Brandy Merrihew

• Completed minimum data set assessments with strong collaboration with clinical team.
• Assessed electronic medical record for required documentation to support MDS coding.
• Participated in quality assurance reviews to verify accuracy and reliability of data.
• Complied with federal and state regulations for completion and coordination of RAI process.
• Care plan development, family education & communication, regulatory compliance, resident admission and discharge planning
• Monitored direct care activities for optimal patient protections and infection control standards.
• Implemented and monitored infection control protocols, performing audits.
• Educating staff and patients on infection control and Antibiotic Stewardship program
• Responding to outbreaks, reviewing policies and procedures, reinforcing CDC/CMS guidelines
• Working alongside regulatory agencies and the hospital IP/ID director
• Direct patient care by adhering to facility philosophies and standards of care.
• Monitoring and documentation of medication and treatment administration to patients
• Agreed to take on additional shifts and extra hours during busy periods and holidays to maintain proper staffing and floor coverage

• Assist in overall management of the Nursing Department and coordination with other disciplines to provide quality care to all residents
• Assist in hiring, supervising professional development, mandatory training, performance appraisal and management of Nursing Department personnel
• Make frequent rounds on nursing units, on all shifts, to assess performance of nursing staff and monitor the quality of care provided
• Educated staff about importance of using measures to prevent spread of infections; audited charts & reviewed documents to verify accuracy. Gathered, analyzed and reported on MDRO, infections and antibiotic use monthly
• Educated patients, families, and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, management and lifestyle options
• Managed care from admission to discharge, including patient assessments, care planning, health educations and discharging support to provide comprehensive care to patients daily
• Agreed to take on additional shifts and extra hours during busy periods and holidays to maintain proper staffing and floor coverage
• Monitor clinical quality areas including wound care, infection control, fall risk reduction, pain management, weight loss and dehydration

• Frequent rounds on nursing units, assess performance of nursing staff and monitor the quality of care provided, including monthly employee rounding
• Assist with annual reviews, assist with scheduling
• Managed care from admission to discharge, including patient assessments, care planning, health educations and discharging support to provide comprehensive care to patients daily
• Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards and safety protocols.
• Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
• Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
• Utilizing critical thinking skills daily

• Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
• Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management.
• Provided ongoing evaluations and assessments, provided symptom management and quality of life to terminally ill patients in their home or in a facility
• Providing support and compassion for both the patient and their family
• Developed and implemented personalized patient care plans and collaborated with other hospice personnel

Wedgewood Care Center:

Restorative Nurse (2004-2008)

• Oversee restorative aides by monitoring progress or decline of function in residents on program, delegating duties, or assignments
• Completing care plans, RAPS, MDS in regards to patients on the Restorative Program; manage Bowel/Bladder program
• Collaborate with therapy and other members of interdisciplinary team

Charge Nurse (2011-2015)

• Managing care from admission to discharge, including patient assessment, medication administration, wound assessment/care, pain management, feeding tube care, IV management, post-surgical patients, hospice patients, dementia/Alzheimer unit
• Provide and reinforce education to patient/families concerning diagnosis, treatments and medications
• Overseeing medication aides, nurse aides by monitoring cares and delegating duties or assignments
• Utilizing critical thinking skills daily, BLS certified

• Transcribe written or telephone orders from MD
• Managing care from admission to discharge, including patient assessment, medication administration, wound assessment/care, pain management, feeding tube care, IV management, post-surgical patients, hospice patients, dementia/Alzheimer unit
• Provide and reinforce education to patient/families concerning diagnosis, treatments and medications
• Overseeing medication aides, nurse aides by monitoring cares and delegating duties or assignments
• Utilizing critical thinking skills daily, BLS certified

• Managed care from admission to discharge, including patient assessments, medication administration, wound assessment/care, pain management, feeding tube, restraints, surgical patient care, care planning
• Provide and reinforce education to patients and their families concerning diagnosis/medications
• ACLS/BLS certified