Melissa Cortez
Innovative Health
1
Certification
10
years of professional experience
Dedicated Memory Care Director and LVN with 28 years of experience in the medical field. Expertise in medical and medication terminology, coupled with strong organizational skills in fast-paced environments. Proficient in Microsoft Office with excellent grammar and punctuation. CPR certified and committed to contributing effectively to team success.
Work History
LVN Field Nurse
1 Year 3 Months- Provided skilled nursing care to homebound patients, including wound care, medication management, and symptom assessment
- Coordinated patient care, ensuring timely visits and adherence to individualized care plans for optimal health outcomes
- Assessed patient needs and developed individualized care plans to promote optimal health and well-being
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians, following all safety protocols
- Monitored vital signs, recorded patient data, and maintained accurate medical records
- Educated patients and families on disease management and self-care techniques, enhancing patient understanding and compliance
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare team to deliver comprehensive care, improving patient satisfaction and outcomes
Memory Care Director/RCC ,LVN
5 Months- Delegated the responsibility for carrying out assigned duties in accordance with federal and state regulations and company policies.
- Resident Care Coordinator exhibits genuine interest in residents and shows patience and understanding while working with residents, families and visitors.
- Hired, trained, supervised, and scheduled Care Managers and MCMs to enhance team effectiveness and resident care quality.
- Monitored resident care needs, alerted Wellness Director of changes in condition, addressed resident and family concerns, and liaised with community providers to ensure comprehensive care.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans for each resident, considering their unique needs, preferences, and abilities
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to coordinate medical treatments and therapies, ensuring tailored care for each resident's unique health needs.
- Implemented safety protocols to prevent accidents or injuries among memory care residents, resulting in a XX% decrease in incidents
- Conducted regular assessments of residents' cognitive abilities and physical health to monitor changes in condition or behavior patterns
- Organized engaging activities tailored specifically for memory care residents such as reminiscence therapy sessions, sensory stimulation exercises, and music therapy programs
- Maintained accurate documentation of resident progress notes, medication administration records (MAR), incident reports, and other necessary paperwork
- Collaborated with the admissions team to assess potential new residents' suitability for memory care services based on their cognitive functioning levels
- Led regular staff meetings to communicate updates on resident care plans, discuss challenges, and provide ongoing training opportunities
- Participated in continuing education courses related to Alzheimer's disease management techniques and advancements in dementia research
- Managed the budget for the memory care department by monitoring expenses related to supplies, equipment maintenance/replacement costs while ensuring quality standards were maintained within allocated funds
- Engaged in continuing education courses focused on Alzheimer's disease management and dementia research advancements.
- Resident Care Coordinator exhibits genuine interest in residents and shows patience and understanding while working with residents, families and visitors.
LVN Charge Nurse
1 Year 3 Months- Conducted patient assessments to identify medical needs and inform care plans
- Administered medications accurately and on time to ensure effective patient treatment
- Provided wound care to promote healing and prevent infection
- Ensured proper dressing changes on PICC lines to prevent infection
- Performed Foley catheter insertions for urinary management
- Performed phlebotomy to obtain blood specimens for testing
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient interactions and treatments
LVN Charge Nurse
6 Months- Provided nursing care in 8-bed emergency department bay, focusing on acute trauma management.
- Started IVs, dispensed PO and IV medications, and communicated with patients and families to gather medical histories and explain treatments.
- Executed care plans to enhance patient outcomes.
- Utilized telemetry to track and report patient heart rhythms.
- Delivered comprehensive patient care to meet individual health needs.
- Maintained effective communication to support patient understanding.
- Exercised leadership to ensure team collaboration and efficiency.
- Guided junior nurses through hands-on training and support.
LVN
4 Months- Home Health Nurse
- Evaluated patient health to determine care needs
- Delivered medications to ensure patient adherence to treatment plans
- Provided wound care to promote healing and prevent infection
- PICC line dressing changes
- Foley catheter insertion
- Executed blood draws to obtain samples for laboratory analysis
Lead Phlebotomist /Lab Technician Supervisor
3 Years 1 Month- Collected blood samples from patients for analysis
- NIGHT Charge Nurse
- Fit Testing
- DOT
- Hair Follicle Testing
- Lab Processing
- Audiometric Testing
- Pulmonary Testing
- Vision Testing
- Mouth Swab
- Field onsite Toxicology screening
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Associate of Science - Nursing
Skills
Time management
Home health
WCAG
Patient teaching
Computer operation
State healthcare regulations
Care coordination
Patient charting
Supervising experience
Medical Records
IV infusion
Customer inquiry handling
Team development
Healthcare providers (stakeholder)
Vendor relationship management
Negotiation
Direct patient care
Maintaining patient confidentiality
Acute care
Outpatient
Injection administration
Occupational health
Tube feeding
School experience
Patient advocacy
Patient care
Residents' rights
Leadership
Epic
Computer Skills
Basic life support
Communication skills
CPR
Typing
Patient monitoring
Catheter management
Triage
Laboratory Experience
ICU experience
Decision making
Patient assessment
Data entry
Geriatric care
Documentation accuracy
Point-Click Care
Document control
Phlebotomy
Regulatory compliance
Critical Care Experience
Vital signs
Home Care
Writing skills
Collaborate with healthcare professionals
Long term acute care
Care plans
Cognitive disability support
Quality audits
Microsoft Office
HIPAA
Wound care
Senior care
Nursing home experience
Patient caregiving
Word processing
Team management
Medical Billing
Healthcare administration
Pediatrics
Healthcare outreach
Home health agency experience
Clinical software
Medical office operations
Teamwork
EClinicalWorks
Medical Scheduling
Behavioral health
Rehabilitation and recovery (patient care)
Venipuncture
Patient interaction
Crisis intervention
Senior living facility experience
Case Management
EMR systems
Sanitation
Mentoring
Long-term care experience
Nursing
Long-term care regulations
Medication management
First aid
Geriatrics
Managed care
Intake
Clinic
Management
Catheterization
Patient support
Clinical documentation
Patient communication
Hospice care
Patient engagement
Medical terminology
Patient record management
Hospital Experience
Documentation assessment
Psychiatric patient care
Skilled nursing facility
Interprofessional collaboration
Computer literacy
Staff development
Primary care
Inpatient
Customer service
Sanitation procedures
HIPAA compliance
Geriatric care
Vital signs monitoring
Catheter care
Compassionate care
Clinical judgment
Patient education
Infection control
Mental health support
Healthcare software proficiency
Documentation accuracy
Diabetes management
Workflow coordination
Nutritional support
Treatment plan implementation
Patient examination
Aseptic techniques
Care plan development
Anatomy
Postoperative care
Nursing practices
HIPAA guideline adherence
Reporting skills
IV therapy certification
Patient assessments
Emergency response
Clinical documentation
EMR / EHR
Order transcription
Patient oversight
Documenting intake
Behavioral evaluation
Chronic disease care
Inpatient care
Patient education
Outpatient care
Preventive care
Medical office administration
Trauma care
Quality assurance
HIPAA protocols
[State] licensed practical nurse
Biomedical hazard disposal
Certification
- LPN
- BLS Certification
- LVN
- CPR Certification
- First Aid Certification
- Graduate Nurse
- AED Certification
- Certified Medical Assistant
- CNA
- Compact State Nurse License
- ACLS Certification
Timeline
LVN Field Nurse
Innovative Health
04.2025 - CurrentRead More
Memory Care Director/RCC ,LVN
WindRiver at Pine Creek
03.2024 - 08.2024Read More
LVN Charge Nurse
Bay Ridge Healthcare Center
01.2023 - 04.2024Read More
LVN Charge Nurse
EHMC
06.2022 - 12.2022Read More
LVN
Signature Health Services
02.2022 - 06.2022Read More
Lead Phlebotomist /Lab Technician Supervisor
Biorefrence /SSTAT LAB
01.2017 - 02.2020Read More
Lee College
Read More
Lamar University
Associate of Science from Nursing
Read More
Lee College Nursing School
Associate of Science from Nursing
Read More