Katie Blanchard
San Diego,CA
Summary
Registered Respiratory Therapist with nearly nine years of experience providing respiratory care across acute care medical-surgical, telemetry, and IMC settings. Experienced in floor-based respiratory care, noninvasive ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula, and routine respiratory therapies. Strong team-oriented clinician with excellent communication skills, committed to delivering safe, high-quality patient care in fast-paced acute care environments.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
Palomar Health
Escondido, CA
09.2023 - Current
- Provide comprehensive respiratory care for high-acute Med-Surg, Telemetry, and Step-Down patients in a fast-paced acute-care hospital environment.
- Manage and troubleshoot noninvasive ventilation including BiPAP, CPAP, HFNC, and supplemental oxygen delivery systems.
- Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) collection and interpretation, communicate critical result to providers and escalating care appropriately.
- Respond to Rapid Responses and Code Blues, providing airway support, manual ventilation, oxygenation management, and CPR assistance.
- Administer aerosolized medications, bronchial hygiene therapies, and lung expansion modalities for patients with COPD, asthma, pneumonia, CHF, and post-operative respiratory complications.
- Monitor respiratory status, identify early signs of deterioration, and initiate timely interventions to prevent ICU transfer.
- Collaborate closely with nursing, physicians, and other staff members to coordinate patient care across multiple units. Demonstrate strong time management and prioritize skills while carrying high patients assignments during night shift.
- Educate patient and families on inhaler technique, oxygen safety, and disease management prior to discharge.
- Adapt quickly to changing patient acuity, staffing needs, and workflow demands maintaining safe, effective care in dynamic environments.
Respiratory Therapist
Golden Hills Post Acute
San Diego, CA
04.2023 - 12.2023
- Managed invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation using Respironics Trilogy, Newport HT70, and Vivo 65.
- Performed comprehensive tracheostomy care, including routine trach changes, stoma assessments, tracheal suctioning, and bronchial hygiene therapy on a routine basis.
- Conducted ventilator weaning utilizing pressure support ventilation, Passy-Muir Valve (PMV) trials, and capping trials.
- Administered aerosolized breathing treatments via small-volume nebulizers through both invasive and noninvasive delivery systems for ventilated and tracheostomized patients.
Respiratory Therapist
SHARP MARY BIRCH HOSPITAL
San Diego, CA
01.2023 - 03.2023
- Provided respiratory care to neonatal patients under the supervision of senior respiratory therapists in a NICU setting, supporting assignments of up to six patients per shift.
- Assisted with assessment of chest X-rays for endotracheal tube positioning at the beginning of shifts in collaboration with the care team.
- Assisted with neonatal intubation and extubation procedures, including securing and monitoring endotracheal tubes.
- Performed oral and endotracheal suctioning per unit protocol and patient need.
- Monitored neonatal respiratory status through interpretation of capillary and arterial blood gases and assisted with ventilator adjustments per physician and preceptor guidance.
- Assisted with Bubble CPAP interface changes and monitored skin integrity, as well as observing neonates on high- and low-flow nasal cannula.
- Participated in neonatal resuscitation efforts, including positive pressure ventilation and CPAP support, as directed by the care team.
Respiratory Therapist
VILLA LAS PALMAS
San Diego, CA
10.2021 - 10.2022
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to support airway management for long-term tracheostomy patients.
- Provided comprehensive tracheostomy care, including routine trach changes and stoma care.
- Performed tracheal suctioning every two hours or as needed to maintain airway patency and manage secretions.
- Administered routine aerosolized breathing treatments for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory conditions.
- Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for managing respiratory disorders to support improved outcomes.
- Completed routine respiratory equipment checks, change-outs, and cleaning each shift in accordance with infection control standards.
Respiratory Therapist
SAN DIEGO POST ACUTE
San Diego, CA
04.2022 - 09.2022
- Performed routine ventilator checks and patient respiratory assessments every four hours.
- Provided tracheostomy care, including trach changes, stoma care, and routine aerosolized breathing treatments.
- Safely assisted with cardiopulmonary resuscitation during emergency situations.
- Performed airway suctioning every two hours or as needed to mobilize secretions and improve ventilation.
- Administered antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications via hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers, and positive pressure delivery systems.
- Assessed and documented patient response to therapy through ongoing monitoring and charting.
- Assisted with ventilator and tracheostomy weaning, including decannulation when indicated.
- Completed respiratory equipment checks, change-outs, and cleaning each shift in accordance with infection control standards.
Respiratory Therapist
AVOCADO POST ACUTE
San Diego, CA
03.2021 - 07.2021
- Provided respiratory care for ventilator-dependent patients in a subacute care setting.
- Administered aerosolized medications, including antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory therapies.
- Performed routine tracheostomy care, trach changes, and ventilator weaning support as ordered.
- Safely assisted with setup and monitored ventilated patients during transfers for hygiene and showering.
- Monitored patient response to therapy, including vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
- Maintained accurate patient documentation in compliance with HIPAA and facility policies.
Respiratory Therapist
JACOB HEALTHCARE
San Diego, CA
02.2020 - 07.2020
- Provided respiratory care to tracheostomy and ventilator-dependent patients in a subacute/post-acute setting.
- Performed routine ventilator checks, tracheostomy care, suctioning, and aerosolized breathing treatments.
- Assessed patient respiratory status and monitored response to therapy, including vital signs and arterial blood gas results.
- Collaborated with patients and families to address care concerns and support quality improvement initiatives.
- Maintained accurate and timely patient documentation in compliance with HIPAA and facility standards.
Respiratory Therapist
LA MESA REHAB
San Diego, CA
01.2020 - 04.2020
- Conducted six-minute walk tests and sit-to-stand testing to assess patient functional capacity and eligibility for pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
- Performed pulmonary measurements using incentive spirometry and peak flow meters to support assessment and management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Delivered chest physiotherapy, nebulizer treatments, and salt chamber therapies to improve pulmonary compliance and secretion clearance.
- Educated patients individually on breathing techniques, including diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, and bubble breathing exercises.
Respiratory Therapist
SLEEP DATA, LLC
San Diego, CA
04.2016 - 10.2019
- Provided comprehensive patient education and coaching to improve sleep quality and overall health for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
- Conducted in-office and scheduled home visits to set up and educate patients on CPAP and BiPAP therapy devices.
- Experienced with ResMed and Philips Respironics home CPAP and BiPAP equipment.
- Performed follow-up coaching and patient support via telephone to reinforce therapy adherence.
- Instructed patients on setup and use of Alice One home sleep testing equipment in-office and remotely.
- Managed after-hours on-call phone responsibilities and coordinated home visits as needed.
- Performed home oxygen equipment setup, titration education, and patient instruction prior to hospital discharge.
Education
Associate of Science -
California College San Diego
San Diego, CA01.2015
Skills
- Time Management and Prioritization
- Acute Care Mechanical Ventilation
- Noninvasive Ventilation (BiPAP / CPAP)
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis
- Airway Management
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Infection Control and Equipment Disinfection
- Patient Assessment and Monitoring
- Respiratory Equipment Setup, Cleaning, and Maintenance
- Professional Bedside Manner and Patient Communication
- Home CPAP and BiPAP Therapy
- Oxygen Therapy Delivery Systems
Certification
- RRT
- CRT
- BLS
- PALS
- NRP
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
Palomar Health
09.2023 - Current
Respiratory Therapist
Golden Hills Post Acute
04.2023 - 12.2023
Respiratory Therapist
SHARP MARY BIRCH HOSPITAL
01.2023 - 03.2023
Respiratory Therapist
SAN DIEGO POST ACUTE
04.2022 - 09.2022
Respiratory Therapist
VILLA LAS PALMAS
10.2021 - 10.2022
Respiratory Therapist
AVOCADO POST ACUTE
03.2021 - 07.2021
Respiratory Therapist
JACOB HEALTHCARE
02.2020 - 07.2020
Respiratory Therapist
LA MESA REHAB
01.2020 - 04.2020
Respiratory Therapist
SLEEP DATA, LLC
04.2016 - 10.2019
Associate of Science -
California College San Diego