Melissa Steffen
Etters,PA
Summary
Accomplished Physician Assistant with a proven track record at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, enhancing patient care through innovative protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration. Skilled in EMR systems and known for exceptional communication abilities. Demonstrates leadership by mentoring new staff and improving departmental standards. Fluent in Spanish, adept at time management, and committed to continuous professional development.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Physician Assistant - Trauma, Acute Care Surgery
Penn State Hershey Medical Center
08.2014 - Current
- Responds to Adult Level 1 & 2 Trauma Activations using ATLS protocol, covers Pediatric trauma activations once a week.
- First-assists in Trauma and Emergency General Surgery operations.
- Skilled in performing multiple technical procedures including insertion and removal of thoracostomy tubes, arterial/venipuncture, incision and drainage/debridement, wound vac application and removal, complex wound care and dressing application, suturing/stapling, splinting, stoma care, tracheostomy care, G/J tube management, drain care and removal.
- Manages all Trauma and Acute Care patients and consult patients (census can be upwards of 50 patients) during full course of hospitalization across multiple levels of care including pre-op consultation, acute trauma assessment, perioperative care, surgical intensive care unit, surgical intermediate care unit, floor level, and outpatient clinic.
- Independently manages all patients on APP-run trauma service- including admissions, discharges, consults, ordering and interpreting diagnostic testing and imaging, detailed physical exam, prescribing medications, inpatient rounds, coordination of referrals and follow up.
- Effectively collaborates with various healthcare professionals to optimize patient care, organize safe discharge planning and coordinate cohesive follow up or referrals for all Trauma/EGS patients.
- Enhances patient satisfaction through effective communication and empathetic bedside manner. Independently developed educational resources for staff and patients/ families.
- Serves as mentor for new Penn State Health advance practitioners, prospective/current PA students, and medical students.
- Created comprehensive onboarding process for new advanced practice providers and oriented many new providers
- Innovates and Improves Trauma and Acute Care departmental protocols to provide high-quality care that best aligns with current practice standards.
- Active member of monthly Morbidity and Mortality Meetings, performs detailed review of patient cases to present at monthly Performance/Process Improvement meetings aimed at improving quality of patient care.
- Involved in Quarterly Advanced Practice Provider meetings and Advanced Practice Grand Rounds presentations
- Participates in weekly Interdisciplinary Collaborative Forum meetings to identify areas of process improvement, maximize patient experience and to enhance communication and collaboration between nurses and providers. Lead initiatives for several new projects to improve patient safety and access to medical supplies.
Patient Care Aide
Pinnacle Health, Harrisburg Hospital
07.2011 - 04.2012
- Assisted patients on the Cardiothoracic Post-operative floor (up to 36 beds) with activities of daily living including feeding assistance, bathing, patient transport.
- Assisted nursing staff with pre-operative preparation.
- Performed vital sign checks on all patients, Recorded accurate intake and outputs, Collected and sent laboratory studies, performed EKGs, obtained blood glucose levels.
- Provided accurate and timely documentation of clinical metrics in EMR.
- Participated in regular training sessions for continuous professional growth that resulted in improved quality of patient care.
Education
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Lock Haven
Lock Haven, PA05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA05.2011
Skills
- Spanish Speaking/Writing
- Experienced in the use of various EMR systems including Cerner PowerChart, Soarian, Meditech, and others
- Self-motivated
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Adaptable to role changes across individual vs team environments
- Detail-oriented
- Highly organized
- Excels at time-management
- High level problem solving skills for managing numerous and complex patient load
Affiliations
- Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
Certification
- NCCPA Board Certified Physician Assistant, June 2014 to present
- Certified in Basic Life Support
- Certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support
- Certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Current DEA License holder
- Completed Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program Training
- Completed Central Line Insertion Training Course
- ASCM Certified Health Fitness Specialist, 2011
- Certified Patient Care Assistant- Pinnacle Health Learning Institute, 2012
- Completed Child Abuse Prevention Training
- Completed Opiate Prescribing Training
Research/Publications
-Innovation and Revision of Trauma and Acute Care Protocols—Hepatic Abscess protocol, Biliary Disease protocol, Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity protocol, Syncope in Trauma protocol
-Participation in Elderly concussion research project, data collection and organization, February 2017
-Co-author to Elderly Concussion abstract/publication(“Concussion Among the Elderly: A Silent Epidemic that is Under-
diagnosed.”)
-Research presentation on Elderly Concussion, 1/18/2017
-“IVC Filters and their Complications” presented to Trauma and EGS residents and faculty, 1/20/2015
-Participation in Trauma leadership research project, data collection/review of Trauma videos, January 2017
-Completed Honors Research Thesis in Athletic Training Research Laboratory, 2010-2011 - “The Effects of Video Game-Based Balance Training on Static Balance in Healthy Young Adults”
-Researched the post-operative outcomes of TAVI vs. open AVR surgical techniques, Fall 2013
-Examined arterial vs venous coronary artery bypass graft patency and effects on long term survival, Spring 2014
Additional Information
Professional Development:
-STOP the BLEED Certified Instructor January 2017- present
-Member of Trauma Operations Interdisciplinary Committee August 2014- present
-Member of UACT Collaborative Care committee August 2014- present
-Assists in education of Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant program through Annual Trauma Lecture and Trauma Assessment Demonstration/Simulation
-Attended Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Conference- Hollywood, FL January 2017
-Attended Chronic Pancreatitis Conference- Charleston, SC February 2018
-Attended Emergency and Urgent Care Medicine Conference- San Diego, CA October 2018
-Attended Conference on Adolescent Transition and Disaster Preparedness sponsored by The Medical Home and
American Academy of Pediatrics
Community Service:
-Provides STOP the bleed training for healthcare professionals, teachers, students and general public
-Participates in Sweet Grace Ministries events and care basket assembly for Loss parents
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Physician Assistant - Trauma, Acute Care Surgery
Penn State Hershey Medical Center
08.2014 - Current
Patient Care Aide
Pinnacle Health, Harrisburg Hospital
07.2011 - 04.2012
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Lock Haven
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology
Pennsylvania State University