Karen N Gates
Mount Vernon,AR
Summary
Dynamic RN Case Manager with extensive experience at Davita IKC, excelling in chronic disease management and effective communication. Proven track record in enhancing patient education and reducing hospitalizations. Skilled in medication management and committed to HIPAA compliance, fostering strong relationships with patients and healthcare teams to optimize care outcomes.
Qualified RN case manager with strong background in disease management. Demonstrated ability to coordinate patient care plans and collaborate with healthcare teams to ensure optimal outcomes. Proven skills in patient advocacy and resource management.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RN Case Manager
Davita IKC
04.2023 - Current
- Achieved optimal patient outcomes by carefully monitoring conditions and delivering comprehensive support for 150-200 patients at a time.
- Assisted with transplant listing, reduced hospitalization, made f/u appointments, obtained medications and facilitated communication between patients and clinic staff and nephrologist.
- Provided education regarding a large number of diseases and illnesses, not just ESRD, to reduce hospitalization by roughly 50%. As well as provided education regarding Medicare benefits.
- Coordinated with interdisciplinary team to organize and implement patient care plans.
- Trained junior nurses in proper techniques.
- Reviewed patients’ diets, physical activities and risk factors for disease.
- Maintained accurate records and charted consistently in 3 EHR systems.
Renal Case Manager
BCBS
02.2019 - 03.2023
- Provided education to clients with CKD and ESRD including education on diet, signs and symptoms of progression, functions of the kidneys, dialysis education, medicaid & Medicare, access education and modalities of dialysis.
- Developed comprehensive case management plans for 100s of clients and connected my clients with community resources and programs.
- Assisted approximately 50 members with kidney transplant evaluation through the COE program, as well as educated them on the transplant evaluation process and transplant procedure and recovery.
Clinical Coordinator RN
Davita Dialysis
07.2017 - 02.2019
- Furnished highly visible and supportive leadership to clinical staff of approximately 15 by creating teammate schedules and finding coverage when teammates called in.
- Provided support to 2 physicians during consultations, including gathering necessary information or materials for patient evaluation.
- Managed the care of 120 hemodialysis patients, to include insuring each patient received proper cleaning, scheduling patients and rescheduling if they missed treatment.
RN
Conway Women's Health Center
07.2015 - 07.2017
- Provided care for pregnant and non-pregnant women as well bereavement counseling with patients who suffered a loss.
- Managed approximately 30 calls daily.
- Scheduled surgeries and appointments for the physician, managed notes and provided medical advice and refilled Rx for patients as authorized by MD.
- Assisted 4 physicians with multiple procedures.
RN at CVICU
Baptist Health
01.2013 - 03.2016
- Provided care for critically ill cardiac patient; to include providing care for patients requiring CRRT, LVADS, IABP, Impellas, ECMO and those recovering from heart transplants and other cardiac surgeries. Assessed patient health by interviewing patients, reviewing medical history, and performing physical examinations.
- Managed patient assignments ensuring appropriate staffing levels in accordance with census acuity level when acting as charge nurse for the 18 bed unit.
- Provided emotional support counseling services to patients coping with chronic illness terminal diagnoses grief loss stress anxiety depression.
- Administered patient care plans, ensuring adherence to best practices and protocols.
RN at CCU
Conway Regional
11.2013 - 08.2014
- Provided care for the critically ill patient and support for the families of the patients by working closely with physicians, surgeons and nursing staff as a part of a unit team.
- Worked in a 12 bed unit caring for 2-3 patients per shift.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
ASU-Jonesboro
Arkansas01.2012
Skills
- Case evaluation
- Medication management
- Chronic disease management
- Utilization review
- HIPAA compliance
- Communication
- Active listening
- Precepting
- Multidisciplinary approach
- Discharge planning
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 10 staff members.
- Provided nursing care for 1st ECMO patient at Baptist Health (1st adult ECMO in the state of AR)
- Assisted with the initiation of IKC in the Southern Market (1st nurse hired.) Helped to make the market a success.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
Certification
- CCM, 2025
- Alpha Eta Honors Society
- Arkansas RN, 2027
- CT, WA, PA and MI license once active
Timeline
RN Case Manager
Davita IKC
04.2023 - Current
Renal Case Manager
BCBS
02.2019 - 03.2023
Clinical Coordinator RN
Davita Dialysis
07.2017 - 02.2019
RN
Conway Women's Health Center
07.2015 - 07.2017
RN at CCU
Conway Regional
11.2013 - 08.2014
RN at CVICU
Baptist Health
01.2013 - 03.2016
Associate of Science - Nursing
ASU-Jonesboro
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- CRRT Prep
- VAD Course
- Preceptor Course
- Child Abuse
- Human Trafficking
- AIDS/HIV
- Suicide
- Diabetes
- Pain Control
- Multiple CKD and ESRD courses
- Drug diversion
- Personality disorders
- Telephonic skills
- ACLS
- BLS
POSITION HELD
- RN Case Manager Supervisor, Davita IKC, April Farmer, 04/23.
- Case Manager (Walmart) Supervisor, BCBS, Alisia Wilburn, 02/19-3/23
- Clinical Coordinator, Davita Dialysis, Cassie Medlock, 03/18- 02/19.
- RN, Davita Dialysis, Cassie Medlock, 07/17-03/18
- RN, Conway Women’s Health Center, Katy Mullins, Debra Lawrence, MD, 07/15-07/17
- RN, CCU Conway Regional, Josie Acre, 11/13-08/14.
- RN, CVICU at Baptist Health, Donna Givens, 01/13-03/16.
- Manager, Naylor Store, 03/08-03/10
- Stay at home mother, 09/03-03/08
- Administrative Assistant to the President, Nabholz Construction, 02/00-09/03
- CNA, St. Andrews Place, 07/99-02/00
FIELDS OF INTEREST
- Geriatrics
- Cardiovascular
- Renal
- Critical care
- Women’s health
Hobbies and Interests
Watching sports, Cooking, Tending to animals