Karen Richtar
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Versatile hospitalist physician assistant with a passion for serving others from a young age, beginning as an emergency department volunteer in high school. Skilled at managing care for inpatients with wide-ranging, complex medical conditions. Open to both inpatient and outpatient work, and have spent significant clinical time in both settings. Board-certified and enjoys growing as a healthcare provider each day. Strong belief in life-long learning and comprehensive patient education. Develops detailed differential diagnosis and implements strategic treatment plans to address symptoms and underlying causes with proactive approach. Excellent patient relations. Collaborates successfully with supervising physicians, nursing teams, consultants, pharmacists, and primary care providers to advocate for patients' needs and delivers high-quality care for both acute and chronic conditions.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Physician Assistant, Internal Medicine
UPMC East
Pittsburgh, PA
02.2022 - Current
- Referred to and consulted with physicians and other healthcare providers on patient care.
- Ordered and executed various tests, analyses and diagnostic images to provide information on patient condition.
- Coordinated admissions and transfers in collaboration with supervising attending physician.
Physician Assistant, Internal Medicine
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Johnstown, PA
11.2020 - 02.2022
- Assessed patients on admission to determine acuity of care, differential diagnosis, and continually evolving treatment plan.
- Handled as many as 10 patients each day, with varied opportunities for admitting, rounding, and discharging during scheduled shifts. Successfully help to transition medically complex patients from ICU, patients requiring transfer from another facility, and patients from emergency department to hospitalist service for further evaluation.
- Diagnosed conditions accurately by requesting specific, relevant labs and accurately interpreting results.
- Reduced patient loads through balanced treatment plans involving minimizing length of hospital stays and implementing effective at-home and specialist care.
Clinical Rotation: Internal Medicine
Empower 3
03.2020 - 04.2020
- Adhered to healthcare facility protocols and all regulations in setting of COVID-19 pandemic during work at this facility.
- Counseled patients on newly diagnosed health conditions and maintenance of existing conditions.
- Directed patients on medication use and lifestyle modifications to improve health.
Clinical Rotation: Emergency Medicine
Conemaugh Miners Medical Center
02.2020 - 03.2020
- Teamed with other physicians, specialists and health care providers to provide well-rounded care for complex cases.
- Treated patients undergoing substance abuse detoxification in inpatient setting.
- Assisted in evaluation and treatment of acute traumatic injuries.
- Further improved clinical skills to include laceration repair, reduction of fractures, etc.
Clinical Rotation: Behavioral Medicine
Valko & Associates
01.2020 - 02.2020
- Established direct quality care to patients by monitoring, recording and evaluating psychiatric conditions in addition to complex medication regimens.
- Performed successfully in fast-paced environment in outpatient setting, seeing average of 3-4 patients per hour.
Clinical Rotation: Women's Health
Ruby Memorial Hospital
11.2019 - 12.2019
- Successfully performed average of 3-4 pelvic exams daily while educating patients on procedure details, providing instructions and answering questions to minimize anxiety and improve cooperation.
- Assisted in management of diverse patient population to include outpatient gynecological patients, outpatient obstetrics patients, and inpatient surgical cases.
Clinical Rotation: General Surgery, Urology, ENT
UPMC Bedford
10.2019 - 11.2019
- Educated patients about surgeries and provided treatment plan documentation.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Assisted intra-operatively for patients within scope of general surgery, urology, and ENT services, to include cholecystectomy, total thyroidectomy, and TURP procedures
- Performed pre-operative and post-operative assessments of patients for general surgery, urology, and ENT services.
Clinical Rotation: Family Medicine
Heritage Valley Medical Group
08.2019 - 10.2019
- Interviewed patients concerning physical complaints, discussed symptoms, asked questions and suggested treatment options.
- Developed great rapport with patients over multiple visits, listening closely and empathizing with situation.
- Monitored patients' conditions and progress to evaluate treatment efficacy.
Clinical Rotation: Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Fairview Hospital-Cleveland Clinic
06.2019 - 07.2019
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make treatment decisions for patients under twenty years of age.
- Gained clinical skills to include performing laceration repairs, giving injections, etc.
- Cultivated rapport with patients and caregivers, utilizing effective communication with parents and children of all age groups.
Clinical Rotation: Pediatrics
Family Medical Center, Conemaugh RICN
05.2019 - 06.2019
- Identified common pediatric and adolescent illnesses to plan and implement interventions and management.
- Trained family members in how to care for patients and manage individual conditions.
- Helped young patients feel comfortable with procedures and immunizations.
Tutor: Physician Assistant
Saint Francis University
08.2018 - 04.2019
- Planned lessons for allotted time to strengthen weak subjects and build skills.
- Supported students with helpful study habits and exam strategies.
Pharmacy Technician
Waltmire Pharmacy
05.2017 - 08.2017
- Calculated dosage, filled prescriptions and prepared prescription labels with absolute accuracy.
- Answered incoming phone calls and addressed questions from customers, insurance companies, and healthcare providers.
- Stocked, labeled and inventoried medication to keep accurate records.
Nurse Aide
Paramount Senior Living
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Provided assistance in daily living activities by dressing, grooming, bathing, feeding and toileting patients.
- Assisted patients with mobility issues in areas such as beds, wheelchair usage and automobile travel.
- Agreed to take on additional shifts and extra hours during busy periods and holidays to maintain proper staffing and floor coverage.
- Spent additional time on memory care unit gaining experience evaluating patients with significant dementia.
Education
Master of Physician Assistant - Science
Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA05.2020
Bachelor of Science - Health Science
Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA05.2019
Skills
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Attention to Detail
- Compassionate and Caring
- Educating patients
- Electronic Medical Records
- Direct Patient Care
- Internal Medicine
- Discharge summaries
Affiliations
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
Alzheimer's Association
Certification
- Physician Assistant- Certified (PA-C) via NCCPA 1173778
- Pennsylvania Physician Assistant State License - MA061543
- Certified ACLS, BLS, Act 33 and Act 151 Clearances
- DEA license
Timeline
Physician Assistant, Internal Medicine
UPMC East
02.2022 - Current
Physician Assistant, Internal Medicine
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
11.2020 - 02.2022
Clinical Rotation: Internal Medicine
Empower 3
03.2020 - 04.2020
Clinical Rotation: Emergency Medicine
Conemaugh Miners Medical Center
02.2020 - 03.2020
Clinical Rotation: Behavioral Medicine
Valko & Associates
01.2020 - 02.2020
Clinical Rotation: Women's Health
Ruby Memorial Hospital
11.2019 - 12.2019
Clinical Rotation: General Surgery, Urology, ENT
UPMC Bedford
10.2019 - 11.2019
Clinical Rotation: Family Medicine
Heritage Valley Medical Group
08.2019 - 10.2019
Clinical Rotation: Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Fairview Hospital-Cleveland Clinic
06.2019 - 07.2019
Clinical Rotation: Pediatrics
Family Medical Center, Conemaugh RICN
05.2019 - 06.2019
Tutor: Physician Assistant
Saint Francis University
08.2018 - 04.2019
Pharmacy Technician
Waltmire Pharmacy
05.2017 - 08.2017
Nurse Aide
Paramount Senior Living
05.2016 - 08.2016
Master of Physician Assistant - Science
Saint Francis University
Bachelor of Science - Health Science
Saint Francis University