C Volkmann Consulting

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C Volkmann Consulting
(863) 967-1163

Vision
Raise the level of services and support for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through educational and consulting services presented by an RN with well-documented gifts and talents. By targeting Circle of Support members information is transferred to clients via the people they see daily and trust the most. In addition, some topics are specific for leaders and managers to guide and coach them to success in business and health arenas.

Mission
Make education and learning fairly easy with little to no travel and extra expenses such as paying salary to a person while they sit in an off-site class. Or paying a second staff member while another attends class.

This is accomplished via:

• 100 + self-paced modules addressing “Services Specific” topics. Each is written at concise and understandable levels for all Circle of Support members although targeting Direct Support Professionals.
• Completion is done during “scheduled working hours” taking only one or two hours.
• The participant can start and stop the self-paced modules as needed to meet his/her own needs and pace of learning.
• On-site presentations bring the topics to all Circle of Support members. Open discussion raises the level of learning while encouraging interactive lively sessions.
• On Site, E-mail or Phone Triage regarding health and wellness issues for each client, or, business issues for the owner/provider, manager, and staff.
• Monthly E-Newsletter addressing medical and business topics.
• Use of 50 years of nursing knowledge and skills including 15 years in the field of I/DD.
• Drawing on thirty-five years of teaching and presenting health, wellness and business topics to all disciplines of health care and business professionals.

Catherine (Cat) Volkmann, RN
Vision
Impart what I know to others.
Laugh and have fun doing it.
Make participation in educational sessions fun.
Participants seek out offerings knowing they will leave with information that they can put to use immediately.

Mission
Share my gifts and talents with those intent on raising the level of supports and services for people with I/DD guiding and coaching them to their vision via successful life goals and objectives.

Accomplishments
RN/Author/Consultant/Educator/ Entrepreneur/Researcher

• Charge Nurse in Newborn Nursery. Began nursing career!
• Medical/Surgical Units. Staff and charge nurse positions honed nursing, organizational and management skills.
• One of three chosen RNs to work in the first coronary care unit on the west coast of Florida. Attended the coronary care classes at Miami Heart Institute. Continued learning from Henry J. Marriott, MD - world famous Cardiologist and Director of CCC. Began teaching coworkers information passed from Dr. Marriott to me. Found my niche.
• Presented over 100 solo-three-day coronary care seminars in 25 states, 5 Canadian Provinces and the islands.
• Served as faculty for many conferences and seminars for the American College of Cardiology; American Heart Association; Rogers Heart Foundation; Tampa Tracings; and more.
• Developed and taught critical care classes to nurses and doctors in hospitals, clinics and hotels across the U. S.
• Wrote ABCs of CCC published by St. Anthony's Hospital.
• Authored and coauthored numerous articles in various cardiac related publications and medical journals - most notably Critical Care Nurse. Coauthored two articles that defined "Rabbit-Ears an Aide to Distinguishing Abberation from Ectopy"". This was discovered by Kip Thorne and Catherine Gozensky (Now Volkmann)
• Authored Cardiac Cadet, a five book series, published by Tampa Tracings that opened the doors for RNs intent on working in Coronary Care Units. (Now called ICU).
• Researched and began a Cardiac Rehabilitation program for patients and their families following a heart attack.
• Certified Aerobic Dance Instructor with sessions for coworkers and friends.
• Oversaw medical issues for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in an ICF in Wisconsin and seven Group Homes in Central Florida.
• Developed and presented educational programs to Clients' support team members.
• Assisted in Teaching a CNA program.
• Wrote, developed and appeared in a video presentation, “Critical Thinking in Person Centered Planning for Nurses” for Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services.
• Taught Principles of Person Centered Planning. Participated in client's Person Centered Planning Meetings. Assisted in planning "opportunities" for clients with I/DD to gain knowledge and life experiences. This then led clients to more sound decision-making skills.
• Opened relationships between RN and Medical Case Managers in three APD areas (7, 13, 14). Grew relationships between RN and Managers of seven group homes.
• Planned and coordinated all continuing education for the nursing department in two metropolitan hospitals on the West Coast of Florida. Expanded to all staff educational sessions.
• Organized and carried out CPR classes for the entire hospital staff including all Physicians.
• Every employee knew how to call a code and perform the procedures.
• Organized Blood Pressure Screenings in the hospital lobby. Any person with an elevated pressure was instructed to see their physician or was referred to an on staff M.D. Kept statistics showing that most followed up with instructions.
• Oversaw and managed a 9 member department with RNs, LPNs, Artist, AV Specialist, and a Secretary.
• Answered directly to the Administrator.

Consultant

• Answer questions and advise circle of support members regarding client’s health and wellness.
• Do physical assessments to determine the need for nursing (RN/LPN) oversight.
• Do Nursing Care Plans for submission to Medicaid and APD to meet funding requirements for nursing oversight. At present all but three submitted have been approved.
• Review and document (on disk) medical history and current chronic or acute medical issues.
• Review and make recommendations regarding policies and procedures addressing health and wellness for people living in group homes. A complete set of polices and procedures are available on disk. Business policies and procedures currently being developed with availability sometime in 2012.
• Validation for Medication Administration, Enteral feeding with administration of medications via G-tube; Administration of medications via nebulizer; Diabetes and procedure for doing finger sticks; and correct use of gait belts via twelve procedures.

Entrepreneur

• Developed over 100 self-study programs for health care professionals.
• Assisted with the publication of "Gardening with Children" by Debbie Hendrick and "He Touched Me" by T. J. Volkmann.

(Learned On This Mac Plus)

• Learned ins and outs re: use and abuse of computers.
  ° Can work on PC and Mac platforms
• Taught Starting a Home-Based Business to people intent on doing so.
• Prepared and presented numerous programs addressing business issues faced by HBB owners.
• Together with Billie Noakes, instructed and coached individuals working in Home-Based Businesses.
• Billie wrote articles about each business. Each was published in a local newspaper.

• Answered online business questions for INC Magazine.
• Wrote two or three articles for Inc.
• Participated in the development and publication of an online small business newsletter from Australia.
• Assisted in development of numerous Home Owner Association’s monthly newsletters. Sold ads for newsletters
• Organized and coordinated a HBB Networking Group that met monthly.
• Assisted people in writing business plans.
• Jointly with three other nurses, Mary Ellen Bergeron Watts, Judy Martino, and Alice Lanford, organized and presented three-day seminars to Critical Care Nurses addressing basic and advanced EKG interpretation and Respiratory anatomy and physiology emphasizing the role of the critical care nurse (RN).
• Was awarded Provider #1 by the State of Fl giving nurses the ability to receive continuing education credits to meet mandatory relicensure requirements. (Not active)

Researcher

• Studied and assisted with clinical trials for three cardiac drugs. Learned the pros and cons of research associated with major drug companies. Learned especially to acknowledge the dangers associated with medications. Cemented a healthy cautious respect when administering and teaching others administration of medications.
• Over 600 Direct Support Professionals have attended the ten-hour APD approved Medication Course taught by Cat Volkmann since 65G-7 came into existence March 2008. Have statistics including number of registrants versus actual attendance; pass test at 80% as required by law versus those who didn’t pass – followed by retake scores and pass rate; and more.

Personal Highlights

Cat is the proud Step Mother to five wonderful successful adults. Gramma Cat to six “Grands” and seven “Great “Grands”
Cat loves to read, and can be lost in a book for days! Patterson, Cussler, Baldacci, Macomber are some of her favorite authors.
Cat reviews at least two medical studies each week. She keeps her knowledge base current by surfing the Net, reading current medical journal articles, and is a member of and attends the DDNA (Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association) conferences when they are within reasonable distances from home.

Self-Paced Modules
Address “Services Specific” topics as required by APD. Can be completed in one or two hours. Components

• A short blurb describing the content of each module.
• Measurable objectives.
• The body of the topic that defines and explains it at concise and understandable levels for the participant.
• Action activities that apply the information to everyday work and job related functionality.
• Competency evaluations documenting teaching and learning.
• Certificate of Completion upon return and pass of competency evaluations at 80%. These meet the proof of attendance requirements for APD and Del Marva.
• Reasonable fees.

Topics
Self Pace Modules
I/DD: An Overview

Syndromes

• Down Syndrome
• Angelman Syndrome
• Prader Willi Syndrome
• Fragile X Syndrome
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Medical Issues

• Anemia
• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy

• Diabetes Review

• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Seizure Disorders
• Spina Bifida
• Stroke
• Tardive Dyskinesia
• The ABCs of Diabetes (2 hours)

Heart Disease (7 Hours)

1. Coronary Diseases: An Overview
2. Heart Attack
3. Congestive Heart Failure
4. Arrhythmias
5. Cardiogenic Shock
6. Hypertension
7. Hypotension

GI Issues (9 Hours)

1. GERD
2. Ulcers, Esophagitis & Gastritis
3. Constipation and Diarrhea
4. Cancer
5. Dysphagia
6. Hernia
7. Gall Bladder Diseases
8. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Urinary Tract Issues (4 Hours)

• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Infections
• Renal Failure
• Renal Stones

Skin and Nail Problems (6 Hours)

• Skin Cancer
• Fungal Nails
• Rosacea
• Psoriasis
• Dermatitis
• Acne

Pulmonaary Diseases (9 Hours)

1. Allergies
2. Asthma
3. Chronic Rhinitis
4. Pneumonia
5. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases
6. The Common Cold versus Flu
7. Cancer
8. Vascular Diseases
9. Cystic Fibrosis

The Aging Process: An Overview

• Dementia
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Huntington’s Disease

Mental Health Issues

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Impulse Control Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar Disorder
• Stress Management (2 Modules - 2 hours)
• Stress and Its Management

Procedures

• Taking Vital Signs
• Lifting and Transferring Safely
• Safe use of a Gait Belt
• Range of Motion

Administration of Medications via Nebulizer

Living Skills 7 Modules/8 Hours)

• 1. The Teaching/Learning Process (2 hr)
• 2. Hygiene - Bathing, Shampooing, Oral Hygiene, Dressing & Undressing
• 3. Housekeeping - Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry
• 4. Assistance with Eating
• 5. Social Skills: Respect, Manners, & Sharing
• 6. Living a Healthy Lifestyle
• 7. Self -Administration of Medications

Leader & Management (8 Hours)

1. Comparison of Leader vs Manager
2. Change: Creation or Adaptation
3. Challenges – The Common Ten
4. Delegation
5. Interviewing Techniques
6. Personalities and Perceptions
7. Motivation: Goals & Consequences
8. The Use and Abuse of Technology

(Use Technology Wisely)

Health and Safety (10 Hours)

1. Health Monitoring
2. Safety in the Home (Use the Right Tools, Safely)
3. Blood Borne Pathogens (Infection Control)
4. HIV/AIDS
5. Severe Weather
6. Heat Illnesses
7. Falls
8. Fire
9. Safety in the Community
10. Fire Safety

I Wanna Be Me (4 Hours)

1. Managing Yourself: The Key to Managing Time
2. Behavior Types: Some People
3. Communication: The Art of Listening
4. A Recipe for Constructive Criticism

Wellness Healthy
Eating (8 Hours)

1. Attitudes and Objectives
2. Intake versus Expenditure
3. Patterns and Choices
4. Nutrition
5. Cholesterol, Fat, Calories
6. Facts and Fallacies
7. The Extras
8. The Future

Exercise (4 Hours)

1. Principles of Exercise
2. The Right Program
3. The Right Equipment
4. The Workout

Books

• He Touched Me by T. J. Volkmann
• Gardening with Children by Debbie Hendrick

Presentations
Components

• Professionally presented handouts
• Measurable Objectives
• Up-to-date enthusiastically presented information
• Written test with 80% pass grade
• Validation when indicated
  
  Certificate of Completion that meets proof of attendance requirements
• Fee plus expenses (travel, food, lodging)

Administration of Medications
(Provider # 13/0608/001) (10 hours).
Diabetes Review (1 hour)
Enteral Feeding/Meds via G-tube (3 hours)
Health & Safety Series (9 hours)
I Wanna Be Me Series (4 hours)
Leader/Management Series (10 hours)
Lifting and Transferring and Gait Belt Use (6 hours)
Person Centered Planning (1.5 hours)
Principles of Documentation (1.5 hours)
Respiratory Illnesses with indication for Administration of Medications
via Nebulizer (1.5 hours)
Rights (1 hour)
Seizure Disorders (1 hour)
Sensitivity Training (1.5-3 hours)
The ABCs of Diabetes (2 hours)
Vital Signs (1.5 hours)

** Business Topics Coming Soon**

Other Services
Group Home Health and Safety Policies and Procedures on CD
In development Group Home Business Policies and Procedure on CD
Person Centered Planning Facilitation
Physical Assessment and Nursing Care Plans
Nursing Consultation and Oversight
Validations
Certificate Replacement

Contact for Details and Scheduling
Catherine B Volkmann
2242 Palm View Circle Auburndale, Fl 33823
catvolkmann@mac.com
863-967-1163
863-258-3554 (Cell – off during presentations)

Recommendations

Paula Whetro, owner Building Blocks Ministries, Clermont, Fl. – “We appreciate all your education and consulting offerings”.

Silus Harris, owner Success for All, Winter Haven, Fl. – “You have supplied us with almost all our education requirements in easy formats and right on time”.