Case Manager RN, BCPA, Guardian Advocate

Melissa Knowles, RN, BS, BCPA

West Palm Beach, FL 561-***-**** **********@*****.***

Professional Summary

Highly qualified and empathetic Registered Nurse with over 5 years of experience in care coordination and patient advocacy, now seeking a dedicated Case Manager role. Expert in navigating complex healthcare systems, developing individualized care plans, and facilitating seamless patient transitions. As a Board Certified Patient Advocate

(BCPA), combines deep clinical knowledge with strategic resource management to address social determinants of health and improve patient outcomes. Proven ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Certifications & Qualifications

● Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA)

● Registered Nurse (RN), Active License Florida/Compact

● Certified Guardian Advocate

● Lean Six Sigma- Yellow Belt Certification (08/2024)

● Advanced Clinical Research Coordinator Certification (ACRCC)

● ICH-GCP Certification (2025)

● Basic Life Support (BLS) & Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

● EKG Certification (2023)

● "STOP THE BLEED" Champion (9/2023)

● Notary Public (exp. 11/2028)

● Certificate of Achievement for Florida Public and Professional Guardian Key Skills & Competencies

● Care Management & Case Coordination: Needs Assessment, Discharge Planning, Transitional Care

● Patient Advocacy: Rights, Navigation, Education, and Healthcare Accessibility

● Clinical & Compliance: Chronic Disease Management, HIPAA, and Regulatory Compliance

● Communication & Collaboration: Interdisciplinary Team Coordination, Crisis Intervention, Counseling

● Electronic Health Records (EMR/EHR): CPRS, VISTA, My HealtheVet, JLV

● Quality Improvement: Utilization Review, Data Analysis, and Performance Optimization

Professional Experience

Registered Nurse Care Coordinator & Patient Advocate (01/2023 – 01/2025)

● Provided comprehensive case management services by assessing patient needs, developing personalized care plans, and coordinating services across healthcare settings.

● Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to address social determinants of health and implement effective strategies, contributing to a reduction in hospital readmissions.

● Educated and counseled patients and their families on care navigation, self-management, and access to critical community resources.

● Advocated for patients with complex medical conditions by liaising with providers and ensuring adherence to care plans, improving patient outcomes.

● Managed seamless transitions of care by implementing discharge planning strategies for patients moving from acute care to home health or long-term care.

● Maintained detailed and confidential case records, ensuring 100% compliance with HIPAA and patient rights regulations.

Wellpath Healthcare – Main Detention Facility, West Palm Beach, FL Registered Nurse (PRN) Care Management & Advocacy (12/2022 – 08/2023)

● Managed care for a vulnerable population, ensuring access to necessary medical and mental health services for incarcerated individuals.

● Assisted with detox protocols and chronic disease management, advocating for ethical and patient-centered treatment plans.

● Reduced healthcare disparities for a diverse population by providing expert care management and advocacy.

Women's Health Clinical Associate (PACT) (10/2007 – 01/2023)

● Advocated for women’s health by managing and tracking access to critical screenings and prenatal care, improving preventive health compliance.

● Coordinated care and follow-up for gynecological procedures, ensuring timely medical intervention for abnormal test results.

● Developed and maintained patient tracking systems to optimize follow-up care and enhance preventive care adherence.

Education

● Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts, Excelsior University, NY

● Associate of Science in Nursing, International College of Health Science, FL

● Practical Nursing Diploma, Palm Beach State College, FL

● Patient Care Technician Diploma, Palm Beach State College, FL Awards & Honors

● Daisy Award Nominee (2023, 2022)

● Certificate of Achievement for Nursing Education (2023) Professional Affiliations

● Board-Certified Patient Advocates (BCPA) Network

● American Nurses Association (ANA)

● Mental Health Association of Central Florida

● Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Nursing Network

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