Kari Tarver
Ferriday
Summary
Highly skilled in patient assessments, blood gas analysis and interpretation and airway management. Successful at implementing best practices to advance respiratory therapy outcomes. Flexible hard worker ready to learn and contribute to team success.
Highly skilled Respiratory Therapist with broad experience in managing patients with diverse respiratory diseases. Strengths include comprehensive knowledge of respiratory care procedures, adeptness in patient assessment and ventilation management, and ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. Previous roles reflect significant contributions towards improving patient outcomes through delivery of quality respiratory care. Compassionate Respiratory Therapist, known for high productivity and efficient completion of tasks. Skilled in patient assessment, mechanical ventilation management, and emergency respiratory care. Excels in communication, teamwork, and adaptability, ensuring exceptional patient care and support in fast-paced environments.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
Unity Health - White County Medical Center
Searcy
04.2025 - 07.2025
- Conducted EKGs, stress testing or lung capacity tests to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.
- Performed endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients unable to breathe on own.
- Monitored patient's vital signs, arterial blood gases or blood chemistry changes, consulting with physician during adverse reactions.
- Set up and operated mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Maintained patient airways with endotracheal intubation.
- Administered medication and ventilatory support.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Operated mechanical ventilators following specified parameters of treatment.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and instructed patients in breathing exercises.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Adhered to standards of excellence for respiratory care and diagnostic services.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and assisted patients with breathing exercises.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Provided emergency care when required including performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Assisted physicians with intubations, bronchoscopies, thoracenteses and other procedures.
- Monitored patient progress to determine effectiveness of treatments and made necessary adjustments.
- Instructed patients on proper use of respiratory equipment including oxygen therapy, ventilators and aerosol therapy.
Level 1 Trauma Respiratory Therapist
UMC New Orleans
New Orleans
06.2024 - 04.2025
- Reviewed current literature related to respiratory disorders and treatments in order to update clinical skillset.
- Maintained records of patient assessments, treatments provided and changes in patient status.
- Instructed patients on proper use of respiratory equipment including oxygen therapy, ventilators and aerosol therapy.
- Performed diagnostic tests such as arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing and sleep studies.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient care was achieved.
- Assisted physicians with intubations, bronchoscopies, thoracenteses and other procedures.
- Provided emergency care when required including performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Administered medication, monitored vital signs and assisted in the delivery of medical gases to patients.
- Monitored patient progress to determine effectiveness of treatments and made necessary adjustments.
- Assessed patient's response to therapeutic interventions by observing physical conditions or interpreting test results.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and assisted patients with breathing exercises.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
Respiratory Therapist
Our Lady of the Angels
Bogalusa
02.2024 - 05.2024
- Adults and Pediatrics
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
NICU Respiratory Therapist
Willow Creek Women’s
Johnson
08.2023 - 01.2024
- NICU
Critical Care Respiratory Therapist
EJGH
Metairie
12.2022 - 06.2023
- NICU and adult care
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory Therapist
Field Health System
Centreville
08.2022 - 10.2022
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory Therapist
Abbeville General
Abbeville
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory Therapist
Iberia Medical Center
New Iberia
04.2021 - 08.2021
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory therapist
UMC
New Orleans
01.2021 - 04.2021
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory therapist
Ochsner-Shreveport
Shreveport
10.2020 - 01.2021
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory therapist
LCMC
Lake Charles
03.2020 - 10.2020
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
- Management of Neonatal with transportation.
respiratory therapist
St. Francis Medical Center
Monroe
10.2019 - 03.2020
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory therapist
Carbon County
Rawlings
04.2019 - 08.2019
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
- Neonatal transport and management.
Respiratory therapist
Ochsner/New Orleans
New Orleans
04.2018 - 03.2019
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory therapist
Our Lady of the lake
Baton Rouge
10.2015 - 03.2019
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
- Pediatric transport and management.
Respiratory therapist
UTMB
Galveston
04.2015 - 07.2015
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory therapist
BRG
Baton Rouge
01.2014 - 03.2015
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory therapist
RMC
Ferriday
08.2008 - 01.2014
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Respiratory therapist
Rapides Medical Center
Alexandria
06.2008 - 08.2010
- Patient care, nebulizer, ABG, Vent management, Education, Equipment maintenance, Care plans, Discharge education, Noninvasive management and ABG maintenance/controls.
Education
Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapist
Co-Lin
Natchez, MS05.2008
Skills
- Mechanical ventilators
- Endotracheal intubation
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Patient assessment
- Emergency care
- Patient education
- Equipment maintenance
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Patient monitoring
- Critical care duties
- Infection control
- Patient care documentation
- Equipment cleaning
- Diagnostic tools
- Neonatal intensive care
- Pulmonary function testing
- Medication administration
- Reporting and documentation
- Continuous positive airway pressure
- Equipment setup
- Safety protocols and procedures
- Pulse oximetry
- Patient and family advocacy
- Airway management
- Pediatric respiratory care
- Physical assessments
- Treatment administration
- End-of-life care
- Professional bedside manner
- Intubation
- Spirometer reading
- Ventilator management
- Team collaboration
- Oxygen therapy
- Smoking cessation counseling
- Emergency medical care
- Treatment plan development
- Patient care
- Mechanical ventilation management
- Blood gas analysis
- Bronchial hygiene techniques
- Strong clinical judgment
- Respiratory care protocols
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
- Tracheostomy care
- Infection control techniques
- Patient advocacy
- Respiratory equipment setup
Certification
- ACLS
- BLS
- PALS
- NRP
- CRT
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
Unity Health - White County Medical Center
04.2025 - 07.2025
Level 1 Trauma Respiratory Therapist
UMC New Orleans
06.2024 - 04.2025
Respiratory Therapist
Our Lady of the Angels
02.2024 - 05.2024
NICU Respiratory Therapist
Willow Creek Women’s
08.2023 - 01.2024
Critical Care Respiratory Therapist
EJGH
12.2022 - 06.2023
Respiratory Therapist
Field Health System
08.2022 - 10.2022
Respiratory Therapist
Abbeville General
12.2021 - 05.2022
Respiratory Therapist
Iberia Medical Center
04.2021 - 08.2021
Respiratory therapist
UMC
01.2021 - 04.2021
Respiratory therapist
Ochsner-Shreveport
10.2020 - 01.2021
Respiratory therapist
LCMC
03.2020 - 10.2020
respiratory therapist
St. Francis Medical Center
10.2019 - 03.2020
Respiratory therapist
Carbon County
04.2019 - 08.2019
Respiratory therapist
Ochsner/New Orleans
04.2018 - 03.2019
Respiratory therapist
Our Lady of the lake
10.2015 - 03.2019
Respiratory therapist
UTMB
04.2015 - 07.2015
Respiratory therapist
BRG
01.2014 - 03.2015
Respiratory therapist
RMC
08.2008 - 01.2014
Respiratory therapist
Rapides Medical Center
06.2008 - 08.2010
Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapist
Co-Lin
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