Kathleen Oliver
Littleton,CO
Summary
Registered Nurse and Registered Respiratory Therapist with extensive experience in critical care at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. Expertise in patient assessments and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to achieve optimal health outcomes. Proficient in emergency interventions, consistently providing high-quality care in demanding situations.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse, ICU
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
02.2023 - Current
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of veterans' physical, psychosocial, and spiritual status using evidence-based principles.
- Executed ongoing patient evaluations through continuous observation and focused assessments of responses.
- Administered medications and treatments to critically ill patients in intensive care settings.
- Monitored vital signs and continuously assessed patient conditions to ensure prompt interventions.
- Responded swiftly to emergencies, delivering critical care in high-pressure situations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for optimal outcomes.
- Ensured proper functionality of critical equipment, including ventilators and infusion pumps.
Respiratory Therapist
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
10.2015 - 02.2023
- Responsible for providing basic and advanced therapeutic procedures to adult and geriatric patients
- Plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care and operate a variety of equipment including mechanical ventilator, SBT, CPAP/Bi-Level ventilation, pulmonary function equipment, oxygen monitors/analyzers, aerosolized medication administration, bronchial hygiene, airway management, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, diagnostic testing, such as spirometry, pulse oximetry, bronchoscopy assistance, arterial blood gas sampling, and analysis
- Assists the physician in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessments
- Part of the Code Blue and Rapid Response team in which I would perform emergency intubations and acute respiratory care procedures in accordance with the quality guidelines in the departmental policy and procedure manual
- Participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
Critical Care Research Respiratory Therapist
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
07.2008 - 10.2015
- Delivered comprehensive respiratory care services and assessments for critical and non-critical research volunteers in inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Ensured accuracy and validity of blood gas analyzer results through monitoring, interpretation, and quality control in STAT Lab.
- Executed invasive and non-invasive bedside procedures, including pulse oximetry setups, six-minute walk tests, blood gas sampling, and non-invasive ventilation management.
- Provided respiratory consult services and patient education on discharge medications and proper techniques for MDI, PEP therapy devices, and nebulizers.
- Responded promptly to Code Blue situations within the Clinical Center, ensuring immediate patient support.
- Managed mechanical ventilation for pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients in the medical/surgical ICU.
- Monitored advanced ventilator modes such as APRV, PRVC, PCV, SIMV, and PSV to optimize patient care.
- Conducted clinical research specimen collection and supported various research protocols by providing necessary clinical services.
Health Care Specialist, Combat Medic
Maryland Army National Guard
04.1998 - 04.2007
- Performed duties of a Soldier and primarily as a Health Care Specialist (Combat Medic) for the military
- Squad leader for Ambulance Platoon
- Provided emergency and medical treatment to fellow soldiers and civilians
- Provided humanitarian aid medical support missions in underdeveloped countries
- Recipient of Humanitarian Service Medal Award for support and leadership during Katrina hurricane operation
- Recipient of Army Achievement Medal Award for medical support and leadership during the Joint Task Force New Horizons 2006 in the Dominican Republic.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Regis University
Denver, CO08-2022
Bachelors in Science, Health Care Administration -
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN06.2014
Associates Degree in Respiratory Care -
Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore, MD01.2005
Skills
- Compassionate Care
- Clinical judgment and critical thinking
- Patient Assessments
- Medication Administration
- Advanced cardiac life support
- End of life care
- Healthcare Team Collaboration
- Blood Transfusion Administration
- Shock Symptom Identification
- Critical care management
- Pulmonary Assessments
- Emergency Interventions
- Life-sustaining machines
- Trauma Nursing Core Course
- Intravenous therapy
- Pain Management
Affiliations
- American Association for Respiratory Care #9462366
- National Board for Respiratory Care
- NIH Clinical Research Training
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses Member #13383778
- Emergency Nurse Association
Volunteer Experience
- United States Air Force Academy, 06/17, 05/21, Sponsor parents to two outstanding Air Force cadets. The Cadet Sponsor program is designed to help the cadets by providing them guidance, leadership, role model relationship, mentoring, and provide the cadets a "home away from home" on a permanent basis throughout their whole four years of military academics.
- 9 Health Fair, 04/16, 06/17, Served twice as a community volunteer helping out with the 9 Health Fair by obtaining blood specimens from individuals and providing respiratory therapy education such as quitting smoking education.
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Registered Nurse, ICU
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
02.2023 - Current
Respiratory Therapist
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
10.2015 - 02.2023
Critical Care Research Respiratory Therapist
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
07.2008 - 10.2015
Health Care Specialist, Combat Medic
Maryland Army National Guard
04.1998 - 04.2007
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Regis University
Bachelors in Science, Health Care Administration -
Purdue University Global
Associates Degree in Respiratory Care -
Baltimore City Community College