Joanna L. Caufield, BSN RN
Andover
Summary
Hardworking professional dedicated to providing the highest quality, patient-centered care possible. Consistently models the corporate values of respect, honesty, and fairness while pursuing excellence in the improvement of the health status of all patients served. Support families’ emotional well being, while promoting involvement in patient care and decision making. Excellent critical thinking skills, compassion, and team orientation. Learns new concepts quickly, works well under pressure, and collaborates well with other healthcare professionals. Eagerness to improve quality of nursing practice. Committed to achieving excellence in nursing practice through continuing education and quality & safety initiatives.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Research Nurse, Transplantation Surgery Research
Massachusetts General Hospital
08.2024 - Current
- Management of post-abdominal transplant patients including kidney, liver, and pancreatic islet cell transplant patients receiving investigational interventional drug therapies.
- Co-authored, in conjunction with program leadership, clinical research nursing standard operating procedures for use within the transplant surgery research team.
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop and execute high-quality clinical research studies.
- Facilitates cross-functional teamwork within the research department by collaborating closely with various healthcare professionals.
- Manages complex patient care situations in the clinical trial setting by applying critical thinking skills and evidence-based practices.
- Mentored junior nurses entering the field of clinical research through ongoing education, guidance, and support.
- Develops strong relationships with patients and families, providing support and education regarding their participation in clinical trials.
- Coordinates with laboratory personnel for efficient processing of biological samples collected during research studies.
- Provides expert nursing care to research participants, adhering to protocol requirements while prioritizing patient wellbeing.
- Contributes to the development of new nursing procedures by incorporating current best practices into daily operations.
- Participates in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Follows all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Uses first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Communicates with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Leverages feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Sustains quality standards by performing routine medication audits and upholding internal and industry best practices.
- Conveys treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Delivers high level of quality care to diverse populations.
- Conducts patient assessments to evaluate eligibility for clinical trials.
- Administers investigational medications following protocols and regulatory guidelines.
- Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to ensure protocol adherence and patient safety.
- Developed educational materials for patients regarding study participation and procedures.
- Oversees data collection processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with FDA regulations.
- Reviews study protocols regularly for compliance with federal regulations, institutional policies, and good clinical practice guidelines.
- Ensures accurate and timely completion of study documentation, maintaining consistency across all sites and minimizing data discrepancies.
- Assists in obtaining informed consent from patients, ensuring ethical and legal compliance throughout the study.
- Monitors patients' hemodynamic stability during study visits, ensuring prompt intervention as needed based on established criteria.
- Maintains detailed records of adverse events, facilitating timely reporting to regulatory agencies and sponsors.
- Serves as a liaison between the research team and participating sites, fostering effective communication and collaboration among all parties involved in the study.
- Conducts comprehensive patient assessments, contributing to accurate data analysis and interpretation of study results.
Staff Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
03.2018 - Current
- Current per diem status
- Monitors patients' vital signs post-anesthesia, ensuring prompt intervention when necessary.
- Provides comprehensive patient education regarding recovery protocols and pain management strategies.
- Administers medications and managed intravenous lines, adhering to safety protocols and best practices.
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for optimal recovery outcomes.
- Champions infection control measures by maintaining a sterile environment and adhering to proper hand hygiene protocols at all times.
- Serves as a clinical resource for other PACU staff members, fostering a collaborative environment that promoted knowledge sharing and teamwork.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient care and smooth transition from surgery to the recovery phase.
- Coordinated care with ancillary departments such as radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy services to ensure timely delivery of diagnostic tests and medications needed during patient recovery.
- Improves patient outcomes by consistently monitoring vital signs and providing timely interventions in the post-anesthesia care unit.
- Contributes to performance improvement initiatives aimed at increasing effectiveness within the post-anesthesia care unit setting.
- Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements through strict adherence to policies, procedures, and protocols within the PACU setting.
- Maintains accurate documentation and reporting of patient data, ensuring effective communication among healthcare providers.
- Provides emotional support and education for patients and families, facilitating an understanding of post-operative care instructions.
- Enhances patient safety by effectively managing critical post-operative patients during recovery from anesthesia.
- Participates in continuous professional development activities to stay current on best practices for post-anesthesia nursing care.
- Prepares patients for discharge or transfer to other units by providing comprehensive education on self-care and follow-up instructions.
- Assists physicians with bedside procedures such as wound closures, catheter placements, and emergency interventions when necessary.
- Implements evidence-based practice guidelines to optimize quality of care for surgical patients during their recovery period.
- Develops individualized pain management plans with a focus on maximizing comfort while minimizing side effects for each patient.
- Reduces incidence of complications with thorough assessments and prompt nursing interventions in response to changing conditions.
- Evaluates patients' pain levels, implementing correct dosage of medication to alleviate discomfort.
- Provides individualized care and dedicated oversight to 2-3 patients on average in post-operative recovery room.
- Assesses and identified individual patient educational needs, removing barriers to learning and supporting comprehensive progress.
- Documents treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Educates family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Evaluates patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Uses first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Follows all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Delivers high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
- Conducts ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Leads teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Conveys treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Deployment to PACU SURGE ICU as a critical care nurse for the COVID pandemic, April 2020 - June 2020.
Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator, Cancer Center Protocol Office
Massachusetts General Hospital
10.2019 - 08.2024
- Management of Gastric, Gastroesophageal, Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic, and Cholangiocarcinoma Oncology clinical trial patients receiving investigational, multi-modality therapies including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
- Responsible for protocol development, activation, and nursing feasibility review.
- Responsible for investigational drug delivery and reconciliation for patients receiving oral investigational anti-cancer therapy.
- Responsible for the coordination and supervision of clinical research coordinators and regulatory coordinators as it relates the clinical care of research participants and protocol integrity.
- Coordinated clinical trial activities to ensure compliance with protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient recruitment strategies and retention efforts.
- Developed comprehensive patient education materials to facilitate informed consent and improve understanding of study processes.
- Monitored patient progress throughout trials, documenting adverse events and ensuring timely reporting to regulatory bodies.
- Trained and mentored junior staff on best practices in clinical research methodologies and data management systems.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflows, enhancing efficiency in trial operations and documentation accuracy.
- Led regular team meetings to review project status, address challenges, and promote continuous improvement initiatives.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between departments, streamlining workflows for more efficient study operations.
- Provided expert guidance on nursing best practices to support staff training initiatives within the research department.
- Optimized study timelines through proactive management of competing priorities and diligent follow-up on outstanding tasks.
- Enhanced overall patient experience during study participation by addressing concerns promptly and providing ongoing support throughout the trial process.
- Implemented robust quality control measures throughout the clinical trial process, minimizing deviations from protocol requirements.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory guidelines through rigorous maintenance of essential documents and timely submissions to regulatory authorities.
- Mentored junior staff members, fostering professional growth and contributing to a positive team environment.
- Developed strong relationships with investigators and site personnel, facilitating efficient communication channels during clinical trial execution.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of clinical research trends and advancements, informing continuous improvement efforts within the organization.
- Reduced screen failure rates by implementing precise eligibility assessments during participant enrollment procedures.
- Enhanced patient safety by meticulously monitoring clinical trial participants and promptly reporting adverse events.
- Coordinated regular investigator meetings, providing valuable updates on study progress and addressing any concerns or queries from participating sites.
- Achieved high retention rates among study participants by fostering trust through clear communication and compassionate care provision.
- Followed informed consent processes and maintained records.
- Worked with principal investigator and sponsors to facilitate daily trial activities and comply with research protocols.
- Maintained compliance with protocols covering patient care and clinical trial operations.
Staff Nurse, GI/Endoscopy
Massachusetts General Hospital
09.2015 - 03.2018
- Educated patients and families on health management and post-discharge instructions.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients post-procedure.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate results for optimal treatment planning.
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Reduced medication errors through meticulous charting and double-checking dosages.
- Improved patient satisfaction scores by providing empathetic, compassionate care to diverse populations.
- Promoted a culture of safety by strictly adhering to infection control measures and reporting any potential hazards or concerns.
- Exhibited strong critical thinking skills when assessing complex medical situations and determining appropriate interventions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Participated in hospital committees to recommend quality improvement initiatives.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
Critical Care Nurse, Blake 12 ICU
Massachusetts General Hospital
09.2011 - 04.2017
- Managed care of critically ill postoperative and medical patients, with special focus on abdominal organ transplant patients and general trauma.
- Administered medications and treatments according to established protocols and patient needs, including continuous renal replacement therapy.
- Monitored patient vital signs, documenting changes and reporting concerns to healthcare team.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Assessed physical, psychological, physiologic, and cognitive status of patients.
- Implemented evidence-based practices that improved overall patient outcomes and satisfaction levels.
- Streamlined workflows in high-pressure environments, ensuring timely response to patient needs.
- Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication during challenging times.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Directed patient care by initiating and following through with plan of care, continuing care, and discharge instructions.
- Precepted student nurses and oriented new hires, providing guidance and mentorship when teaching on hospital policies, emergency procedures, and nursing best practices.
- Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans for optimal outcomes.
- Participated in regular staff meetings to share best practices, address challenges, and foster collaboration among team members.
- Provided exceptional pre-and post-operative care, reducing recovery times and complications for surgical patients.
- Managed complex wound care, utilizing advanced techniques to promote healing and prevent infection.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of care plans regularly, making adjustments as needed based on individual patient needs and progress toward goals.
- Coordinated discharge planning with case managers to ensure seamless transitions of care from the hospital to home or other facilities.
- Streamlined workflow processes to increase efficiency in a high-volume clinical setting.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Participated in evidence-based practice project implementation, nursing competency development and nursing simulation activities.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Reported findings to quality departments after conducting routine restraint audits and worked with team to devise corrective actions for deficiencies.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed various nursing interventions such as wound dressing, vital sign monitoring, and specimen collection.
- Monitored patients' conditions and reported changes in physical presentation, appearance, and behavior to discuss treatment with physicians.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Collaborated with physicians, pharmacists and therapists to deliver quality, evidence-based care.
- Demonstrated excellent time management skills while juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
- Assisted physicians with diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate results for optimal treatment planning.
- Mentored new nursing staff, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Reduced medication errors through meticulous charting and double-checking dosages.
- Improved patient satisfaction scores by providing empathetic, compassionate care to diverse populations.
- Promoted a culture of safety by strictly adhering to infection control measures and reporting any potential hazards or concerns.
- Exhibited strong critical thinking skills when assessing complex medical situations and determining appropriate interventions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient assessments and treatment plans.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
Staff Nurse, Phillips House 22
Massachusetts General Hospital
04.2004 - 09.2011
- Managed care of postoperative general surgery, orthopedic, and neurosurgery patient.
- Monitored patient progress, documenting responses to therapies and adverse effects in electronic health records.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient care plans tailored to study protocols.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care and enacted prescribed treatment strategies.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
University of Massachusetts
Boston, MA01.2003
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Leadership in Health Systems Management
Rivier University
Nashua, NH05-2027
Skills
- Informed consent process
- Adverse event reporting
- Clinical trial management
- Clinical data management
- Clinical research ethics
- Protocol adherence & compliance
- Research protocol development
- Investigational product administration
- Data & specimen collection and processing
- Good clinical practice
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Compassionate and caring
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Strong clinical judgment
- Direct patient care
- Excellent communicator
- Strong organizational skills
- Creative problem solving
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Patient education
- Patient and family advocacy
- Relationship building
- Wound care
- Physical assessment
- Blood draw and sample collection
- Intravenous therapy
- Pain management
- Delegation and motivation
- Task prioritization, multitasking abilities
- Health promotion
- Analytical thinking
- Care coordination
- Accurate documentation
- Quality improvement
- Professionalism
- Emergency care
- Interpersonal communication
Certification
- Basic Life Support Certification
- 2018 Partners Excellence in Action Award Recipient
- 2021 DAISY Award nominee
- 2022 Marie C. Petrilli Oncology Nursing Award Recipient
Forthcoming
Weekes, C.D., Lin, E.W., Pathak, P., O'Shea, A., Awasthi, B., Phillips, I.E., Kocher, J.R., Song, Y., Raabe, M.J., Xu, K.H., Patel, B., Lester, N.A., Bae, J.W., Zhang, M.L., Nieman, L.T., Blaszkowsky, L.S., Walsh, E.P., Parikh, A.R., Hansen, A.S., Caufield, J.L., Newbert, G., Asombang, A.W., Casey, B., Cohen, J.M., Jacobson, B.C., Kishnan, K., Uppot, R.N., Weissleder, R., Horick, N.K., Hwang, W.L., Harisinghani, M.G., and Ting, D.T. (2025). Therapeutic targeting of epithelial mesenchymal cellular plasticity in pancreatic cancer. Clinical Cancer Research: American Association of Cancer Research. (In Press).
Timeline
Clinical Research Nurse, Transplantation Surgery Research
Massachusetts General Hospital
08.2024 - Current
Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator, Cancer Center Protocol Office
Massachusetts General Hospital
10.2019 - 08.2024
Staff Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
03.2018 - Current
Staff Nurse, GI/Endoscopy
Massachusetts General Hospital
09.2015 - 03.2018
Critical Care Nurse, Blake 12 ICU
Massachusetts General Hospital
09.2011 - 04.2017
Staff Nurse, Phillips House 22
Massachusetts General Hospital
04.2004 - 09.2011
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing
University of Massachusetts
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Leadership in Health Systems Management
Rivier University