Registered Nurse Practitioner
Resume:
Melanie J. Harmon, MSN, APRN, BC
Miami, Florida, 33145
********@*********.***
Highly motivated Registered Nurse and Adult Nurse Practitioner with experience in
Oncology, Geriatrics. HIV/AIDS, Wound Care, Research, Home Health Care,
Palliative Care, Hospice and Education, seeking rewarding and challenging position
in which my qualities and experience will benefit the patients, organization, and
staff.
EDUCATION
Miami Dade College 2013 –
2014
Certification in Massage Therapy Miami, Florida
University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida 2001 - 2005
Master of Science in Nursing
University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 1996 - 1998
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Miami Dade Community College, Miami, Florida. 1993 - 1995
Associates in Science in Nursing
St. Petersburg Community College
Associates in Science in Veterinary Technology 1977 - 1980
CERTIFICATIONS
Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Wound Specialist
Simulation Specialist I
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Licensed Massage Therapist
Professional Experience
Nova Southeastern University 8/2012 –
Present
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Adjunct Faculty Miami, Florida
• Adjunct faculty member working with undergraduate nursing students in selected
clinical sites.
• The instruction of Bachelor of Science nursing students with medical surgical,
cardiac, neurologic, psychiatric/mental health, oncology, diabetic, and the
orthopedic patients in selected medical facilities.
• Responsible for the teaching of skills and simulation instruction pertaining to the
level of nursing curriculum.
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• The evaluation of each student regarding didactic and clinical performance in both
lab and hospital setting.
• The assurance of detailed record keeping of each students work in clinical and
alternate clinical activities.
• Evaluation of concept mapping, other documents required for clinical and
midterm and final evaluation. Ensuring that student is kept abreast of their
progress, or need for improvement and the precise documentation of these
occurrences.
• One on one counseling of students regarding performance in clinical, and
measures for improvement if needed.
• Instructing students in the clinical setting on measures in which palliative care
may be utilized during care of the patient.
Saddleback Family and Urgent Care Medical Group 10/2013- 11/2013
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Lake Forest, California
• The conduction of clinical assessments for Medicare Advantage Patients in the
clinic setting through a preventive health care initiative.
• Thorough history and physical examination, identifying the existing and potential
disease processes affecting the health and well being of the patient.
• Addressing laboratory results, BMI, neurologic, and vascular status to assess
patients’ need for follow up with specialists.
• The review of medications, depression screening, and nutrition screening of
patients in which potential changes may lead to improvements in patients quality
of life and of disease process.
• Developing a plan of care from the history and physical assessment, self-reported
and identified findings. From this, ordering pertinent labs follow up exams with
specialist, primary care physician, to ensure patient is guided to have the optimum
health care for the diagnoses identified.
• The documentation of Hierarchical Conditions Categories as per Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• This was a temporary assignment due to the necessity of addressing attestation
data needing completion for reimbursement purposes.
Catholic Hospice (per diem) 8/2012 – 11/2013
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Miami Lakes, Florida
• The understanding of the guidelines for determining Hospice Eligibility based on
2010 data from Local Coverage Determination (LCDs) as outlined by Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
• The conduction of a face to face encounter in the patient’s home, hospital setting,
assisted living facilities, and other sites to determine whether patient meets
criteria for continued hospice services.
• The utilization of the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS), New York Heart
Association, (NYHA), and Functional Assessment and Staging (FAST) as criteria
for judgment of eligibility.
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• The dictation of findings from patient examination into the system as to whether
the patient maintains hospice eligibility.
• Guiding patient through palliative care measures, which may improve the quality
of life through the hospice period.
Matrix Home Health Care (per diem) 3/2004 - Present
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/ Registered Nurse Coral Gables, Florida
• Treatment and assessment of oncology patients, with lumpectomy, radical
mastectomy, urinary diversions, colostomy care and teaching of disease process.
• Assessment of fracture care and assessment and teaching of potential
complications.
• The treatment of patients in the home setting with post-surgical incisions and
wounds.
• Assessment, teaching and care of the diabetic and cardiac patient.
• Supervisory assessments for recommendation of home health aide, physical
therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation therapy, as well as the assessment of
continuation of services.
• Treat a variety of wounds care with incision assessment and care, to include wet
to dry dressings, wound vac therapy, and surgical wound management.
• Care of the patient in the home setting requiring nursing services with intravenous
infusion of antibiotics, steroids, and Total Parental Nutrition administration as
well as the administration of colony stimulating factors.
• Care and teaching of the patient in palliative care and end of life counseling for
both patient and family member.
Miami Dade College (per diem) 1/2008 – 12/2013
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Adjunct Faculty Miami, Florida
• Adjunct faculty member working with nursing students in Miami Dade College
selected hospital sites for clinical rotations teaching fundamentals, medical
surgical, advanced medical surgical, psychiatric, and leadership classes.
• The monitoring of telemetry patients in medical surgical and cardiac setting and
guiding the student to provide optimal care.
• The direct care of the patient with kidney, liver, intestinal transplants, and the
teaching and guidance of proper care and skill to ensure the student provides the
proper care to ensure the health and safety of the patient at medical facilities:
• University of Miami Hospital and Clinics: Fundamentals, Medical Surgical I and
II working with patients with liver, dermatologic and cardiac conditions.
• Jackson Memorial Hospital: The care of the psychiatric patient in crisis. This
included the patient admitted for chemical impairment, crisis stabilization and
rehabilitation; court ordered admission, patient directed admission, schizophrenia,
impulse control disorder, bipolar disorder, as well as patients with dual disorders.
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• Jackson Memorial Hospital: The care of the medical surgical patient in the
fundamental setting, medical surgical, advanced medical surgical setting working
with neurologic, transplant, and medical surgical patients.
• Mount Sinai Medical Center: Advanced medical surgical patients, Leadership
clinicals with students in the ICU, CCU, ED, OB, Cardiac Cath and OR.
• Baptist Health Systems: Advanced medical surgical clinical working with patients
with oncologic disorders.
• The teaching of curriculum courses to include skills, and health assessment.
University of Miami Clinical Research Center 8/2010 – 1/2011
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner / Nurse Specialist Miami, Florida
• The direct care of the research participant in clinical trials.
• The assurance of all preparation to guarantee that participant is eligible to
complete testing for procedure.
• The direct hands-on care of participants during mixed meal tests, Glomerular
Filtration Rate tests, to participants with islet cell transplantation, and the follow
up research required meeting protocol guidelines.
• The infusion of oral and intravenous investigational medications with
pharmacokinetic studies for patients with ulcerative colitis, crohns disease and
HIV positive women.
• Health assessments which include, anthropometric measurements,
electrocardiograms, bioelectrical impedance testing and the cross training to
processing of blood, saliva and urine samples required for study
University of Miami 6/2007 - 8/2010
M. Christine Schwartz Center for Nursing and Health Studies Coral Gables, Florida
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner-Clinical Nurse Specialist II/Nurse
Educator
• Health assessment practical instructor for fundamental and advanced nursing
students.
• Excellent health assessment skills.
• The instruction of adult medical/surgical clinical groups each semester in a
designated University of Miami clinical site.
• The integration of the use of patient simulation scenarios, virtual reality and
computer based learning systems into the education and competency development
of junior and senior nursing students.
• Trouble shooting of simulation equipment before during and after clinical
scenarios.
• Conducting tours to prospective students, and visitors utilizing both simulation
equipment as well as knowledge of curriculum during undergraduate students.
• Preparing the laboratory for scenarios maintaining strict adherence to the most
realistic setting.
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• The supervision of the adult skills learning lab, which includes working with
faculty and administrative support staff to develop learning laboratory programs.
University of Miami/Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (per diem) 1/2007 - 6/2007
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Miami, Florida
• Interviewed and completed health history, reports and complete physical exams to
patients who are to receive clearance for surgery for eye, ear, skin, and
musculoskeletal conditions.
• Conducted cross training to employee health to identify and provide staff with
current health status documentation, administering PPD, Hepatitis vaccination and
titer evaluation, as well as addressing of staff emergencies.
• University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer 6/2006 - 12/2006
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Miami, Florida
• Achieved clinical expertise working with patients with breast cancers
• Responsible for completing history and physical, diagnosing by clinical evidence,
laboratory tests, diagnostic scans, etc.
• The admission and discharge of patients while receiving chemotherapy/hydration,
antibiotics, antifungal, and antiviral agents.
• Prescribing prophylactic antibiotics granulocyte colony stimulator factors, anti-
anemia, and anti-nausea medications. Addressing all of patient’s side effects of
treatment and prescribing appropriate therapy. In addition, cross training to
esophageal gastric malignancies, head and neck malignancies, and melanoma.
• Addressing the palliative care needs of patients undergoing chemotherapy
regimens, radiation therapy and surgery.
• The management and supervision of staff in the medical setting to ensure that
patients were attended to in a timely fashion.
University of Miami 3/2003 – 6/2006
Nurse Specialist II Miami, Florida
• Clinical Trials nurse working primarily with breast cancer patients.
• Responsibilities included screening patients for clinical trials, obtaining informed
consent, ensuring eligibility criteria are met, following patient throughout clinical
trial and follow up. This included meeting with pharmaceutical representatives
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and clinical research associates to ensure all data is obtained and entered correctly
and in a timely fashion.
• In addition, submitting pathology, processing of lab specimens and assessing for
adverse events.
• Provided clinical coverage for head and neck gene therapy clinical trial including
the education of the comprehensive treatment unit, melanoma, and hematology
coverage, to include assessing adverse events, laboratory values, and scans.
• Devised paper document to be utilized for obtaining pertinent information
regarding patients’ diagnosis.
• The direct management and supervision of the clinical coordinator, laboratory
personnel, registered nurses and medical assistants in the timely management of
the care of each patient.
• Ensuring the palliative care management of each and every patient under my care
undergoing the initial screening process, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy
and follow up.
University Of Miami 7/ 2002 –3/2003
Nurse Specialist Miami, Florida
• Nurse specialist performing euglycemic clamp, administering drug dosages,
regulating insulin and glucose, monitoring glycemic status, performing ECG’s,
phlebotomy, urinalysis for toxicology screening, performing HBA1C, basic
maintenance to YSI, scheduling subjects for baseline and follow up visits.
• The recruitment of subjects with strict adherence to the inclusion and exclusion
criteria.
• The management and supervision of staff during the initial and follow up status of
each and every patient in clinical trial.
• Guidance to the patient and family regarding the palliative care due to the disease
process of disease process while following protocol guidelines.
Vencor Hospital (Per Diem) 10/1999 – 1/2001
Registered Nurse Coral Gables, Florida
• The care of high acuity patients monitoring and assessing respiratory status of
patients dependent on ventilators.
• Performed tracheostomy care, suctioning, cleaning and care of trachea site.
• The administration of intravenous medications via peripheral and central lines.
• Assessing for infection as this was common for these patients.
• Performed extensive wound care, enteral tube feedings and ensuring that patient
obtained care needed for MRSA, VRE infections.
• Assessment and teaching of palliative care and end of life issues with patient and
family members.
• The supervision and management of ancillary personnel working with the patients
under my care.
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University of Miami 3/1999 - 7/2002
Registered Nurse II Miami, Florida
• Lead nurse working with HIV positive and AIDS patients on research protocols.
• Responsible for enrolling patients into research protocols, meeting all criteria for
patient’s eligibility, and following all regulations for entrance into study.
• Screen patient for eligibility into each study.
• The primary care of patients including referral to appropriate authority, and pre
and posttest counseling for HIV testing.
• The assurance of palliative care measures for patient undergoing treatment for
HIV and AIDS.
• The management and supervision of medical assistants, laboratory personnel, and
clinical coordinators to ensure that all work with patient and clinical trial had been
completed appropriately.
Mercy Hospital 10/1997 –3/1999
Registered Nurse Miami, Florida
• Staff nurse performing nursing care in acute care setting primarily with patients
with pulmonary, cardiac, cancer, diabetic and AIDS conditions.
• Responsible for all aspects of patient’s care, including collaboration with
additional medical and support staff to achieve optimum outcome concerning
patient.
• Ensuring that each patient under my care was offered palliative care during his or
her care.
• The management and supervision of the patient care technician, laboratory staff,
pharmacy, and other staff to ensure patients’ care was addressed as outlined in the
plan of care.
Maxim Healthcare 3/1997 -
10/1999
Registered Nurse Miami, Florida
• Lead nurse working with children that require nursing care while attending public
school.
• Responsibilities included assessment of vital signs, seizure precautions, enteral
tube feedings, monitoring blood sugars, respiratory treatments and care of
tracheostomy, catheterization for urination, and administration of prescribed
medications.
• Participated in public flu and pneumonia vaccination program.
• The supervision of staff during the flu and pneumonia vaccination program.
West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital 6/1996 – 10/1997
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Registered Nurse Miami, Florida
• Contributed to the health and safety of the geriatric patient while addressing the
patient’s psychosocial issues.
• Performed nursing care for patients with total hip and knee replacement,
recovering stroke patients, and patients with need of in-patient physical and
occupational therapy.
• The supervision and management of ancillary personnel working with patient
under my care.
• Instituting palliative care during the care and treatment of each patient.
RESEARCH RELATED AND CLINICAL COURSES
Aromatherapy in Ayurveda: Monique Blake, Being in Touch, Inc. Association of
Ayurvedic Professionals of North America teleconference March 1, 2014.
Oncology Massage Therapy. Caring for patients with Cancer. Tracy Walton and
Associates. Educating Hands School of Massage, Miami, Florida. January 2014.
Pranayama-Ayurvedic tool for Cancer. Vaida Ashlesha Raut 115th Association of
Ayuryedic Professionals of North America teleconference. November 20, 2013.
Reducing Risk in the Acute Coronary Syndrome Patient. Insights for Primary Care
Clinicians. Primed Webcast. October 26, 2013.
Biomarkers and the Complex Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: Amyloid-PET Imaging
in Clinical Practice. Med Learning Group. Miami Beach, Florida. October 12, 2013.
Practicing Clinicians EXCHANGE, (PCE) Symposia Series 1.
www.practicingclinicians.com
University of Nebraska Medical Center. Miami Beach, Florida, March 11, 2013.
NDNQI Pressure Ulcer Training IV American Nurses Association, Center for Continuing
Education and Professional Development. August 22, 2012.
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School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Certification. College Training
& Development (CTD) Miami Dade College. Miami, Florida November 30- January 31,
2012.
Optimizing Outcomes in Type II Diabetes, New paradigms and Evolving Strategies, A
Year 2012 Update. CMEducation Resources, LLC and the University of Massachusetts
Medical School, (UMMS). Miami, Florida May 12, 2012.
Telemetry Basic Certification: American Heart Association “Guidelines for Resuscitation
International Resuscitation Committee. http://www.examcenter911.com. October 12,
2011.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course, TEAMHealth Educational Institute, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. Mercy Hospital, June 22, 2011.
Advanced Wound Management Certification Course, Wound Educators.com, LLC.
Great River, New York, Web Based. January 2011.
Etiology and Interventions of Pressure Ulcers, Kinetic Concepts, Inc (KCI) Wound Care
Education Program. San Antonio, Texas, Web Based. December 26, 2010
Assessment and Documentation of Pressure Ulcers. Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI’s)
Wound Care Education Program. San Antonio, Texas, Web based, December 26, 2010.
Female Sexual Dysfunction: Breaking down barriers in screening, recognizing, and
treating Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. University of Massachusetts Medical School
and Strategically Speaking, Inc., Miami, Florida, November 14, 2010.
Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and Practices when managing clinical trials
teleconference. Johnson and Johnson, October 29, 2010.
Strategies toward the Perfect Care of the Cardiovascular Patient. Medical Education
Resources (MER) and Med Meetings. Ft Lauderdale, Florida, October 16, 2010.
Gerontological Seminar, Advanced Practice Management of the Elder Client. University
of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. December 9, 2009.
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative course in the Protection of Human Research
Subjects Curriculum Refresher Course, University of Miami. April 27, 2009.
Intensive Geriatric Training 2008. Miami Area Geriatric Education Center (MAGEC),
Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami VA Geriatric Research,
Education and Clinical Center. Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center. July 21-
23, 2008
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2008 Stroke Update, Joan K. Stout Nurses Training Program. Michael S. Gordon Center
for Research in Medical Education. University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Miami, Florida April 25, 2008.
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction and Type 2 Diabetes; From Research to Clinical Practice.
Joslin Diabetes Center, Miami, Florida May 1, 2007.
Thirty-Ninth Annual Teaching Conference in Clinical Cardiology & Neurology, a
Practical Update for Primary Healthcare Providers. University of Miami School of
Medicine. Miami, Florida January 26-27 2007.
Challenging Cases for Mid-Level Practitioners in Oncology, NMCR. Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania October 28, 2006.
Fourth Annual Thoracic and GI Conference, University of Miami. Miami Beach, Florida
July 7th and 8th, 2006.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support, University of Miami. Miami, Florida March 4th and
5th, 2006.
23rd Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference. Miami Cancer Conference, Inc and
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine. Miami Beach, Florida. February 23-25th, 2006.
Radiation Oncology for the oncology patient. University of Miami, Jan 4th and 5th 2006.
Miami, Florida
Year 2005 Cardiovascular Disease Update: Applying Evidence to Practice, the
Specialist’s Perceptive. Thompson American Health Consultants. Miami, Florida
December 4, 2005
Alzheimer’s Disease Update2005 – Current Advances in Patient Evaluation, Clinical
Staging, and Pharmacologic Management of Alzheimer’s disease. Thompson American
Health Consultants. Miami, Florida October 9, 2005
15th Annual Hematology/Oncology Reviews – State of the Art Treatment of
Hematology/Oncology Disorders. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Amelia Island, Florida, July 26-30, 2005
Cancer Chemotherapy Course, Oncology Nursing Society. University of Miami,
July17th - July 18, 2003.
Clinical Research Coordinator’s Workshop, Bristol Myers Squibb, Miami, Florida,
April 23, 2003.
Introduction to Clinical Trials Management in Oncology, City of Hope National Medical
Center, Duarte, California February 24-28, 2003.
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HIPAA, Association of Clinical Research Professionals, University of Miami,
January 27, 2003
ACTG Regional Data Management Training Overview of Regulatory and Good Clinical
Practices. University of Miami, AIDS Clinical Research Unit, August 16, 2003.
AFFILIATIONS
Florida State Massage Therapy Association
Oncology Nursing Society
American Heart Association
Field Representative ACTG
Sigma Theta Tau International
La Leche League
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative CITI
American Nurses Association
State Emergency Responders and Volunteers of Florida Registry (SERFL)
Florida Medical Reserve Corps Network (MRC) Volunteer
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