Candice Cortez
Suwanee
Summary
Seasoned nursing professional with16 years of experience in emergency, hospice, and home health care, notably with Core Medical Group. Excelled in medication administration and fostering patient and family education, achieving improved patient outcomes. Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal skills and regulatory compliance, ensuring high-quality care and team efficiency. Regularly utilized as an Educator for New Employees in emergency, hospice, and home health care. Strong skills in IV, PICC, and Port maintenance. Strong Knowledge of wound care.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Travel Nurse, Home Health and Hospice
Core Medical Group
01.2018 - Current
- Delivered high-quality patient care through patient and family education, patient assessment, and physician and care team collaboration.
- Improved patient outcomes through careful monitoring and thorough documentation of vital signs, medical histories and conditions, and treatment plans.
- Administered and educated on medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses.
- Frequently utilized to educate new incoming staff on appropriate patient care measures, and effective patient monitoring and communication
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies utilizing mostly PICC or Port access. Along with regular PICC line or Port maintenance and Physician ordered lab work
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Northside Hospital Gwinnett
02.2022 - 12.2024
- Developed strong relationships with clients through consistent communication and attentive customer service, resulting in increased overall satisfaction.
- Trained new employees on company policies and procedures, contributing to a cohesive team atmosphere and improved overall performance.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Teamed on trauma and emergency interventions involving serious head injuries, gunshot wounds, and thoracic trauma.
- Delivered important IV and venous medications via peripheral lines, PICC lines, and Ports to control symptoms and provide effective treatments.
Hospice Nurse Case Manager, Then Triage
Visiting Nurse Health System
06.2015 - 10.2021
- Managed pain effectively by closely monitoring symptoms and adjusting medications accordingly.
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate end-of-life care and symptom management.
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times.
- Assisted in training new hospice nurses, sharing expertise in end-of-life care best practices.
- Ensured compliance with all healthcare laws, regulations, and ethical standards, upholding highest level of professional integrity.
Hospice Administrator
Twelve Oaks Hospice
01.2014 - 06.2015
- Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times as required by company policy or legal regulations.
- Maintained personnel records and updated internal databases to support document management.
- Managed human resources functions, including hiring, onboarding, and employee evaluations for optimal team performance.
- Negotiated with vendors to secure more favorable terms, resulting in cost savings for office expenses.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
Hospice Case Manager, Promoted to Clinical Manager
Homestead Hospice
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Communicated effectively with staff members, physicians, and patients, employing active listening and interpersonal skills.
- Regularly evaluated employee performance and provided feedback.
- Promoted high morale and staff retention through dynamic communication, prompt problem resolution, proactive supervisory practices and facilitation of positive work environment.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory guidelines and accreditation standards through consistent monitoring and implementation of corrective actions when needed.
Emergency and ICU Department RN
Cartersville Medical Center
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Georgia Highlands College
Rome, GA08-2008
Skills
- Medication administration
- Electronic medical records
- Hospice care
- Home health care
- Emergency care
- Regulatory compliance
- Wound care
- Delegation and motivation
- Advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Pediatric advanced life support (PALS)
- Treatment plan modification
2013 Hospice Nurse of the Year, 2024 Contractor of the Year
2013 awarded Hospice Nurse of the year by Homestead Hospice. 2024 awarded Contractor of the year by contracted home health company.
Timeline
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Northside Hospital Gwinnett
02.2022 - 12.2024
Travel Nurse, Home Health and Hospice
Core Medical Group
01.2018 - Current
Hospice Nurse Case Manager, Then Triage
Visiting Nurse Health System
06.2015 - 10.2021
Hospice Administrator
Twelve Oaks Hospice
01.2014 - 06.2015
Hospice Case Manager, Promoted to Clinical Manager
Homestead Hospice
01.2010 - 01.2014
Emergency and ICU Department RN
Cartersville Medical Center
01.2008 - 01.2010
Associate of Science - Nursing
Georgia Highlands College
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