Tara Mathews
Fort Smith
Summary
Nursing Student – University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Patient Care Administration – Baptist Health, Van Buren
Licensed Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – Methodist Village
Patient Care Administration/PC Associate – NICU/ICU: Mercy
Medication Aide/Caregiver – Memory Care Community
Life Enrichment and Activity Assistant – Memory Care and Assisted Living Communities
I am recognized by administrative, management, caregiver team members, and doctor and nursing colleagues as being professional, detail-oriented and reliable. Dedicated to efficient and effective collaboration between care teams, patients and families. I multi-task and time manage well. I have strong communication and office skills. Friendly, adaptable and calm in the face of pressure, with direct patient care experience working in hospitals, assisted living and memory care facilities.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE
Baptist Health
11.2023 - 12.2024
- I was responsible for checking in patients, and collecting accurate information including the patient’s chief complaint, demographics and insurance. I ran insurance information and ensured that all information was correct.
- Liaison with nursing staff and assess which room to bring the patient based upon chief complaint.
- I notified the nurses of all patient symptoms, assigned primary care physicians, and collected information necessary if EMS transfer was required.
- Able to stay calm and focused in emergency situations.
LICENSED CNA
Methodist Village
07.2023 - 10.2023
- Duties included charting, assisting with meals, dressing, bathing, toileting, moving/mobility safety, grooming, personal hygiene, and enrichment activities for the residents.
- I worked directly with the nursing staff to communicate any changes in the health or mental status of my resident patients.
- I have a person-centered approach designed to help each individual resident in my care feel nurtured, safe, protected and valued.
- Memory Care Community
ADMINISTRATIVE-RECEPTIONIST - NICU PATIENT CARE ASSOCIATE
Mercy Hospital
09.2022 - 02.2023
- I facilitated check-in communications for NICU staff and parents, and monitored all parent/visitor access to and from the NICU.
- I performed auditory tests on newborns.
- I worked closely with the nursing staff to provide peripheral support whenever needed.
MEDICATION AIDE/ CAREGIVER
Brookdale Senior Living
09.2019 - 11.2021
- MedTech responsibilities included secure and daily inventory of resident medications and supplements, 100% accuracy with daily charting, setting up the medication cart for each round and distributing and administering medications efficiently and safely.
- Triaged with the head nurse and resident’s doctors when needed. I was able to create a safe and supportive environment for residents who struggled with taking their medications.
- The focus of my care-giving responsibilities included a person-centered approach that is designed to help each resident feel nurtured, safe, protected, as well as lovingly and professionally cared for.
- Caregiver in the memory care community. Promoted to MedTech (Medication Aide) for the memory care residents within 2 months of my hire date.
LIFE ENRICHMENT and ACTIVITIES ASSISTANT- MEMORY CARE and ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES
Caring Places and The Beehive
12.2018 - 07.2019
- I was responsible for assisting with the planning and implementation of varied activity programs designed to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the Assisted Living and Memory Care residents.
- Coordinate and provide recreational and educational activities: current events, discussion groups, sensory stimulation, cultural activities, set-up for religious services, special entertainment once-a-week, off-campus outings, special events, and one-on-one enrichment activities. Directed the movement of residents to and from recreational activities. I also filled in as a caregiver if needed.
Education
Nursing Student -
University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR01.2025
Certified Nursing Assistant - undefined
01.2023
undefined
Mercy Hospital
Fort Smith, AR01.2022
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Clackamas Community College
Oregon City, Oregon01.2022
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Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR01.2013
Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Insurance coverage verification
- Medical terminology knowledge
- Patient confidentiality
- Multitasking
- Emergency response
- Toileting assistance
- HIPAA compliance
- Feeding assistance
- Cultural sensitivity
- Infection control practices
- Health monitoring
- Vital signs monitoring
- Medication assistance
- Problem-solving
- Patient care
- Medication administration
- Attention to detail
- Team collaboration
- Basic life support
- Time management
- Compassion and empathy
- Wound care
- Active listening
Certification
- CNA – Certified Nursing Assistant
- Certified Adult/Pediatric First Aid/CPR
- Oregon Care Partners – Pre-service dementia training
Timeline
PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE
Baptist Health
11.2023 - 12.2024
LICENSED CNA
Methodist Village
07.2023 - 10.2023
ADMINISTRATIVE-RECEPTIONIST - NICU PATIENT CARE ASSOCIATE
Mercy Hospital
09.2022 - 02.2023
MEDICATION AIDE/ CAREGIVER
Brookdale Senior Living
09.2019 - 11.2021
LIFE ENRICHMENT and ACTIVITIES ASSISTANT- MEMORY CARE and ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES
Caring Places and The Beehive
12.2018 - 07.2019
Certified Nursing Assistant - undefined
undefined
Mercy Hospital
undefined
Clackamas Community College
undefined
Western Oregon University
Nursing Student -
University of Arkansas Fort Smith
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