Laura Evans
Johnson City
Summary
Healthcare professional with 15 years of experience across various care settings, including acute care, home health, hospice, and post-acute rehabilitation. Proven expertise in bedside nursing and home care services, delivering high-quality patient care. Strong ability to adapt to diverse healthcare environments and meet patient needs effectively.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Rehab Liaison
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
10.2020 - Current
- Assisted patients in understanding rehabilitation services and processes
- Coordinated communication between patients, families, and healthcare teams
- Supported patient intake procedures to ensure timely service delivery
- Organized educational materials for patients regarding recovery options
- Documented patient interactions and progress within electronic health records
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care strategies
- Adapted quickly to changing environments and diverse patient needs
- Developed trust-based relationships with patients, fostering open communication regarding goals, concerns, and expectations during the rehabilitation process.
- Increased referral rates by establishing strong relationships with local physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.
- Conducted thorough assessments of new patients, accurately identifying rehab needs and appropriate levels of care.
- Enhanced the facility''s reputation in the community by participating in outreach initiatives such as health fairs, educational workshops, and support groups for individuals recovering from illness or injury.
Hospice Nurse
Amedisys Hospice
06.2019 - 10.2020
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care to patients, ensuring comfort and dignity in hospice settings.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary team meetings to develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
- Educated families on disease processes, medication management, and available resources for emotional support.
- Monitored patient symptoms and responses to treatments, adjusting care approaches as needed for optimal outcomes.
- Trained new nursing staff on best practices in hospice care and use of electronic health record systems.
- Conducted regular assessments of patient conditions, ensuring timely interventions aligned with care objectives.
- Improved care coordination by establishing effective communication channels among healthcare providers and family members.
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate end-of-life care and symptom management.
- Offered listening ear to both patients and loved ones to meet emotional and mental, as well as physical needs.
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plan for each hospice patient while following physician instructions.
Inpatient and Home Hospice Nurse
Ballad Health System
03.2016 - 06.2019
- Advocated for patients'' wishes regarding medical treatment options, respecting cultural beliefs and values throughout the decision-making process.
- Enhanced family understanding of the hospice process through clear communication and education.
- Assisted in training new hospice nurses, sharing expertise in end-of-life care best practices.
- Implemented creative non-pharmacological interventions for symptom management, enhancing patient comfort and overall quality of life.
- Facilitated smooth transitions from acute hospital settings to home-based hospice care environments, promoting continuity of care.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current research findings in palliative care nursing practice through ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Taught family members and caregivers various ways to manage patients' pain, how to check for vital signs and proper methods for dressing changes.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through proactive symptom management and thorough discharge planning.
- Served as a key liaison between patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers to ensure seamless coordination of services.
Discharge Planner
Woodridge Psychiatric Hospital
11.2009 - 06.2014
- Coordinated discharge plans with multidisciplinary teams to ensure smooth transition from hospital to home care.
- Assessed patient needs and preferences to develop tailored discharge strategies for optimal recovery outcomes.
- Educated patients and families on post-discharge care instructions, enhancing understanding and compliance.
- Monitored patient progress post-discharge, identifying barriers and coordinating additional resources as needed.
- Collaborated with social services to address financial or logistical challenges affecting patient discharge readiness.
- Established strong relationships with community agencies, enabling effective coordination of post-discharge support services.
- Provided ongoing training and mentorship to new Discharge Planners, fostering a supportive team environment that promoted knowledge sharing and skill development.
- Managed complex cases involving multiple medical issues or psychosocial challenges by utilizing critical thinking skills and professional expertise in discharge planning processes.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN12.2014
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC05.2007
Skills
- Quality improvement
- Healthcare regulations
- Discharge planning
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Referral development
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Documentation skills
- Task prioritization
- Self motivation
- Medical terminology
Timeline
Rehab Liaison
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
10.2020 - Current
Hospice Nurse
Amedisys Hospice
06.2019 - 10.2020
Inpatient and Home Hospice Nurse
Ballad Health System
03.2016 - 06.2019
Discharge Planner
Woodridge Psychiatric Hospital
11.2009 - 06.2014
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
East Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Appalachian State University
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