LAUREN COLES
CONTACT
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PROFILE
Strongly reliable and focused professional with three degrees spanning from life sciences, to communications and registered nursing. Great depth and breadth of experience in environmental health, FDA food safety compliance, regulatory affairs, internal and external communications, project management, public affairs and FDA Retail Program Standards report submissions. Superb multitasker able to handle multiple projects efficiently and accurately. Effective independent worker as well as excellent coordinator with other members of a regulatory affairs team and outside stakeholders.
SKILLS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
FDA STANDARDIZED
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
NC REGISTERED NURSE
EXPERIENCE
Supervisor
Meck County Health Dep, Planning and Support Services
2017-Present
Ensures compliance with NC Food Code, NC General Statutes and local ordinances in regulated facilities. Supervises a team of seven employees. Developed talking points for constituent meetings, key messages and presentations for executive level staff, department heads and team leads. Implemented new policies leading to an increase in $100,000 increase in revenue. Completed grant proposals leading to grant award of $20,000. Facilitation of all department workgroups. Handled all customer complaints. Served as an interagency liaison. Managed all projects assigned by upper management, including data, submission and presentation of the FDA Voluntary Retail Program Standards at the FDA Southeast Regional Conference. Conducts quarterly quality assurance on employees. Designed and implemented communication plan and materials for employees and facilities during COVID-19 pandemic. Submits technical regulatory inspection reports. Composes weekly internal communication emails.
Environmental Health Senior
Meck County Health Dep, Planning and Support Services
2014-2017
Conducted regulatory compliance evaluations for restaurants, swimming pools, hotels and hospitals. Responsible for training and onboarding all new REHS interns until authorized by the state. Aided in reducing intern training time by an average of 2 months. Led several intern training sessions and manages completion of the first NC REHS local training manual project modeled after the Conference for Food Protection Training Guidelines.
Registered Nurse
Genesis Health, Short Stay Rehab and Long-term Care Facility
2014-2015
Maintained high quality care to short & long-term patients in a skilled nursing facility on a 40 to 50-bed unit capacity. Facilitated patient admissions, transfers, and discharges. Delegated responsibilities to a team of 4-5 assistant staff. Carried out physician orders of medication and treatment with cases such as: rehabilitation, hospice, TPN, use of peripheral, midline, and PICC line for IVT, tracheostomy, colostomy, GT/PEG feeding, wound vac therapy & management, Dementia/Alzheimer's care. Utilized flexibility regarding staffing needs in short & long-term care setting maximizing knowledge in delivery of care. Active participation as multi-disciplinary team member providing professional patient care guided by its goals.
Environmental Health Compliance Specialist
Meck County Health Dep, Food and Facilities
2007-2014
Conducted regulatory compliance evaluations for restaurants, swimming pools, hotels and hospitals. Handled all facility complaints and compliance visits. Conducted sampling for foodborne illness outbreaks and finalized reports. Composed all regulatory documents for submission.
Research Assistant
University of Virginia, Oncology Research Lab
2003-2004
Generated hypotheses on tumor immunology and designed and performed experiments to test them. Executed multiple experiments simultaneously over time independently. Recorded all experimental findings in a laboratory notebook and analyzed and interpreted experimental findings. Based on results, independently suggested and tested modifications to protocols. Prepared figures and diagrams for presentations and publications. Communicated results and collaborated with other professionals in the lab.
Laboratory Assistant
University of Virginia, Cardiovascular Research Lab
2002-2004
Received and processed samples to identify suitability. Prepared samples for testing using various types of laboratory equipment. Performed laboratory testing, including pH and bacterial culturing. Prepared and maintained accurate laboratory records. Labeled specimens accurately and distribute them to the appropriate department. Performed quality control as directed by the Laboratory Manager. Cleaned and maintained work area and all lab equipment and supplies
Public Affairs Officer
NASA Langley, DEVELOP Summer Internship Program
Summers 1999-2003
Marketing and Media preparation for primitive “Google Earth” project, called Digital Earth. Presented product information to upper level administration at other NASA branches. Designed marketing plan to market product in public school systems.
EDUCATION
Masters Communications, SNHU
2017-2020
Concentration in Health Communications
ADN Registered Nursing, Mercy School of Nursing
2011-2013
BA Biology,
University of Virginia
2000-2004