Holly Lacy

This is my current place of employment. As a respiratory therapist within this 366-bed facility, I work in all areas throughout this facility with the exception of the neonatal intensive care unit. I am responsible for maintaining proper oxygen titration levels on all patients, monitoring patients physiological responses to therapies, ventilator management, non-invasive ventilator management, high flow oxygen therapy, assisting the physician with various procedures, attending rounds to discuss treatment plans for patients, arterial blood gas collection and interpretation, arterial line placement, intubations, extubation, code team member, bronchoscopies, airway management, EKG's, evaluate and treat patients based on respiratory driven protocols. As of January 2023, we now have a CVICU.

Rivertowne Center is a long-term care facility that started a rehabilitation unit specializing in long-term care for ventilator-dependent patients. I was one of only two therapists per shift at this facility. We worked collectively with the pulmonologists and medical director to come up with treatment plans for each patient. My duties as a respiratory therapist within this organization were to evaluate and treat patients based on protocols and review admission applications to determine if the patient would be a good candidate for this facility. I was responsible for all airway management throughout the entire facility, ventilator management, and tracheostomy changes. I also transported patients to other areas as needed and helped educate other healthcare team members on the proper treatment for long-term ventilator patients. I was also a code team member and responded to all patients that were deteriorating.

This facility is a 340-bed hospital with a NICU, ICU, CVICU, and other specialty areas. My duties as a respiratory therapist included monitoring patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, maintained proper oxygen titration levels of patients receiving ventilator support, Evaluated patient response to respiratory treatments, and revised care plans accordingly. In addition, I also provided comprehensive care to improve and strengthen clients' respiratory functions. Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations. Documented therapies and diagnostic tests in electronic patient records for use by the care team. Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations. I have worked with patients to administer aerosolized respiratory medications and chest percussion treatments to improve breathing.

The Shepherd Center is a leading rehabilitation facility that specializes in the care and treatment of patients with spinal cord and brain injuries. As a respiratory therapist I obtained extensive training in regards to the treatment of ventilator dependent patients, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. During my employment with this organization I was responsible for all modalities of respiratory care including arterial blood gas monitoring, arterial line insertion, venous blood gas monitoring, transporting critical patients to other facilities, intubations, intubation assisting, bedside bronchoscopy with sampling, diaphragmatic pacing, tracheostomy insertion, ventilator management, non-invasive ventilator management and airway clearance. I worked collectively with other members of the healthcare team to formulate treatment plans for each patient and attended multi-disciplinary team rounds in regards to patient care. We used respiratory driven protocols that were in place to effectively treat patients.