Carol Lee Heard
Charleston,SC
Summary
With nearly 28 years of experience in the medical profession, this candidate brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Throughout their career, they have excelled in various bedside roles, including CCU, ICU, CVICU, PACU, CVOR, and Cath Lab. Additionally, they have honed their skills in charge nursing, scrubbing, circulating, informatics, as well as coding and billing for surgeries. As a surgery coordinator for the operating room, ent services, and open hearts, they have successfully managed complex procedures and ensured smooth operations. Furthermore, their leadership abilities shine through their role as a clinical care coordinator on a vent and dialysis unit. Notably, during the challenging times of COVID-19, they were recognized as Nurse of the Year in a 43-bed Critical Care Unit and received the prestigious Daisy Award in 2021.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CVOR Registered Nurse
MUSC- Ashley River Tower
11.2024 - Current
- Minimized risk of complications by adhering to strict safety protocols during all CVOR procedures.
- Supported optimal surgical outcomes by assisting surgeons throughout complex cardiovascular procedures.
CVICU Travel Registered Nurse
Ascension St Thomas West
07.2024 - 11.2024
- Assisted with invasive CVICU procedures, such as central line placements and pulmonary artery catheter insertions, ensuring aseptic technique and patient comfort throughout the process.
- Demonstrated proficiency in titrating vasoactive medications according to physician orders while closely monitoring hemodynamic parameters for early detection of adverse effects or trends that may require intervention or escalation of care.
- Assisted in life-saving procedures such as CPR, defibrillation, and advanced airway management during critical events.
- Demonstrated adaptability when assigned to different units or shifts as needed, seamlessly integrating into diverse healthcare teams while maintaining exceptional performance levels.
CVICU Registered Nurse
HCA Fort Walton-Destin
11.2023 - 07.2024
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
Dialysis Registered Nurse
DaVita
03.2023 - 11.2023
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure comprehensive care for all patients undergoing dialysis.
- Implemented evidence-based practice guidelines into daily patient care, enhancing the overall quality of services provided within the dialysis unit.
Time Off From Work Due to Personal Reasons
Time Off
07.2022 - 03.2023
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
CVICU & CVOR Travel Registered Nurse
Sunbelt Staffing
09.2021 - 07.2022
- Demonstrated adaptability when assigned to different units or shifts as needed, seamlessly integrating into diverse healthcare teams while maintaining exceptional performance levels.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Prevented complications in critical situations by promptly recognizing symptoms and initiating appropriate interventions.
- Streamlined communication among healthcare teams by providing accurate and timely updates on patient conditions.
- Improved patient outcomes by diligently monitoring vital signs and adjusting treatment plans accordingly.
- Increased patient satisfaction by consistently providing compassionate, empathetic care during hospitalizations.
CCU Registered Nurse
Southeast Health Medical Center
12.2019 - 09.2021
- Advocated for patient needs as a member of ethical review committees ensuring fair treatment under challenging circumstances.
- Assisted physicians with bedside procedures such as central line insertions, intubations, and chest tube placements ensuring patient safety throughout each process.
- Implemented therapeutic hypothermia protocols after cardiac arrest events resulting in improved neurological outcomes.
- Reduced medication errors by diligently following protocols and maintaining clear communication with the healthcare team.
- Coordinated discharge planning with case managers and social workers, ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home for patients and their families.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for critically ill patients.
- Anticipated potential complications by closely monitoring lab values trends and reporting abnormalities promptly.
- Facilitated emotional support for patients'' families during difficult times, promoting an empathetic approach to care.
Procedure & Infection Control Manager
Select Specialty Hospital
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive infection prevention strategies tailored to specific settings and patient populations.
- Investigated outbreaks and revamped control measures to prevent future incidents.
Clinical Care Coordinator Registered Nurse Manager
Miller County Hospital
10.2017 - 01.2019
- Conducted regular audits of clinical processes, identifying areas for improvement and driving continuous quality improvements across the organization.
- Served as a liaison between patients, providers, insurers, and community resources to ensure optimal service delivery throughout the continuum of care.
- Upheld quality assurance procedures to maintain patient safety and satisfaction.
- Supported organizational performance improvement initiatives by participating in data analysis, root cause identification, and action plan development efforts.
- Devised and implemented clinical protocols to ensure high-quality patient care.
Coordinator Operating Room Manager
Capital Regional Medical Center
05.2017 - 10.2017
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
- Collaborated with department heads to develop strategic plans aligning with overall company objectives, fostering a unified approach toward shared goals.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams, resulting in seamless project execution and enhanced outcomes.
- Managed vendor relationships to secure best quality of services and products for organizational needs.
- Ensured the availability of advanced surgical technology, staying informed about industry innovations and advocating for the acquisition of appropriate tools to enhance patient care.
- Reduced operational costs by negotiating contracts with vendors for the procurement of medical supplies and equipment at competitive prices.
CVOR Travel Registered Nurse
American Mobile Nursing
05.2016 - 05.2017
- Demonstrated adaptability when assigned to different units or shifts as needed, seamlessly integrating into diverse healthcare teams while maintaining exceptional performance levels.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Prevented complications in critical situations by promptly recognizing symptoms and initiating appropriate interventions.
- Safeguarded patient privacy rights through diligent compliance with HIPAA regulations during all interactions with medical records and personal information.
Cardiac Cath Lab and CVOR Registered Nurse
Phoebe Putney Hospital
03.2013 - 05.2016
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic and interventional procedures, ensuring optimal patient care and safety.
- Facilitated smooth operations within the CVOR unit by organizing equipment and supplies according to established guidelines.
- Minimized risk of complications by adhering to strict safety protocols during all CVOR procedures.
- Elevated quality of care delivered within the CVOR unit by staying current on best practices for cardiac surgery nursing interventions via professional development opportunities.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient treatment, resulting in improved overall health.
Registered Nurse – ICU, PACU, CCU, OR, Informatics
Archbold Medical Center
05.1997 - 03.2013
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Evaluated patient progress and adjusted care plans accordingly, ensuring continuity of care across all healthcare settings.
- Streamlined care coordination processes to reduce hospital readmissions and emergency department visits.
- Reduced unnecessary medical interventions by monitoring high-risk patients closely, intervening as needed based on clinical expertise.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures related to case management, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
- Conducted regular audits of clinical records to identify areas for improvement in documentation accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Demonstrated strong leadership qualities within nursing teams by serving as a mentor for less experienced staff members while fostering a collaborative work environment.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing, Surgical Technology, Medical Assisting
Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA01.2007
Skills
- Compassionate care
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Team leadership
- Time management
- Decision-making
- Verbal and written communication
- Customer service
- Policy implementation
- Records analysis
- Discharge planning coordination
- HIPAA compliance
- Documentation and reporting
Certification
- RN- Compact, SC, RN-237033,
exp: 04/30/26
- ACLS, 05/2025
- BLS, 05/2025
- PALS, 07/2025
Highlight
NURSE OF THE YEAR 2021 During COVID 19
Daisy Award Winner in 2021.
Timeline
CVOR Registered Nurse
MUSC- Ashley River Tower
11.2024 - Current
CVICU Travel Registered Nurse
Ascension St Thomas West
07.2024 - 11.2024
CVICU Registered Nurse
HCA Fort Walton-Destin
11.2023 - 07.2024
Dialysis Registered Nurse
DaVita
03.2023 - 11.2023
Time Off From Work Due to Personal Reasons
Time Off
07.2022 - 03.2023
CVICU & CVOR Travel Registered Nurse
Sunbelt Staffing
09.2021 - 07.2022
CCU Registered Nurse
Southeast Health Medical Center
12.2019 - 09.2021
Procedure & Infection Control Manager
Select Specialty Hospital
01.2019 - 12.2019
Clinical Care Coordinator Registered Nurse Manager
Miller County Hospital
10.2017 - 01.2019
Coordinator Operating Room Manager
Capital Regional Medical Center
05.2017 - 10.2017
CVOR Travel Registered Nurse
American Mobile Nursing
05.2016 - 05.2017
Cardiac Cath Lab and CVOR Registered Nurse
Phoebe Putney Hospital
03.2013 - 05.2016
Registered Nurse – ICU, PACU, CCU, OR, Informatics
Archbold Medical Center
05.1997 - 03.2013
Associate of Science - Nursing, Surgical Technology, Medical Assisting
Southern Regional Technical College
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