Karen Mason
paramedic
Saint Charles,MO
Summary
Professional with strong foundation in emergency medical care, adept at rapid assessment and intervention. Proven track record in high-pressure situations, prioritizing effective communication and teamwork to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Recognized for adaptability and reliability, consistently meeting evolving needs of environment. Skilled in advanced life support, patient stabilization, and emergency response protocols.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Paramedic
Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District
St. Louis, MO
01.2009 - Current
- General paramedic responsibilities and duties as well as a preceptor for EMT and paramedic students.
Paramedic
Christian Northeast Hospital EMS
St. Louis, MO
11.2021 - 12.2025
- General paramedic responsibilities and adjunct EMS classes at Christian Northeast Hospital. Also an FTO for new hires and preceptor for emt and paramedic students.
- Administered advanced life support procedures in critical care environments.
- Coordinated patient transport logistics with multidisciplinary teams.
- Monitored and assessed patient vitals to ensure optimal care delivery.
- Trained junior paramedics on emergency response protocols and techniques.
- Evaluated incident scenes for safety and resource allocation.
- Delivered advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), basic life support (BLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS) under pressure.
- Delivered compassionate care to patients with a variety of medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, traumas, strokes, and respiratory distress.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing timely and accurate assessments, treatments, and interventions.
- Worked en-route to hospital to prepare patients for arrival or surgery and control wounds.
- Documented patient care accurately using electronic medical records software according to regulatory guidelines for billing purposes and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Developed and maintained rapport with coworkers and local hospital staff to facilitate efficient patient care.
- Enhanced team efficiency through clear communication and collaboration during high-pressure emergency situations.
- Transferred patients safely and securely to medical facilities for continued care.
- Assessed patient condition through physical and verbal exams and by collecting information from others at scene.
- Adapted treatment plans quickly and effectively based on changing patient conditions and reactions.
- Ensured patient safety by adhering to strict protocols for proper lifting techniques, equipment use, and infection control.
- Identified appropriate medications based on potential interactions with other medicines, accurately calculating correct dosages according to drugs on hand and patient's weight.
- Responded to daily emergencies and worked alongside firemen and EMTs.
- Triaged injuries by communicating with patients, bystanders and family members and identified appropriate medical facility for transport.
- Streamlined patient handoff processes at hospitals by clearly communicating relevant information to receiving staff, ensuring seamless continuity of care.
- Assisted in training new paramedics by serving as a preceptor and sharing clinical expertise during ridealongs.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities such as conferences or workshops to stay current on best practices in pre-hospital emergency medicine.
- Increased survival rates with rapid recognition of life-threatening conditions and swift initiation of appropriate interventions.
- Coordinated with other emergency services personnel such as police officers and firefighters during complex incidents for optimal scene management and resource allocation.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and status to determine care needs using pulse oximeters and electronic vital sign machines.
- Administered fluid replacement via IV, IO, and IM to replace fluid volumes and correct electrolyte imbalances.
- Administered continuous 12-lead electrocardiogram monitoring to record heart rhythms in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
- Promoted health equity within the community by offering culturally sensitive care to diverse populations while respecting individual preferences or needs.
- Managed challenging or combative patients using de-escalation techniques and appropriate physical restraints when necessary, prioritizing safety for both the patient and medical team.
- Delegated life-saving tasks to provide comprehensive treatment to triaged patients in emergency situations.
- Educated patients and family members on medical treatments and therapies for informed support.
- Dispensed medications and monitored patient responses for adaptive treatment.
- Assisted with quality assurance initiatives by reviewing patient care reports and offering constructive feedback to improve overall performance within the organization.
- Stayed in constant communication with patients to continuously maintain care and comfort during transportation.
- Performed intubations to secure airway in patients under respiratory and cardiac arrest.
- Restocked ambulance with proper equipment such as vents, ET tubes, medication, and IV pump tubing to maintain optimum inventory.
- Communicated with medical professionals in medical terms to relay patient needs and maintain accuracy.
- Maintained patient care, treatment and medication documentation for accurate, up-to-date clinical records.
- Performed thorough vehicle inspections before and after shifts to maintain operational readiness and ensure compliance with state regulations.
- Conducted equipment and vehicle checks to maintain continuous and safe operation.
- Safeguarded ambulance equipment through regular inventory checks, cleaning routines, and reporting any damaged items for replacement or repair immediately.
- Contributed to community outreach efforts by participating in public education events on CPR, first aid, and emergency preparedness.
- Communicated with treatment center personnel and dispatchers to provide information about situation, arrange reception of victims and receive instructions for further treatment.
- Reduced response times by maintaining thorough knowledge of local geography and navigation routes.
- Supported local disaster response efforts by preparing ambulances with necessary supplies and assisting victims at mass casualty incidents or natural disasters.
- Responded to emergency calls to provide immediate and life-saving medical care.
- Transported critically ill and injured patients to nearest medical center, using advanced life support equipment as needed.
- Documented patient information, medical interventions and patient outcomes for accurate record-keeping.
- Attended training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in field and maintain existing knowledge.
- Took patient health histories and asked questions to determine cause of illness or injury.
- Operated electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators or bag valve mask resuscitators in advanced life support environments.
- Trained new paramedics on proper procedures and protocols to maintain best practices and promote great patient care.
- Communicated patient information and updates to hospital staff for smooth transition.
- Administered first-aid treatment to reduce pain and minimize risk of complications.
Paramedic/clinic group leader
Bio Pharma Services
St. Louis, MO
07.2020 - 11.2021
- Screen subjects, check in subjects, complete all required paper work. Help with training new personnel, order supplies needed for day to day needs of study participants and office supplies. Lead the team on daily study procedures, quality check team’s work on subjects, follow protocols for each study, monitor study subjects.
- Promoted to Paramedic/clinic group leader
Dispatcher
St. Louis County Parks Department
St. Louis, MO
05.2017 - 02.2021
- Dispatch 911 for St. Louis County Parks Department, enter tickets and reports into St. Louis County CARE System, command staff dispatcher at special events which also can include dispatching for the St. Louis County Police Department, updated and organized EMS supplies for each of the Rangers’ bags, acquired discounts for the purchase of the EMS supplies resulting in cost savings for the department, responsible for keeping EMS supply inventory current, created gang and sex offender files for the rangers, taking part in Police Legal online continuing education, organized the dispatcher office by boxing up old files and creating binders for paperwork that was still needed.
Dispatcher
St. Ann Police Department
St. Ann, MO
12.2012 - 09.2018
- Dispatch 911 for the Police Department and process warrants.
Dispatcher
Florissant Police Department
Florissant, MO
05.2014 - 04.2016
- Dispatch 911 for the Police Department.
Paramedic
ABBOTT AMBULANCE
St. Louis, MO
10.2002 - 11.2011
- General Paramedic responsibilities and duties as well as selected to be a Preceptor for Paramedic students’ ride-a-longs, adjunct and precept Paramedic students. Also, taught CPR classes at various sites.
Paramedic
ACCU-Care
St. Louis, MO
05.2003 - 08.2010
- General Paramedic responsibilities and duties.
Paramedic
CAM-MO Ambulance District
Sunrise Beach, MO
10.2007 - 10.2008
- General Paramedic responsibilities and duties as well as arranged, set up, and taught CPR classes for surrounding area districts.
Paramedic
ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
St. Louis, MO
01.1996 - 03.2003
- General Paramedic responsibilities and duties.
- Patient Care Assistant - Same unit and same duties as below with the addition of Patient assignments, dressing changes, doing patient assessments and charting.
- Nurse/Unit Assistant - Cardiothoracic Step Down Unit and other Units as needed.
- CPR Certified - Duties include: normal daily patient activities as well as taking vital signs, blood draws, foley insertion and care, straight catheter insertion and care, ambulating patients, telemetry hookup, oxygen checks, entering patient data and doctors’ orders into SLUH’s computer system.
Education
Associate of Science -
No Degree - Critical Care Paramedic
Umbc
01-2003
No Degree - Community Care Paramedic
Sccad
10-2024
Skills
- Documentation and reporting
- Advanced life support
- Critical decision-making skills
- Direct patient care
- Patient management
- Patient assessments
- Intubation
- IV insertion
- Intravenous therapy
- Airway management
- Emergency management
- Pediatric advanced life support
- Pre-hospital care
- Medical equipment operation
- Patient transport
- Stroke management
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Medication administration
- Emergency response
- Vital sign assessment
- Patient examination
- Emergency diagnostics
- Behavioral emergency intervention
- Triaging
- Vital assessments
- Scene safety assessment
- Mental health crisis management
- Safety protocols
- Geriatric emergency care
- Allergic reaction management
- Vital signs monitoring
- Mass casualty incident response
- Obstetric emergencies
- CPR
- Fracture stabilization
- Treatment Planning
- Medical records management
- Medical history collection
- Burn treatment
- Care plan adherence
- Wound care
- Spinal immobilization
- Diabetic emergencies
- Patient immobilization
- Poisoning response
- Vital sign monitoring
- Ambulance transfer
- Communicable disease control
- Seizure management
- Hazardous materials awareness
- Medical coding
- Indirect patient care
- EMR / EHR
- Life support management
- Field patient assessments
- Care triage
- Medical supply restocking
- Respiratory assessment
- Bedside reporting
- Oxygen therapy
- Patient support and assistance
- Emergency vehicle upkeep
- Lifesaving measures
- Reporting and documentation
- Rig maintenance
- Resuscitating and stabilizing patients
- Emergency medical services
Accomplishments
i have received clinical saves and ultimate save awards, i have delivered a baby in the ambulance.
Certification
- Paramedic License
- National Registry and State of Missouri
- Critical Care Certification
- Certified CPR Instructor
- REJIS Certified
- MULES Certified
- BTLS Advanced
- ACLS
- PALS
- PHTLS
- CPR
- Class E Driver’s License
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Paramedic
Christian Northeast Hospital EMS
11.2021 - 12.2025
Paramedic/clinic group leader
Bio Pharma Services
07.2020 - 11.2021
Dispatcher
St. Louis County Parks Department
05.2017 - 02.2021
Dispatcher
Florissant Police Department
05.2014 - 04.2016
Dispatcher
St. Ann Police Department
12.2012 - 09.2018
Paramedic
Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District
01.2009 - Current
Paramedic
CAM-MO Ambulance District
10.2007 - 10.2008
Paramedic
ACCU-Care
05.2003 - 08.2010
Paramedic
ABBOTT AMBULANCE
10.2002 - 11.2011
Paramedic
ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
01.1996 - 03.2003
Associate of Science -
No Degree - Critical Care Paramedic
Umbc
No Degree - Community Care Paramedic
Sccad