Megan Burns
North Liberty
Summary
- Senior Respiratory Therapist with broad experience in all aspects of respiratory care, including ventilation management and therapeutic gas administration. Demonstrated strengths include patient assessment, development of comprehensive treatment plans, and collaboration with interdisciplinary medical teams. Previous roles have involved significant contribution to improving patient outcomes through implementation of best practice protocols and continued education initiatives.
- Flexible hard worker ready to learn and contribute to team success.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Respiratory Therapist
Iowa Health Care
Iowa City
02.2022 - Current
- Provided instruction to patients and families on proper use of ventilators, oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, chest physiotherapy, and other respiratory care modalities.
- Performed routine preventive maintenance on respiratory care equipment according to manufacturer guidelines.
- Evaluated new technology products relevant to the field of Respiratory Care.
- Ensured compliance with all safety protocols within the department.
- Assisted in the evaluation of patient's respiratory status and recommended appropriate treatments.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient assessment findings and treatments provided.
- Supervised the work of junior respiratory therapists and provided guidance when needed.
- Monitored patient progress and reported any changes in condition to physicians or nurses.
- Reviewed patient medical records to identify pertinent data for diagnosis or treatment plans.
- Developed comprehensive treatment plans based on physician orders.
- Collaborated with members of a multi-disciplinary team in order to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Determined patient safety risks to identify medical intervention needs.
- Managed care of patients with diverse conditions alongside physicians, nurses and support team members.
- Enforced physicians' orders for specific treatment protocols and durations.
Respiratory Therapist
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
Iowa City
06.2016 - 02.2022
- Assessed patient's response to therapeutic interventions by observing physical conditions or interpreting test results.
- Identified high risk situations such as airway obstruction or inadequate ventilation and took appropriate action.
- Participated in continuing education programs to maintain knowledge of current trends in respiratory therapy practices.
- Ensured all regulatory requirements were met within scope of practice guidelines set forth by governing agencies.
- Developed individualized plans of care based on assessment findings, patient needs and physician orders.
- Instructed patients on proper use of respiratory equipment including oxygen therapy, ventilators and aerosol therapy.
- Monitored patient progress to determine effectiveness of treatments and made necessary adjustments.
Respiratory Therapist
UnityPoint Health St. Luke's
Cedar Rapids
02.2016 - 05.2016
- Perform respiratory therapy duties in support of patient care and consistent with orders from medical staff
- Exposed to management of a wide variety of trachs, including trach care, changes, decannulation, and stoma care
- Provide patient care for both ICU and CCU units with up to 24 beds
- Diagnose lung and breathing disorders for up to 16 patients per rotation with and recommend treatment plans with physicians
Respiratory Therapist
UnityPoint Health/ Blank Children's
Des Moines
05.2015 - 02.2016
- Efficient team work in PICU, NICU, general pediatric floors, adult ICU, and general adult floors
- Ventilator management, treatments and therapies based on diagnosis
- Transport patients from ICU to special procedures using portable ventilator
- Education for patients and families on current care in the hospital and for further therapies for home care regimen
- Effective experience of trach care and tracheostomy education for all ages
- Competitive rotation in using, cleaning, and education on Servo I, Trilogy, LTV, Resperonics machines, V60, Vision, Vapotherm, Oscillator, Nitric, Heliox ect
Education
Respiratory Therapy -
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA05.2015
High School -
Washington High School
Cedar Rapids, IA05.2009
Skills
- Ventilator Management
- Arterial Puncture
- Artificial Airway Management
- Patient assessment
- Treatment planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Team collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Supervision skills
- Emergency response readiness
- Nitric oxide administration
- Neonatal resuscitation techniques
- High-frequency oscillatory ventilation
- Leadership and supervision
- Patient advocacy
License and Certifications
- National Board of Respiratory Care, RRT - 01/2016
- Basic Life Support (BLS) - 01/2025
- Advanced Cardiac Life support (ACLS) - 07/2024
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - 07/2024
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - 03/2025
Timeline
Senior Respiratory Therapist
Iowa Health Care
02.2022 - Current
Respiratory Therapist
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
06.2016 - 02.2022
Respiratory Therapist
UnityPoint Health St. Luke's
02.2016 - 05.2016
Respiratory Therapist
UnityPoint Health/ Blank Children's
05.2015 - 02.2016
Respiratory Therapy -
Kirkwood Community College
High School -
Washington High School