Katie Gilliam
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Seasoned respiratory therapist with nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare locations and community-based settings. Highly skilled in patient assessments, blood gas analysis and interpretation and airway management. Successful at implementing best practices to advance respiratory therapy outcomes.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
Sunview Respiratory and Rehab
Youngtown, AZ
07.2021 - 06.2024
- Maintained records of patient assessments, treatments provided and changes in patient status.
- Assessed patient's response to therapeutic interventions by observing physical conditions or interpreting test results.
- Participated in continuing education programs to maintain knowledge of current trends in respiratory therapy practices.
- Conducted follow-up visits with patients to evaluate treatment outcomes and make recommendations for additional care if needed.
- Attended staff meetings, educational conferences and seminars related to respiratory therapy practice.
- Assisted in training new hires on department policies, protocols and safety procedures related to respiratory therapy practices.
- Consulted with physicians about potential problems related to prescribed respiratory therapies or medications.
- Performed diagnostic tests such as arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing and sleep studies.
- Provided emergency care when required including performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Provided education to patients regarding lifestyle changes that may help improve their condition.
- Reviewed current literature related to respiratory disorders and treatments in order to update clinical skillset.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient care was achieved.
- Developed individualized plans of care based on assessment findings, patient needs and physician orders.
- 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.
- Identified high risk situations such as airway obstruction or inadequate ventilation and took appropriate action.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and assisted patients with breathing exercises.
- Followed established guidelines to compliantly deliver services.
- Adhered to standards of excellence for respiratory care and diagnostic services.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Determined patient safety risks to identify medical intervention needs.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Set up and operated mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Demonstrated respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
- Managed care of patients with diverse conditions alongside physicians, nurses and support team members.
- Administered medication and ventilatory support.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
- Performed endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients unable to breathe on own.
- Operated mechanical ventilators following specified parameters of treatment.
- Enforced physicians' orders for specific treatment protocols and durations.
Respiratory Therapist
Phoenix St Luke’s Hospital
Phoenix, AZ
10.2005 - 11.2019
- Maintained records of patient assessments, treatments provided and changes in patient status.
- Assessed patient's response to therapeutic interventions by observing physical conditions or interpreting test results.
- Participated in continuing education programs to maintain knowledge of current trends in respiratory therapy practices.
- Conducted follow-up visits with patients to evaluate treatment outcomes and make recommendations for additional care if needed.
- Assisted physicians with intubations, bronchoscopies, thoracenteses and other procedures.
- Attended staff meetings, educational conferences and seminars related to respiratory therapy practice.
- Assisted in training new hires on department policies, protocols and safety procedures related to respiratory therapy practices.
- Consulted with physicians about potential problems related to prescribed respiratory therapies or medications.
- Performed diagnostic tests such as arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing and sleep studies.
- Provided emergency care when required including performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Provided education to patients regarding lifestyle changes that may help improve their condition.
- Reviewed current literature related to respiratory disorders and treatments in order to update clinical skillset.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient care was achieved.
- Developed individualized plans of care based on assessment findings, patient needs and physician orders.
- Prepared reports summarizing the patient's progress towards established goals for review by the physician.
- Monitored patient progress to determine effectiveness of treatments and made necessary adjustments.
- Evaluated patient's need for additional resources such as home health services or durable medical equipment.
- Instructed patients on proper use of respiratory equipment including oxygen therapy, ventilators and aerosol therapy.
- Identified high risk situations such as airway obstruction or inadequate ventilation and took appropriate action.
- Ensured all regulatory requirements were met within scope of practice guidelines set forth by governing agencies.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and assisted patients with breathing exercises.
- Followed established guidelines to compliantly deliver services.
- Adhered to standards of excellence for respiratory care and diagnostic services.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Conducted therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with treatment methods and equipment.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Determined patient safety risks to identify medical intervention needs.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Evaluated patients for deficiencies and abnormalities and made medical decisions based on assessments.
- Monitored patient's vital signs, arterial blood gases or blood chemistry changes, consulting with physician during adverse reactions.
- Read prescription information and laboratory results to assess patients' needs and conditions.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Demonstrated respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
- Transcribed physicians' notes and maintained patient charts with treatment data.
- Tracked changes in blood chemistry, vital signs and other markers of improvement or decompensation in critically ill patients.
- Educated patients and families about conditions and taught appropriate disease management techniques.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and instructed patients in breathing exercises.
- Managed care of patients with diverse conditions alongside physicians, nurses and support team members.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
- Administered medication and ventilatory support.
- Provided artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Maintained patient airways with endotracheal intubation.
- Enforced physicians' orders for specific treatment protocols and durations.
- 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.
- Operated mechanical ventilators following specified parameters of treatment.
Education
Associates Degree in Respiratory Therapy - Respiratory Therapy
Kaplan College - Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ05-2025
Skills
- Physical assessments
- Patient care documentation
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Patient Care
- Equipment Setup
- Regulatory Compliance
- Patient Education
- Patient and caregiver education
- Patient Advocacy
- Relationship Building
- Medical Terminology
- Equipment Cleaning
- Care Plan Management
- Care Planning
- Professional Bedside Manner
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
- Patient and family advocacy
- Drug administration trained
- Infection Control
- Caring Bedside Manner
- Treatment Administration
- Treatment Plan Development
- Clinical Leadership
- Diagnostic Tools
- Medication Administration
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Emergency medical care
- Patient Needs Assessment
- Ventilator management
- Practice Improvement
- Airway Management
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Respiratory equipment setup
- Heavy Lifting
- Tracheostomy Care
- Bronchial Hygiene Techniques
- Home Care Planning
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Smoking Cessation Counseling
- Sleep Disorder Treatment
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Respiratory Care Protocols
- Medical record documentation
- Patient support
- Time management abilities
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Problem-Solving
- Treatment Planning
- Interpersonal Communication
- CPR/AED
- Professionalism
- Written Communication
- Multitasking
- Vital signs monitoring
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Continuous Improvement
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
Sunview Respiratory and Rehab
07.2021 - 06.2024
Respiratory Therapist
Phoenix St Luke’s Hospital
10.2005 - 11.2019
Associates Degree in Respiratory Therapy - Respiratory Therapy
Kaplan College - Phoenix