Kenneth Lerma
Corpus Christi,Texas
Summary
Dynamic RRT Lead at Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital with extensive expertise in respiratory therapy and a proven ability to make critical decisions in emergencies. Known for compassionate patient care and effective team collaboration, I excel in administering advanced therapies and monitoring patient responses, ensuring optimal outcomes in high-pressure environments.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RRT
Corpus Christi Medical Center Doctors Regional
05.2021 - Current
RRT Lead
Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital
10.2012 - 12.2020
- Work as a team lead to manage patient care in the emergency room, ICU and general care areas of the hospital.
- Lead and coordinate shift operations of assigned activities, resources, and/or associates.
- Assign monitor and review progress of work. Monitors and reports compliance with policies and/or procedures.
- Oversee and evaluate orientation and training of assigned associates. Provide input in the review and evaluation of staff performance.
- Perform the duties of a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
- Provide initial assistance for those needing emergency intervention.
- Administer aerosolized medications to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies.
- Monitor patients response to various therapies such as vitals, blood gases changes and consult with physicians when adverse reactions are present.
- Provide emergency care including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Set up and operate devices such as mechanical ventilators and therapeutic gas administration devices.
RRT
Seton Medical Center Austin
11.2010 - 10.2012
- Worked as part of a team to manage patient care in a the emergency room, ICU, operating room and general care areas of a heart transplant, ECMO, and Cystic Fibrosis center on the adult population.
- Experience in therapist-driven protocols.
- Assisteded physicians with interventional pulmonary procedures such as airway stent placement.
- Gained experience working with Nitric Oxide and Heliox in the intensive care and operating room setting.
- Administered aerosolized medications to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies.
- Monitored patients response to various therapies such as vitals, blood gases changes and consult with physicians when adverse reactions were present.
- Provided emergency care including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Set up and operated devices such as mechanical ventilators and therapeutic gas administration devices.
RRT
Corpus Christi Medical Center
12.2004 - 12.2010
- Work as part of a team to manage patient care in the emergency room, ICU and general care areas of the hospital.
- Assisted physicians with bronchoscopies.
- Administer aerosolized medications to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies.
- Monitor patients response to various therapies such as vitals, blood gases changes and consult with physicians when adverse reactions are present.
- Provide emergency care including intubatation, artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Set up and operate devices such as mechanical ventilators and therapeutic gas administration devices.
RRT
Corpus Christi Specialty Hospital
08.2003 - 11.2010
- Worked as part of a team to manage patient care in a long term acute care setting.
- Plenty of experience working with tracheostomy patients (trach change-outs and down sizing)
- Administered aerosolized medications to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies.
- Assisted physicians with bronchoscopies including setting up for procedure and sterilization of equipment post procedure.
- Monitored patients response to various therapies such as vitals, blood gases changes and consulted with physicians when adverse reactions were present.
- Provided emergency care including intubation, artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Set up and operated devices such as mechanical ventilators and therapeutic gas administration devices.
RRT
Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline
11.2000 - 08.2003
- Started working as a respiratory therapy student after my first semester of school. After my first year of school I was working as part of a team to manage patient care in the emergency room, ICU and general care areas of the hospital.
- Administered aerosolized medications to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies.
- Monitored patients response to various therapies such as vitals, blood gas changes and consulted with physicians when adverse reactions were present.
- Provided emergency care including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Set up and operated devices such as mechanical ventilators and therapeutic gas administration devices.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy
Del Mar College
101 Baldwin Blvd Corpus Christi, Texas 784042002
Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of respiratory therapy procedures
- Ability to work independently but also the ability to work well collaboratively as part of a team
- Professional bedside manner
- Critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Can make quick and appropriate decisions for patients in an emergency
- Compassionate and caring
Certification
- NBRC RRT License # 87084 (August 2004 - August 2029)
- Texas Medical Board License # RCP00066372 (Oct. 2002 - Nov. 30, 2027)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification expires 3/31/2027
- BLS (March 2025-March 2027)
- NRP expires 11/30/2027
- PALS expires 10/31/2027
Timeline
RRT
Corpus Christi Medical Center Doctors Regional
05.2021 - Current
RRT Lead
Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital
10.2012 - 12.2020
RRT
Seton Medical Center Austin
11.2010 - 10.2012
RRT
Corpus Christi Medical Center
12.2004 - 12.2010
RRT
Corpus Christi Specialty Hospital
08.2003 - 11.2010
RRT
Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline
11.2000 - 08.2003
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy
Del Mar College