Melissa Calhoun
Compassus Hospice
CARMEL,IN
30
years of professional experience
Compassionate registered nurse with 20+ years of experience across surgical care, home health, triage, and hospice case management. Skilled in clinical assessment, patient education, and interdisciplinary coordination. Recognized for accurate documentation, empathetic communication, and timely support for complex end-of-life transitions.
Work History
Nurse Clinical Liaison
3 Months- Reviewed clinical documentation to determine hospice eligibility and complete admission support
- Coordinated hospice referrals with hospitals, physicians, and case managers to support timely patient transitions
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to align services with patient needs and goals
- Communicated plan of care to patients and families, answering questions with empathy and clarity
- Documented referral activity, assessments, and follow-up details in electronic medical records
- Explained hospice benefits, service options, and care process to improve understanding and readiness
- Adapted quickly to changing clinical priorities while managing multiple referrals and admissions efficiently
- Identified opportunities for improvement in patient care processes and collaborated with management to implement necessary changes.
- Promoted a safe and supportive environment for both patients and staff by adhering to established protocols and guidelines.
- Served as an advocate for patients'' rights by ensuring ethical treatment across all aspects of their healthcare experience.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
1 Year 5 Months- Completed comprehensive hospice assessments to guide individualized care plans and symptom management.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary team communication to support consistent end-of-life care delivery.
- Documented nursing visits, patient status, and interventions accurately in electronic medical records.
- Educated families on medication administration, comfort measures, and hospice services.
- Communicated with physicians to obtain orders and adjust care based on changing patient needs.
- Monitored patient conditions to identify decline and prompt timely care plan revisions.
- Responded to patient and family concerns with compassionate guidance and clinical problem-solving.
Telephone Triage Registered Nurse
3 Years 8 Months- Led telephone triage assessments using standardized protocols to determine symptom urgency and next steps.
- Coordinated same-day appointments, referrals, and escalations for patients requiring timely clinical follow-up.
- Documented patient encounters accurately in EHR, ensuring clear communication with providers and care teams.
- Provided evidence-based patient education on home care, medications, and warning signs requiring urgent attention.
- Reviewed medication refill requests and routed clinical concerns to appropriate providers for resolution.
Clinical Coordinator RN
4 Years 11 Months- Coordinated patient care plans across interdisciplinary teams to support timely treatment and smooth transitions.
- Managed daily clinical workflows, prioritizing referrals, scheduling, and follow-up to maintain continuity of care.
- Reviewed electronic health records for accuracy, documenting assessments, interventions, and care coordination updates.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, and support staff to resolve barriers affecting patient access and outcomes.
Home Health Nurse
2 Years 7 Months- Delivered skilled home health assessments, documenting patient status and updating care plans accurately.
- Administered medications, wound care, and treatments while following home health protocols and safety standards.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary communication among physicians, therapists, and caregivers to support consistent patient care.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, medications, and self-care techniques.
- Monitored vital signs and symptom changes, escalating concerns promptly to clinical leadership.
- Evaluated home environments for safety risks and recommended adjustments to reduce complications.
Surgical Nurse
16 Years 1 Month- Assessed patient status preoperatively, verifying histories, consents, and allergy information before surgery.
- Monitored vital signs throughout procedures, promptly identifying changes requiring clinical intervention.
- Assisted surgeons with instrument handling, specimen management, and intraoperative workflow coordination.
- Prepared operating rooms, ensuring sterile instruments, supplies, and equipment were ready for surgical procedures.
- Maintained strict aseptic technique to reduce contamination risk and support patient safety.
- Collaborated with anesthesia, surgical, and recovery teams to ensure seamless patient transitions.
Private Scrub Nurse
3 Years 9 Months- Prepared sterile instruments and supplies for otolaryngology procedures, maintaining strict aseptic technique. 2. Anticipated surgeon needs during ENT surgeries, passing instruments efficiently to support procedural flow. 3. Verified surgical counts, reducing risk through accurate sponge, needle, and instrument reconciliation. 4. Assisted with patient positioning and draping, protecting safety and maintaining sterile field integrity. 5. Monitored operating room setup, ensuring equipment readiness and proper instrument organization before cases. 6. Coordinated specimen handling and labeling, supporting accurate transfer to pathology and clinical documentation. 7. Led efficient room turnover processes, restoring supplies and sterilization standards for next procedure. 8. Mentored surgical support staff on scrub technique, instrument identification, and OR workflow expectations.
- Assisted surgical team with instrument handling during procedures.
- Enhanced patient safety by diligently performing pre-operative preparations and effectively organizing surgical instruments.
- Monitored patients' vital signs during procedures and communicated changes to anesthesia providers.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Skills
End-of-life care
Clinical documentation review
Clinical assessment
Care coordination
Timeline
Nurse Clinical Liaison
Compassus Hospice
06.2026 - 09.2026Read More
Registered Nurse Case Manager
Compassus Hospice
01.2025 - 06.2026Read More
Telephone Triage Registered Nurse
IU Health Physicians Primary Care
04.2021 - 12.2024Read More
Clinical Coordinator RN
Community Health Network
04.2016 - 03.2021Read More
Home Health Nurse
Community Health Network
09.2013 - 04.2016Read More
Surgical Nurse
Indiana Surgical Associates
03.2000 - 04.2016Read More
Private Scrub Nurse
Indiana Otolaryngology Associates
06.1996 - 03.2000Read More
University of Indianapolis
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
Read More