Melissa Criss
Broadway,NC
Summary
Dynamic healthcare professional with extensive experience at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, excelling in quality assurance and HIPAA compliance. Proven ability to enhance patient care through collaborative teamwork and critical thinking. Committed to continuous education and maintaining high standards in electronic health records management, ensuring accuracy and reliability in all processes.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Certified Tumor Registrar II
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
05.2024 - 11.2025
- Played a key role in multidisciplinary team meetings by presenting current tumor registry data for discussion and decision-making purposes.
- Collaborated with physicians to ensure the accuracy of diagnostic and treatment information in tumor registry records.
- Maintained professional knowledge by attending conferences, workshops, and training sessions related to tumor registry practices.
- Enhanced data quality by conducting thorough casefinding, abstraction, and follow-up procedures.
- Conducted case finding to maintain complete cancer registry database.
- Performed abstracting activities by extracting cancer registry data.
- Upheld HIPAA regulations and standards for protecting patient information.
- Improved patient care by accurately abstracting and coding cancer diagnoses and treatments.
- Adhered to strict confidentiality guidelines while managing sensitive patient information in the tumor registry database.
Oncology Accreditation-Quality Manager
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
07.2021 - 05.2024
- Developed and implemented quality assurance protocols for oncology accreditation processes.
- Conducted comprehensive data analysis to identify trends and drive quality improvements.
- Collaborated with clinical teams to ensure adherence to regulatory compliance standards.
- Facilitated training sessions for staff on quality management practices and accreditation requirements.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives that enhanced patient care and service delivery.
- Coordinated internal audits to evaluate compliance with established quality standards.
- Managed documentation related to oncology accreditation, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
- Reviewed and updated quality policies to align with evolving regulatory guidelines.
- Engaged with stakeholders to gather feedback and integrate it into quality improvement plans.
- Established metrics to measure the effectiveness of quality assurance processes.
- Oversaw the preparation and submission of reports for accreditation reviews.
- Investigated quality incidents and implemented corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Streamlined workflows to enhance efficiency in oncology accreditation activities.
- Managed and archived quality documentation and participated in internal and external quality audits.
- Evaluated quality problems and performed assessments to identify and resolve issues.
- Mentored and encouraged employees to strive for excellence while fostering professional growth.
- Conducted thorough audits to ensure adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements, maintaining compliance consistently.
- Updated quality control standards, methods, and procedures to meet compliance requirements.
- Improved quality processes for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Developed action plans to address deficiencies, responsible for effective collection and compilation of all minutes and documents for reporting and data for ACOS (Commission on Cancer) and NAPBC (National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers).
- Directly supervised Cancer Registry, Clinical Trials, Oncology Dietitians and Oncology Social Workers.
- Coordinated onsite accreditation and certification surveys, Cancer Committee Meetings, Task Force and Cancer Tumor Board Conferences.
- Ensured deadlines are met for submission of compliance for all accreditation and certification surveys.
Oasis Coordinator-Home Health
Office of Inspector General/CMS
01.2016 - 07.2020
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Educated Home Health Agencies on Oasis coding and answered any questions related to Oasis Regulations.
Health Facility Nurse Surveyor II-OHFLAC
Office of Inspector General/CMS
01.2012 - 07.2020
- Monitored compliance with state and federal regulations during facility inspections.
- Reviewed medical records for accuracy and compliance with documentation standards.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to enhance patient care services and outcomes.
- Identified areas for improvement in patient care management through regular audits.
- Facilitated communication among healthcare providers to streamline patient care processes.
- Conducted site visits to assess facility operations and adherence to quality standards.
- Maintained professional growth and competency through participation in continuing education opportunities, workshops, and conferences related to nursing practice.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Conducted comprehensive facility inspections to assess compliance with health regulations.
- Executed regulatory assessments to ensure compliance and adherence to state and federal health standards.
- Adapted quickly to changing conditions on job sites, efficiently adjusting plans as needed while maintaining overall project goals.
- Assisted in training new team members on surveying techniques, fostering a supportive work environment for continued growth.
- Conducted complex regulatory compliance determinations during inspections of health-care facilities, (hospitals, home health agencies, hospice, ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis centers, rural health clinics, outpatient physical therapy, birthing centers, critical access hospitals, long-term acute care facilities and portable x-ray).
Registered Nurse
United Hospital Center
06.2008 - 04.2011
- Implemented patient-centered care plans to improve health outcomes and enhance recovery processes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care delivery for patients.
- Monitored vital signs and recorded patient data to assist in clinical decision-making.
- Educated patients and families on treatment options, medication management, and self-care practices.
- Responded swiftly to emergency situations, applying critical thinking to stabilize patients.
- Maintained accurate patient records and documentation to comply with regulatory standards.
- Developed treatment plans based on individual patient needs and evidence-based practices.
- Supported patients' emotional well-being through compassionate communication and active listening.
- Coordinated with pharmacists to ensure safe medication administration and manage prescriptions.
- Identified and addressed barriers to patient compliance, improving adherence to treatment plans.
- Facilitated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care and reduce readmission rates.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
- Trained and mentored nursing interns, fostering professional development and teamwork.
- Engaged in ongoing education to stay current with nursing practices and advancements.
- 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.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- 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.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Alderson-Broaddus University
Philippi, WV05-2008
Skills
- HIPAA compliance awareness
- Collaborative teamwork
- Professionalism and ethics
- Medical terminology
- Continuing education commitment
- Quality assurance
- Electronic health records management
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
Timeline
Certified Tumor Registrar II
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
05.2024 - 11.2025
Oncology Accreditation-Quality Manager
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
07.2021 - 05.2024
Oasis Coordinator-Home Health
Office of Inspector General/CMS
01.2016 - 07.2020
Health Facility Nurse Surveyor II-OHFLAC
Office of Inspector General/CMS
01.2012 - 07.2020
Registered Nurse
United Hospital Center
06.2008 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Alderson-Broaddus University