Lorissa R. Heath RN, MSN, 32 Macintosh Way Southington, CT 06489 (860) 426-1481 (H) (860) 426-1481 (Fax) E-mail: LRHeath@cox.net Current Career Goal: To obtain a position as an within an established private practice or hospital setting providing holistic care for all patients. Areas of Expertise: for 6 years, currently working in a private Rheumatology Practice, carrying a heavy patient load and taking charge of the office when the physician is away. Described as honest and respectful towards all of my patients. I am very prompt with addressing the needs of my patients. I take the time to listen, and am able to explain diagnoses in terms that patients can understand. Nurse Practitioner Employment: 9/05-Present Dr. Christopher Manning ; Specialty of Rheumatology Working with patients on a daily basis who suffer from various forms of Inflammatory Arthritis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Osteoarthritis, and Fibromyalgia. Seeing a wide variety of patients daily, conducting follow-up visits with them, adjusting treatment plans and medications, and performing procedures such as viscosupplementation, various joint injections, and trigger point injections. 6/05-Present Interim Healthcare Working on an as needed basis providing coverage for Johnson Occupational Health. Assessing and treating new injuries and following up on return visits to determine work status. 1/05-9/05 Hartford Hospital Emergency Department Working on an as needed basis in the Emergency Room assessing and treating a wide variety of patients with various medical conditions. Able to perform procedures such as minor suturing and splinting.
9/04-6/05 Hartford Hospital Division of Cardiology Managing comprehensive care for post-open heart surgery patients in the inpatient hospital setting. Interpret laboratory data, EKGs, echocardiograms, and radiography. Adjust patient medications, treatment plans, handle emergency situations, and remove chest tubes and epicardial wires as needed on a daily basis. Also assist with discharge planning and outpatient follow-up for all patients. Nurse Practitioner Student Clinical Experience: 1/04-4/04 Orthopedic Associates of Hartford, Hartford, CT Student Paired with a certified who cares for general orthopedic cases with a special focus on Orthopedic Oncology. Performed initial patient intakes and assessments, learned skills such as cortisone injections, further developed radiology skills, observed small parts of operative procedures. 1/04-4/04 Hartford Hospital Emergency Room, Hartford, CT Student Under the supervision of a certified, performed patient assessments focusing on a wide variety of patient complaints, developed appropriate treatment plans, and practiced skills such as suturing lacerations and pelvic exams. Had the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population, and gain additional radiology experience. 1/04-4/04 Dr. Parnes Pediatric Practice, Healthwise, Vernon, CT Student Under the supervision of a certified, performed focused patient assessments, as well as routine physical exams for the pediatric population. Developed appropriate treatment plans for a wide variety of problems, including otitis media, strep throat, gastroenteritis, scoliosis, and ADHD. 9/03-12/03 Charter Oak Family Health Center, Hartford, CT Student, Pediatrics Performed many physical exams and focused assessments on children ranging in age from 2 months to 18 years, under the direct supervision of a Pediatric MD. Developed appropriate treatment plans and follow up care for this diverse patient population. Gained experience in making referrals for patients to medical and behavioral health specialists.
1/03-12/03 Charter Oak Family Health Center, Hartford, CT Student, Family Primary Care Performed focused assessments and physical exams on a wide range of patients with many co-morbidities, such as Metabolic Syndrome, HIV, and Hepatitis. Developed good pharmacology basics in terms of prescribing and polypharmacy situations. Cared for many patients from different cultures and backgrounds, and learned how to explain treatment plans so that patients could completely understand the instructions. Registered Nursing Employment History: 8/00-6/04 INTERIM HEALTHCARE, Farmington, CT Staff Nurse Acting as a fill-in nurse for Manchester Memorial Hospital Emergency Room and Radiology Departments. Performing assessment skills, administering medications, supervising patients under conscious sedation, assisting doctors with various procedures such as biopsies and angiograms. 8/99-8/04 HARTFORD HOSPITAL, Hartford, CT Staff Nurse Level I Trauma Center/Emergency Room Experienced as a staff nurse in a Level 1 Trauma Center/Emergency Room. Duties include rapidly assessing and treating a great variety of patients, acting as the primary nurse in the trauma and resuscitation rooms, acting as a resource nurse, administering medications, inserting IV s, drawing blood, obtaining ABG s, inserting nasogastric tubes, assisting with intubation, possessing strong prioritization and critical thinking skills, stabilizing critically ill patients, managing up to 10 patients at a time, and collaborating with other staff members to provide the best and most comprehensive care to our patients. 6/99-8/99 HARTFORD HOSPITAL, Hartford, CT Staff Nurse Level I, Labor and Delivery Staff nurse on a Level III, high risk Labor, Delivery, and Recovery Unit. The focus of care is Family-Centered Maternity Nursing, allowing the entire family to be part of the delivery. Duties include, triage assessment to determine if labor is present, assessment of injuries resulting from falls, domestic violence, motor vehicle accidents, or other traumas, assessment of the infant heart rate and pattern, inserting IVs, assessing for and treating preterm labor and administering intravenous hydration and tocolytics including Terbutaline and Magnesium Sulfate. Duties also include continuous hands-on care and assessment of support systems before, during, and after both vaginal and cesarean deliveries.
12/98-6/99 HARTFORD HOSPITAL, Hartford, CT Staff Nurse Level I, Maternity, Post-Partum Experienced as a staff nurse in post-partum, and cross trained to a Level I Newborn Nursery. Duties include complete initial newborn assessments, assessing post-partum women for bleeding, assisting with breastfeeding and care of a newborn, teaching new parents what signs or symptoms to call the pediatrician for, managing a 5-10 couplet (both mother and newborn) assignment, and teaching new mothers how to care for themselves in the immediate post-partum period. Other duties include IV insertion, administration of antibiotics, and administration of Methergine. The goal is to promote the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative by encouraging breastfeeding and family participation in the care for the infant. 9/98-12/98 SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL, Hartford, CT Emergency Room Staff Nurse Experienced as a staff nurse in a Level I Trauma Center. Duties include rapid assessment of patients, problem solving, IV insertion, assisting in the trauma room and cardiac room, administering cardiac medications, along with many other medications, assisting with intubation, stabilizing critical patients, triaging patients, managing up to 10 patients at a time, trouble shooting, critical thinking, and collaborating with other members of the Emergency Room team to provide the best care for every patient. 6/98-9/98 SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL, Hartford, CT Critical Care Internship Critical Care training program for new graduate BSN registered nurses. Duties included @80 hours of classroom time spent on learning cardiac dysrhythmias, arterial blood gases, arterial and venous pressures, ventilators and airway management, blood values, abnormal organ functions, interventions, how to troubleshoot, and how to critically think about how to treat patient s conditions. Also, 6 weeks of experience on a cardiac step-down unit, caring for patients post CABG and cardiac catheterization, and occasionally pneumonia and other respiratory patients. The remainder of the internship was spent in the Emergency Room performing the duties of a staff nurse as listed above. Education: 2004 Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT Master s Degree in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Track (Honors) 1998 Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing 1994 Kingswood-Oxford School, West Hartford, CT
Awards and Honors: Professional Affiliations: National Nursing Honor Society Induction April 2003 Member American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2004-present Member American College of Rheumatology/ARHP, 2006-present