Anna Mercandetti
Thurmont,MD
Summary
Experienced Behavioral Health Nurse with 4 years of direct experience working with hospitalized psychiatric patients. Skilled in challenging environments, including psychiatric, crisis, and substance abuse units. Demonstrates compassion, humility, and honesty when engaging with difficult patients. Expertise in behavioral health utilization review nursing, showcasing strong clinical documentation and critical thinking skills.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Utilization Management Nurse/Behavioral Health Case Manager
Totalmed Staffing
2024.07 - Current
- Advocate for behavioral health patients using clinical knowledge and judgment to determine medical necessity criteria and appropriate level of care.
- Maintain appropriate screening criteria, clinical judgment, and knowledge to assess member needs.
- Authorize and ensure that members have access to medically necessary, high-quality behavioral healthcare management.
- Ensured compliance with regulations and accreditation standards by maintaining accurate documentation of all utilization review activities.
- Enhanced patient care by conducting comprehensive assessments and implementing appropriate interventions.
- Evaluated medical guidelines and benefit coverage to determine appropriateness of services.
- Submitted cases for criteria failures and helped facilitate resolutions and approvals.
- Supervised and maintained all utilization review documentation in online records system.
- Supported cost containment efforts by identifying over-utilization trends and recommending strategies for improvement.
- Facilitated communication between healthcare providers, patients, families, and insurance carriers to optimize outcomes.
- Contributed to team success by consistently meeting productivity goals while maintaining high-quality standards in job performance.
- Strengthened relationships with community resources by networking, attending meetings, and establishing collaborative partnerships.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through effective discharge planning and coordination of post-discharge care.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of payer-specific guidelines to ensure accurate authorizations for medically necessary services.
- Managed over 25 cases while monitoring and evaluating new patient service requests.
Crisis Stabilization Unit RN
Meritus Medical Center
2024.03 - Current
- Leverage crisis intervention skills to de-escalate and stabilize individuals experiencing acute substance abuse and co-occurring mental health crises
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify patients' physical and mental health needs, including withdrawal symptoms and potential for self-harm.
- Administered medications accurately and safely, reducing medication errors and adverse reactions.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction through effective communication, empathy, and timely response to their needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing high-quality nursing care and implementing evidence-based practices.
- Administered medications via oral and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families.
- Assessed patient conditions promptly upon admission to determine appropriate interventions and prioritize care needs.
- Provided emotional support to patients during challenging times, fostering a sense of trust and rapport that contributed to better overall well-being.
- Participated in professional development opportunities regularly to stay current on best practices in the field of nursing.
- Coordinated discharge planning efforts with social workers, case managers, and other multidisciplinary team members for level-of-care transitions.
- Implemented infection control measures within the unit, maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff members.
- Educated patients on disease management and self-care techniques, promoting lifestyle changes for improved health.
- Served as a liaison between physicians and patients'' families to facilitate clear communication regarding treatment options and progress updates.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Devised individualized care plans tailored to each patient''s unique situation, optimizing clinical outcomes.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Quickly responded to situations impacting safety and security to unit, actualizing crisis prevention interventions to control and de-escalate situations.
Charge Nurse Clinical Research
CenExel Clinical Research
2023.05 - Current
- Provide nursing care to study participants as necessary; including monitoring of vitals, blood sugar, vital signs, lab tests
- Review and execute clinical research protocols
- Complete and maintain patient records and case management.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Conducted daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
- Mentored and supervised junior nurses, fostering a supportive and professional work environment.
Registered Nurse, Behavioral Health
Dominion Hospital
2022.07 - 2023.12
- Assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and document all aspects of patient care
- Administer scheduled medications and emergency medications in crisis situations
- Collaborate with doctors, social workers, and other health care providers to facilitate and coordinate efficient, effective, and quality patient care.
- Established strong rapport with patients and families by listening empathetically, providing emotional support, and addressing concerns promptly.
- Delivered psycho-education on mental health conditions, coping strategies, and relapse prevention methods to patients and their families.
- Provided therapeutic crisis intervention techniques when necessary to de-escalate potentially harmful situations involving patients or staff members.
- Improved patient outcomes by consistently providing high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to behavioral health patients.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions focused on topics such as stress management, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and problem-solving skills.
- Evaluated and updated care plans regularly based on ongoing assessments of patients'' progress, ensuring best possible outcomes.
- Collaborated closely with psychiatrists to ensure appropriate medication management based on individual patient needs.
Remote Patient Care Observer
Frederick Memorial Healthcare System (FMH)
2020.06 - 2021.10
- Monitored patients and redirected unsafe behaviors, maintained safe environment remain calm in crisis and urgent situations
- Provided remote patient monitoring
- Implemented Telehealth communication interventions.
- Ensured safety compliance during fieldwork activities by adhering to established protocols and guidelines at all times.
- Streamlined data collection processes through the development of detailed observation templates for consistent reporting.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy in data collection by regularly reviewing and updating observation protocols, ensuring consistency across all team members.
- Assisted in training new observers and sharing knowledge and best practices for accurate data collection procedures.
- Assisted in training new observers and sharing knowledge and best practices for accurate data collection procedures.
Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor
Crossroads Counseling Center
2014.01 - 2015.06
- Maintained and updated patient records, changes in service plans, and treatment reports
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, building and maintaining rapport to de-escalate crisis situations.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive care plans for clients, resulting in improved mental health outcomes.
- Managed caseload efficiently by prioritizing daily tasks, coordinating appointments, and consistently meeting deadlines.
- Facilitated successful discharge planning processes for clients transitioning out of therapeutic day treatment programs, ensuring continuity of care and support.
- Provided ongoing education to families regarding available resources within community, improving access to crucial support services.
- Reduced incidents of crisis situations by proactively identifying potential triggers and implementing effective de-escalation strategies.
- Developed written plan of services in conjunction with program participants.
- Prepared reports to summarize clients' mental health status and treatment progress.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring accurate record-keeping and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Evaluated progress toward treatment goals regularly through objective measurements, making necessary adjustments as needed.
- Assisted clients in developing effective coping strategies for managing stressors related to mental health challenges.
- Conducted crisis interventions to respond to clients in crisis, assess immediate needs and provide support and resources.
- Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
- Enhanced client engagement by implementing individualized therapeutic interventions and treatment plans.
Psychiatric Technician
North Spring Behavioral Healthcare
2013.08 - 2015.01
- Provided care for children and adolescents in behavioral health residential treatment facility
- Facilitated daily groups and supervise floor team of two Mental Health Technicians.
- Developed strong rapport with diverse patient populations through empathetic listening skills, helping them feel heard and understood.
- Observed patients closely for signs of distress or changes in condition, promptly reporting concerns to supervising clinicians for appropriate intervention.
- Utilized de-escalation techniques to manage challenging behaviors effectively, promoting a calm atmosphere conducive to healing.
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date documentation of patient progress, facilitating effective communication among healthcare team members.
- Ensured a safe and supportive environment for patients through close monitoring and crisis management techniques.
- Implemented crisis intervention protocols when necessary, ensuring the safety of all patients and staff members involved.
- Provided crisis intervention, stabilizing patients experiencing acute mental health episodes.
- Reduced incidents of aggressive behavior by implementing de-escalation techniques.
Volunteer Suicide Crisis Counselor
CrisisLink
2012.09 - 2013.11
- Provided timely assistance to individuals in crisis, utilizing active listening skills and empathy to establish rapport quickly.
- Managed high-stress situations with a calm demeanor, providing the necessary support to both clients and team members during challenging times.
- Evaluated risk to client or others by gathering information and conducting assessments.
- Prevented further escalation of crises by effectively deescalating intense situations through skilled verbal interventions.
- Coordinated with local emergency responders during critical incidents, facilitating seamless collaboration between multiple parties involved in resolving crises efficiently.
- Built safety plans to lower risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by procedures.
- Used skills such as active listening and collaborative problem-solving daily to connect with patients and address concerns.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans, addressing clients'' mental health, social, and emotional needs.
- Documented risk to each client and context of concerns.
- Completed comprehensive training programs to develop expertise in evidence-based crisis intervention techniques.
- Enhanced client well-being by providing empathetic and supportive counseling during crisis situations.
- Maintained confidentiality and adhered to ethical guidelines while working with sensitive information about clients'' personal lives.
- Promoted mental health education within thecommunity by participating in outreach events such as workshops and presentations.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN09.2024
Associate's degree in Nursing -
Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD12.2022
Bachelor's degree in Psychology -
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA05.2013
Skills
- Utilization Management
- Clinical research
- Google Suite
- Epic, Meditech
- Crisis Intervention
- Microsoft Office
- Charge nurse/supervisory experience
Medical Necessity Evaluation
- Discharge planning coordination
- Medicaid knowledge
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Quality Improvement
- Clinical assessment
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Certification
- RN License
- Compact State Nurse License
- First Aid Certification
- BLS Certification
- CPR Certification
Nursing License
Registered Nurse Maryland Compact State License
Timeline
Utilization Management Nurse/Behavioral Health Case Manager
Totalmed Staffing
2024.07 - Current
Crisis Stabilization Unit RN
Meritus Medical Center
2024.03 - Current
Charge Nurse Clinical Research
CenExel Clinical Research
2023.05 - Current
Registered Nurse, Behavioral Health
Dominion Hospital
2022.07 - 2023.12
Remote Patient Care Observer
Frederick Memorial Healthcare System (FMH)
2020.06 - 2021.10
Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor
Crossroads Counseling Center
2014.01 - 2015.06
Psychiatric Technician
North Spring Behavioral Healthcare
2013.08 - 2015.01
Volunteer Suicide Crisis Counselor
CrisisLink
2012.09 - 2013.11
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
Capella University
Associate's degree in Nursing -
Frederick Community College
Bachelor's degree in Psychology -
George Mason University
- RN License
- Compact State Nurse License
- First Aid Certification
- BLS Certification
- CPR Certification
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