Caitlin Baxter Email & Phone Number

• Care for critically ill traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain tumor, spinal cord injury and stroke patients. • Recover postop patients after craniotomy, decompressive craniectomy, ventriculoperitoneal shunt or EVD placement, lumbar drain placement, transsphenoidal surgery of pituitary tumors, securement of cerebral aneurysm/AVMs, carotid endarectomy/ stents for carotid stenosis and spinal surgery.• Collaborate with the Neurosurgeons, Neurocritical Care team and other consulting services.• Direct the clinical management of the critically ill and injured patients.• Practice with a high level of autonomy and expert skill in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the Neurocritical Care patients.• Perform surgical drain and EVD removal, suturing, enteral feeding tube insertion, arterial line insertion, and central line insertion. • Integrate education, research, leadership, and consultation into clinical practice.

• Enforce institutional policies and protocols.• Coordinate admissions, discharges and transfers.• Establish nursing assignments based on patient acuity.• Oversee equipment functionality and maintain unit supplies.• Direct unit staff during clinical emergency ensuring patient safety.• Manage patient special needs (interpreters, specialty equipment).• Mentor, educate and assist staff with procedures and conventions.• Collaborate with Nurse Manger and manage • Assign staff and collaborate with managers to meet budget goals.

• All of the below duties of EMU RN; caring for more critically ill patients.• Attentive monitoring for early signs of neurological changes.• Manage and monitor external ventricular drains, lumbar drains, arterial lines, post TPA/thrombectomy checks, titrating multiple IV drip medications, drawing frequent labs, critical frequent monitoring of neurological exams and vital signs. • Accompany critically ill patients to tests and procedures while monitoring drips/drains/vital signs.

• Advocated and cared for pre- and post-operative neurosurgical patients.• Provided care to neurological patients - autoimmune diseases, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, neuro muscular diseases, aneurysms, brain and spinal tumors.• Observed epilepsy patients on video and EEG monitoring and performed post ictal examinations.• Administered medications, IV insertion/care, PCA pumps, blood transfusions, foley/straight catheterization/care, oxygen therapy, tracheostomy suctioning/care, and surgical drains/care. • Computerized Documentation -physical and neurological assessments.• Collaborate with physicians/multidisciplinary team advocating for patients• Educate patients/families on assessments/plans maintaining relationships.

Master

Bachelor