Get on the path to results today.
Get on the path to results today.
I started out as a receptionist in a law firm. Within weeks I moved into a legal assistance position and fell in love with litigation. I went to school to obtain my paralegal degree. Throughout my 20 years as a paralegal, I worked for both plaintiff and defense firms. I also worked in-house for Dow Chemical in their Litigation department. I greatly enjoyed working up a case and getting ready for trial. I decided to go back to school and obtain my BSN. My goal was always to marry my two professions and become a Legal Nurse Consultant. I have worked on several areas (PCU, clinical research, med surge, insurance and endoscopy) all while working per diem as a contract nurse paralegal. I now find myself at a point in my career where I want to fully focus on my legal nurse consultant business. I recently went back to school for Life Care Planning and obtained my certification as a Nurse Life Care Planner. As both a RN and paralegal, I can bring my vast knowledge base of the law and medical field to the table to assist my clients.
Professional Experience
LEGAL NURSE EMPLOYMENT
MELISSA SIMS, Legal Nurse Consultant
June, 2015 - present
Contract nurse paralegal assignments in medical malpractice, personal injury, toxic tort and product liability cases including intake, case screenings, medical chronologies, clinical research, drafting of pleadings and discovery. Nurse Life Care plans and cost projections.
LEGAL SEARCH, Philadelphia, PA
Nurse Paralegal, July, 2014 – June, 2015
Contract nurse paralegal assignments. Perform client intake, review and summarize medical records, conduct medical research and assist counsel with litigation.
NURSING EMPLOYMENT
HEALTHPARK MEDICAL CENTER, Fort Myers
Endoscopy RN, March, 2022 – November, 2022
· Pre-op nurse: Assesses and prepares patients for surgery safely and in a timely manner, communicating findings with appropriate medical staff, and assures continuity of care and patient confidentiality
· Procedure nurse: Prepare the endoscopy room according to endoscopic procedure requirements. Assists physicians with Intra-op care during procedures. Assist the doctor during endoscopic procedures by performing polypectomies, biopsies, dilation, banding, clipping and cauterization,
· PACU nurse: Assess patient’s preoperative and postoperative status at intervals according to facility or health care organization policies and procedures.
Horizon NJ Health, Pennington, NJ
Registered Nurse. PCA/MDC RN I, Nurse Case Manager July, 2019 – March, 2022
• Assesses patient's clinical need against established guidelines and/or standards to ensure that the services provided are medically appropriate to members needs and aligned with benefit structure.
• Evaluates the necessity, appropriateness and efficiency of service provided.
• Develops, coordinates and assists in implementation of services to meet the needs of the members.
• Coordinates with patient, family, physician, hospital and other external customers with respect to the appropriateness of care from diagnosis to outcome.
• Monitors patient's medical care activities, regardless of the site of service, and outcomes for appropriateness and effectiveness.
• Advocates for the member/family among various sites to coordinate resource utilization and evaluation of services provided.
INSPIRA MEDICAL CENTER, Vineland, NJ
Registered Nurse. Medical Surge May, 2018 – July, 2019
· Provide patient care to five to seven patients
· Perform assessments; medication administration
· Collaborate daily with physicians and health care team to achieve optimum patient care.
SIDNEY KIMMEL CANCER CENTER AT JEFFERSON, MEDICAL ONCOLOGY, Philadelphia, PA
Clinical Research Nurse, August, 2016 – May, 2018
· Provides study coordination for assigned malignant cutaneous and uveal melanoma oncology trials (Phases 1-III)
· Liaison between study sponsors and investigators in role of study representative
· Conducts eligibility screening interviews over the phone and/or in person
· Conduct study patient visits per protocol, including screening and follow-up visits, data collection and entry, specimen collection, and other study activities
RECOVERY CENTERS OF AMERICA, Mays Landing, NJ
Pool Nurse, October, 2015 – April, 2016
· Addiction recovery, detox and rehab
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF ENDOCRINIOLOGY, Philadelphia, PA
Clinical Research Nurse, March, 2016 – July, 2016
· Coordinates the conduction of diabetes clinical trials.
· Manages all aspects of conducting clinical trials. Acts as the primary resource for the protocols.
· Liaison between the investigators, primary care providers, institutional review board (IRB), the sponsor and hospital administration.
· Ensures patients are screened, enrolled and monitored necessary, ensuring protocol compliance.
· Responsible for data collection, data entry and adverse experience reporting. In addition, works with the sponsor and hospital administration on study budgets and contracts.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES, Camden, NJ
Registered Nurse, Progressive Care Unit, July, 2015 – July, 2016
· The majority of admissions include Acute Coronary Syndrome, Congestive Heart Failure, Liver Failure, Sepsis, NSTEMI, Exacerbation of COPD, Acute/Chronic Renal Failure.
PARALEGAL EMPLOYMENT
THE DOW CHECICAL COMPANY, Philadelphia, PA
Sr. Paralegal for Litigation, Ethics & Compliance and Corporate Governance, July, 2008 – December, 2011
Responsible for all phases of litigation involving the Company; Corporate Secretary management of entities and sub entities; and management and administration of compliance programs through the Corporate Governance.
KLINE & SPECTER, Philadelphia, PA
Senior Paralegal, June, 2007 – July, 2008
Plaintiff litigation support for medical malpractice and catastrophic cases.
RAWLE & HENDERSON, LLP, Philadelphia, PA
Paralegal, September, 2001 – June, 2007
Defense litigation support for medical malpractice, catastrophic injury and insurance matters.
MATTIONI, MATTIONI & MATTIONI LAW OFFICE, Philadelphia, PA
Paralegal, June, 1993 – September, 2001
Plaintiff litigation support for medical malpractice , personal injury MVA, slip and fall, catastrophic cases, maritime matters, aviation, workers compensation, product liability, and wrongful termination
License
Registered Professional Nurse, New Jersey - 26NR17675400
Registered Professional Nurse, Pennsylvania - RN666959
Registered Professional Nurse, Florida - RN9576522
Education
FIG Education
Nurse Life Care Planning, April 2023
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING, Camden, New Jersey
Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program
May 2013 –August 2014 - Magna Cum Laude, 3.844 GPA
Honors: The Honor Society of Nursing Sigma Theta Tau International, Omicron Pi Chapter, 2014
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, Camden, New Jersey
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, May 2007 - Magna Cum Laude, 3.829 GPA
Honors: Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, 2007
Athenaeum Honor Society at Rutgers University, 2006
American Center for Technical Arts & Sciences, Philadelphia, PA
Certificate in Paralegal Studies February, 1996
Certificates and Certifications
ACLS
PALS
BLS
Certified Nurse Life Care Planner - CNLCP, LCP-C (2023)
Copyright © 2023 Melissa Sims Legal Nurse Consultant - All Rights Reserved.
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