ASHA THOMAS

Working as a Charge Nurse from January 2021 - Current

• Reassess the staff assignment within the shift to ensure equal distribution of workload.
• Receives, documents, and escalates the panic/critical lab results as telephone orders from the laboratory department in the absence of the most responsible physician in the designated care unit.
• Receive, check, and endorse the narcotic/controlled drugs and ensure they are managed properly based on King Saud Medical City policy.
• Ensure that the crash cart is checked based on the assignment. Monitors staff compliance in checking the crash cart based on the assignment.
• Monitors and implements environmental safety practices.
• Ensures that infection control policies are well implemented.
• Ensures staff on duty receive
• They break in a timely way.
• Participates in unit orientation along with new staff.
• Participates in the mentorship of students, graduate nurses, and new hires.
• Performs other duties within the scope of nursing practice as advised.

WORKED AS DIALYSIS NURSE FROM JULY 2008 TO DECEMBER 2020

• Dealing with patients with acute and chronic kidney disease on dialysis
• Management of complications during dialysis
• Prepares dialysis machine based on virology status
• Assesses, monitors, and evaluates patient's condition including but not limited to vital signs, vascular access sites, weight, and other needs during Hemodialysis, Plasmapheresis, and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
• Cannulation of Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) and Arteriovenous Graft (AVG)
• Care of tunneled and non-tunneled catheters
• Identifies irregular dialysis reactions and notifies appropriate medical team members
• Assists physicians with all invasive and non-invasive procedures (Doppler scanning, renal biopsy, insertion and removal of tunneled and non-tunneled catheters)
• Ensures proper handling of emergency equipment including crash cart, defibrillator, intubation kits, and oxygen source
• Follows and monitors infection control precautions to meet requirements of healthcare standards
• Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion
• Oversaw work of nursing student technicians and externs to educate them on proper procedures and how to prioritize care tasks
• Informed patients and families of effective treatment options and at-home care strategies, enhancing long-term outcomes
• Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities to prevent further disability
• Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage, and other areas to meet typical patient loads
• Taught patients how to improve lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing the chance of symptom recurrence
• Motivated nursing staff to pursue advanced training and collaborated with unit leaders to identify skill needs.
• Worked with the healthcare team to develop a new dialysis treatment flow sheet and other log forms, improving clinical documentation and accountability
• Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare personnel to meet patients' personal, physical, psychological and cognitive needs
• Participated in education activities, including evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development, and nursing simulation activities
• Implemented interventions, including medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management
• Collected blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing
• Developed strategy to target nursing and patient satisfaction issues, improve response and patient care quality, and suggest actionable improvements to promote hospital-wide quality and safety initiatives
• Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.

Handling Hemodialysis Machines

• Baxter arts physio
• Fresenius 5008s
• Fresenius 5008 Cordiax
• Fresenius 4008
• Braun Dialog
• Nikkiso
• Gambro AK 95
• Gambro AK 200

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

• Fresenius multi filtrate
• Edward Life Science Aquarius
• Prisma flux

• Care of patients with Congestive Heart Failure, Pulmonary Embolism, and Myocardial Infarction
• Care of patients with medical and surgical Cardiac cases
• Pre and post-operative care of patients with CABG (Coronary Angio Bypass Grafting), PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty), PTMC(Percutaneous Transmitral Commissurotomy), CABG(Coronary Angio Bypass Grafting), Pacemaker implantation, ASD(Atrial Septal Defect)& VSD(Ventricular Septal Defect) Closure
• Assisted in various diagnostic procedures (CVL & A-line insertion, Chest tube insertion, etc)
• Skillful in executing various procedures like TPN administration, blood transfusion, ABG Analysis, continuous CVP and ABP monitoring, colostomy care, etc
• Monitoring and maintaining fluid electrolyte balance-Intravenous canalization, administering intravenous fluids, monitoring and maintaining an adequate record of intake and output and sending blood samples for investigation and evaluating lab values
• Ability to monitor patient via 12 lead ECG, rhythm strip assessment, and lead placement
• Airway management (ETT suctioning, extubation, nasal airway suctioning tracheostomy suctioning
• Care of patients on ventilators including adjusting the settings based on the patient's condition
• Kept optimal supply levels in treatment rooms, triage, and other areas to meet typical patient loads.