Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
LANGUAGES
Timeline
Generic

Melisa Lepenica

Urbandale

Summary

Diligent and clinically versatile Registered Nurse with 4+ years of experience across ICU, perioperative care, and PACU. Skilled in chart reviews, applying evidence-based criteria, and escalating cases not meeting clinical benchmarks. Recognized for precise documentation, discharge planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration to support safe transitions of care. Seeking to transition into a remote Utilization Management Nurse role to leverage strong clinical judgment, promote quality care, and support appropriate resource utilization.

Overview

4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

PRE/POST/PACU RN

Wolfe Surgery Center
06.2023 - Current
  • Performed comprehensive chart reviews and pre-operative risk assessments to confirm medical clearance, identify risk factors, and ensure compliance with surgical safety protocols and evidence-based standards.
  • Assessed post-anesthesia recovery against discharge criteria, escalating cases not meeting evidence-based benchmarks or requiring further intervention.
  • Collaborated with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and case management to coordinate surgical planning, confirm patient readiness, and prevent procedural delays.
  • Educated patients and families on discharge instructions to improve adherence, minimize complications, and avoid unnecessary follow-up visits.

INTENSIVE CARE UNIT NURSE

UnityPoint Health – Methodist
02.2022 - 02.2025
  • Delivered comprehensive care to critically ill patients in trauma, neuro, cardiac, and medical-surgical ICUs, evaluating medical necessity of interventions and patient progression against clinical guidelines.
  • Conducted detailed chart reviews and documentation audits to ensure accuracy, compliance, and support quality reporting and reimbursement integrity.
  • Assessed patient status against clinical benchmarks, escalating cases not meeting expected outcomes and collaborating with providers to adjust plans of care.
  • Coordinated with case managers, social workers, and interdisciplinary teams to facilitate discharge planning, post-acute placement, and safe transitions of care.
  • Triaged and prioritized rapidly changing patient conditions, optimizing use of resources while ensuring patient safety and continuity of care.

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Nursing

Allen College
Waterloo, Iowa
12.2021

Skills

  • Chart reviews and documentation audits
  • Applying evidence-based guidelines and clinical criteria
  • Discharge planning and care coordination
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Strong clinical judgement in critical care
  • Detail oriented, organized, and adaptable in high-pressure settings
  • Remote ready: tech proficient and independent in virtual workflows

Certification

  • ACLS
  • BLS
  • PALS
  • Telemetry

LANGUAGES

Serbo-Croatian Native
Bosnian Native

Timeline

PRE/POST/PACU RN

Wolfe Surgery Center
06.2023 - Current

INTENSIVE CARE UNIT NURSE

UnityPoint Health – Methodist
02.2022 - 02.2025

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Nursing

Allen College

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