Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Sarah McLaughlin

Bacchus Marsh,VIC

Summary

I am a dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse with over 25 years experience in a variety of physically and mentally demanding environments. I am comfortable working with diverse patients, across multiple backgrounds, and strive to develop trusting relationships with patients and families through empathetic and respectful communication. I strive to improve patient outcomes and can efficiently and confidently liaise and coordinate with healthcare professionals to advance patient care. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a consistent history in holistic patient care, triage and care coordination in a fast-paced environment with a proven ability to remain calm under pressure and skill fully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Clinical Governance and Quality Advisor

Local Guardians
06.2023 - Current
  • Collaboratively review and assess 1000+ client care plans and other relevant documentation, and addresses risk identification and mitigations.
  • Conducted risk assessments, identifying potential issues and implementing preventative measures accordingly.
  • Performed continuous reviews of quality management system.
  • Provide clinical advice and support to Care Managers in their role of providing optimal client/carer support in home and community environments.

Registered Nurse

Djerriwarrh Health Services/Western Health
10.2017 - 04.2023
  • Delivered outstanding care to patients with various diagnoses and managed care from treatment initiation through to completion
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities to prevent further disability
  • Informed patients and families of effective treatment options and at-home care strategies, enhancing long-term outcomes
  • Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
  • Performed triage on incoming patients and determined severity of injuries and illnesses.
  • Sustained quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
  • Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
  • Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.

Registered Nurse Perioperative Services

St Vincent's Private Hospital
11.2004 - 07.2017
  • Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies
  • Adhered to strict safety measures by carefully determining proper dosages before administering medications
  • Participated in education activities, including evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities
  • Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety
  • Performed frequent checks on life support equipment and made necessary adjustments to preserve optimal patient conditions
  • Addressed disruptions in patient care, including delays in discharge, postponed procedures and discharge equipment unavailability.

Corrections Nurse

St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
01.2008 - 12.2008
  • Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies
  • Observed and reported patient condition, progress and medication side effects to accurately document updates
  • Participated in education activities, including evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities
  • Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented all patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems
  • Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery
  • Performed ongoing assessments to evaluate mental health needs, working with multidisciplinary team to develop, initiate, manage and modify individualized plans of care
  • Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission
  • Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients
  • Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies
  • Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations
  • Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities to prevent further disability
  • Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information
  • Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.

Resident Care Coordinator

Central Park Aged Care Facility
05.2002 - 08.2003
  • Hired and trained 7 new staff members on facility policies, patient care and medicine distribution
  • Educated families and patients on current facility procedures, medical diagnoses and best courses of action
  • Created staff and care schedules for meals, events, bathing, medication distribution and visiting hours
  • Ordered lab work and scheduled appointments with doctors, patients and families to discuss results
  • Confirmed accurate completion of forms and reports for admission, transfer and/or discharge of each resident
  • Worked with department heads, staff and faculty to develop engaging curriculum and advance instruction for all nursing programs
  • Managed clinical oversight for 44-bed unit
  • Evaluated students' competencies through written assignments and examinations
  • Coordinated allocation of nursing service equipment and supplies within facility and established guidelines for efficient, economical use
  • Skillfully developed departmental goals, objectives, standards of performance, policies and procedures
  • Closely collaborated with management team to make necessary improvements and satisfy resident needs
  • Supervised and managed daily activities of clinical team consisting of 18 physicians, nurses and support staff
  • Analyzed patient and family feedback to identify opportunities for staff recognition as well as areas for improvement
  • Introduced, negotiated and implemented new projects to expand scope of engagement
  • Maintained good communication between department heads, medical staff and governing boards by attending board meetings and synchronizing interdepartmental functions
  • Investigated and reported issues relating to patient care or conditions that might hinder patient well-being
  • Provided case management services, counseling, education and life-skills training to diverse, at-risk student population
  • Provided behavioral/emotional support and supervision for those with dementia and Alzheimer's
  • Facilitated on-going assessment of patient and family needs and implementation of interdisciplinary team care plan
  • Administered assessments and developed academic goals based on specific disabilities and barriers to learning
  • Engaged patients with games, crafts, cooking, music, reading and other activities
  • Responsible for primary care, case management, and medication management
  • Continually improved knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback and self-identified professional developmental needs
  • Partnered with team of registered nurses to achieve overall well-being of all patients.

Education

Bachelor of Nursing in Nursing -

Charles Darwin University
Casuarina, NT
01.2008

Certificate 4 in Nursing -

Victoria University, St Albans Campus
Saint Albans, VIC
01.1999

High School Diploma -

Bacchus Marsh College
Maddingley, VIC
01.1995

Skills

  • Patient and family advocacy
  • Chronic disease management
  • High level of autonomy
  • Professional bedside manner
  • Confidentiality
  • Infection control measures
  • Procedure preparations and assistance
  • Relationship building
  • Infection control awareness
  • Family education
  • Intake and Discharge
  • Critical Care
  • BAC Screen/Drug Screen Collection Ability
  • Nursing Plan Development
  • Critical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Culturally-sensitive care and communication
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Strong clinical judgment
  • Indirect patient care
  • Patient counselling
  • Technical knowledge
  • MS Office
  • Charting and clinical documentation
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
  • Unit Administration, including registration of patients on IPM, faxing, emailing etc

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Clinical Governance and Quality Advisor

Local Guardians
06.2023 - Current

Registered Nurse

Djerriwarrh Health Services/Western Health
10.2017 - 04.2023

Corrections Nurse

St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
01.2008 - 12.2008

Registered Nurse Perioperative Services

St Vincent's Private Hospital
11.2004 - 07.2017

Resident Care Coordinator

Central Park Aged Care Facility
05.2002 - 08.2003

Bachelor of Nursing in Nursing -

Charles Darwin University

Certificate 4 in Nursing -

Victoria University, St Albans Campus

High School Diploma -

Bacchus Marsh College

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Sarah McLaughlin