Melissa Sapp
Summary
Professional nurse of 32 years, known for delivering exceptional patient care and fostering collaborative team environments. Strong skills in clinical assessments, patient education, and emergency response. Reliable and adaptable, consistently meeting patient needs and contributing positively to healthcare outcomes. Demonstrates empathy, effective communication, and commitment to continuous learning.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Homecare Registered Nurse
BAYADA
Blairsville, PA
09.2024 - Current
- Caring for a young man with cerebral palsy in his home, nonverbal, and trach/vent dependent.
- Provide direct patient care, monitoring vital signs and assessing health conditions.
- Implementing infection control protocols to ensure patient safety in home environments.
- Administering medications and tube feedings and overseeing activities of daily living such as bathing and hygiene.
- Providing a variety of respiratory treatments, including CPT via vest and manual, cough assist treatments, and nebulizer treatments.
Homecare Nurse
Interim HealthCare
Pittsburgh, PA
06.2021 - Current
- Caring for an adult patient with a history of Spina Bifida and developmental delays.
- Administered medications via G/J tube and oversaw activities of daily living such as bathing, hygiene, and toileting (via straight cath).
- Took vital signs to assess patient health progress and needs.
- Respiratory care including chest physiotherapy and tracheostomy care, including suctioning, nebulizer treatments, and changing of the tracheostomy tube per policy.
- Monitoring for seizure activity.
- Providing emotional support and keeping patient engaged in play therapy and activities.
Evaluation Professional Nurse Detoxification Unit
UPMC Western Behavioral Health At Mon Yough
Somerset, PA
04.2023 - 06.2023
- Managing the nursing care needs of a group of patients with substance use issues, in both the detox and residential units.
- Assessment of medical needs, evaluation of withdrawal symptoms and subsequent management of those symptoms.
- Administration of medications per various detoxification drug protocols and evaluation of the effectiveness of such medications.
- Promoted patient comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Completing ASAM, CIWA, and COWS assessments upon admission and throughout various stages of the treatment process.
- Working collaboratively with other members of the team including other healthcare workers, counselors and residential aides, while communicating patient status changes and needs.
- Ongoing patient teaching for current treatment, various long term treatment options, and after care instructions.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations while overseeing patient admission and triaging based on acuity and appropriate department admission.
Travel Dialysis Nurse
Dialysis Clinic Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA
12.2022 - 03.2023
- Oversaw delivery of hemodialysis treatments, initiation and discontinuation, via AVF, AVG, and CVC as per policy.
- Pre and post dialysis assessments with documentation of all findings, via the Darwin Direct system.
- Continually assessing patients throughout the entire treatment process and communicating changes in patient condition to other members of the healthcare team.
- Analyzed emergency situations and took prompt action to save lives.
- Medication administration and lab specimen collection as per policy.
- Functioned as a Charge Nurse as well as a secondary nurse, covering 2 units, 17 chairs and 30 chairs.
- Provided education on medications, lab results, and treatment parameters to a diverse patient population.
- Utilized Fresenius T machines with BiBag system.
Travel Dialysis Nurse
Davita Dialysis Kidney Care
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2022 - 11.2022
- Served as a float RN, covering 13 Davita clinics in the region ranging in size from 4 chairs to 24 chairs. Assignments included managing a POD of 4 patients, serving as a floor nurse, and as a Charge Nurse.
- Oversaw delivery of hemodialysis treatments, initiation and discontinuation, via AVF. AVG, and CVC as per policy.
- Pre and post dialysis assessments with documentation of all findings, via Snappy and CWOW.
- Continually assessing patients throughout the entire treatment process and communicating changes in patient condition to other members of the healthcare team.
- Analyzed emergency situations and took prompt action to save lives.
- Medication administration and lab specimen collection as per policy.
- Provided education on medications, lab results, and treatment parameters to a diverse patient population.
- Experienced with Fresenius K and T machines.
Hemodialysis Nurse
CharDonnay Dialysis Inc. - SCI Laurel Highlands
Somerset, PA
09.2018 - 12.2021
- Oversaw administration of hemodialysis treatments, initiation and discontinuation, via AVF, AVG, and CVC as per policy, while following the protocols of the Department of Corrections.
- Pre and post dialysis assessments with documentation of findings, via Sapphire charting software.
- Continually assessing patients throughout the entire treatment process and communicating changes in patient condition to other members of the healthcare team.
- Analyzed emergency situations and took prompt action to save lives.
- Medication administration and lab specimen collection as per policy.
- Functioned as Charge Nurse in the 15 chair clinic.
- Provided education on medications, lab results, and treatment parameters to a diverse patient population, including English as a second language patients, and those with limited understanding.
- Trained on Fresenius K machines.
Hemodialysis Nurse/Charge Nurse
Dialysis Clinic Inc.
Indiana, PA
09.2017 - 09.2018
- Oversaw administration of hemodialysis treatments, initiation and discontinuation, via AVF, AVG, and CVC as per policy.
- Pre and post dialysis assessments with documentation of findings, via Darwin charting system.
- Continually assessing patients throughout the entire treatment process and communicating changes in patient condition to other members of the healthcare team.
- Analyzed emergency situations and took prompt action to save lives.
- Medication administration and lab specimen collection as per policy.
- Functioned as Charge Nurse in the 20 chair clinic.
- Provided education on medications, lab results, and treatment parameters to a diverse patient population.
- Trained on Phoenix machines.
RN Case Manager
365 Hospice
Carrolltown, PA
06.2017 - 09.2017
- Managed the care for a group of terminally ill patients, including comfort measures and symptom control.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners and verifying interventions met treatment goals.
- Created patient assessments and plans for individual home care needs.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families, while guiding them through the end of life process.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings with other members of the healthcare team.
Hemodialysis Nurse/Charge Nurse
Dialysis Clinic Inc.
Indiana, PA
04.2016 - 06.2017
- Oversaw administration of hemodialysis treatments, initiation and discontinuation, via AVF, AVG, and CVC as per policy.
- Pre and post dialysis assessments with documentation of findings, via Darwin charting system.
- Continually assessing patients throughout the entire treatment process and communicating changes in patient condition to other members of the healthcare team.
- Analyzed emergency situations and took prompt action to save lives.
- Medication administration and lab specimen collection as per policy.
- Functioned as Charge Nurse in the 20 chair clinic.
- Provided education on medications, lab results, and treatment parameters to a diverse patient population.
- Trained on Phoenix machines.
Regional Office Manager/Lead RN
Circulatory Centers Of PA
Altoona, PA
06.2010 - 04.2016
- Hired, managed, and trained staff, monitored goals, conducted performance reviews for staff.
- Oversaw appointment scheduling and itinerary coordination for both patients and personnel.
- Reviewed chart documentation to ensure alignment with insurance criteria for reimbursement.
- Oversaw the acquisition and renovation of new office spaces.
- Maintaining supply inventory and purchasing.
- Assisted in developing new EMR templates.
- First assisted the physician with EVLA procedures, including setting up a sterile field.
- Conducted initial consultations for prospective patients, obtaining medical histories and explaining treatment options.
- Sclerotherapy nurse.
- Extensive patient teaching including post procedure instructions and Lovenox self administration.
Dialysis Nurse
PDI Davita Of Johnstown
Johnstown, PA
07.2000 - 07.2010
- Cross trained to incenter hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home hemodialysis programs.
- Utilized Snappy EMR to perform duties, maintain records and prepare reports.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care during hemodialysis treatments.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Oversaw the home hemodialysis program as the program manager, selected appropriate candidates for training, as well as trained the patient and partner in the dialysis process, medication administration, lab draws, and diet.
- Supported the program manager for peritoneal dialysis with assisting in patient training sessions, lab draw clinic, and physician office visits.
- Anemia manager for both home and in center programs.
- During the Facility Administrator's absence, participated in care plan meetings and completed monthly renal network reporting.
Staff Nurse Medical/Surgical/Oncology
UPMC Lee Regional Hospital
Johnstown, PA
09.1993 - 07.2000
- Assessed patient status before, during, and after procedures to communicate abnormalities to physicians.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Educated patients and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens, disease diagnosis, prognosis, post-operative care, and pain management techniques.
- Facilitated operations of 36-bed medical-surgical floor, managing resources and directing work of nursing staff and CNAs.
- Managed caseload of 18 patients simultaneously by providing bedside care, IV therapy, and wound care.
- Administered IV medications, monitoring, and documenting patient responses to address complications.
- Performed wound care, dressing changes and NG tube placement to maintain stable patient conditions.
- Provided patient-centered discharge planning and education to reduce complications and readmissions
- Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
- Approximately 6 months experience in a 10 bed ICU/Open Heart Unit.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PA05-1993
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Innovative thinker
- Creative problem solver
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Strong work ethic
Timeline
Homecare Registered Nurse
BAYADA
09.2024 - Current
Evaluation Professional Nurse Detoxification Unit
UPMC Western Behavioral Health At Mon Yough
04.2023 - 06.2023
Travel Dialysis Nurse
Dialysis Clinic Inc.
12.2022 - 03.2023
Travel Dialysis Nurse
Davita Dialysis Kidney Care
01.2022 - 11.2022
Homecare Nurse
Interim HealthCare
06.2021 - Current
Hemodialysis Nurse
CharDonnay Dialysis Inc. - SCI Laurel Highlands
09.2018 - 12.2021
Hemodialysis Nurse/Charge Nurse
Dialysis Clinic Inc.
09.2017 - 09.2018
RN Case Manager
365 Hospice
06.2017 - 09.2017
Hemodialysis Nurse/Charge Nurse
Dialysis Clinic Inc.
04.2016 - 06.2017
Regional Office Manager/Lead RN
Circulatory Centers Of PA
06.2010 - 04.2016
Dialysis Nurse
PDI Davita Of Johnstown
07.2000 - 07.2010
Staff Nurse Medical/Surgical/Oncology
UPMC Lee Regional Hospital
09.1993 - 07.2000
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
References
Renee Powell
Sclerotherapy Nurse Circulatory Centers of PA
814-248-8112
Lee Dirienzo
Physician's Assistant Circulatory Centers of PA
Leedirienzo@hotmail.com
814-233-4517
Carolyn Lopresti
Registered Nurse/Charge Nurse DCI Indiana
Lopresti140@comcast.net
724-717-5033
Terry Poling
Registered Nurse Chardonnay Dialysis SCI Laurel Highlands
tlpRN88@yahoo.com
724-880-6276