Jennifer Hill, LPN

I served as a Human Services Assistant for many years, providing direct ADL care, before utilizing my passion for community service and obtaining my nursing license, continuing my nursing career at Whitten Center for 4 more years. In my most recent role at Whitten Center, I served as the primary unit nurse, responsible for all aspects of patient care. I oversaw the healthcare requirements for approximately 20 patients, which included organizing appointments, administering immunizations, and managing medication administration and maintenance. I substituted for my supervisor during meetings to discuss the medical and behavioral progress of my clients within an interdisciplinary team. Additionally, I collaborated closely with team members to address challenging patient-related issues with an open mindset, valuing and incorporating relevant input. I fulfilled all necessary duties: administering medications, monitoring patients, ordering medical and kitchen supplies for the unit, collecting data and vital signs, implementing and maintaining regulatory standards, providing medical treatments, consulting with the MD, processing new orders, and assessing medically fragile patients with various psychological and intellectual comorbidities. I gained experience with vagal nerve stimulators, baclofen pumps, pacemakers/ICDs, psychiatric medications and their side effects, wound care, skin care, and techniques for preventing breakdown, as well as feeding systems, feeding tube insertion and care, and catheter insertion and care. Furthermore, I acquired knowledge of a wide range of illnesses and disease processes, including cerebral palsy, chromosomal defects and syndromes, psychiatric disorders, cancers, diabetes and its management, seizure disorders, lung and cardiac disease processes and their treatments, and the long-term effects of stroke and traumatic brain injury, among others. I developed expertise in patient monitoring and conducting comprehensive head-to-toe assessments, supported by a solid knowledge base that enabled me to anticipate forthcoming orders and findings. In this role, I also honed my skills in techniques aimed at de-escalation and redirection. The unit nurse supervisor and I trained most of the incoming nurses to the point where they could demonstrate appropriate knowledge of evidence-based practices, skill proficiency, and adherence to policies and procedures. I assessed the physical environment for safety hazards and rectified any deficiencies identified.