Melissa Merten
Olympia,WA
Summary
Registered Nurse with experience providing comprehensive health care and case management within correctional and school settings. Skilled in coordinating transitional and population-based health services that align with Washington State’s Medicaid Transformation goals to improve continuity, access, and health equity.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse 2, Juvenile Corrections
Department of Children Youth and Families- Green Hill School
Chehalis, WA
07.2023 - Current
- Medical Assessment & Care Coordination: Conduct real-time medical assessments and make independent clinical decisions for incarcerated youth, initiating standing orders, recommending treatment plans, and coordinating care with on-site and off-site medical and psychiatric providers. Assist in timely, effective discharge planning, including the implementation of physician discharge orders, and continuing care orders.
- Staff Training & Development: Taught and certified over 200 staff members in CPR and First Aid. Lead Medical for Non-Medical Staff training during New Employee Orientations, providing guidance on the Holistic Health Program at Green Hill, including partnering with nurses during medication passes, helping residents access health services, managing first aid needs, and responding to urgent and emergency medical situations. Streamlined psychiatric clinic operations during the transition from a part-time psychiatrist to two full-time psychiatric nurse practitioners by collaborating on developing clinic flow processes and training providers on physician-level medication ordering and treatment practices.
- I attended the 2024 National Conference on Correctional Health Care, shared actionable insights with the team, and supported triennial audit preparation, contributing to continued accreditation.
- Policy & Program Support: Helped develop policies and procedures for the Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) program, including educating residents and staff on medication options. Coordinate care with parole officers and counselors for reentry and recommitments due to parole violations. Provide staff education on OUD and MOUD, serve as a member of the Med/SUD MOUD Collaborative team providing updates and recommendations, and represent the Health Center and nursing staff as part of the Big GHAT Charter.
- Educate and counsel residents: Conduct bi-monthly trainings for participants in SMART cohorts, teaching bloodborne pathogens and Comprehensive Sexual Health Education, aligned with the Washington State OSPI curriculum. Counsel residents on medical and mental health care to promote self-care, health literacy, and informed decision-making.
- Collaborate across disciplines to ensure continuity and quality of pediatric care. Partner with physicians, psychiatrists, and interdisciplinary teams to implement treatment plans, educate youth on self-care and medication adherence, and communicate care needs to non-medical staff—ensuring safe, ethical, and developmentally appropriate care delivery.
- Perform a wide range of clinical interventions, including EKG interpretation, wound care, medication administration (oral, IM, subcutaneous—including OUD treatment), withdrawal management, venipuncture and lab collection, structured suicide risk assessment, behavioral safety planning, immunizations, respiratory therapies, rapid diagnostic testing, IV support, and pain assessment.
Registered Nurse, School
Tumwater School District
Tumwater, WA
11.2021 - 01.2024
- Managed complex student health needs: Oversaw care for 100+ students with life-threatening conditions, including seizure disorders, severe allergies, severe asthma, and medical fragility. Ensured individualized health plans were implemented and regularly updated to maintain safety and continuity of care.
- Staff Training & Delegation: Trained and supervised three health assistants and educated over 125 staff across three schools on emergency response, medication administration, and implementing individualized health plans, improving school-wide preparedness and student safety.
- Care Coordination and Collaboration: Partnered with school counselors, psychiatrists, parents, outside providers, and educators on 504 plans and IEP development. Coordinated referrals and follow-up care with families and community providers to address physical, developmental, and emotional health needs.
- Regulatory Compliance and Health Monitoring: Ensured immunization compliance and adherence to OSPI standards. Conducted vision and hearing screenings, communicable disease assessments, and maintained accurate documentation to meet state and district regulations.
- Program Development & Health Promotion: Designed and implemented school-wide health initiatives, emergency action plans, and preventive health programs, enhancing student health literacy and early intervention outcomes.
- Partner with the Washington State Department of Health to provide staff training on naloxone administration, aligning with OSPI’s Opioid-Related Overdose Policy Guidelines and Training in the School Setting; as a result, over 80% of teachers elected to keep Narcan available in their classrooms following the training.
- Managed COVID-19 prevention and response protocols for approximately 1,300 students in accordance with Thurston County Public Health & Social Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, including screening procedures, isolation protocols, contact tracing, staff/student education, and family communications.
Registered Nurse, Case Manager
Signature Home Health and Hospice
Federal Way, WA
06.2021 - 12.2021
- Conducted comprehensive assessments and coordinated individualized care plans for diverse home health and hospice patients, reducing hospital readmissions, and supporting smooth transitions across care settings—working with Medicaid and Medicare.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, medication adherence, and safety strategies to promote self-management, and health equity within underserved populations.
- Delivered high-acuity nursing interventions and collaborated closely with interdisciplinary teams, demonstrating clinical expertise, adaptability, and adherence to evolving public health, and Medicaid standards.
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Mary Bridge Children's
Tacoma, WA
08.2014 - 12.2020
- Provided critical, age-specific care to pediatric patients with life-threatening conditions, including post-operative cardiac, neurological, and trauma cases, while continuously monitoring and interpreting vital signs, ventilator settings, and invasive line readings to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Collaborated closely with multidisciplinary teams and families to develop and implement individualized care plans, delivering comprehensive education and emotional support to caregivers navigating complex pediatric illnesses and interventions.
- Responded swiftly to pediatric emergencies and code situations, expertly administering life-saving interventions, medications, and advanced airway management, while maintaining calm, precise clinical judgment in high-pressure scenarios.
Registered Nurse, Corrections
Health Care Delivery Services
Olympia, WA
07.2013 - 08.2014
- Provided independent nursing assessment, triage, and protocol-driven care for urgent and chronic conditions in a high-volume, resource-limited correctional setting, demonstrating strong clinical judgment and prioritization.
- Delivered comprehensive, patient-centered care, including wound management, medication administration, and health education, to promote adherence and reduce escalation of care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams and external partners to coordinate holistic, culturally competent care for a diverse population.
Education
CPR/ First Aide - Instructor
American Heart Association
CPR Seattle Alignment CenterAssociate of Applied Science (AAS) - Nursing
Centralia College
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Nursing
Saint Martin's University
Master of Science - Nursing Education (MSN)
Western Governors University
Timeline
Registered Nurse 2, Juvenile Corrections
Department of Children Youth and Families- Green Hill School
07.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse, School
Tumwater School District
11.2021 - 01.2024
Registered Nurse, Case Manager
Signature Home Health and Hospice
06.2021 - 12.2021
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Mary Bridge Children's
08.2014 - 12.2020
Registered Nurse, Corrections
Health Care Delivery Services
07.2013 - 08.2014
CPR/ First Aide - Instructor
American Heart Association
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Nursing
Centralia College
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Nursing
Saint Martin's University
Master of Science - Nursing Education (MSN)
Western Governors University