Brenda Ortiz
Coffeyville,KS
Summary
Seasoned Respiratory Therapist with 37 years of experience in all healthcare settings. Skillful in completing patient assessments, blood gas analysis and interpretation and airway management. Successful at implementing best practices to continuously advance respiratory therapy outcomes.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
Alaska Regional Hospital
05.1995 - 05.2019
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in intensive care units, ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
- Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, breathing techniques, and medication administration, promoting self-care and adherence to treatment plans.
- Developed strong relationships with referring physicians by providing timely communication regarding patient progress and updates on therapy effectiveness.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Kept abreast of industry advancements by attending continuing education courses, maintaining current knowledge of evidence-based practices.
- Mentored new hires and students in respiratory therapy best practices, contributing to a high-quality work environment.
- Completed continued education units annually to stay current with respiratory therapy advancements and maintain compliance with administrative regulations.
- Provided antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
- Tested pulmonary function and analyzed arterial blood gas to identify abnormalities and issues with patient lung function.
- Ensured patient safety with diligent monitoring of vital signs during therapeutic interventions.
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Educated patient and family on patient's illness and available remedies.
- Administered pulmonary function tests and monitored changes in patients' respiratory status.
- Performed arterial blood gas analysis and assisted in bronchoscopies.
- Informed patients, family members and other healthcare personnel how to properly use respiratory care equipment.
- Supported surgical teams during complex procedures, ensuring optimal patient breathing support.
- Improved patient outcomes by educating families on home care techniques and importance of medication adherence.
- Administered inhalants and medications to improve patient breathing capabilities, leading to enhanced quality of life.
- Promoted a positive workplace culture through active participation in department meetings, committees, and quality improvement initiatives.
- EKG
Respiratory Therapist
East Jefferson General Hospital Health
06.1984 - 05.1995
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in intensive care units, ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
- Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team.
- Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, brachytherapy, Yag laser, ventilator management, arterial lines, and intubations,
- Served as a resource for staff and patients on the safe use of supplemental oxygen, ensuring optimal therapeutic benefits.
- Pulmonary Rehab
- Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, breathing techniques, and medication administration, promoting self-care and adherence to treatment plans.
- Completed continued education units annually to stay current with respiratory therapy advancements and maintain compliance with administrative regulations.
- Kept abreast of industry advancements by attending continuing education courses, maintaining current knowledge of evidence-based practices.
Respiratory Therapist
Biloxi Regional Medical Center
06.1982 - 06.1984
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in intensive care units, ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Completed continued education units annually to stay current with respiratory therapy advancements and maintain compliance with administrative regulations.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- EKG
Education
Certified Respiratory Therapist - Respiratory Therapist
Pearl River College
Hattiesburg, MS06-1981
Skills
- Bronchial hygiene techniques
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Tracheostomy care
- Continuous positive airway pressure
- Smoking cessation counseling
- Appointment scheduling
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Airway management
- Equipment cleaning
- Respiratory equipment setup
- Patient education
- Outpatient care
- Pediatric respiratory care
- Neonatal intensive care
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Ventilator management
- Pulmonary function testing
- Blood gas analysis
- Mechanical ventilation management
- Certified respiratory therapist (CRT)
- Emergency medical care
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 14 in the development of Code Bag.
- Supervised team of 4 staff members.
Certification
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) – National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (NPS) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
Alaska Regional Hospital
05.1995 - 05.2019
Respiratory Therapist
East Jefferson General Hospital Health
06.1984 - 05.1995
Respiratory Therapist
Biloxi Regional Medical Center
06.1982 - 06.1984
Certified Respiratory Therapist - Respiratory Therapist
Pearl River College
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