Ashley M. Schulte

Work History

REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, GS11-04

Southeast Louisiana Veterans' Healthcare System

08.2018 - Current

My background in the healthcare sector has equipped me with the skills necessary to swiftly adapt to changes within intricate environments while delivering patient care that aligns with established plans.
With a strong proficiency in developing care strategies, recognizing obstacles, implementing, and executing solutions pertinent to the management of patients.
With extensive experience in diverse acute hospital environments and outpatient care facilities, I develop patient-focused care plans that are founded upon thorough assessments, evaluations, and respiratory diagnoses.
Interpret and place prescriptions/ orders via CPRS.
Educate veterans and their families on sleep disorders, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment options, while promoting healthy sleep habits.
Provide instruction on equipment, such as CPAP/BIPAP machines, and ensuring veterans can use them effectively.
Monitor adherence to their devices and make suggestions.
Proficient in executing all respiratory treatment modalities within my scope of practice, including both therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
Closely collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes, while managing a range of pulmonary conditions.
Trained in various clinical settings besides inpatient, which include, PFTs, Bronchcoscopy, Sleep, and ALS Clinic.
Coordinate work assignments by highest priority to lowest priority.
As Supervisor Relief, create and develop work assignments for each member of my team.
Manage and educate veterans on the proper techniques for respiratory devices.
Mentored and instructed LSU Respiratory students.
Provide in-service training to 20 or more GS11 Respiratory Therapists staff for annual competency training.
Educational superuser for several devices utilized within the department.
Volunteer for respiratory care week to originate activities to help boost department morale and show staff appreciation.
AES Workgroup volunteer to plan, research, and develop an overall better workplace.
Implemented staff huddle after supervisor meeting for clear concise communication between all employees.
Manage operations as supervisor relief for inpatient staff.
Supervise, oversee, and allocate resources for 4 GS11 respiratory therapist.
Access and manage the workload by utilizing excel to distribute assignments accordingly.
Verify and ensure supplies are available for patient use, if not my point of contact is Logistics, and I refer to the IFCAP log.
Identify and resolve patient care issues by clinical judgement.
Attend interdisciplinary meetings to assist with discharge planning.
Coordinate ALS Clinic, which is a multi-disciplinary clinic to offer more services to our veterans suffering with ALS.
Educate veterans and their caregivers, perform pulmonary mechanics to determine the correct therapy.
In 2018, ALS Clinic processes were unorganized. Compiled, organized, and managed processes to help improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of veteran’s care.
An organized excel sheet was created to monitor patient data and supply date.
Competence to forefront integration of existing or new programs.
Collaborate with colleagues by prioritizing workload and focusing on patient goals.
Exhibit strong communication skills through attentive listening, inquiring for clarification, maintaining a friendly demeanor, and demonstrating respect for others.
Maintain a consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative attitude towards management, peers, patients, and the public.
Engage with both internal and external clients in a manner that exemplifies the I CARE principles.
Demonstrates extraordinary customer service standards with a cooperative attitude and teamwork with fellow coworkers.
Adjusted ventilator settings based on continuous assessment of blood gas analysis results improving overall ventilation efficacy for critically ill patients.
Provided emergency response during cardiac arrests or other life-threatening situations utilizing advanced life support measures when required.
Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
Developed innovative approaches for noninvasive ventilation use in eligible patients reducing rates of intubation.
Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive respiratory care plans and interventions.
Educated patients and families on respiratory health, disease prevention, and lifestyle modifications.
Coordinated with physicians and other care team members on care and treatments.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care and treatment planning.
Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient treatment plans.
Maintained patient charts and information, strictly adhering to HIPAA laws and privacy guidelines.
Annually, an excel sheet was created to document hurricane preparedness for veterans requiring respiratory assisted devices.
Proficient at placing home oxygen request and prosthetic request for ALS veterans.
Introduced operative improvements. Established the following policies: High Velocity Nasal Insufflation, Vapotherm, Oxygen Protocol, Cough Assist, Chest Physiotherapy, Passy-Muir Valve, and Therapist Driven Nebulizer Policy and Protocol.
Type 40+ wpm. Operate CPRS, PICIS, BCMA, and VISTA to chart and review data by using workstations and follow the Privacy Act of 1974 by protecting printed and electronic files containing sensitive information.
Competent with Microsoft applications such as: Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Care Orchestra, Airview, and eIntake, etc.
Proficient at placing outpatient consults and prosthetic requests while utilizing Rotech E-Intake for prescriptions.
Strategically collaborated with healthcare team to provide care for an ALS veteran. Identified the problem, which was a life-saving supply issue, and was determined to find a resolution.
Received recognition from an ALS veteran's family member for going above and beyond.
During the COVID surge of 2020, creatively hung ventilator monitors outside patient’s rooms to make it more while limiting staff exposure.
Respiratory Unit Based Council Co-chairperson.

REGISTERED CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR

Lone Star Kingwood College

01.2018 - 08.2018

Supervised 4 respiratory students each semester, while providing learning experiences.
Oversaw students' clinical practice and served as a role model.
Managed and mentored students to prepare for graduation and their careers.
Responsible for initial, mid, and final performance ratings.
Delivered individualized instruction on observation, assessment, decision-making and patient health teaching.
Provided constructive feedback through both analysis of oral and written communication.
Attended faculty meetings to improve the respiratory care program.
Deliver one-on-one and group training on a variety of education and professional development activities.
Offer mentorship and guidance for a group of 4 or more students each semester.
Trained students how to interpret Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) and how to adjust the ventilator and other devices according to those interpretations.
Systematically educated students to utilize and manage invasive and non-invasive ventilators, high flow nasal cannulas, and other oxygen devices.
Educated on troubleshooting and proper disinfection of equipment.
Effectively taught students how to secure artificial airways, both Endotracheal and Tracheotomy tubes.
The most significant and fulfilling achievement during my time as an educator was witnessing the development and success of my students.
I dedicated myself to providing respiratory students with the optimal opportunities to prepare them for their careers upon graduation.
The clinical site was a complex healthcare system; it was essential to teach effective teamwork.
Students recognized that collaborating as a cohesive unit not only mitigated patient safety concerns but minimized adverse events stemming from miscommunication.
Each semester, students would be paired into two teams to care for the patient. This taught them teamwork, communication, and collaboration.
Ensured each student was able to effectively communicate by giving a proper detailed shift report.
Supervised students when administering medications to maintain patient safety.
Fostered a culture of safety within the learning environment by emphasizing proper use of equipment, infection control measures, and patient privacy guidelines.
Supervised students during clinical rotations, providing immediate feedback on their performance and suggesting areas for improvement when necessary.
Improved student performance by defining clear goals and communicating performance metrics.
Engaged in continuous professional development to stay abreast of changes in healthcare education, ensuring students received most current instruction.
Analyzed clinical settings' success in helping students achieve course and program outcomes.

REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

Houston Northwest Medical Center

01.2015 - 08.2018

Managed hospital operations by working as a Lead Respiratory Therapist supervising 6 respiratory therapists.
Plan, organize, and accessed workloads, distributed accordingly to adhere to budgetary constraints.
Aided staff when assignments increased, and emergencies arise.
Reviewed staff schedule and found coverage when it's indicated.
Accessed and resolved patient care issues.
Mentored new hires and provided in-service training to other healthcare professionals.
Attentiveness to allocate resources to maintain fiscal budget.
The Supervisor Relief played a crucial role in maintaining staffing levels within the allocated budget.
Each week, the supervisor and relief would utilize a specific Relative Value Unit (RVU).
By calculating the total RVU and dividing it by the specific workload, we could assess whether our staffing was sufficient.
In instances of overstaffing, it was necessary to cancel a therapist's shift.
Additionally, the assignment was reviewed twice during each shift to confirm that staffing remained aligned with budgetary constraints.
My enhanced proficiency in supervisory responsibilities ultimately contributed to my attainment of an MBA.
The facility has ceased the inclusion of overtime in its scheduling practices, prompting the development of a revised schedule for the respiratory department.
Initially, the staff was scheduled for 84 hours per pay period; however, this has now been adjusted to 72 hours per pay period.
Drawing from my extensive experience in other hospitals, implemented a 72-hour pay period schedule, which has proven beneficial for the respiratory budget.
Volunteered to write policies and educate staff on the new policies.
Created and organized department policies such as: High Flow Nasal Cannula for both adults and neonates.
Experienced respiratory therapists in several acute areas.
Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and respiratory diagnoses.
Coordinated with physicians and the healthcare team to develop plans.
Provided necessary health education training for patients.
Provided treatment within scope of practice as defined by state law.
Efficient skills in intubation and extubation.
Effectively secured artificial airways, both Endotracheal and Tracheotomy tubes.
Provided emergency care.
Administered nebulizer treatments and Meter Dosed Inhalers via spacers.
Initiated, managed, and monitored oxygen.
Perform Arterial Blood Gases and reported critical values to MD.
Proper setup of noninvasive and invasive ventilator equipment.
Provided emergency response during cardiac arrests or other life-threatening situations utilizing advanced life support measures when required.
Proficient at charting assessments, treatments, and education in Cerner charting system.
Ensured patient confidentiality by following HIPPA guidelines and policy.
Effective troubleshooting and of respiratory equipment such as noninvasive and invasive ventilators.
Trained and qualified superuser for high flow nasal cannula education.
Trained both nurses and respiratory therapists.
Completed Neutrally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) ventilator training.
Trained and qualified superuser for NAVA, oversaw NAVA when running and helped train respiratory therapists and monitored patients on NAVA.
Worked well with others by prioritizing workload and patient goals.
Demonstrated effective communication by actively listening, asking questions, being friendly, and showing respect towards others.
As Lead Respiratory Therapist, I ensured all staff assignments were divided equally and fairly.
If an employee's assignment increased, I supported staff.
To improve staffing shortages, implemented a plan to do scheduled treatments early to lessen the load.
When a therapist encountered a conflict related to their assignment, an explanation was provided to mitigate the situation.
Utilizing interpretive analysis and maintaining a sense of solitude proved effective in resolving the conflict, as remaining calm and refraining from reacting to the anger of others allowed me to manage the situation in a professional manner.
Mentored new employees, providing guidance on best practices in respiratory therapy treatments and techniques.
Verified proper set-up of ventilators for both adult and pediatric patients.
Provided comprehensive care to improve and strengthen clients' respiratory functions.
Documented therapies and diagnostic tests in patient electronic records for use by care team.
Coordinated with physicians and other care team members on care and treatments.
Employee of the Month 11/2016
Employee of the Month 02/2017.

REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

East Jefferson General Hospital

12.2014 - 12.2015

Experienced respiratory therapists in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Medical-Surgical, Recovery Room, and the Emergency Room (ER).
Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations, and respiratory diagnoses.
Provided treatment within scope of practice as defined by state law.
Secured artificial airways, both Endotracheal and Tracheotomy tubes.
Provided emergency care, when indicated.
Administered nebulizer treatments and initiated, managed, and monitored oxygen.
Performed and analyzed Arterial Blood Gases and reported critical values to MD.
Articulate speaker with the ability to deliver clear and concise communication with physicians and colleagues concerning patient issues is essential.
I consistently offer support to coworkers during challenging workloads.
Maintain clear communication with leadership regarding patient care evaluations, particularly when a therapy is deemed unnecessary.
Created care plans tailored to patients' assessments and adhered to established policies and procedures by appropriately discontinuing or modifying therapy as required.
Proficiently diagnose and address issues related to respiratory devices, conducting thorough investigations to identify and rectify problems.
Ensure the cleanliness of the equipment and carry out comprehensive system checks on ventilators.
Demonstrate the ability to make prompt decisions in high-pressure situations.
Treated patients and their families with the utmost respect.
Thorough explanations and educational resources were provided to patients, tailored to their specific therapeutic needs.
A strong advocate for patients, particularly in instances where they were unable to advocate for themselves, was consistently demonstrated.
Utilized Cerner system.
Learned Cerner thoroughly, which proved beneficial when resumed a PRN position.
Efficient at training staff with Cerner.
Administered various medications through aerosolized treatments ensuring proper dosages were delivered accurately to patients.
Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimal patient care and treatment planning.
Mentored new employees, providing guidance on best practices in respiratory therapy treatments and techniques.
Adjusted ventilator settings based on continuous assessment of blood gas analysis results improving overall ventilation efficacy for critically ill patients.
Provided emergency response during cardiac arrests or other life-threatening situations utilizing advanced life support measures when required.
Maintained patient charts and information, strictly adhering to HIPAA laws and privacy guidelines.

Summary

Overview

Work History

REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, GS11-04

REGISTERED CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR

REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

Education

Master of Business Administration - Health Care Management

Bachelors of Health Science - Respiratory Care

Associates of Applied Science - Respiratory Care

Skills

Certification

Honors And Recognitions

Timeline

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