Melissa Heidbrink
Owensville,MO
Summary
Accomplished Registered Nurse with over 25 years of expertise in oncology care and patient navigation. Adept at leading care coordination and guiding high-risk patients through complex treatment pathways. Strong leader in patient advocacy, enhancing communication among multidisciplinary teams to improve care delivery. Experienced in managing insurance authorizations and optimizing clinical documentation for better patient outcomes.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse Navigator – High-Risk Breast Program
Mercy South
St. Louis, MO
02.2025 - Current
- Led nurse navigation for newly launched high-risk breast program, enhancing patient engagement and care coordination.
- Utilized risk assessment models to identify high-risk patients, streamlining treatment processes with multidisciplinary teams.
- Educated patients on program services, ensuring understanding of scheduled consultations and follow-up care.
- Maintained clinical data to support patient outcomes and program effectiveness in the High-Risk Clinic.
- Ordered imaging studies and managed pre-authorizations, improving efficiency in patient care.
Radiation Oncology Nurse
Mercy Radiation Oncology
Washington, MO
10.2009 - 02.2025
- Coordinated care among radiation oncologists, physicians, and radiation therapists to enhance safety and efficiency of treatment delivery.
- Performed comprehensive assessments and developed individualized nursing care plans.
- Managed referrals, insurance authorizations, and benefit verification to facilitate timely treatment initiation for patients.
- Educated patients and families on radiation therapy, side-effect management, and treatment expectations.
- Maintained accurate clinical documentation and ensured adherence to regulatory and organizational standards.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes and ensure continuity of care.
Office Nurse (RN)
James J. Bass, MD
Rolla, MO
08.2007 - 08.2009
- Conducted patient assessments and triage to ensure timely care in busy physician practice.
- Reviewed diagnostic results to assist providers in developing effective treatment plans.
- Assisted with minor procedures, medication administration, and patient education.
- Monitored vital signs and maintained complete, accurate medical records.
- Coordinated referrals and communicated with patients and healthcare providers to facilitate seamless care.
MDS Coordinator / Assistant Director of Nursing / Staff RN
Frene Valley Healthcare South
Owensville, MO
02.2002 - 07.2007
- Advanced from Staff RN to Assistant Director of Nursing, then promoted to MDS Coordinator.
- Managed Minimum Data Set (MDS) process, ensuring accurate assessments and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Reviewed nursing documentation, coordinating interdisciplinary care planning to enhance resident outcomes.
- Supported quality improvement initiatives, optimizing reimbursement through precise clinical documentation and adherence to best practices.
- Assisted with daily nursing operations, staffing, and resident care management.
- Ensured compliance with state and federal long-term care regulations.
Staff Nurse – Medical/Surgical Unit
St. John’s Mercy Hospital
Washington, MO
04.2001 - 02.2002
- Provided comprehensive medical-surgical nursing care to enhance recovery of adult patients.
- Collaborated with physicians and multidisciplinary teams to create tailored care plans improving patient outcomes.
- Administered medications, monitored patient conditions, and documented clinical findings.
- Educated patients and families on treatments and discharge instructions to ensure understanding and compliance.
- Supported safe transitions through pre-operative, surgical, and post-operative care.
Skills
- Oncology nursing
- Care coordination and referral management
- Patient assessment, triage, education and advocacy
- Insurance preauthorization and verification
- Multidisciplinary communication and team collaboration
- Nurse navigation
- Clinical documentation and EMR systems
- Clinical coding
- Clinical data tracking
- MDS coordination
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Goldfarb College of Nursing, St. Louis, MO
- Associate of Science in Nursing, Jewish Hospital College of Nursing, St. Louis, MO
- Registered Nurse (RN) since 02/13/2001, Compact Multistate License
Timeline
Nurse Navigator – High-Risk Breast Program
Mercy South
02.2025 - Current
Radiation Oncology Nurse
Mercy Radiation Oncology
10.2009 - 02.2025
Office Nurse (RN)
James J. Bass, MD
08.2007 - 08.2009
MDS Coordinator / Assistant Director of Nursing / Staff RN
Frene Valley Healthcare South
02.2002 - 07.2007
Staff Nurse – Medical/Surgical Unit
St. John’s Mercy Hospital
04.2001 - 02.2002