1. Erica E. Tutko RN, BSN, CCRN
1801 Kansas Ave White Oak, PA 15131 ● 412-335-4952 ● e.howard506@gmail.com
SUMMARY OF SKILLS
• A registered nurse with 20 years of experience in a variety of settings with
demonstrated organizational, planning and decision making skills. Proficiency in
Microsoft office and strong typing ability.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside
Clinician, Post Anesthesia Care Unit 03/11-present
• Recommends and negotiates changes in patient care and unit practices through
articulating and translating the patient condition to other care providers. Practices
excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building
healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues. Disseminates new
knowledge and innovations through presentations, posters, and publications.
• Leads a clinical nursing practice, identifying patient and staff focused
opportunities for improvement and leading the change process. Identifies,
educates and supports the psychological and learning needs of staff during change
and transition. Practices participatory leadership and is an active member of
shared leadership at the unit. Assists the Unit Director with the peer review
process.
• Demonstrates knowledge of performance improvement tools and techniques.
Continuously improves the quality of care and the work with the integration of
research and best practices into daily work. Shares learning from improvements
with other units.
Staff Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit 12/07-3/11
• Cared for patients post-operatively from a variety of surgeries including vascular,
neurological, thoracic, orthopedic, oncology and general surgeries.
• Communicated therapeutically with patients and families, including providing
education on general post-surgical care.
• Documented clinical data using an electronic records system. Worked
collaboratively with surgical team, critical care medical team, respiratory
therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, case managers, and social services.
Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Duquesne University 01-07-12/07
• Directed junior level students during adult medical/surgical rotation. Developed a
plan for each student during the daily clinical session. Oversaw care given by the
students. Assisted them in passing medications. Conducted daily post clinical
conferences.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital
Staff Nurse, Interventional Radiology Department 2/06- 12/07
2. • Provided comprehensive care to patients pre- and post-interventional radiology
procedures such as angiograms, venograms, port placements, tunneled dialysis
catheters, feeding tubes, and nephrostomy tubes. Monitored continuous
hemodynamics during procedure and administered conscious sedations to patients
Staff Nurse, Cardio-Thoracic Intensive Care Unit 9/05-2/06
• Provided comprehensive nursing care to critically ill cardiothoracic, vascular, and
heart/lung transplant surgical patients. Monitored continuous hemodynamics,
EKG interpretation, external pacemaker monitoring, pulmonary artery catheters,
management of insulin drips, and titration of sedative and vasoactive drugs.
Managed mechanical ventilation and wound-vac systems.
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
Staff Nurse, Interventional Radiology Department 01/03-09/04
Nurse Coordinator, Interventional Radiology/Mammography 09/04-09-05
Patient Skills Course Developer and Lab Instructor 11/04
Cross Country Trav Corps
Traveling Critical Care Nurse 06/99-01/03
St Francis Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Staff Nurse, Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit 01/97-06/99
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Evidence Based Practice Committee Member, Shared Leadership Council 2008-2011
Member on the Temperature Subcommittee where we did a comprehensive
literature review on the most consistent method of obtaining temperatures.
Presented the results at the Professional Practice Committee.
EDUCATION
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing May 1996
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Finding ways to streamline the patient care experience
Encouraging healthy lifestyles
CERTIFICATIONS
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Basic Life Support
Critical Care Registered Nurse
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Member of the American Academy of Critical Care Nurses