James Girshner
Springfield,MO
Summary
Compassionate Respiratory Therapist experienced in enhancing patient outcomes through effective ventilator management and therapeutic interventions. Collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver comprehensive patient care, focusing on both acute and chronic respiratory support. Committed to patient education and meeting individual needs with reliability and adaptability.
Overview
1
1
Certificate
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
US Medical Prison for Federal Inmates
Springfield, MO
03.2026 - Current
- Administered respiratory therapy treatments to manage chronic and acute respiratory conditions in inmates.
- Monitored patients' vital signs and oxygen levels, ensuring compliance with therapeutic protocols.
- Collaborated with healthcare team to develop individualized care plans for respiratory patients.
- Educated inmates on proper use of nebulizers and inhalers, enhancing self-management skills.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Conducted pulmonary function tests to assess lung capacity and diagnose respiratory issues.
- Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team.
Registered respiratory therapist
Mercy Hospital
Springfield, MO
06.2021 - 03.2026
- I worked with nurses, Nurse practioners, Physician assistants, and Doctors in the 3 ICUs here at Mercy to manage patient's ventilators. Set up and managed oxygen delivery devices including nasal cannulas, venturi masks, simple masks, non-rebreathers, and other equipment to optimize patient care.
- I have done rounds with nurses and Doctors daily to go over daily care plans for patients as in goals in care, breathing treatments, pulmonary toileting, ventilator status, and possible advancement of care.
- Conducted independent rounds to assess functionality and settings of bipaps, ventilators, and airvos, ensuring optimal performance for patient ventilation. Also I have weaned settings properly to help get patients off of their oxygen devices.
- I managed patient care independently or under physician supervision. I have transported and setup patients on any oxygen device for example ventilators, bipaps, airvos, simple mask, venturi mask, non-rebreather mask, nasal cannulas.
- I have even tested simple oxygen delivery devices to make sure they are delivering correct oxygen with a oxygen analyzer. I know the equations to set up proper oxygen delivery for patients.
- I have cleaned and sterilized all equipment as in oxygen regulators, oxygen analyzers, Bipaps, ventilators, and airvos. I have also helped patients keep their airways clear from any and all secretions and administer breathing therapies. I have taken down and reassembled all kinds of respiratory equipment as in ventilators, bipaps, airvos, venturi masks, non-rebreather mask and simple masks.
- I have identified what's wrong and fixed bipaps, airvos, ventilators, venturi masks, non-rebreather masks, simple masks, and nasal cannulas when and if malfunctions happen. I have 4.5 years of experience in all of the above and more. I have been in critical care for almost 4.5 years.
- I am ACLS certified and can read blood gasses to help with diagnosing problems with patients. I can draw Arterial blood gasses and can use devices to analyze the arterial blood. I have done all of these things from 06-2021 to present.
- Monitored patient responses to therapies, adjusting interventions as necessary to optimize outcomes.
- Administered respiratory therapy treatments for patients with chronic and acute respiratory conditions.
- Hours per week: 36
Patient care assistant
Mercy Hospital
Springfield, MO
01.2019 - 05.2020
- I helpeded take care of patients cleaning up after them and help keep track of intake and output and measured blood sugars. Facilitated patient mobility to enhance recovery and promote physical activity. out of bed.
- Worked 36 hours per week.
- Assisted nursing staff with patient care activities, ensuring comfort and safety.
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patient conditions accurately.
- Collaborated with medical team to implement individualized care plans for patients.
Education
Associate's degree - Respiratory Therapy
Ozarks technical community college
Springfield, MO06-2021
Skills
- Airway management
- Verbal communication
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Respiratory equipment setup
- Patient assessment
- English
- Spoken: Advanced
- Written: Advanced
- Read: Advanced
Certification
- RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist
- Licensed respiratory therapist - 06/2021 -currently
- ACLS, American heart association - 06/2026-Currently
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
US Medical Prison for Federal Inmates
03.2026 - Current
Registered respiratory therapist
Mercy Hospital
06.2021 - 03.2026
Patient care assistant
Mercy Hospital
01.2019 - 05.2020
Associate's degree - Respiratory Therapy
Ozarks technical community college
Additional information
I was prior military Army National Guard from March of 2010-March of March 2012. I have been deployed twice once to Afghanistan in 2012 with the 276 engineer company and another deployment in 2017 to Kuwait with the 35th engineer Brigade where I worked in a TOC with a secret clearance. I was a E-5 and filled in squad leader role for that deployment. Had 3 soldiers under me.