Rachel Dickson RRT
Chester,VA
Summary
Confident and well-trained Respiratory Therapist with proven expertise in diverse modalities for managing respiratory symptoms, assessing patients, and treating conditions. Analytical in approaching problems to meet patients' needs and achieve optimal outcomes. State-registered, fully certified and ready for fast-paced, challenging work.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
AdaptHealth
Petersburg, VA
05.2023 - Current
- Conducted follow-up visits with patients to evaluate treatment outcomes and make recommendations for additional care if needed.
- Monitored patient progress to determine effectiveness of treatments and made necessary adjustments.
- Prepared reports summarizing the patient's progress towards established goals for review by the physician.
- Maintained records of patient assessments, treatments provided and changes in patient status.
- Instructed patients on proper use of respiratory equipment including oxygen therapy, ventilators and aerosol therapy.
- Evaluated patient's need for additional resources such as home health services or durable medical equipment.
- Attended staff meetings, educational conferences and seminars related to respiratory therapy practice.
Respiratory Therapist
Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
Henrico, VA
05.2022 - 04.2023
- My role of RRT in the skilled nursing facility is to educate staff, patients, and family/caregivers on disease management, equipment, and medication. I provide the initial assessment, dictate the care plan and work with different physicians to get orders for bedside care. I help maintain the health and happiness of the patients that currently reside there.
- Assisted in training new hires on department policies, protocols and safety procedures related to respiratory therapy practices.
- Developed individualized plans of care based on assessment findings, patient needs and physician orders.
Respiratory Therapist
Commonwealth Home Health Care Inc.
Danville, VA
02.2020 - 07.2021
- I treat and educate patients in their home. I also communicate effectively with physicians and clients, ensuring accurate orders and changes to prescriptions. Operate and maintain biomedical equipment. Setup oxygen and other respiratory supportive equipment in home, educate and train healthcare workers in long term facilities on trach care management, home o2, and other respiratory supportive devices.
- Conducted follow-up visits with patients to evaluate treatment outcomes and make recommendations for additional care if needed.
- Assisted in training new hires on department policies, protocols and safety procedures related to respiratory therapy practices.
Respiratory Therapist
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital
Henrico, VA
03.2020 - 10.2020
- Setting up and managing Ventilators, Bipaps, Cpaps, Hi flow devices etc. Assisting physicians in bedside procedures including a plan of care for the patient along with education on different disease processes.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Enforced physicians' orders for specific treatment protocols and durations.
Respiratory Therapist
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Henrico, VA
04.2019 - 04.2020
- My responsibilities included teaching and evaluating incoming respiratory students as they rotated through Chippenham Level 1 Trauma Center. I taught introduction to basic respiratory skills, critical care, Ed and Cvicu/ccu training.
- Assessed student competency levels through direct observation in the hospital setting.
- Supervised small groups of medical students during their clinical rotations at hospitals and clinics.
Respiratory Therapist
HCA CJW Level 1 Trauma Center
Richmond, VA
02.2015 - 04.2020
- Responded to medical emergencies, assist physicians in bedside procedures. Setting up and managing Ventilators, Bipaps, Cpaps, Hi flow devices etc. Participates in yearly Respiratory Skill fair with booth and education presentation on various respiratory equipment and protocols. Train new incoming employees during their orientation phase for various check offs.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Monitored patient's vital signs, arterial blood gases or blood chemistry changes, consulting with physician during adverse reactions.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Enforced physicians' orders for specific treatment protocols and durations.
Respiratory Therapist
Med Inc Home Health
Chesterfield , VA
06.2014 - 02.2017
- Visited patients in their home setting weekly to maintain and educate them on various respiratory equipment.
- Attended the VCU neuromuscular clinic weekly to educate neuromuscular patients on their options for home care respiratory management.
- Worked with the COPD 360 Trilogy program where I visited patients in the hospital right before discharge to educate them on their equipment before their initial home visit. I recommended appropriate respiratory devices for different patients based on the stage of their disease process.
- Completed monthly in home visits to obtain end tidal, vitals, and patient compliance reports.
- Worked closely with physicians in hospitals and other doctor offices to promote and sell our respiratory equipment.
Respiratory Therapist Student
Med Inc Home Health
Chesterfield, VA
04.2014 - 06.2014
- Assisted with patient education on Cpap/Bipap use.
- Delivered various respiratory equipment
- Cleaned and restocked respiratory supplies.
- Answered multi line phone, scheduled patients, operated various office equipment.
- Performed preventative maintenance on emergency equipment.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA06.2014
High School Diploma -
Huguenot High School
Richmond, VA06.2006
Skills
- Patient Advocacy
- Verbal and Written Communication
- First Aid and CPR
- MS Office Proficiency
- Relationship Building
- Care Planning
- Care Plan Management
- Assisting in invasive procedures
- Cpap/Bipap setup and education
- Obtain and analyze blood samples
- Training new employees
- Updating physicians orders
- Critical thinking/Time management
Affiliations
- Gardening
- Teaching
- Spending time and caring for Geriatric patient
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
AdaptHealth
05.2023 - Current
Respiratory Therapist
Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
05.2022 - 04.2023
Respiratory Therapist
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital
03.2020 - 10.2020
Respiratory Therapist
Commonwealth Home Health Care Inc.
02.2020 - 07.2021
Respiratory Therapist
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
04.2019 - 04.2020
Respiratory Therapist
HCA CJW Level 1 Trauma Center
02.2015 - 04.2020
Respiratory Therapist
Med Inc Home Health
06.2014 - 02.2017
Respiratory Therapist Student
Med Inc Home Health
04.2014 - 06.2014
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
High School Diploma -
Huguenot High School