Sara Baker RN
Richmond
Summary
Patient-centered PACU Nurse talented in care activities prioritization. A calming presence with a career spanning many years. Considered a highly effective communicator and team player. Team-oriented PACU Nurse possessing the qualities required to be a hands-on and dedicated healthcare professional. A calm personality with many years directing post-operative patient care. Ready to join a new company that appreciates exemplary patient care skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN, PACU Coordinator
Baptist Health Surgery Center
Lexington,
02.2020 - Current
- Supervised post-anesthesia care unit operations and staff assignments.
- Managed patient assessments and provided immediate post-operative care.
- Coordinated communication between surgical teams and nursing staff.
- Ensured compliance with safety protocols and infection prevention measures.
- Educated patients on recovery processes and post-operative care plans.
- Mentored junior nurses in patient monitoring techniques and best practices.
- Implemented workflow improvements to enhance patient care efficiency.
- Conducted ongoing training for staff on new protocols and equipment usage.
- Administered medications to manage progression off anesthesia medications, deal with side effects and promote recovery.
- Supported physicians completing patient examinations and procedures.
- Evaluated assigned patients to effectively plan, implement, and document skilled nursing care.
- Helped patients regain independence with clear recovery goals and guidance.
- Employed nursing best practices and clinical judgment to continuously evaluate patients' progress and employed intervention to achieve desired outcomes.
- Completed direct patient care tests to determine current conditions, responses, and needs.
- Identified potential problems related to recovery from anesthesia and took appropriate action to ensure safe transition from PACU back to bedside unit.
- Developed treatment plans for post-operative care of patients based on individual needs.
- Maintained current knowledge of professional standards related to PACU nursing practice through continuing education activities.
- Monitored patient's response to anesthesia medications and adjusted dosages as needed.
- Provided effective communication between the PACU team members, physicians, and other healthcare personnel.
- Responded quickly and appropriately to emergent situations such as cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.
- Assisted in training new nurses on proper techniques for caring for post-operative patients.
- Managed daily operations of the PACU unit including monitoring staffing levels, staff scheduling, and equipment maintenance.
- Provided emotional support to family members during pre-operative and post-operative phases.
- Reported any discrepancies or errors in medication ordering or filling processes immediately to the pharmacist on duty.
- Performed administrative tasks such as filing paperwork, ordering supplies, scheduling appointments.
- Managed the daily operations of a high-volume pharmacy, including ordering and maintaining inventory, preparing medications for dispensing, supervising pharmacy technicians, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
PACU Charge Nurse
Kentucky Surgery Center
Lexington
06.2010 - 01.2020
- Supervised post-anesthesia care unit operations and staff assignments.
- Managed patient assessments and provided immediate post-operative care.
PACU Charge Nurse
Center for Advanced Surgey
Lexington
02.2005 - 05.2010
- Supervised post-anesthesia care unit operations and staff assignments.
- Managed patient assessments and provided immediate post-operative care.
Registered Nurse, PREOP/PACU
UK Healthcare
Lexington
01.1999 - 12.2004
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by healthcare providers.
- Assisted in developing patient care plans alongside interdisciplinary teams.
- Educated patients and families on health management and treatment options.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to assess clinical situations quickly and accurately.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Trained and mentored new RNs on best practices, hospital policies and standards of care.
- Monitored vital signs, administered injections, and provided assistance with medical procedures.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY12-1998
Skills
- Patient assessment
- Post-operative care
- Safety protocols
- Medication administration
- Workflow improvement
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Patient education
- Emergency response
- Critical thinking
- Team leadership
- Patient assessments
- Direct nursing care
- High level of autonomy
- Patient discharging
Certification
ASPAN/ Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia (CAPA) certification - 2005-2008
Timeline
RN, PACU Coordinator
Baptist Health Surgery Center
02.2020 - Current
PACU Charge Nurse
Kentucky Surgery Center
06.2010 - 01.2020
PACU Charge Nurse
Center for Advanced Surgey
02.2005 - 05.2010
Registered Nurse, PREOP/PACU
UK Healthcare
01.1999 - 12.2004
Associate of Science - Nursing
Eastern Kentucky University
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