PAULA LAFARGE
Glendora
Summary
Dynamic healthcare leader with extensive experience at Los Angeles County Fire Department, excelling in program oversight and quality improvement. Proven ability to enhance prehospital care through data analysis and effective staff training. Adept at fostering collaboration among diverse teams, driving operational excellence, and elevating clinical standards.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Emergency Medical Systems Program Head / EMS CE Program Director
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Commerce
01.2016 - Current
- Directed continuing education (CE) program for EMS, ensuring compliance with state and Los Angeles County regulations.
- Developed and approved EMS curriculum, instructional objectives, and evaluation methods while maintaining CE records.
- Coordinated EMS training initiatives with the medical director, fire chief, battalion chiefs, captains, and healthcare partners.
- Evaluated paramedic and EMT field competency, conducting patient care record reviews for quality assurance.
- Collaborated with EMS agencies, hospitals, and prehospital care partners to develop departmental policies and procedures.
- Supervised senior nursing instructors and support staff, improving training effectiveness and performance evaluations through targeted mentorship.
- Prepared operational reports detailing budget requests, cost analyses, compliance documentation, and program performance summaries to inform strategic decision-making.
Division Nurse Educator
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Commerce
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Managed education programs for paramedics, EMTs, and trainees, including advanced and basic life support training.
- Developed prehospital care education programs in alignment with California state training standards.
- Evaluated the field competency of paramedics and EMTs, monitoring performance during emergency responses.
- Reviewed patient care records to ensure adherence to quality assurance standards.
- Coordinated EMS training and operations with fire command staff, nurse educators, EMS agencies, and healthcare partners to improve collaborative training efforts.
- Spearheaded EMS training and quality improvement initiatives for air operations division and battalions 13 & 20.
- Provided firefighter health checks and vaccinations during major incidents while engaging in operational planning committees.
- Participated in departmental committees to improve operational effectiveness and training outcomes through collaborative input.
Quality Improvement Nurse
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Commerce
01.2013 - 12.2016
- Reviewed and analyzed 400 patient care records weekly to assess clinical performance.
- Led quality improvement initiatives by developing studies and preparing reports per EMS standards.
- Coordinated with medical director to evaluate paramedic performance and update clinical protocols, improving care standards.
- Collaborated with LA County EMS agency and healthcare providers to implement care policies.
- Developed education programs for paramedics and trainees, optimizing staff workflow and resource allocation.
- Managed prehospital data collection and reporting, enhancing accuracy of patient care records.
Clinical Instructor
El Camino Community College
Torrance
01.2007 - 12.2014
- Taught core nursing skills, including medication administration and intravenous initiation, to ensure student preparedness for clinical practice.
- Delivered clinical instruction to nursing students, enhancing competencies in patient assessment and care planning.
- Demonstrated head-to-toe assessments, NG tube insertion, catheter insertion, and wound care techniques.
- Evaluated student performance and provided real-time feedback, fostering improved clinical decision-making skills.
Prehospital Care Coordinator / EMS CE Program Director
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance
01.2010 - 12.2013
- Oversaw base hospital prehospital operations, supervising micn-certified registered nurses and paramedics to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Liaised between Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, EMS agencies, prehospital providers, and regional 9-1-1 hospitals.
- Monitored compliance with paramedic base hospital agreement and Los Angeles County EMS policies, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
- Coordinated staff operations and streamlined workflow to optimize resource allocation and maintain regulatory compliance.
- Led quality improvement initiatives by analyzing prehospital care data to identify trends.
- Implemented strategies to enhance patient care and service delivery based on data analysis.
- Developed and executed educational programs for micns, paramedic trainees, and base hospital physicians.
- Conducted certification evaluations and ongoing competency assessments for training participants.
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Anaheim Regional Medical Center
Anaheim
01.2009 - 12.2010
- Administered medications, IV therapy, and venipuncture while monitoring EKG/ECG results and coordinating timely diagnostic laboratory testing.
- Prioritized patient needs, advocated for immediate care, and effectively communicated changes in patient condition to physicians.
- Delivered comprehensive care to pediatric and adult patients through thorough assessment, symptom evaluation, and effective nursing interventions.
Charged Nurse / Relief Nurse, Emergency Department
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance
01.2004 - 12.2009
- Delivered comprehensive patient care to Emergency Department patients, including trauma cases; prioritized assessments, administered medications and IVs, performed venipuncture, and monitored EKG/ECGs to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Oversaw Emergency Department nursing staff to ensure high-quality nursing care delivery and adherence to protocols.
- Guided new RN and LVN graduates in developing clinical skills and understanding hospital policies and nursing best practices.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing (Focus: Education)
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ01-2010
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach01-2004
Skills
- Prehospital care
- Program oversight
- Quality improvement
- Data analysis
- Clinical instruction
- Nurse leadership
- Network development
- Staff training
Affiliations
- Emergency Nurses Association
- Sigma Theta Tau
Certification
- California Registered Nurse, RN 634018, 2004 to Current
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certified Instructor, 2015 to Current
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certified Instructor, 2016 to Current
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certified Instructor, 2014 to Current
- Mobile Intensive Care Nurse (MICN), 2005 to Current
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), 2013
Presentations
- Speaker, Siren of Silence, EMSAAC Conference, 2024
- Speaker, CE provided by the Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, 2016 - Current
- Speaker, Documentation Review, Los Angeles County Fire Department, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- Speaker, Quality Improvement, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Officer Orientation, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Speaker/Coordinator, Base Hospital Physician Course, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 2011, 2011, 2012
- Speaker/Coordinator, MICN Development Course, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 2011, 2012
- Speaker, Prehospital Field Care Audits, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
- Speaker, Triage Course, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 2010
- Speaker, 'Disorders of the Gastrointestinal System', El Camino College, 2010
- Speaker, Genitourinary Emergencies (New Graduate Class), Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 2006
Timeline
Senior Emergency Medical Systems Program Head / EMS CE Program Director
Los Angeles County Fire Department
01.2016 - Current
Division Nurse Educator
Los Angeles County Fire Department
01.2016 - 12.2016
Quality Improvement Nurse
Los Angeles County Fire Department
01.2013 - 12.2016
Prehospital Care Coordinator / EMS CE Program Director
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
01.2010 - 12.2013
Staff Nurse, Emergency Department
Anaheim Regional Medical Center
01.2009 - 12.2010
Clinical Instructor
El Camino Community College
01.2007 - 12.2014
Charged Nurse / Relief Nurse, Emergency Department
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
01.2004 - 12.2009
Master of Science - Nursing (Focus: Education)
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
California State University, Long Beach