Karen Thomas
Stafford,Virginia
Summary
Highly enthusiastic customer service professional. Seasoned Respiratory Therapist with 27 years' experience in various healthcare settings. Highly skilled in patient assessments, blood gas analysis and interpretation, therapy administration and airway management. Successful at implementing best practices to continuously advance respiratory therapy outcomes. Adept at managing diverse conditions that include COPD, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure and COVID. Skilled in instructing patients and caregivers about the use and operation of respiratory equipment. Eager to contribute your company's mission through effective and empathetic patient care.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
Woodbridge, VA
02.2024 - Current
- Evaluated effectiveness of treatments by monitoring physiological responses using specialized equipment such as spirometers or pulse oximeters.
- Consulted with physicians regarding diagnosis and treatment options for patients with complex conditions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive plans for patient care.
- Developed care plans for individual patients based on assessment of the patient's condition.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient information in electronic health records.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations while performing all procedures related to respiratory therapy.
- Provided education related to prevention strategies for reducing the risk of developing chronic respiratory diseases.
- Assessed patient's progress during treatments and reported results to physicians or other healthcare professionals.
- Inspected equipment regularly to ensure proper functioning before use on patients.
- Participated in continuing education programs related to advances in respiratory care practices.
- Maintained accurate records of all patient assessments, treatments, medications administered and outcomes of treatments.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations involving respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
- Provided therapeutic treatments to patients with respiratory illnesses including oxygen therapy, aerosol medication delivery, chest physiotherapy and airway clearance techniques.
- Monitored vital signs for changes in patient status or response to treatment.
- Managed mechanical ventilation systems including setting up ventilators and adjusting settings according to physician orders.
- Conducted therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with treatment methods and equipment.
- Adhered to standards of excellence for respiratory care and diagnostic services.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Followed established guidelines to compliantly deliver services.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Administered medication and ventilatory support.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Educated patients and families about conditions and taught appropriate disease management techniques.
- Operated mechanical ventilators following specified parameters of treatment.
- Maintained patient airways with endotracheal intubation.
- Tracked changes in blood chemistry, vital signs and other markers of improvement or decompensation in critically ill patients.
- Provided artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Set up and operated mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Monitored patient's vital signs, arterial blood gases or blood chemistry changes, consulting with physician during adverse reactions.
- Enforced physicians' orders for specific treatment protocols and durations.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Mary Washington Hospital Center
Fredericksburg, VA
10.2023 - 03.2024
- Evaluated effectiveness of treatments by monitoring physiological responses using specialized equipment such as spirometers or pulse oximeters.
- Consulted with physicians regarding diagnosis and treatment options for patients with complex conditions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive plans for patient care.
- Developed care plans for individual patients based on assessment of the patient's condition.
- Administered nitric oxide therapies when prescribed by a physician.
- Maintained accurate records of all patient assessments, treatments, medications administered and outcomes of treatments.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations involving respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
- Provided therapeutic treatments to patients with respiratory illnesses including oxygen therapy, aerosol medication delivery, chest physiotherapy and airway clearance techniques.
- Monitored vital signs for changes in patient status or response to treatment.
- Managed mechanical ventilation systems including setting up ventilators and adjusting settings according to physician orders.
- Performed diagnostic tests on patients such as arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, and sleep studies.
- Adhered to standards of excellence for respiratory care and diagnostic services.
- Evaluated patients for deficiencies and abnormalities and made medical decisions based on assessments.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Followed established guidelines to compliantly deliver services.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Determined patient safety risks to identify medical intervention needs.
- Administered medication and ventilatory support.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Operated mechanical ventilators following specified parameters of treatment.
- Maintained patient airways with endotracheal intubation.
- Tracked changes in blood chemistry, vital signs and other markers of improvement or decompensation in critically ill patients.
- Provided artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
- Enforced physicians' orders for specific treatment protocols and durations.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Titan Medical/VCU Medical Center
Richmond, VA
09.2022 - 09.2023
- Evaluated effectiveness of treatments by monitoring physiological responses using specialized equipment such as spirometers or pulse oximeters.
- Consulted with physicians regarding diagnosis and treatment options for patients with complex conditions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive plans for patient care.
- Administered nitric oxide therapies when prescribed by a physician.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient information in electronic health records.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations while performing all procedures related to respiratory therapy.
- Provided education related to prevention strategies for reducing the risk of developing chronic respiratory diseases.
- Assessed patient's progress during treatments and reported results to physicians or other healthcare professionals.
- Inspected equipment regularly to ensure proper functioning before use on patients.
- Participated in continuing education programs related to advances in respiratory care practices.
- Maintained accurate records of all patient assessments, treatments, medications administered and outcomes of treatments.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations involving respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
- Provided therapeutic treatments to patients with respiratory illnesses including oxygen therapy, aerosol medication delivery, chest physiotherapy and airway clearance techniques.
- Monitored vital signs for changes in patient status or response to treatment.
- Managed mechanical ventilation systems including setting up ventilators and adjusting settings according to physician orders.
- Instructed patients and their families in proper use of ventilators, inhalers, and nebulizers.
- Performed diagnostic tests on patients such as arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, and sleep studies.
- Conducted therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with treatment methods and equipment.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Administered medication and ventilatory support.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Maintained patient airways with endotracheal intubation.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and instructed patients in breathing exercises.
- Provided artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Set up and operated mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Snapnurse
Atlanta, Ga
09.2021 - 07.2023
- Identified need for medical intervention by determining patient safety risks
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate and inform regarding patient care
- Evaluated patients with deficiencies and abnormalities within cardiopulmonary system and made medical decisions based on assessments
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations
- Delegated Respiratory Care duties Trained Junior Therapist to provide top-quality patient care Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients Ensured HIPAA compliance Provided necessary health education training for patients and family members Provided urgent and emergency services to all patients.
Respiratory Care Practitioner III
Children's National Medical Center
Washington, DC
10.2015 - 09.2021
- Administered medication and ventilatory support, including maintenance and management of life support systems
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate and inform regarding patient care
- Contributed to development, planning and completion of project initiatives
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Registered Respiratory Supervisor/Therapist
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Washington, DC
09.2001 - 10.2015
- Assisted Department Supervisor by performing dual role, clinical and administrative Delegated Respiratory Care Duties
- Schedule Coordinator
- Payroll Monitored Time and Attendance Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care
- Ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatments regimens
- Coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients
- Cleaned and sterilized equipment and disposed of contaminated supplies
- Trained junior therapist to provide top-quality patient care
- Ensured HIPAA compliance
- Educated patients about their treatments
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care, Monitored patients with acute conditions
- Provided necessary health education training for patients
- Collaborated with others to discuss new advancement opportunities
- Demonstrated self-reliance by meeting and exceeding workflow needs
- Motivated and encouraged team members to communicate more openly and constructively with each other
- Demonstrated leadership by making improvements to work processes and helping to train others
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems
- Resolved interpersonal conflicts by listening, finding common ground and building relationships
- Contributed to development, planning and completion of project initiatives
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Respiratory Care Supervisor
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Washington, DC
10.2002 - 09.2015
- Evaluated patients with deficiencies and abnormalities within cardiopulmonary system and made medical decisions based on assessments
- Identified need for medical intervention by determining patient safety risks
- Administered medication and ventilatory support, including maintenance and management of life support systems
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate and inform regarding patient care
- Contributed to development, planning and completion of project initiatives
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services
- Performed site evaluations, customer surveys and team audits
- Adhered to all standards of excellence established for respiratory care and diagnostic services
- Consulted with department supervisors and Managers to evaluate needs and discuss corrective actions for individual concerns
- Revised production schedules to account for changing designs, shortages and other types of interruptions
- Developed effective scheduling processes to achieve department objectives
- Resolved material and manpower shortage problems quickly and efficiently
- Monitored workflow and schedules to ensure timely delivery of schedule therapies
- Trained and oversaw a group or 45licensed therapist
- Managed the schedules of a team of 45 personnel
- Coordinated with supervisor and manager to develop and execute productivity plans
- Managed payroll for over 45 hourly and salaried employees
- Verified available hours against listed amounts when calculating leave time
- Gathered timesheets to prepare weekly payroll data for processing
- Efficiently handled any payroll discrepancies with employees
- Managed weekly payroll duties and submitted data to Payroll department.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Gulfport Memorial Hospital
Gulfport, MS
07.1998 - 09.2001
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of airways
- Conducted therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with use of Respiratory treatment methods and various respiratory equipment
- Delivered services following guidelines established by JACHO agency to keep company compliant
- Adhered to all standards of excellence established for respiratory care and diagnostic services
- Administered medication and ventilatory support, including maintenance and management of life support systems
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and assisted patients with breathing exercises
- Evaluated patients with deficiencies and abnormalities within cardiopulmonary system and made medical decisions based on assessments
- Identified need for medical intervention by determining patient safety risks
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate and inform regarding patient care
- Demonstrated leadership by making improvements to work processes and helping to train others.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
University South Alabama Medical Center
Mobile, AL
12.1997 - 09.2001
- Maintained patient privacy and confidential patient information
- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care
- Registered Respiratory Therapist Gulport Memorial Hospital Skillful operation of all equipment from hand held nebulizers to mechanical ventilators
- Critical and General Floor Therapy
- Operated and maintained the quality control of blood gas machines
- Initiated nitric oxide
- Initiated Heliox therapy
- Performed arterial blood gas punctures and analysis
- Patient monitoring and transport
- Patient education
- Recommended and adopted procedures and techniques based on AARC guidelines
- Assisted patients with multiple chronic diagnosis, including COPD and Asthma
- Ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens
- Provided treatment within scope of practice as defined by state law
- Coordinated with doctors and registered nursed to develop care plans for patients
- Cleaned and sterilized instruments and disposed of contaminated supplies
- Earned repeated commendations from supervisor and patients for providing high-quality, compassionate care
- Regularly evaluated effects of treatment and adjusted to achieve maximum benefit
- Advocated for and strove to protect the health, safety and rights of the patients
- Provided the highest quality of care to patients and their families
- Facilitated health and healing by cultivating caring relationships with patients
- Performed all functions of patient care, which included: ICU, Med-surg floor, ABG, Bronchoscopy, ER and equipment management
- Actively participated in the training of new therapist.Performed JACHO review both mock and live
- Performed assessments of patients cardiopulmonary status using the following: Lab and history findings, physical assessment, pulmonary function testing, radiological studies and professional clinical judgment
- Initiated , monitored an maintained life support of all patients
- Trouble shooting and maintenance of mechanical ventilators
- Dispensed and recorded proper dosage of medication and reported all findings
- Acquired and adjusted devices to insure optimal results from received therapy
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of airways
- Adhered to all standards of excellence established for respiratory care and diagnostic services
- Identified need for medical intervention by determining patient safety risks
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
Certified Respiratory Therapist
Carondelet St Mary's Hospital
Tucson, AZ
05.1995 - 12.1998
- Proper administration of respiratory treatment to ambulatory and non ambulatory patients
- Skillful operation of respiratory equipment to include but not limited to: hand-held nebulizer, MDI, Chest PT, ventilator management(set-up and operation, disassembly and cleaning of equipment)
- Suctioning
- Arterial blood gas puncture and analysis
- Patient monitoring (reporting vital signs and changes in condition and or abnormalities)
- Recommended and adopted procedures and techniques
- Provided in-services training to healthcare professionals and non-professionals personnel related to specific respiratory equipment and medication
- Practiced aseptic and sterile technique
- Maintained a high level of proficiency and ability to check for malfunctions on all respiratory equipment
- Ability to lead during the absence of shift supervisor, made staff assignments and demonstrated problem solving techniques
- Identified need for medical intervention by determining patient safety risks
- Adhered to all standards of excellence established for respiratory care and diagnostic services
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and assisted patients with breathing exercises
- Evaluated patients with deficiencies and abnormalities within cardiopulmonary system and made medical decisions based on assessments
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate and inform regarding patient care
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
Education
Associate of Science in Respiratory Care, Computer Science -
Pima Medical Institute
University of Maryland University College
Skills
- Courteous demeanor
- Active listening skills
- Energetic work attitude
- Strong documentation skills
- Service oriented
- Strong medical ethics
- Strong clinical judgment
- Problem resolution ability
- Enthusiastic caregiver
- Extensive medical terminology knowledge
- Familiarity with disease management programs
- Practiced inpatient and outpatient caregiver
- Patient/Family focused
- Administrative
- CPR
- Diagnosis
- Documentation
- Instructor
- Law
- Listening
- Mechanical
- Medical terminology
- Payroll
- Personnel
- Problem solving
- Problem resolution
- Processes
- Quality
- Quality control
- Reporting
- Safety
- Supervisor
- Trouble shooting
- Tracheostomy Care
- Patient and caregiver education
- Electronic Medical Records
- Airway Management
- Ventilator management
- Medication Administration
- Medical Terminology
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Clinical Leadership
- Infection Control
- Patient Advocacy
- Equipment Cleaning
- Team Collaboration
- Care Planning
- Physical assessments
- Caring Bedside Manner
- Treatment Administration
- Professional Bedside Manner
- Relationship Building
- Patient Needs Assessment
- Emergency medical care
- Heavy Lifting
Certification
- National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)
- American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC)
- Abides by infection control standards
- CPR/BLS certified
- Medical Ground and Air Transport trained
- Basic Life Support Certified
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Neonatal Advanced Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
References
References Available upon request
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
02.2024 - Current
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Mary Washington Hospital Center
10.2023 - 03.2024
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Titan Medical/VCU Medical Center
09.2022 - 09.2023
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Snapnurse
09.2021 - 07.2023
Respiratory Care Practitioner III
Children's National Medical Center
10.2015 - 09.2021
Respiratory Care Supervisor
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
10.2002 - 09.2015
Registered Respiratory Supervisor/Therapist
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
09.2001 - 10.2015
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Gulfport Memorial Hospital
07.1998 - 09.2001
Registered Respiratory Therapist
University South Alabama Medical Center
12.1997 - 09.2001
Certified Respiratory Therapist
Carondelet St Mary's Hospital
05.1995 - 12.1998
Associate of Science in Respiratory Care, Computer Science -
Pima Medical Institute
University of Maryland University College
- National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)
- American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC)
- Abides by infection control standards
- CPR/BLS certified
- Medical Ground and Air Transport trained
- Basic Life Support Certified
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Neonatal Advanced Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
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