Tara Ochoa
Registered Nurse
Pensacola,FL
Summary
Dynamic Critical Care Registered Nurse with 8 years of nursing experience. Adept at collaborating with interdisciplinary medical teams and dedicated to delivering best-in-class patient care experience. Positive, upbeat and reliable team member with a strong work ethic and honest integrity that will enhance the function of any nursing unit. Seeking opportunities to grow professionally and desire a high level of job satisfaction in an environment that recognizes and rewards competence. Strong desire to educate new team members and grow in leadership roles. Looking forward to aligning with like minded individuals to cultivate excellence in nursing.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
1
1
Certified Cardiac Invasive Specialist
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Cardiac Cath Lab Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Care
Pensacola, FL
03.2022 - Current
- Working directly with Interventional Cardiology Physicians performing diagnostic and interventional right and left heart cardiac catheterization procedures, structural heart procedures such as TAVR, AAA repair, mitral valve replacement, PFO closures, Watchman, and a multitude of peripheral vascular interventions while using procedural sedation.
- Closely monitoring patients sedation levels, hemodynamic stability, accurately interpreting EKG readings, and administering life saving medications during complex cardiac procedures.
- Utilizing acute critical care expertise to intervene with appropriate ACLS interventions during CODE blue and STEMI emergency situations while maintaining a calm and clear minded response to escalating complications associated with coronary interventions.
- Demonstrated advanced competencies in my field by becoming Certified as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist through Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
- Proficient at working with cardiac specific interventional equipment such as Impella, Inta-aortic balloon pumps, Rotoblator, CTO, IVUS, as well as working knowledge of catheters, guides and PCI & peripheral balloons.
- Very comfortable working with sterile technique to prepare equipment and patients for procedures, as well as working with OR personal and CRNA for structural heart patients.
- Adept at accurately documenting in Apollo and Allscripts charting systems.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility and a proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Interventional Radiology Nurse - CT Dept. -PRN
Baptist Hosptial
Pensacola, FL
10.2022 - Current
- Work directly with Interventional Radiology Physicians to perform CT guided procedures using procedural sedation.
- Administering conscious sedation medications via IV route to patients undergoing procedures such as liver, lung, kidney, and bone biopsies, as well as CT guided drain placements.
- Excellent understanding of sedation medications, reversal agents, emergency medications and performing ACLS.
- Closely monitoring patient vital signs, EKG, maintaining open airway, CO2 levels and patient comfort with sedation during CT guided procedures.
- Obtaining accurate consent for procedures, reviewing current medications, history and physical, current labs, performing appropriate TIME OUT protocol, providing accurate documentation, and performing a thorough bedside handoff to post-recovery RN.
Critical Care Nurse
Select Speciality Hospital
Pensacola, FL
08.2019 - 09.2022
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator & artificial airway management, critical drip titration, sedation, extensive wound care & wound management systems, dialysis management, chest tubes, drains, and extensive rehabilitation.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, end stage renal disease, dialysis treatments, septic shock, stroke/CVA, anoxic brain injuries, COVID-19 respiratory failure & COVID recovery, and other critically ill conditions.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients in code situations and performed accurate documentation.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Cared for patients in 75-bed hospital, supporting fellow nurses and CNA's in delivering outstanding treatment to critically ill patients with 5:1 patient to nurse ratios.
- Established and maintained successful relationships with patients, families and physicians by utilizing exemplary communication and active listening skills.
- Recognized and understood specific stages of dying process, providing comfort-based care during vulnerable times and end of life.
- Trained and coached new employees on protocols and best practices to promote ideal patient outcomes.
- Proficient with EPIC charting system and providing detailed documentation.
Registered Nurse Clinical Liaison- PRN
Select Speciality Hospital
Pensacola, FL
2021.02 - 2022.09
- Assessed and reviewed medical records to determine if patients meet criteria for admission, assisting patients and families through the admission process, communicating with case managers and physicians, managing insurance precertification, providing marketing to healthcare providers, and maintaining relationships with referring hospitals.
- Input clinical data for pre-admission into Transitions of Care.
- Making clinical rounds in ICU/CCU/SINU/PCU/MICU setting to assess patients eligibility and clinical stability for transfer to our facility.
- Providing education and therapeutic communication to families in determining the patients need for LTAC critical illness recovery environment.
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
West Florida Hospital
Pensacola, FL
03.2016 - 06.2019
- Reviewed post-operative orders and continuously monitored patients' post-operative vitals, set up PCA and fluids and oriented patients to unit.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Secured controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule to meet patient needs and minimize misuse opportunities.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use and disease management.
- Managed patient pain relief and sedation by providing non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols.
- Provided didactic and clinical instructions to orient new nurses and potential student nurses to achieve training outcomes.
- Managed 5 patients on busy surgical unit that had frequent admissions, discharges and post-operative patients.
Licensed Massage Therapist
Tara's Touch Massage Therapy
Pensacola, FL
10.1999 - 09.2021
- Addressed mobility limitations and generalized pain originating from muscle tightness through deep tissue massage techniques.
- Performed massages for clients using hot stone, Swedish, deep tissue, sports and pregnancy methodologies.
- Provided safe, effective and appropriate massage therapy techniques during customer appointments.
- Spoke with clients regarding health history, expectations, services and procedures for safety and customer satisfaction.
- Relieved muscular tension and chronic pain by applying trigger point therapy and myofascial release techniques to clients with musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunction.
- Used essential oils to add aromatherapy element to massage sessions, maximizing stress relief and relaxation effect.
- Advised athletes on areas of concern causing pain or predisposing to injury, instructing on warm-up and stretching techniques to relieve dysfunction and prevent injury.
- Implemented reflexology, manipulating feet of patients to relieve symptoms throughout body and restore total-body balance.
- Maintained client treatment records and designed long-term care programs for return customers.
- Maintained client book of 26-30 clients per week.
Certified Birth Doula
Tara's Touch Massage Therapy
Pensacola , FL
02.2000 - 11.2006
- Coached women through final stage of labor and provided emotional and physical support for delivery of over 30 newborns in family-oriented settings.
- Provided evidence based education on safe birthing practices in home and hospital environment.
- Assisted with birth planning and developing realistic expectations for birth process.
- Provided physical and emotional support to laboring women and their husbands during active labor, delivery and immediate postpartum period.
- Coached new mothers with breastfeeding techniques, postpartum self-care and infant care to promote easier transition into motherhood.
- Collaborated with nurses and doctors to achieve holistic birth experiences.
- Led childbirth education classes to promote natural childbirth.
- Collaborated with breast feeding organizations to promote healthy maternal fetal attachment and breast feeding in community.
Certified Childbirth Educator
Baptist Hospital
Pensacola , FL
01.2001 - 10.2003
- Provided support and education to families by offering evidence-based childbirth practices.
- Delivered objective childbirth information, including resources for birthing facilities and methods.
- Provided detailed instruction about processes of childbirth in hospital environment.
- Provided effective lecture and demonstration on phases and stages of labor, vaginal and cesarean delivery, medical interventions, pain management, epidural anesthesia, natural childbirth options, and postpartum care of mother and baby.
- Collaborated with lactation consultants to provide breast feeding education to promote healthy feeding practices for infants.
- Demonstrated ability to adjust class content and teaching methods to various learning styles by utilizing different techniques, visual aids, and hands-on demonstrations.
- Taught classes with 10-15 couples per class size.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL 01.2021 - 08.2024
Associate of Science - Nursing
Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL 01.2014 - 12.2016
Massage Therapy
Florida's Therapeutic Massage School
Pensacola FL1999
Skills
- Detail-Oriented
- Documentation and Reporting
- Healthcare Team Collaboration
- Task and Work Prioritization
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Analytical Thinking
- Complex Information Interpretation
- Team Building
- Conflict Resolution
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Problem Solving
- Relationship Building
Affiliations
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Florida State Massage Therapy Association
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
Certification
American Heart Association: ACLS/BLS
ICEA Certified Doula
Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) with Cardiovascular Credentialing International
Timeline
Interventional Radiology Nurse - CT Dept. -PRN
Baptist Hosptial
10.2022 - Current
Cardiac Cath Lab Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Care
03.2022 - Current
Registered Nurse Clinical Liaison- PRN
Select Speciality Hospital
2021.02 - 2022.09
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Pensacola State College
01.2021 - 08.2024
Critical Care Nurse
Select Speciality Hospital
08.2019 - 09.2022
Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit
West Florida Hospital
03.2016 - 06.2019
Associate of Science - Nursing
Pensacola State College
01.2014 - 12.2016
Certified Childbirth Educator
Baptist Hospital
01.2001 - 10.2003
Certified Birth Doula
Tara's Touch Massage Therapy
02.2000 - 11.2006
Licensed Massage Therapist
Tara's Touch Massage Therapy
10.1999 - 09.2021
American Heart Association: ACLS/BLS
ICEA Certified Doula
Massage Therapy
Florida's Therapeutic Massage School
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