass

Daily assessments

Ensure patient attend all group sessions and activities.

Supervise CNA staff.

Daily rounding with PCP

ADON/DON (April 2019-Sept 2021) Ball Healthcare., Birmingham, AL

Responsible for assisting the Director of Nursing Services/Clinical Services Administrator in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of Nursing Services for residents in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the facility and as may be directed by the Director of Nursing Services/Clinical Services Administrator to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Assist in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the nursing service department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility

Recommend to Quality Assistance Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee and implements approved policies and procedures that govern the day- to-day functions of the nursing service department

Supervising all nursing staff

Overseeing department budgets

Reporting to higher management in the healthcare facilities

Maintaining high standards of care for all patients

Managing patients’ data and medical records as confidential records

Communicating with doctors, patients, and family members about patient health

Recruiting, training and onboarding new nursing staff

Providing ongoing education classes

Implementing new procedures and training Nurses on policies

ADON (July 2018-April 2019)

Diversicare, Oxford. AL

Responsible for assisting the Director of Nursing Services/Clinical Services Administrator in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of Nursing Services for residents in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the facility and as may be directed by the Director of Nursing Services/Clinical Services Administrator to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is always maintained.

Assist in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the nursing service department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.

Recommend to Quality Assistance Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee and implements approved policies and procedures that govern the day- to-day functions of the nursing service department.

Make written and oral reports and recommendations to the Director of Nursing Services/Clinical Services Administrator, as necessary/required concerning the operation of the nursing department.

Assists with the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Infection Control Program to include policy development, surveillance, tracking and trending and reporting outbreaks and other communicable diseases to public health and other regulatory agencies as required.

Assist in recruitment, selection, and placement of qualified personnel.

House Supervisor (Aug 2017-June 2018)

RRMC, Gadsden, AL

Provides oversight for multiple hospital departments in the absence of administration and unit director.

Addresses patient care, staffing, and any other issues that may arise.

Supervises nurses and staff and takes administrative responsibilities and ensures adequate staffing for the oncoming shift.

Handles occurrences during the shift, ensuring appropriate documentation and communication.

Determines the issues to be referred to the Administrator on call.

Collaborates with patients, family members and physicians to ensure needs are met and problems are resolved.

Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs.

Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets.

Has full authority over personnel actions.

Unit Manager (Oct 2016-Nov 2017 prn)

NHS, Jacksonville, AL

Maintain the resident census and condition roster on a daily basis while participating in periodic rehab meetings, coordinating FMP implementation and monitoring for compliance.

Follow up on pharmacy consultant recommendations for the unit, participate in monthly/weekly QA meetings and provide reports for the group.

Maintain physicians’ visit schedule, make routine rounds with doctors, and follow up on consults with psych, podiatrist, dentist, and ophthalmologist.

Review staffing for a unit at the beginning of the morning review 24-hour report, make initial rounds on the unit to determine that resident care complies with their needs.

Charge Nurse (Jun 2011-Oct 2016)

Noland Health Care Services, Anniston, AL

Assessed and treated patients with multiple chronic diagnoses, including COPD and asthma.

Helped physicians examine and treat patients by assisting with instruments, injections, and suture removal, as well as reading and interpreting heart monitor readings.

Through planning and management, all departmental goals and objectives are achieved by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care.

Provided ethical and expert nursing care consistent with best practices and professional standards and treated patients accordingly while ensuring the efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens.

Measured patients’ vital statistics, monitored physical and behavioral changes, any adverse reactions, discussed findings with RNs and physicians, treated patients accordingly.

Prepared for HIPAA and JCAHO reviews, ensuring required brochures and pamphlets were available to patients and their families.

Being a part of a nursing team and a patient advocate implemented total patient care plan covering 8-10 high acuity patients per shift.

Case Manager (Jun 2010-Jun 2011)

Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Gadsden, AL

Interviewed patients and families to evaluate needs and risk factors to develop and apply appropriate plans of care that improved patients’ condition.

Implemented and assessed individualized patient care plans.

Acted as a social worker and advocated patient welfare while bridging between patients, their families, and health care providers.

Oversaw the in-patient/out-patient functions, bed assignments, and completion of preliminary paperwork for entering patients and adhered to all applicable standard

Case Manager/Admissions Coordinator (Feb 2008-May 2011)

Southern Care Hospice, Oxford, AL

Collaborated with patients and families, developed, and implemented individualized care plans, which established goals based on diagnosis and incorporated therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative activities.

Assessed and treated patients with multiple chronic diagnoses, including MI, arrhythmias, COPD, pneumonia and asthma.

Planned and initiated appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing interventions and administered medications and treatment, as prescribed by the physicians.

Provided considerate care to distressed people and helped reduce their pains through developing best-in-class nursing interventions and appropriately managing medications.

ICU/PCU/ER Staff/Charge Nurse (Jun 2006-Mar 2008)

Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, Anniston, AL

Contributed as a valued and well-regarded team member and provided compassionate nursing care to patients with multiple chronic diagnoses, including COPD and asthma.

Performed emergency medical procedures, provided BLS, ACLS and other condition stabilizing interventions.

Equipped patients undergoing surgical/medical interventions; anticipated needs of surgeons and medical staff and assisted in surgical procedures.

Documented the effectiveness of nursing care and revised plan of attention as the patients progressed toward expected outcomes; assessed and recorded symptoms, reactions, and progress.

Assessed the impact of illnesses or injuries on patients’ health while educating patients and providing emotional support to families and friends.

Oversaw and provided complete patient assessments, including NG and G-tubes, management of ventilator-assisted patients, infection control and wound care.

Training and Certifications

Nasogastric Tube (NGT), Intravenous (IV) and Ventilator Trained

Basic Life Support (BLS)

BLS Instructor

Behavior Violence Protocol Training (BVP)

National Incident Management System Training (NIMS)

Affiliation

American Nurses Association (ANA)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

(Mu Tau Omega Chapter)

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