PENNY HORTON
Bentley Park,QLD
Summary
Knowledgeable and passionate Clinical Nurse with 12 years of experience in paedatrics. Implementing best practices and using clinical data to improve delivery of care. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills. Effectively supervising and coordinating staff and patient care within the Paediatric and Adolescent ward and communicating with a multi-disiplinary team to provide the highest level of care to patients and their families.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Nurse
Child and Adolescent Ward, Cairns Hospital
Cairns, QLD
02.2024 - Current
- Assessed patient conditions and monitored vital signs to determine appropriate care plans.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to ensure best practices were followed.
- Ensured compliance with hospital policies and procedures related to safety, infection control, documentation.
- Involved in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient progress and issues.
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.
- Identified potential risk factors associated with the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
- Reported changes in patient status promptly to supervisor or attending physician.
- Utilized critical thinking skills when making decisions about patient care needs.
- Demonstrated effective communication skills when interacting with patients, family members, physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers.
- Collaborated with physicians and staff in other disciplines.
- Coordinated team activities and delegated tasks to ensure efficient completion of patient care.
- Developed strategies for problem solving and conflict resolution among team members.
- Conducted regular performance reviews to assess individual team member progress.
- Provided coaching and feedback on employee performance, encouraging professional development.
- Monitored daily workflow to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures.
- Maintained a positive work environment that promoted collaboration between team members.
Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant
Cairns Hospital, Queensland Health
Cairns, QLD
01.2024 - 02.2024
- Provided clinical guidance to nursing staff on patient care and management.
- Actively participated in the development of policies related to nursing practice and patient safety initiatives.
- Assessed patients' condition, developed plans of care and monitored progress towards goals.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals in delivering comprehensive patient care.
- Conducted educational sessions for nurses, medical students and other healthcare professionals on relevant topics.
- Reviewed medical records to identify discrepancies between actual practice and standards of care.
- Facilitated communication between physicians, nurses, allied health practitioners and administrative staff to ensure optimal outcomes for patients.
Nurse Health Center Manager
Northern Territory Remote Health
Jabiru, NT
01.2009 - 10.2011
- Attended meetings with local government officials or community leaders to discuss public health issues affecting the area served by the health center.
- Participated in strategic planning initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare services offered by the health center.
- Monitored inventory levels of medical supplies and equipment used in daily operations of the health center; placed orders when necessary.
- Oversaw daily operations of the health center, including staffing and scheduling.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state regulations.
- Managed financial resources and budgeting for the health center.
- Provided leadership and guidance to staff members on a wide range of topics, such as patient care, customer service, safety protocols.
- Recruited, trained and supervised new staff members in accordance with established guidelines.
- Organized professional development activities for staff to enhance their skillset.
- Ensured quality assurance standards were met throughout the health center's services.
- Collaborated with other departments within the organization to coordinate services and promote an integrated approach to healthcare delivery.
- Resolved conflicts between staff members or patients in a timely manner while maintaining confidentiality of all parties involved.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary staff to improve overall patient care and response times.
- Managed changes in integrated health care delivery systems and technological innovations while keeping focus on quality of care.
Remote Area Nurse
Northern Territory Remote Health
Various, NT
08.2000 - 01.2009
- Managed primary health care programs including child health and immunisations.
- Managed chronic disease programs and developed patient careplans in conjunctions with medical team.
- Provided acute care and on call afterhours services for patients. Providing assessment, diagnosis, and treatment guided by Top End remote practice book and Crana book.
- Consulted with district medical officer for advice when scope of practice surpassed remote area nurse guidlines.
- Revised patient care plans through regular assessment and evaluation of patient conditions and changes over time to improve prognosis in collaboration with clinic physicians.
- Maintained comprehensive records of patient visits, diagnoses and prescriptions to provide physicians with complete understanding of patient medical history and conditions.
- Practiced high level of clinical skills including but not limited to cannulation, suturing, applying plasters, venipuncture, catherisation, trauma care, wound care, and onsite laboratory testing.
Graduate Nurse
Katherine Hosptial
Katherine, NT
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Engaged in Gradate nursing program
- Assisted physicians and nurses with patient assessments, treatments, and discharge instructions.
- Provided direct care to patients in the form of administering medications, wound care, vital signs monitoring, injections, and IVs.
- Collaborated with healthcare team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Education
International Paediatric Postgraduate Certificate - Paediatrics
Sydney University/Sydney Children's Hospital
11-2019
Bachelor of Health Science- Nursing - Nursing
University of The Northern Territory
Darwin, NT12-1998
Skills
- Team supervision
- Ward Coordination
- Quality Improvement and assurance
- Care Coordination
- Phlebotomy
- Caunnulation
- Catheter insertion
- Suturing
- Assessment and esculation
- Education
Certification
- Accredited hand hygiene auditor
- Accredited manual handling educator
- Accredited optimus core facilitator
Accomplishments
- Nominated and shortlisted for Remote area nurse of the year in the Northern Territory 2009
References
- Rylie Leelong: Paediatric & Adolescent Ward Nurse Manager, Cairns Hospital
- Courtney Pollard: After hours Hospital Coordinator, Benalla Hospital
Timeline
Clinical Nurse
Child and Adolescent Ward, Cairns Hospital
02.2024 - Current
Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant
Cairns Hospital, Queensland Health
01.2024 - 02.2024
Nurse Health Center Manager
Northern Territory Remote Health
01.2009 - 10.2011
Remote Area Nurse
Northern Territory Remote Health
08.2000 - 01.2009
Graduate Nurse
Katherine Hosptial
01.1999 - 01.2000
International Paediatric Postgraduate Certificate - Paediatrics
Sydney University/Sydney Children's Hospital
Bachelor of Health Science- Nursing - Nursing
University of The Northern Territory
- Accredited hand hygiene auditor
- Accredited manual handling educator
- Accredited optimus core facilitator
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