Registered Nurse Mental Health
Resume:
Kathleen Carpenter-Whitfield
Amarillo, TX ***** • *************@*****.*** • 806-***-****
Registered Nurse-Mental Health
Patient-centered, compassionate nursing professional committed to creating
supportive, therapeutic environments that meet patient needs.
— Key Qualifications —
Talent for developing and maintaining detailed procedural and administrative processes that increase accuracy, efficiency, quality of care, safety, and patient experience.
Collaborative communicator skilled in building and facilitating relationships with patients, caregivers, families, and multidisciplinary medical teams to enhance patient education and care.
Efficient, quality-focused, and patient-centered, with proven track record of delivering exceptional, compassionate care to mental health, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and hospice patients.
Texas Panhandle Centers, Amarillo, Tx; Registered Nurse
June 2021-March 2022
. Worked in the adult and children’s Outpatient Mental Health Clinic.
. Assessed clients in person and over the phone and shared pertinent information with their Provider and Case Worker.
. Taught clients about their mental illness, medications, medical illnesses and coping mechanisms.
. Did medication refills and pre-authorizations with the insurance companies.
Angel Staffing, San Antonio, Tx: Registered Nurse
August 2020-present
Temporary, travel nurse in Amarillo with the Public Health Department
Performing various duties helping with the Covid pandemic
Notified individuals of positive Covid tests, given support
Teaching and contact investigation
Assist with data entry and other tasks as necessary
GoodLife Senior Living and Memory Care, Assisted Living-Amarillo, Tx Registered Nurse
March 2020- August 2020
Part of the management team for two memory care homes
Served as the licensed, medical part of the team.
Assessed residents daily for any potential changes in condition or medical complications.
Intervened to minimize problems.
Communicated with the resident’s physician and their families about any changes.
Supervised all staff that were involved in passing medications.
Responsible for initial education, continued supervision and discipline if necessary.
Worked jointly with any outside caretakers; hospice, home health, physical therapy.
On call 24/7 for any needs or crisis situations.
November 2018- March 2020 Personal Time Off
Northwest Texas Hospital-Amarillo, Tx Pavilion: Registered Nurse-Assessment Coordinator
September, 2018-November, 2018
Arrival triage including medical status with transfer of medically unstable patients to the tertiary hospital.
Performed thorough psychiatric assessments of patients with, but not limited to psychiatric illnesses including depression, schizophrenia, drug and alcohol abuse and dementia in patients of all ages.
Communipcated assessment information to physician and if appropriate, performed initial admission assessment and communicated information to the unit to which the patient would be admitted.
If patient did not meet admission criteria advised patient and family of recommended outpatient options.
Educated patient and family of signs and symptoms of possible need for further consultation or return to facility.
May, 2018-September, 2018 Personal time off
Baptist-Saint Anthony’s Hospital, Amarillo, TX: Registered Nurse-Utilization Review
January, 2018-May, 2018
Performed concurrent and retroactive reviews, sent clinical information to insurance companies and updated patient information; including reviews of insurance denials.
October 2017-January 2018 Personal time off
Open Heart Hospice – Amarillo, TX: Registered Nurse Case Manager
March 2017 to October 2017
Trained, mentored, and directed 4-6 personnel who care for terminally ill patients.
Conducted complete physical and mental health assessments.
Wrote individualized care plans addressing medical and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and dementia.
Provided palliative care as needed as well as collaborated with multidiscipline medical teams to discuss and update treatment plans.
Educated and counseled patients, families, and caregivers about end-of-life care, medications regimens and preparation for death.
Selected Contribution:
Supported marketing efforts to raise awareness of the facility and its programs, by regularly communicating with administration and staff in the facilities where I cared for patients.
BSA Hospice of the Southwest - Amarillo, TX: Registered Nurse Referrals and Admissions
September 2016-March 2017
Performed all administrative and admissions operations.
Coordinated patient admission to hospice program, ensuring accurate and complete paperwork to facilitate smooth transition.
Conducted patient assessments and reported results and needs to hospice physician.
Educated patients, families, and caregivers about the program and patient diagnoses.
Made referrals to home health, skilled nursing, assisted living, and nursing homes, as needed.
Selected Contributions:
Clearly communicated patient conditions and areas of specific concern including spiritual issues and social/financial concerns to multidiscipline medical team, chaplains, and social workers.
Represented the organization and its benefits to hospitals, case managers, physicians, and other facilities.
Amarillo Hospice of the Plains – Amarillo, TX: Registered Nurse Case Manager
March 2016 to September 2016
Trained, mentored, and directed 4-6 personnel who care for terminally ill patients.
Conducted complete physical and mental health assessments.
Wrote individualized care plans addressing medical and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and dementia.
Provided palliative care as needed as well as collaborated with multidiscipline medical teams to discuss and update treatment plans.
Educated and counseled patients, families, and caregivers about end-of-life care, medications regimens and preparation for death.
The Arbors Skilled Nursing Facility – Amarillo, TX: Registered Nurse
October 2015 to January 2016
Provided compassionate care to patients requiring nursing during recovery from strokes, surgery, cardiac events, and accidents.
Conducted daily patient assessments; provided wound care, breathing treatments, and IV therapy.
Administered medication and updated multidiscipline medical team on patient progress and needs.
Collaborated in the development and implementation of individualized patient treatment plans.
October 2015-March 2016 Personal time off
Northwest Texas Hospital, Pavilion – Amarillo, TX: Registered Nurse
May 2015-October 2015
Provided direct patient care to adult patients (age 18 – 80) on the Dual Diagnosis and Uniformed Services units. Assessed, evaluated, and interacted with patients suffering from psychiatric illnesses including, but not limited to depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, dementia.
Additional responsibilities included interventions for respiratory, cardiac, cancer, and other illnesses of those participating in drug and alcohol detox programs.
Developed treatment plans and communicated updates and changes to the team. Facilitated small group discussions on the benefits and side effects of psychotropic medications, coping skills, and self-awareness and self-monitoring.
Selected Contributions:
Facilitated ability of physicians, social workers, and therapists access to patients’ daily habits by assessing and charting behavior and mood changes, consistency with taking medications, and requests for additional medication.
Clarity Child Guidance Center – San Antonio, TX: Registered Charge Nurse
March 2010-April 2015
Cared for children age 3-17 diagnosed with severe mental health issues untreatable on an outpatient basis.
Managed, mentored, trained, and supervised 10 RNs, LPNs, and MHCs.
Did initial and ongoing assessments of patients and developed individualized care plans.
Created daily assignments and schedules, conducted progress monitoring, and regularly evaluated and provided feedback for each employee.
Communicated ongoing safety concerns and facility improvements to director and VP of nursing.
Selected Contributions:
Commended by VP of Nursing for level of skill and commitment to patient care; recognized as one of top psychiatric nurses in San Antonio.
Handed crisis management effectively and compassionately, working with upset families to calm, educate, and allay concerns or make recommendations.
Laurel Ridge Treatment Center – San Antonio, TX: Registered Charge Nurse & Supervisor
March 2009-February 2010
Assessed and treated patients of all ages, but primarily adolescents with mental illnesses.
Developed treatment plans and revised as needed.
Assigned staff to patients diagnosed with severe mental health issues untreatable on an outpatient basis.
Created daily assignments and schedules.
Communicated ongoing safety concerns and facility improvements to director and VP of nursing.
Mentored, trained, and guided nursing personnel on personal and patient safety best practices and methods to work with assigned patient groups.
Supervised and evaluated 6-12 people based on patient load.
Selected Contributions:
Advocated for early intervention to reduce or eliminate negative patient behavior by continuous observation and evaluation of patient behavior and moods.
Taught personnel and families about various mental illnesses and using crisis intervention to deescalate situations and prevent aggressive behaviors.
Additional professional experience as Family Advocate Coordinator for Baptist St. Anthony’s Hospital
1999-2009
I worked closely with families and staff in crisis.
Taught de-escalation and coping with persons in crisis for CEU credit for nursing staff.
Chaired Nursing Peer Review and Ethics committees.
RN & Assistant Program Director for Quest Hospital
Was responsible for the development of all treatment planning for nursing and supervising other disciplines on writing and updating treatment plans.
Assisted in teaching PMAB.
Communicated important information to parents.
RN and Manager for Cedar Creek Hospital
Nurse manager for the adolescent unit start up.
Developed policies and procedures, forms that would be used, hired and trained staff.
RN–QA and Utilization Review for Northwest Texas Hospital
Hired for an adult acute care unit, specializing in patients that could not be managed on the open units due to seriousness of illness or aggressive behaviors.
Educational Background
Diploma, Nursing
St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing, Sioux City, Iowa
Mental Health Nursing, Board Certified-2013-2017
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