Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Elizabeth A Briner

Florissant,MO

Summary

I am a Respiratory Therapist with over 9 years of experience in general floor therapy, pulmonary function testing and pulmonary rehabilitation. As a Lead Therapist in the Pulmonary Function Lab and a Tier 3 Professional Development clinician, I bring a deep understanding of servant leadership and respiratory care with a commitment in clinical excellence. I am certified as a Smoking Cessation Facilitator from the American Lung Association and I am passionate about patient education and long-term disease management. In recognition of exceptional performance, I was awarded the "High Performer" Award for Q3 of 2023 at Christian Northeast Hospital.

I hold an Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care from Southwest Illinois College and I am currently pursuing Pulmonary Function Testing credentialing from the National Board of Respiratory Care. I have a strong work ethic and I am driven to have a positive impact in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Pulmonary Function and Pulmonary Rehab RRT

Christian Northeast Hospital
03.2021 - Current
  • Mentored new employees, providing guidance on best practices in respiratory therapy treatments and techniques in Pulmonary Function Lab.
  • Provided emergency response during cardiac arrests or other life-threatening situations utilizing advanced life support measures when required.
  • Worked with patients to administer aerosolized respiratory medications and chest percussion treatments to improve breathing.
  • Documented therapies and diagnostic tests in patient electronic records for use by care team.
  • Evaluated patient response to respiratory treatments and revised care plans accordingly.
  • Coordinated with physicians and other care team members on care and treatments.
  • Maintained proper oxygen titration levels of patients in Pulmonary Function Lab and Rehabilitation. .
  • Improved patient outcomes by providing comprehensive respiratory care plans and interventions.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities staying current with best practices and advancements within the respiratory therapy field.
  • Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
  • Maintained accurate records of all procedures performed, contributing to efficient billing processes and compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Educated patients and families on respiratory health, disease prevention, and lifestyle modifications.
  • Managed complex cases involving multiple comorbidities while maintaining high-quality patient care.
  • Served as a liaison between patients, families, physicians, and nursing staff to ensure clear communication of treatment plans.
  • Participated in hospital-wide quality improvement initiatives to optimize patient care standards and practices.
  • Conducted diagnostic tests, such as pulmonary function testing, to identify underlying respiratory issues or complications.
  • Assisted in the development of clinical protocols for the management of various respiratory conditions.
  • Streamlined department operations to increase efficiency in therapy delivery and documentation.
  • Informed patients, family members and other healthcare personnel how to properly use respiratory care equipment.
  • Educated patient and family on patient's illness and available remedies.

Pulmonary Function Technologist

Pulmonary Consultants & Primary Care Physicians Medical Group
11.2020 - 03.2021
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction scores through effective communication skills and compassionate delivery of essential information about their condition.
  • Stayed abreast of industry developments by participating in continuing education opportunities related to pulmonary function technology advancements.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for patients with respiratory disorders.
  • Supported the development of new pulmonary function testing protocols, contributing to advancements in respiratory care practices.
  • Maintained detailed records of patient data, ensuring timely access to critical information for medical professionals involved in patient care.
  • Upheld high standards of professionalism within the lab, fostering a collaborative work environment that prioritized patient safety and quality outcomes.
  • Ensured accuracy in test results by maintaining and calibrating pulmonary function equipment regularly.
  • Enhanced patient care by performing accurate pulmonary function tests and providing reliable results for diagnosis.
  • Consistently adhered to safety protocols, reducing the risk of infection or complications during testing procedures.

Resource Planner

SSM Hospital System
11.2019 - 11.2020
  • Improved overall operational efficiency by regularly reviewing processes for opportunities to consolidate resources or eliminate redundancies.
  • Optimized workforce management by evaluating skill sets, experience levels, and availability to create balanced work schedules that maximized productivity while minimizing burnout.
  • Conducted regular capacity analyses to assess the organization''s ability to meet demand, informing strategic decisions about staffing levels and workload distribution.
  • Championed a culture of continuous improvement in resource planning processes by gathering feedback from employees and implementing changes based on their suggestions.

Respiratory Therapist

SSM DePaul Hospital
06.2018 - 11.2019
  • Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
  • 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.
  • Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team.
  • Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
  • Educated patients and families on disease management, breathing techniques, and medication administration, promoting self-care and adherence to treatment plans.
  • Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
  • Collaborated closely with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans addressing patient needs and goals.
  • Provided bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
  • Aided physicians with various procedures such as ventilator management, and intubations.
  • Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for managing respiratory disorders to improve patient outcomes.
  • Served as a resource for staff and patients on the safe use of supplemental oxygen, ensuring optimal therapeutic benefits.
  • Maintained accurate patient records to track patients' medical history and treatment plans.
  • Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
  • Developed strong relationships with referring physicians by providing timely communication regarding patient progress and updates on therapy effectiveness.
  • Enhanced patient outcomes by effectively administering respiratory therapy treatments and interventions.

Respiratory Therapy Student

St. Louis Children's Hospital
12.2016 - 01.2018

Managing 10-15 patients on general floor therapy.

Managing Cardiac Intensive Care Unit patients on ventilators and oscillators.

Managing Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients on ventilators and oscillators.

Assisting with intubation and extubation.

Managing, maintaing and troubleshooting trachs.

CPAP bagging and AMBU bagging patients.

Transporting from ICU with CPAPA bag and nitric oxide.

Managing, maintaining the integrity of the ETT tubes and documenting.

Documenting in EPIC.

Performing overnight studies.

Setting up TCOM.

Teaching proper acapella techniques to patients and parents.

Setting up, troubleshooting and maintaining cough assist machines, NAVA ventilators, HFOV, RAM cannulas, HHNC, capnography, Bubble CPAP and placing NAVA catheters.

Education

Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapy

Southwest Illinois College
Belleville, IL
04-2017

Skills

  • Arterial blood gas analysis
  • Airway management
  • Non-invasive ventilation
  • Tracheostomy care
  • Bronchial hygiene
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • Respiratory medication administration
  • Ethics and professionalism
  • Patient education
  • Electronic medical records
  • Patient care documentation
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Medication administration
  • Outpatient care
  • Pulmonary function testing
  • Clinical decision making
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Patient and caregiver education
  • Team collaboration
  • Clinical leadership
  • Caring bedside manner
  • Patient instruction
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Patient advocacy
  • Diagnostic tools
  • Physical assessments
  • Patient care
  • Spirometer reading
  • Practice improvement
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Relationship building
  • Patient and family advocacy
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Safety protocols and procedures
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Pulmonary function screenings
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Blood gas analysis
  • CPR/AED

Timeline

Pulmonary Function and Pulmonary Rehab RRT

Christian Northeast Hospital
03.2021 - Current

Pulmonary Function Technologist

Pulmonary Consultants & Primary Care Physicians Medical Group
11.2020 - 03.2021

Resource Planner

SSM Hospital System
11.2019 - 11.2020

Respiratory Therapist

SSM DePaul Hospital
06.2018 - 11.2019

Respiratory Therapy Student

St. Louis Children's Hospital
12.2016 - 01.2018

Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapy

Southwest Illinois College
Elizabeth A Briner