Carla Podmore

• Dementia Care: Gained insight into providing specialised care for residents with dementia, including effective communication strategies, behavior management techniques, and creating a supportive environment.
• Patient Advocacy: Developed an understanding of advocating for the rights and well-being of elderly residents, promoting their autonomy, dignity, and quality of life.
• Activities of daily living: Gained experience in assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting, while ensuring respect for privacy and maintaining dignity. Assisted residents with mobility and transfers within my scope of practice.
• Vital Sign Monitoring: Gained proficiency in measuring and recording vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation contributing to ongoing resident assessments.
• Feeding assistance: Verified menu and current diet order to deliver meal trays and snacks to clients, while assisted in oral nutrition and hydration when needed.
• Simple wound dressing: Undertook several simple dressings, while consulting the wound management plan under the supervision of the registered nurse. Maintaining principles of aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT).

• Escalation of Care: Developed skills in responding to emergency calls within a clinical environment. Understanding facility policies and protocols in response to Code Black and Code Blue calls.
• Documentation and Charting: Developed skills in accurate and detailed documentation of patient charts. Ensuring vital sign observations, bowel charts, fluid charts, and medication charts were updated every shift.
• Progress notes- Reported and evaluated set goals of care per shift. Reported any changes in patient condition by maintaining clear and organised records.
• Infection control: Maintained good hand hygiene, wore appropriate PPE when needed, and decontaminated equipment appropriately. Became familiar with Airbourne, Droplet, and contact precautions.
• Subcutaneous injections and Intravenous mediation- Became familiar with the policies and procedures in regards to medication delivery. Used MIMS and Australian injectables handbook as reference before administration of such medication.
• Medication- Developed skills in systematically checking the six rights of medication. I researched the contraindications, adverse reactions and nursing considerations for each, advancing my knowledge and preparing myself for future placements.

• Mental health legislation and policies: Utilised knowledge of relevant mental health issues, policies, procedures, and ethical guidelines to ensure appropriate care management of patients.
• Collaboration: Worked alongside multidisciplinary teams such as social workers, Occupational therapists, and Physiotherapists to achieve short and long-term goals of client care, while advocating for patients of concern at MDT meetings.
• Managing the care of a group of patients: Demonstrated the ability to effectively and safely coordinate the care of a group of clients for a period of care, providing all care following the patient care plan.
• Medication preparation and administration: Demonstrated the ability to manage medication administration effectively and safely for a group of clients, adhering to the six rights of medication delivery, allergies, MIMS, and expiry dates.
• Recognising and responding to clinical deterioration in a client: Demonstrated the ability to recognise acute deterioration in a client’s physical, mental or cognitive condition and escalate in a timely and appropriate manner

• Airway Management: Administering and monitoring oxygen therapy, nebulisers, inhalers. Managing tracheostomies and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) such as CPAP, AIRVO, BiPAP and those in respiratory failure.
• Respiratory assessments: Conducting, monitoring and managing respiratory illnesses such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer. Understanding respiratory pathophysiology and treatment.
• Acute care support: Assisting in the management of acute respiratory distress, exacerbations of respiratory illnesses, chest physiotherapy and suctioning for airway clearance.
• Patient education: Teaching patients how to use inhalers, nebulisers and home oxygen therapy. Providing smoking cessation support, educating patients and family on recognising early signs of deterioration.
• Responsive Nursing Care: Monitoring vital signs, chest drains, AIRVO settings, being aware of effective interventions for the safety of the patient.

My experience in various roles within St. Hilda's Anglican School for Girls has equipped me with diverse skills, working in an ever-changing environment has made me adaptable, strong, and reliable in my role. I am capable of working independently, and I understand the importance of representing the organisation's vision through my professional demeanor. Below are the roles I have undertaken in the past 9 years of employment;

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• 1 year’s experience as an administrative assistant to the Head of Boarding, completing numerous duties, within the office and boarding house location.
• 6 years experience as a residential supervisor, responsible for the welfare and supervision of boarding students in years 7 to 12.
• 2 year's experience as a tutor coordinator and lead supervisor (current role).

Below are some key skills I have demonstrated throughout my employment;

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• Cultural Sensitivity: Awareness of and respect for cultural diversity, promoting inclusivity and understanding within a diverse resident population.
• Teamwork: Collaborate with school nurses, physiologists, tutors, and teachers for the overall holistic care of students.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team of staff members, tutors, and students, including weekly meetings, handovers, and assigning tasks while providing guidance, direction, and support.
• Record keeping: Proficiency in providing up-to-date records, including incident reports, occupancy roll calls, pastoral care reports, end-of-term reports, medication reports, and staff handovers. As well as being an active participant in weekly meetings, tutor meetings, and travel logistics.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively interact with residents, staff, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Conflict Resolution: Proficiency in resolving conflicts and mediating disputes among residents, promoting a harmonious and supportive living environment.
• Problem-solving: Aptitude for identifying and addressing challenges faced by residents, such as homesickness, academic difficulties, or personal issues, and offering appropriate solutions. Resourceful in adapting to changing circumstances and making informed decisions for the benefit of the residents and staff.