LaVaughn Caradine
Respiratory Therapy
St Louis,Missouri
Summary
Experienced Registered Respiratory Therapist with over 20 + years of experience working with adult and geriatric patients experiencing pulmonary issues. Highly skilled in treatment of chronic conditions such as COPD, asthma, and bronchitis. Excellent data analysis and patient evaluation skills. Compassionate and detail-oriented RRT/CRTT committed to helping improve breathing of people with lung disease and various types of pulmonary distress. Treats wide range of patients from premature infants to elderly people with lung disease. Delivers expert technical and physical support while assisting and encouraging patients emotionally.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
CEO
Senior Home Health Agency
01.1998 - 01.2018
- Identified and pursued valuable business opportunities to generate new company revenue and improve bottom line profit.
- Led change and transformation across business areas to deliver benefits and align company resources.
- Established, initiated and optimized business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data, and budget factors.
- Negotiated, prepared, and signed contracts with clients.
- Implemented innovative business development strategies to increase customer base and expand market share.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
- Built productive relationships with industry partners and competitors to support strategic business objectives.
- Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive, and performance-oriented business culture to lead industry in innovation and push progress.
- Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
- Reviewed individual department performance and worked with leadership to improve processes, procedures, and practices.
- Directed market expansions to propel business forward, meet changing customer needs.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
Respiratory Therapist
Kindred Hospital St Louis
01.2012 - 10.2012
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Provided antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Evaluated patient response to respiratory treatments and revised care plans accordingly.
- Maintained proper oxygen titration levels of patients receiving ventilator support.
- Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
- Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
- Maintained accurate patient records to track patients' medical history and treatment plans.
Respiratory Therapist
St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc
01.1995 - 04.1998
- Provided antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Cooperated and communicated with physicians to deliver patient satisfaction and meet compliance with set standards.
- Setup and Trained Nursing staff at 20 different Nursing Homes on the proper use various type of ventilators equipment and correct procedure, of respiratory care equipment
- Performed arterial blood gas analysis and assisted in bronchoscopies.
- Maintained patient charts and information, strictly adhering to HIPAA laws and privacy guidelines.
- Responded to emergency codes and calls during off-hours and immediately initiated treatment.
- Treated patients after conducting assessments and laboratory testing.
- Evaluated care policies using patient records and current research findings to develop better treatment.
- Conducted tests such as EKGs and drainages.
- Educated patient and family on patient's illness and available remedies.
- Informed patients, family members and other healthcare personnel how to properly use respiratory care equipment.
Respiratory Therapist
Regional Hospital
01.1994 - 02.1998
- Provided antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Provided comprehensive care to improve and strengthen clients' respiratory functions.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Cooperated and communicated with physicians to deliver patient satisfaction and meet compliance with set standards.
- Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
- Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations.
Respiratory Therapist
BJC Hospital
01.1994 - 06.1997
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Weekend Option Night shift only Micu intense care/ case load 15-20 ventilators
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient treatment plans.
- Maintained accurate patient records to track patients' medical history and treatment plans.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Tested pulmonary function and analyzed arterial blood gas to identify abnormalities and issues with patient lung function.
- Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for managing respiratory disorders to improve patient outcomes.
- Conducted tests such as EKGs and drainages.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Provided antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
Respiratory Therapist (RRT/CRTT)
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital
01.1981 - 06.1996
- Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
- Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations.
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Cooperated and communicated with physicians to deliver patient satisfaction and meet compliance with set standards.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Provided antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Provided comprehensive care to improve and strengthen clients' respiratory functions.
- Maintained accurate patient records to track patients' medical history and treatment plans.
- Tested pulmonary function and analyzed arterial blood gas to identify abnormalities and issues with patient lung function.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient treatment plans.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
- Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for managing respiratory disorders to improve patient outcomes.
- Completed continued education units annually to stay current with respiratory therapy advancements and maintain compliance with administrative regulations.
- Administered pulmonary function tests and monitored changes in patients' respiratory status.
- Informed patients, family members and other healthcare personnel how to properly use respiratory care equipment.
- Responded to emergency codes and calls during off-hours and immediately initiated treatment.
- Performed arterial blood gas analysis and assisted in bronchoscopies.
- Maintained patient charts and information, strictly adhering to HIPAA laws and privacy guidelines.
- Conducted tests such as EKGs and drainages.
- Evaluated care policies using patient records and current research findings to develop better treatment.
- Treated patients after conducting assessments and laboratory testing.
Education
Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapy
Forrest Park Community College
St Louis, MO05.1985
Skills
- Care Plan Management
- Patient Care Documentation
- Outpatient Care
- Respiratory Equipment Setup
- Patient Education
- Medication Administration
- Medical Terminology
- Regulatory Compliance
- Infection Control
- Caring Bedside Manner
- Patient Advocacy
- Equipment Setup
- Team Collaboration
- Patient and Family Advocacy
- Equipment Cleaning
- Relationship Building
- Clinical Leadership
- Physical Assessments
- Treatment Plan Development
- Patient Care
- Diagnostic Tools
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Treatment Administration
- Spirometer Reading
- Care Planning
- Professional Bedside Manner
- Operational Reporting
- Appointment Scheduling
- Patient Needs Assessment
- Patient Instruction
- Intubation
- Trends Research
- Tracheostomy Care
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Emergency Medical Care
- Dosage Calculation
Certification
- BLS, PALS, ACLS. NRP
- RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist
- CRT - Certified Respiratory Therapist
- Licensed RRT/CRTT - 1985-Present
BLS,NRP,Pals. ACLS
Certification updated
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
Kindred Hospital St Louis
01.2012 - 10.2012
CEO
Senior Home Health Agency
01.1998 - 01.2018
Respiratory Therapist
St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc
01.1995 - 04.1998
Respiratory Therapist
Regional Hospital
01.1994 - 02.1998
Respiratory Therapist
BJC Hospital
01.1994 - 06.1997
Respiratory Therapist (RRT/CRTT)
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital
01.1981 - 06.1996
Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapy
Forrest Park Community College