Melissa Franco, PT, DPT, CSCS

• Reduce recovery time and optimize individual patient outcomes through evidence-based practice and documentation efficiency with a minimum caseload of 60 patients weekly.
• Provided thorough, individualized, and goal-oriented care through the evaluation and treatment of patients with orthopedic injuries whether conservatively or post-operatively.
• Developed strong relationships and ongoing communication with on-site sports orthopedic surgeons and referral sources establishing trust and rapport to facilitate successful therapy outcomes.
• Onboarded and supervised clinical students and volunteers as well as trained new physical therapy staff regarding EMR documentation, policies, clinic operations, and standards of care.
• Assisted head Athletic Trainer with sideline coverage for numerous athletics events including Faith Academy basketball games.

• Established a direct access, cash-based physical therapy practice within the EDGE Recovery Room for community members and patient referrals comprising of movement assessments, manual therapy, soft tissue mobilizations, and corrective exercise prescriptions to address sports-related injuries, pre- and post-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation, and return-to-sport training.
• Created and promoted Strength and Rehab one-on-one training programs comprising of weekly multi-sessions of strength and conditioning training as well as recovery sessions for individuals recovering from an injury and wanting to return back to their prior level of function/sport under direct supervision of a DPT.
• Oversaw EDGE Sports Performance coaches’ programming and schedules to ensure a best-in-class sports performance program inclusive of incorporating cutting-edge science and research alongside proven and effective training techniques and applying it to youth and elite-level athletes to maximize their human potential and performance.
• Collaborated with department heads and coordinated cross-functional teams to develop strategic plans and enhance outcomes aligning with overall company objectives and goals.

· Generate individual and group exercise programs for sport-specific injury prevention for Kendall Ice Arena’s youth figure skaters 3-18 years of age and adolescent hockey players 13-18 years of age.

· Developed and implemented an Athletic Mobility small group training class to facilitate an educational environment that addresses muscular imbalances and mobility deficits for a maximum of 4 participants to optimally achieve their short- and long-term fitness goals regardless of age or athletic background.

· Completed bedside therapy evaluations for mild to complex cases consisting of pre- and post- orthopedic and amputation surgeries, degenerative neurological conditions, spinal cord injuries, and cardiovascular diseases along with documentation at 95-100% of the caseload expected of a new hire at this facility.

· Collaborated in interdisciplinary rounds with a team of medical professionals consisting of surgeons, nurses, physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and dieticians to determine the best plan of care for select patients.

· Performed in-depth evaluations, created optimal plans of care, administered treatment interventions, and appropriately referred to other disciplines for 8-12 patients daily while working on the oncology, intensive care, neurology, cardiovascular, bone marrow transplant, and step-down hospital units.

· Completed documentation thoroughly and in a timely manner for all evaluations and daily treatment notes in Cerner at 85-95% of an expected entry level doctor of physical therapist’s caseload at this facility

· Coordinated class schedules, marketing strategies, and finance budgeting alongside facility owner as well as trained 5 new fitness instructors.

· Built strong relationships with clients while designing various forms of group and individual fitness classes to maximize a healthy lifestyle and reduce risk of injury or re-injury in all activities of daily living.

· Administered and interpreted PAR-Q forms, anthropomorphic tests, movement assessments using the FMS tool, and musculoskeletal injury screenings to all potential new clients to determine readiness to participate in high intensity physical activity.

· Demonstrated exceptional clinical problem-solving skills and systems review with a variety of patient diagnoses ranging from sports-related injuries to chronic neuromusculoskeletal conditions while receiving positive feedback on cultural competence, professionalism, accountability, and willingness to learn.

· Administered treatment interventions such as manual therapy, soft tissue mobilizations, modalities, therapeutic exercise, and verbal and tactile cueing, according to a patient’s clinical presentation, objective findings, precautions and contraindications, and current level of function/disability at 75-85% productivity.

· Performed therapeutic interventions such as PNF stretching, kinesiology taping, modalities, soft tissue mobilizations, and myofascial release on elite CrossFit competitors during an annual, worldwide CrossFit competition alongside certified athletic trainers and sports physical therapists.

· Completed musculoskeletal and neurological injury evaluations and examinations as well as referrals to emergency medical services to potentially injured athletes under direct supervision of a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

· Executed daily orthopedic evaluations, reassessments, and discharges while following appropriate documentation protocols that met departmental, institutional, and third-party reimbursement requirements.

· Delegated tasks and supervised 1-2 physical therapy assistants and administrative staff in the treatment of orthopedic, neurological, and vestibular/balance impairments to optimize patient outcomes.

· Formulated skilled plans of care, home exercise programs, and therapy goals that addressed patients’ physical impairments, subjective complaints of disability, socioeconomic status, and psychosocial background at 50-75% productivity of an entry level doctor of physical therapy hire at this facility.

· Coordinated with library staff to catalog, organize, and maintain books, magazine journals and microfilm records in the library shelves and to input and process bar code files, microfilm records, and books into the UCF Libraries computer system.

Selected out of 10 students to work on more immersive projects involving editing information on the library's public film and book records, training the new workers on how to use the ALEPH Library Cataloging Computer software, and edited the work of other coworkers' bar code inventory sheets.

· Introduced a new, more efficient method of assisting patrons in locating books by attaching a library map and call-numbers reference sheet to every computer the workers used.

· Determined the medical services needed for patients according to their indicated signs and symptoms and scheduled appointments with the appropriate medical provider using PyraMED Computer systems.

· Handled a daily high volume of patient medical emergency situations and confidential patient health and insurance information in-person and over the telephone while establishing excellent problem solving and customer service skills.

· Facilitated the rehabilitation process and exercise programs of UCF Athletics division 1 multi-sport athletes alongside the team physical therapists and athletic trainers.

· Assisted the athletics team in preparation, cleaning, and maintenance of treatment items and work areas.