Experienced Health Care Consultant

Objective

To use my clinical expertise in critical care nursing, nursing education,

and knowledge of the health care system to provide consultation

to attorneys on medical-legal issues in health related cases.

Education

New York University, New York, N.Y.
Master of Art in Nursing Education
June 1984

Hunter College, New York, N.Y.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
June 1976

Certifications       Medical-Legal Consulting Institute,Inc. Houston, Texas Certified Legal Nurse Consultant CLNC  November 2006 - 2013                      American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certified Critical Care Nurse CCRN  1984 -1993 American Heart Association Advanced & Basic Cardiac Life Support ACLS Instructor 1986 -1987 BCLS Instructor  1986 -1992 ACLS / BCLS Provider 1984 - present             American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Certified Neuroscience Nurse    CNRN  1978-1982    Licenses Florida State RN   April 1997-present New York State RN   July 1976-1997

Lectures

Intracranial bleeds: diagnosis and treatment
Pituitary tumors: surgical treatment and post-op care
Acoustic neuromas: signs, symptoms, treatment
Cerebral aneurysms: surgery vs. interventional radiology
Intra-aortic balloon pumping: Beginner course--understanding IABP therapy
Intra-aortic balloon pumping: Advanced--optimizing counterpulsation
Temporary pacing: transvenous vs. epicardial
Swan Ganz monitoring: the ABCs of hemodynamics
Care of the Open Heart Patient: the first hours post-op
Acute MI: EKG interpretation
Arterial Blood Gas analysis made easy!
Differentiating Shock--septic, cardiogenic, anaphylactic, neurogenic

Experience

Ellen Richter RN MA, South Florida Legal Nurse Consultant Service
Coconut Creek, Florida
Legal Nurse Consultant  July 2007-present
Consult with and provide assistance to attorneys on various aspects of case preparation in areas such as personal injury, medical malpractice, slip and falls, wrongful death, toxic torts, product liability, work-related injuries, or any cases relating to health care issues.  Review of medical records, report writing, medical research, chronologies, timelines, location of expert witnesses.

Delray Medical Center
Delray Beach, Florida
Staff Nurse, Critical Care Units (CCU, CVICU, MICU)  2008-present

North Ridge Medical Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Staff Nurse, Critical Care Units  1997-2008 (facility closed)
Member of Critical Care Education Committee 

St. Francis Hospital
Roslyn, New York
Clinical Resource Nurse 1996-1997
Clinical educator for a newly built wing dedicated to be an innovative and cost-effective way to care for cardiac cath patients, with a new concept in delivery of nursing care without the need for ancillary departments such as lab techs, EKG techs, or monitor techs.  This was a very successful prototype for new model of nursing care.
Assistant Nursing Care Coordinator, Open Heart ICU  1992-1996
Managed patient care and nursing staff for an extremely active, state-of-the-art open heart unit which handled 60-75 surgical post-operative cases per week.         
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Open Heart ICU  1989-1991
Coordinated education of staff nurses, orientation of new nurses.  Developed and implemented successful new documentation tool which streamlined and improved quality and consistency in charting.
  
Maimonides Medical Center
Brooklyn, New York 
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Open Heart Unit  1987-1989
Developed and implemented a new nursing documentation tool which improved quality of charting in the medical record.  Developed the first Open Heart Training Program geared to nurses with no prior experience. The program was a success, recruiting many new staff nurses to fill vital vacancies.

Brookdale Hospital Medical Center
Brooklyn, New York
Clinical Nursing Coordinator, Adult Critical Care Units  1985-1987
Developed and instituted 12 hour shift scheduling for the first time at this institution.  This resulted in an increase in nurses’ satisfaction and improved morale.
Responsibilities included MICU, SICU, CCU, and hemodialysis unit. Trauma facility.

Long Island College Hospital                                                                                                                                                                                   Brooklyn, New York
Assistant Nurse Manager, SICU & MICU  1983-1985

Queens Hospital Center
Queens, New York
Clinical Instructor, Surgical Services  1981-1983
Developed the first surgical orientation program for nurses at this facility.  Covered orthopedics, ENT, general surgery, neurosurgery, and thoracic surgery.

North Shore University Hospital
Manhasset, New York    
Staff Nurse, Open Heart ICU, SICU, Stepdown Unit  1980-1981

New York University Medical Center
New York, New York
Staff Nurse, Neurosurgical ICU/Neurosurgical floor 1976-1980