Melinda King
Johnson City,TN
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate retired Navy Nurse (RN) with an extensive and progressive career history. Serving in a variety of clinical settings including outpatient, inpatient, home and correctional. As the clinical manager of busy OB/GYN clinics coordinated provider schedules, oversaw clinic operations, performed telephone triage, participated in budgetary decisions, prepared for Joint commission inspections, directed staff training programs, and served as patient care representative to address patient concerns. During inpatient assignments, proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients during high-stress situations, and fast paced environments. Performed international patient transports, coordinated care between military facilities and host nation medical teams. Consistently developed strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service. Works well with diverse patient populations and fosters trusting relationships to improve outcomes. Efficiently coordinated with healthcare professionals to advance patient care.
Overview
45
45
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SANE Program Coordinator
Branch House Family Justice Center
Blountville, TN
09.2024 - Current
- Accurately and objectively assess, identify, interpret, and document physical findings when conducting a forensic medical examination.
- Differentiates types and patterns of injuries, potential mechanisms of injury, and normal anatomical variants.
- Applies knowledge of biological degradation, evidentiary timeframes, to preserve forensic sample integrity.
- Employs a trauma-informed, patient-centered approach to collect DNA, trace specimens, and toxicology.
- Objectively documents physical injury and evidentiary findings, utilizing medical forensic photography principles.
- Provides information and treatment concerning emergency contraception, and STI prophylaxis.
- Provides court testimony regarding the forensic medical examination process and/or opinions regarding findings.
- Mentors the nurses completing their SANE competencies. Accompanies them when performing SANE exams.
- Develops in-house training for the SANE staff.
- Serves as a collaborative member of the community response teams that include law enforcement, district attorneys, and advocates.
- Developed and executed training courses for local law enforcement and other first responders to increase awareness of the physical, emotional and behavioral responses of victims to interpersonal violence and sexual assault.
Registered Nurse
Washington County Detention Center
02.2024 - 09.2025
- Triaged inmates verbal or written concerns regarding physical or mental health concerns
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients’ acuity levels and individual needs
- Determines whether inmates’ conditions are emergent, urgent, or routine in nature
- Conducted thorough patient assessments during inmate sick calls to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions per Corrections regulations
- Delivered high level of quality care and providing patient education to diverse cultural populations with significant differences in educational levels
- Implemented medication administration and provided wound care and other daily routine treatments to inmates
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined the next course of action to inmates or correction officers after altercations and use of force incidents
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans
- Coordinated, when necessary, emergent or urgent inmate transfers to cooperating hospitals or higher level of care incarceration facilities in accordance with Washington County
RNC- New Parent Support Home Visitor
Armed Forces Services Corporation
01.2018 - 02.2019
- The New Parent Support Program (NPSP) is a community-based, early intervention service provided to families and designed to foster healthy child development, for families that are expecting or have children up to three years of age
- Teaching and coaching sessions are offered to clients and are conducted in an inpatient, home or office setting
- Each visit is tailored specifically to address cultural and educational diversity
- Information is provided on a variety of topics including bonding with a new infant or a toddler, understanding the developmental stages of children, alternative ways to discipline children, learning how children master new skills, the importance of good nutrition on brain development, newborn care, techniques to comfort a crying infant, breastfeeding, and when to introduce solid foods
- Developed several new classes including mindfulness activities for toddlers, mindfulness parenting, and successful discipline techniques in parenting
- Strengthened parent-child relationships through modeling effective communication and interaction techniques
- Facilitated outreach activities to build community awareness
- Assisted with crisis intervention services by performing emergency assessments
- Prepared monthly calendars with educational needs and activities
- Developed and maintained relationships with community organizations and agencies
- Empowered parents as their child’s first teacher through coaching on age-appropriate activities that foster cognitive growth
RNC- New Parent Support Home Visitor
Fleet and Family Support Center U.S. Naval Station
04.2014 - 11.2015
- New Parent Support Home Visitation Program (NPSHVP) is a community based, early intervention service provided to families and designed to foster healthy child development, for families that are expecting or have children up to three years of age
- Sessions which are offered to clients are conducted in an inpatient, home or office setting
- Information is provided on a variety of topics including bonding with a new infant or a toddler, understanding the developmental stages of children, alternative ways to discipline children, learning how children master new skills, the importance of good nutrition on brain development, newborn care, techniques to comfort a crying infant, breastfeeding, and when to introduce solid foods
- Re-established the program as the position had remained unfilled for a year and a half
- Tremendous strides were taken to reconnect with the hospital staff in the OB/GYN Clinic, the Maternal Child Ward, the Early Developmental and Intervention Services (EDIS) and the hospital social worker and nutritionist
- These contacts resulted in co-presentation in childbirth classes, ward visits with new parents and monthly attendance at the EDIS play-group
- Collaboration with the Child Development Center (CDC) resulted in instruction on Infant Massage for the staff
- Interagency projects include a Bump to Three Expo with the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) and a course on how to prepare baby food with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) staff
- In addition to teaching the Nurturing Parenting Course, presented the following courses for the Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC): Happiest Baby and Happiest Toddler on the Block, Infant Massage, Nurturing Rituals, What Men Need in Labor and How to Prepare Children for the Arrival of a Sibling
- Frequently spoke on the Armed Forces Radio Program (AFN) providing information on upcoming classes and to discuss child development topics
- Strengthened parent-child relationships through modeling effective communication and interaction techniques
- Facilitated outreach activities to build community awareness
Travel Contract Nurse RNC
Birthing Center Harrison Medical Center
02.2012 - 08.2012
- Provided compassionate family centered care to a diverse population
- Provided a continuum of care following women from antepartum admission, throughout the entire intra-partum process into the postpartum period
- Responsible for the nursing care women in the surgical suite and for their post anesthesia recovery
- During admission responsible for accurate assessment of clinical history, review of social service consults and consulting with physicians and other members of the health care team regarding areas of concern
- Providing instructions to patients and family members who included the labor process; postpartum recovery; breast feeding; normal newborn feeding, voiding, stooling, and sleeping patterns
- Responsible for newborn assessment and medication administration
- Responsible for assisting mother breastfeeding and consulting with the health care team for follow-up care
Travel Contract Nurse RNC
Indian Health Services
06.2011 - 09.2011
- Provided much-needed nursing skills to an impoverished and under-served segment of the population
- Responsible for the health care support of antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum care of Native American women and newborn infants
- Provided thorough assessment of past clinical history and submitted consultations to members of the health care team for high-risk patients
- Provided compassionate care and support to patients whose children were to be removed from parental custody and gave instruction on parenting skills
- Balanced current medical practice standards with traditional native medicine to provide optimal outcomes that were culturally sensitive and relevant to the patient population
United States Navy Nurse
United States Navy
04.1980 - 10.2009
Education
Master of Science - Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME01.1995
Associate of Science - Laboratory Technique
George Washington University
Bethesda, MD01.1982
Skills
- Infant Care
- DoD Experience
- Nursing
- Training & Development
- Medication Administration
- Hospital Experience
- Laboratory Experience
- Crisis Management
- Assessment skills
- Client Needs Assessments
- Family Dynamics Understanding
- Behavioral Disorders
- Postpartum Care
- Patient Counseling
- Test Interpretations
- Women's health exams
- Patient care planning
- Diabetes management
- Coordinating referrals
- Palliative care awareness
- Procedure Assistance
- Unit Oversight
- Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)
- Postpartum counseling
- Home visits
- Patient Care Assessment
- Wound Care
- Breastfeeding education
- Forensic examination
- Evidentiary documentation
- Medical photography
- Trauma-informed care
- Public speaking
- Referral coordination
- Staff development
- Onsite tours
Certification
- RN License
- BLS Certification
- Secret Clearance
References
- Julia Acoba, Registered Nurse, (760) 865-0421, jemaar1969@yohoo.com, Personal
- CAPT Evelyn Quatronne, United States Navy Retired, (757) 651-1344, combatmidwife@gmail.com, Professional / Personal
- CDR Kirsten Harvison, United States Navy Retired, (240) 750-0035, floridacnm02@yahoo.com, Professional / Personal
Military Service
United States Navy, Lieutenant Commander, 04/1980, 10/2009
Timeline
SANE Program Coordinator
Branch House Family Justice Center
09.2024 - Current
Registered Nurse
Washington County Detention Center
02.2024 - 09.2025
RNC- New Parent Support Home Visitor
Armed Forces Services Corporation
01.2018 - 02.2019
RNC- New Parent Support Home Visitor
Fleet and Family Support Center U.S. Naval Station
04.2014 - 11.2015
Travel Contract Nurse RNC
Birthing Center Harrison Medical Center
02.2012 - 08.2012
Travel Contract Nurse RNC
Indian Health Services
06.2011 - 09.2011
United States Navy Nurse
United States Navy
04.1980 - 10.2009
Master of Science - Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Southern Maine
Associate of Science - Laboratory Technique
George Washington University
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