Joseph E. Rimkus
Littleton
Summary
Dynamic and accomplished Mobile Stroke Unit Nurse at UCHealth, skilled in NIH stroke assessments and thrombolytic administration. Proven ability to advocate for patients and coordinate emergency responses, ensuring optimal care during critical situations. Recognized for excellence in patient transport and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to enhance outcomes.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mobile Stroke Unit Nurse
UCHealth
Aurora
01.2025 - Current
- Respond to and assess potential stroke patients alongside prehospital ALS units
- Conduct NIH stroke assessments and assist CT Tech with onboard CT scan
- Collaborate with neurologist to create care plan and administer thrombolytics as appropriate
- Transport stroke patients to appropriate stroke centers for treatment
Critical Care Flight Nurse
Air Life Denver
Denver
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Transported mostly interfacility critical care patients via ground, rotor and fixed wing to higher levels of care
- Assessed complex patients that were on multiple drips and invasive ventilation and prepped for safe transport
- Acted autonomously with partner and in scope of standing medical orders to provide safe patient care
- Cared for multidimensional patients to include pediatrics, adults and geriatrics
- Completed necessary patient charts and detailed documentation for transfer of care
Critical Care Travel Nurse
Ascension Health
Chicago
01.2017 - 01.2023
- Assimilated to new facilities with only 2 days of orientation
- Received 3 daisy nominee awards and two acknowledgments from leadership regarding superior care in 4 months
- Critical Care Registered Nurse Regional Float Pool-5 facilities
- Floated between 5 different facilities augmenting staff
- Administered medications, titrate intravenous drips, monitor interventions and adjust as necessary
- Transport ICU patients with monitor and appropriate ACLS medications for tests and procedures
- Advocate for patients and in collaboration with physicians to coordinate care plans
Navy Nurse/Training Officer (Former Corpsman)
United States Navy Reserve
01.2002 - 01.2022
- Team lead for 7 critical care nurses deployed to New Jersey for COVID response
- Deployment to CENTCOM as Critical Care Nurse for Role II mobile surgical team
- Received Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification
- Subject matter expert training mobile surgical team of approximately 15 members prior to their deployment
Registered Critical Care Nurse-MICU
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Conduct patient assessments, cardiac rhythm measurements and use data to make critical care decisions
- Administer medications, titrate intravenous drips, monitor interventions and change as necessary
- Transport ICU patients with monitor and appropriate ACLS medications for tests and procedures
- Participate in daily rounds advocating for patients and in collaboration with physicians coordinate care plans
- Assist in Code Blues and Staff Assists on unit
- Team member assisting other members for nurse coverage and other tasks as needed.
Education
Critical Care Transport Academy -
Association of Air Medical Services
10.2023
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Illinois at Chicago
05.2015
Skills
- NIH stroke assessments
- Thrombolytic administration
- Critical care transport
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Patient advocacy
- Emergency response coordination
Certification
- Registered Nurse License Colorado, 12/31/26
- Paramedic License Colorado, 12/31/27
- (CCRN) Critical Care Registered Nurse, 12/31/28
- (CEN) Certified Emergency Nurse, 12/31/27
- (BLS) Basic Life Support, 12/31/26
- (ACLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support, 12/31/26
- (PALS) Pediatric Advanced Life Support, 12/31/27
- (PHTLS) Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support, 12/31/27
- (FCCS) Fundamentals Critical Care Support, 12/31/27
- (NRP) Neonatal Resuscitation Program, Pending recert
Timeline
Mobile Stroke Unit Nurse
UCHealth
01.2025 - Current
Critical Care Flight Nurse
Air Life Denver
01.2023 - 01.2024
Critical Care Travel Nurse
Ascension Health
01.2017 - 01.2023
Registered Critical Care Nurse-MICU
Rush University Medical Center
01.2015 - 01.2016
Navy Nurse/Training Officer (Former Corpsman)
United States Navy Reserve
01.2002 - 01.2022
Critical Care Transport Academy -
Association of Air Medical Services
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Illinois at Chicago