Melissa Keo
Kaiser Permanente
19
years of professional experience
Lead Respiratory Therapist experienced in critical care across NICU, PICU, trauma, and transport environments. Achieved enhanced patient outcomes through effective care strategies, team development, and quality improvement initiatives. Focused on transitioning into Respiratory Care Management and Administrative Leadership to further drive operational excellence and collaborative patient care.
Work History
Lead / Charge Respiratory Therapist
8 Years 11 Months- Lead respiratory care operations across NICU Level III, PICU, adult ICU, and labor and delivery.
- Mentored respiratory therapy team, providing operational guidance that enhanced care delivery.
- Transported pediatric and neonatal patients during critical care situations.
- Served as preceptor for NICU and PICU staff, offering guidance and mentorship.
- Co-led quality initiative Project Clear Sight ROP, contributing to improved patient outcomes in neonatal care.
- Supervised respiratory therapy team to ensure high-quality patient care and compliance with protocols.
- Developed and implemented individualized respiratory care plans based on patient assessments and clinical guidelines.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary rounds to optimize treatment strategies and enhance patient outcomes.
- Mentored junior staff on advanced respiratory techniques and best practices for patient management.
- Led quality improvement initiatives that enhanced service delivery and streamlined workflow processes.
- Educated patients and families on proper use of home-based respiratory equipment, increasing compliance with prescribed therapies.
- Served as a liaison between patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to facilitate effective communication concerning treatment options and progress updates.
Pediatric & Neonatal Specialist
8 Years 2 Months- Specialized in Level IV NICU, pediatric cardiac surgery, trauma ICU, tracheostomy care, delivering comprehensive and critical respiratory support to high-risk patients.
- Provided advanced ventilator and trauma respiratory care, ensuring optimal patient outcomes in critical situations.
- Developed post-operative pulmonary hygiene pathways, improving patient recovery times and minimizing risk of complications.
- Mentored junior staff in best practices for patient management and documentation accuracy.
- Facilitated training sessions for new staff on electronic health record systems and data entry protocols.
- Researched emerging healthcare trends to inform strategic planning and improve service offerings at the center.
- Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work.
- Improved customer satisfaction rates through proactive problem-solving and efficient complaint resolution.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time and within budget.
- Championed the adoption of new software tools that streamlined workflows across multiple departments.
Respiratory Therapist
1 Month- Oversaw ventilator management for neonatal and pediatric patients, ensuring optimal respiratory support.
- Delivered respiratory care in Trauma ICU and Level III NICU, prioritizing patient safety and comfort.
- Delivered respiratory therapies to patients with diverse pulmonary conditions, enhancing their recovery and quality of life.
- Monitored and assessed patient progress during treatment sessions, adjusting care plans to optimize outcomes.
- Provided education to patients and families on respiratory health management techniques, empowering them to manage conditions effectively.
- Administered respiratory therapy treatments to patients with chronic and acute respiratory conditions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient care plans.
- Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques.
- Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, breathing techniques, and medication administration, promoting self-care and adherence to treatment plans.
- Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
- Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations.
Education
Respiratory Therapy - Respiratory Care
Bachelor of Science - Health Care Science
MBA - Business
Skills
Ventilator Management
Mechanical ventilation
Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy
Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy
Nitric oxide therapy
Noninvasive ventilation
Airway management
Intubation
Tracheostomy care
Bronchial hygiene
Continuous positive airway pressure
Oxygen therapy
Inhaled medication administration
Noninvasive ventilation
External transport
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Arterial blood gas analysis
Patient care
Patient Safety Initiatives
Quality improvement
Clinical leadership
Leadership
Respiratory leadership
Team Mentorship
Team collaboration
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Strong clinical judgment
Patient-Centered Care
Patient and family advocacy
Stakeholder Engagement
Communication
Verbal and written communication
Infection Control Practices
Safety protocols
Communication skills
Bedside manner
Palliative Care Coordination
Critical care
Pediatric care
Neonatal care
Coaching
Care documentation
Patient education
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 16 staff members.
Timeline
Lead / Charge Respiratory Therapist
Kaiser Permanente
09.2017 - CurrentRead More
Pediatric & Neonatal Specialist
UC Davis Medical Center
07.2009 - 09.2017Read More
Respiratory Therapist
San Joaquin County Hospital
06.2007 - 07.2007Read More
Maric College
Respiratory Therapy from Respiratory Care
Read More
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science from Health Care Science
Read More
University of Phoenix
MBA from Business
Read More
Credentials
- RRT
- RCP
- BHS