Cynthia Shepherd
Johnson City
Summary
Dynamic RN Case Manager with extensive experience at Ballad Health System, excelling in care coordination and patient advocacy. Proven ability to enhance patient outcomes through effective communication and clinical documentation. Skilled in crisis intervention and chronic disease management, fostering strong relationships with patients and healthcare teams to ensure comprehensive care.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Case Manager for Ballad Health Medical Assoc
Ballad Health System
Johnson City
04.2025 - Current
- Coordinate patient care plans with healthcare teams and family members.
- Facilitate patient assessments to determine care needs and services.
- Monitor patient progress and adjusted care plans as necessary.
- Educate patients on health management and available resources.
- Collaborate with community resources to enhance patient support services.
- Document patient interactions and maintained accurate records in electronic systems.
- Advocate for patients to ensure access to appropriate healthcare services.
- Coordinate medical services between primary care providers, specialists, hospitals and outpatient clinics.
- Educate patients on disease prevention strategies, wellness promotion techniques and lifestyle modifications.
- Maintain accurate documentation of patient progress in the electronic health record.
- Assess patient's physical, mental, and psychosocial health status to develop individualized care plans.
- Monitor diet, physical activity, behaviors and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
RN
Frontier Healthcare; Turning Point
Johnson City
04.2021 - 04.2022
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Administered detox protocols and monitored patient vital signs daily.
- Educated patients on withdrawal symptoms and coping strategies effectively.
- Maintained accurate patient records and documentation in electronic systems.
- Ensured a safe and supportive environment for all detox patients.
- Responded promptly to patient needs and provided emotional support consistently.
- Provided education about the dangers of substance abuse and ways to avoid it.
- Evaluated progress of patients throughout the detoxification process and adjusted treatments accordingly.
- Counseled individuals on recognizing triggers that could lead to relapse in order to prevent future substance abuse.
- Instructed families and caregivers on how to provide proper home care once discharged from facility.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses in a clinical setting.
- Conducted thorough mental health assessments for diverse patient populations.
- Provided crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques during emergencies.
- Educated patients and families about mental health conditions and treatment options.
- Demonstrated empathy towards clients while providing them with an environment conducive to healing.
- Administered medications prescribed by a psychiatrist according to established protocols.
- Assessed, evaluated, and monitored patients' physical and mental health conditions to determine nursing care needs.
RN
Ballad Health to Ensemble
Johnson City
04.2019 - 10.2020
- Conducted thorough reviews of patient records for medical necessity.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to gather additional clinical information.
- Documented review findings in electronic health record systems efficiently.
- Assessed patient medical records to determine the appropriateness of requested services and procedures.
- Evaluated clinical documentation for accuracy and completeness in order to make decisions about coverage determinations.
- Applied medical criteria and clinical judgement to researched cases to evaluate and establish determinations.
- Conducted reviews of inpatient utilization for compliance with admission criteria and concurrent review requirements.
- Referred cases to secondary review for failure to meet criteria.
RN; Psychiatric Nurse
Amedisys Home Health
Johnson City
04.2018 - 04.2019
- Monitored patient vital signs and reported changes to healthcare team.
- Educated patients and families on care plans and health management.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care.
- Documented patient assessments and progress in electronic health records.
- Assisted in developing individualized care plans for diverse patients.
- Provided emotional support and counseling to patients and families.
- Educated patients and families about disease management, lifestyle changes, nutrition, and preventive healthcare measures.
- Developed personalized care plans for patients based on individual needs.
- Maintained accurate records of all visits made to patients' homes along with any changes in their conditions or treatments prescribed by physicians.
- Monitored vital signs such as blood pressure or pulse rate to detect any changes in a patient's condition.
- Adhered strictly to infection control protocols while caring for clients in their homes.
- Completed initial assessments of patients and family to determine and address individual home care needs.
RN Floor Nurse
Ballad Health System; Woodridge
Johnson City
12.2005 - 04.2018
- Administered medications and monitored patients for side effects and reactions.
- Conducted mental health assessments and developed individualized care plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care services.
- Educated patients and families about mental health conditions and treatment options.
- Implemented therapeutic interventions to support patient recovery and stability.
- Documented patient progress and maintained accurate medical records consistently.
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies, ensuring safety for patients and staff.
- Assisted with crisis intervention when needed.
- Provided comprehensive care to patients suffering from mental health issues.
- Assessed client responses to medication regimes and reported any adverse reactions.
- Provided emotional support to family members of psychiatric patients during difficult times.
- Coached clients on healthy coping skills such as relaxation techniques or stress management strategies.
- Instructed individuals on how to cope with their mental health conditions through lifestyle changes, such as diet or exercise regimens.
- Recorded comprehensive patient histories and coordinated treatment plans with multi-disciplinary team members.
- Encouraged positive behavior change by reinforcing desired behaviors through reward systems.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss treatment plans and goals for each patient.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Responded to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
Labor and Delivery RN
Morristown Hamblen Hospital
Morristown
03.1999 - 12.2005
- Monitored fetal heart rates during labor and delivery processes.
- Provided education on childbirth and newborn care to families.
- Administered medications and managed pain relief techniques during labor.
- Conducted routine assessments of maternal and fetal health conditions.
- Supported postpartum recovery through monitoring and patient education.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records and interventions.
- Educated patients about postpartum care including breastfeeding support and newborn care basics.
- Performed vaginal exams to assess cervical dilation, effacement, and fetal station.
- Identified any potential complications during labor that may require intervention from a physician.
- Provided emotional support to laboring women throughout the birthing process.
- Performed initial assessments on newly admitted patients to determine level of care needed.
- Assisted physicians with medical procedures such as amniocentesis, forceps deliveries, cesarean sections, and vacuum extractions.
- Served as a liaison between the family and patient and other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care.
- Instructed new mothers on proper infant feeding techniques.
- Discharged patients after discussing postpartum instructions with them or their families.
- Initiated IV lines for administration of fluids or medications prior to delivery.
- Provided patient education on labor progression and delivery techniques.
- Cared for neonates immediately after birth, providing necessary resuscitation efforts when necessary.
- Ensured appropriate documentation was completed for each patient according to hospital policy.
- Assessed and monitored fetal heart rate, maternal vital signs, and uterine contractions during labor.
- Administered medications as prescribed by physician orders for pain management or induction of labor.
RN Floor Nurse
Hawkins County Memorial Hospital
Rogersville
06.1995 - 03.1999
- Administer medications and treatments as per physician orders.
- Monitor patient vital signs and report changes to medical staff.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop care plans.
- Educate patients and families on health management and safety practices.
- Assist in the coordination of patient admissions and discharges.
- Maintain a clean and safe environment for patients and staff.
- Performed wound care, catheter insertion and removal, intravenous therapy, medication administration, and other treatments as ordered by physicians.
- Initiated admissions, transitions and discharges by communicating with colleagues as well as patients and family members.
- Ensured accurate documentation of patient records according to hospital policy.
- Assessed and monitored patients' health condition, including vital signs, physical assessments, and laboratory test results.
- Maintained a safe environment for staff members and patients through infection control practices or safety protocols.
- Supervised CNAs and other staff delivering care in setting by coaching and supporting.
- Responded to medical emergencies promptly and provided life-saving interventions when necessary.
- Promoted continuity of care by accurately communicating patient information during shift change report times.
- Educated families about nutrition, hygiene needs and home safety measures for successful discharge planning.
- Provided emotional support to patients dealing with difficult diagnoses or lifestyle changes.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while providing timely responses to requests from other departments.
- Utilized evidence-based guidelines while providing quality nursing care services.
- Administered oral, IV and intra-muscular medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Prepared medical equipment and tools to aid physician during examination and treatment of patients.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
- Stocked clinical workstations and procedure rooms with necessary supplies.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Walters State Community College
Morristown, TN06-1995
Skills
- Care coordination
- Patient advocacy
- Electronic health records
- Patient assessment
- Disease management
- Clinical documentation
- Utilization review
- Crisis intervention
- Effective communication
- Health education
- Emotional support
- Detail orientation
- Chronic disease management
- HIPAA compliance
- Problem solving
- Clinical assessment
- Home care management
- Medication management
- Multitasking
- Heartsaver CPR AED (CPR AED)
- Interpersonal skills
- Nursing performance assessment
- Delegation and motivation
- Blood draw and sample collection
- Obstetric and gynecological care
- Medication reconciliation
- Collecting vitals
- Clear patient communication
- Intravenous therapy
- Relationship building
- Active listening
- Adaptability
- Written communication
- Direct patient care
- Decision-making
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
RN Case Manager for Ballad Health Medical Assoc
Ballad Health System
04.2025 - Current
RN
Frontier Healthcare; Turning Point
04.2021 - 04.2022
RN
Ballad Health to Ensemble
04.2019 - 10.2020
RN; Psychiatric Nurse
Amedisys Home Health
04.2018 - 04.2019
RN Floor Nurse
Ballad Health System; Woodridge
12.2005 - 04.2018
Labor and Delivery RN
Morristown Hamblen Hospital
03.1999 - 12.2005
RN Floor Nurse
Hawkins County Memorial Hospital
06.1995 - 03.1999
Associate of Science - Nursing
Walters State Community College
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