EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Athabasca University, Alberta May 2022 – Present
Master of Health Studies with a Leadership Focus - Student
Graduate Program MHS
The Master of Health Studies is a graduate program that prepares students for leadership positions in the health system. The program teaches students fundamental skills to discern emerging trends, anticipate future directions in health services, and provide leadership in:
planning
implementation
evaluation
change management
policy development
I am specifically in this program because I believe it will prepare me to be a productive and innovative leader in healthcare management. I firmly believe that this program will provide me with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to think critically and problem solve through roadblocks and barriers to meet leadership and organizational priorities that will improve healthcare programs and patients' lives.
York University, Ontario September 2006 – June 2010
Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours (BScN)
Professional Organizations That I Belong To
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) August 2010 - Present
The College of Nurses of Ontario is the governing body for Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Ontario, Canada (College of Nurses, 2022).
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) August 2010 - Present
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario is a voluntary professional association that advocates for healthy public policy, promotes excellence in nursing practice, and empowers nurses to actively influence and shape decisions that affect the profession and the public they serve (RNAO, 2022).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Field Nurse Reimbursement Specialist
BioScript Solutions July 2021 - Present
Onboards new patient enrollments from assigned MDs into the patient support program
Conducts financial needs assessments on patients to determine if they need financial assistance for copay deductible amounts for ongoing treatment (if coverage is <100%)
Coordinates and monitors lab work for patients on treatment
Sets up injection training for patients
Sends enrollment forms and Rx renewals to pharmacies
Coordinates patient care with infusion clinics
Reviews post-infusion/injection reports from clinics and home nursing agencies
Works closely with a patient reimbursement specialist to prefill private coverage special authorization forms for MDs and patients to secure medication coverage
Processes public medication coverage applications for patients
Maintains a patient caseload of 250+ patients
Provides health teaching to patients about biological therapies based on information on product monographs
Attends MD office visits with Program Support Services Managers and pharmaceutical sales representatives
Reports adverse events and obtains medical clearance from MDs if applicable
Conducts various health assessments on patients for special authorization forms
Withdrawal Management Services – Registered Nurse
St. Joseph Health Centre Toronto August 2019 – October 2021
Monitors clients for symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and illicit substances
Assesses clients for opioid withdrawal/overdose and alcohol withdrawal seizures and delirium tremens.
Conducts head-to-toe nursing assessments on clients
Connects clients to primary care and addiction medicine physicians
Provides health teaching/groups to clients on sleep hygiene, harm reduction, coping strategies to decrease anxiety and improve mood, nutrition, setting short-term goals, medication, naloxone, etc.,
Provides supportive counseling for clients
Refers clients to the Emergency Department if their withdrawal cannot be managed onsite
Conducts mental health and addictions nursing assessments on clients
Develops safety/crisis and care plans with clients
Acts as an onsite medical consultant for non-registered Addiction Service staff
Works closely with Nurse Practitioners who come onsite a couple of times a week to assess client withdrawal and appropriateness of anti-craving medication treatment
Conducts medication reconciliation and audits medication records
Connects clients to Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine clinics for support
Uses the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) to connect clients to a Nurse Practitioner to assess their withdrawal and other medical/mental and addictions health conditions
Fills in periodically for the hospital inpatient Addiction Medicine Services department consultant RN
Developed a COVID-19 policy and procedure for Withdrawal Management Services at St. Joseph Health Centre Toronto
Screens clients for symptoms of COVID-19
Mental Health and Addictions Nurse in the District School Boards Program – Registered Nurse/Case Manager
Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (MH LHIN)/ Ontario Health September 2013 – August 2019
Provides health teaching for students, families, educators, and community partners
Provides system navigation for students and their families by assessing their needs and connecting them to appropriate mental health and addiction support
Advocates for students and their families in school, community, and hospital settings
Consults with school officials and Halton Police during student Violence Risk Assessment Meetings (VTRA)
Provides health teaching about Harm reduction and stages of change
Works collaboratively with community partners to provide a continuum of care for students and their families
Provides short-term and supportive counseling for students by helping them determine clinical goals to enhance their capacity to remain in school and thrive
Provides medication support and education by providing health teaching and managing side effects.
Provides support and intervention for students exhibiting self-harming behavior and treatment refusal
Liaises with interdisciplinary professionals by attending school case conferences and hospital discharge planning meetings
Develops plans, including safety plans with families, students, community partners, and school officials
Care Coordinator/Health Links Care Coordinator/Case Manager
Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (MH LHIN)/Ontario Health June 2015 - October 2016
Provided ongoing intensive case management support for clients 18 years of age or older living with complex physical and mental health needs and addictions (Health Links Care Coordination)
Conducted RAI HC assessments on patients and authorized in-home care services to meet their needs
Completed Coordinated Care plans for patients
Attended care conference with patients, primary care physicians, and other service providers to discuss care planning, treatment, and goals
Liaised with interdisciplinary professionals to meet the needs of patients
Provided patient system navigation by connecting them to various community services to meet their needs.
Registered Nurse/Case Manager
Canadian Mental Health Association- Peel Dufferin Branch
Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) March 2012 - September 2013
Provided intensive case management support for clients living with complex mental health issues
Completed nursing assessments and interventions for clients
Processed client referrals for medical follow-up and mental health and housing programs.
Worked with other health care professionals to ensure the continuity of care for clients
Advocated for clients and their families
Processed medication orders for clients and blood work requisitions
Participated in client health education sessions
Provided health teaching for clients
Participated in groups that provide social and recreational activities for clients
Developed extensive knowledge of housing, social, financial, vocational, and other community resources
Gained invaluable experience with utilizing assessment tools (i.e., OCAN)
Registered Nurse Centre for Mental Health and Addiction (CAMH)
College Site, Toronto
Emergency Department/Emergency Assessment Unit July 2011 - September 2013
Assigned to a full caseload in an acute psychiatric setting
Completed nursing assessments and interventions (CIWA assessments etc.)
Advocated for patients and their families
Provided close observation for clients to monitor and ensure their health and safety
Administered medications
Increased knowledge and use of the principles set out in the Mental Health Act.
Worked with other health professionals to ensure continuity of care for clients
Provided crisis intervention
Implemented de-escalation techniques for agitated clients
Engaged in the admission and discharge/transfer process for clients
Registered Nurse
William Osler Brampton Civic August 2010 – June 2016
Mental Health Intensive Unit / Mental Health Emergency Department
Assigned to a whole caseload in an acute psychiatric setting
Completed nursing assessments and interventions (CIWA assessments etc.)
Advocated for patients and their families
Closely observing clients monitor their health and safety.
Administered medications
Participated in client education sessions
Worked with other health professionals to ensure continuity of care for clients
Attended various in-service education sessions for staff
Provided patient and family health teaching
Experienced with assisting in ECT and recovery
Fostered leadership and management skills while acting as Unit Leader on several occasions (19-bed unit- General Mood & Anxiety Mental Health Unit)
Developed exceptional communication skills by enacting active listening techniques during client treatment
HFO Registered Nurse New Grad Position
Leisure world Tullamore Nursing Home April 2010 - August 2010
Completed various audits for the nursing department
Worked under the direction of the associate director of care and the director of care.
Additional Professional Education and Training
Introduction to Addictions
Psychopharmacology for Counsellors
Understanding Concurrent Disorders
Principles and Practices of Motivational Interviewing
Safe Talk
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training
Addictions Workshop- Halton Health Care