Robert Pulos
Ladson,SC
Summary
Registered Respiratory Therapist with over 30 years of experience providing inpatient and outpatient therapeutic services. Adept at managing COPD, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure and other chronic conditions. Skilled in instructing patients and caregivers about proper use, maintenance and safety of respiratory equipment.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff Registered Respiratory Therapist
Summerville Medical Center
Summerville , SC
1994.06 - 2024.03
- Mentored newly hired respiratory therapists on departmental policies and procedures.
- Ensured compliance with all safety guidelines while performing assigned duties.
- Performed comprehensive physical assessments and developed individualized patient care plans.
- Assessed, evaluated, and monitored patients' response to therapeutic interventions.
- Provided airway management, ventilator management, oxygen therapy, aerosol treatments and other respiratory therapies to acutely ill patients.
- Educated patients on disease processes and the importance of compliance with prescribed treatments.
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge of mechanical ventilation principles and techniques.
- Performed bronchial hygiene therapy such as chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry and postural drainage and percussion.
- Administered medications related to respiratory care procedures as ordered by physicians.
- Conducted pulmonary function tests including spirometry, body plethysmography, diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide measurements and arterial blood gas analysis.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to develop effective treatment plans for each patient's needs.
- Provided emergency life support services such as intubation and CPR during code blue situations.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop protocols for weaning from mechanical ventilation when appropriate.
- Coordinated patient transfers between various departments within the hospital setting.
- Maintained current licensure status in accordance with state regulations and standards of practice for Respiratory Care Practitioners.
- Instructed nursing staff members on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for administering oxygen therapy treatments.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Conducted therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with treatment methods and equipment.
- Adhered to standards of excellence for respiratory care and diagnostic services.
- Evaluated patients for deficiencies and abnormalities and made medical decisions based on assessments.
- Determined patient safety risks to identify medical intervention needs.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and assisted patients with breathing exercises.
- Followed established guidelines to compliantly deliver services.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Monitored patient's vital signs, arterial blood gases or blood chemistry changes, consulting with physician during adverse reactions.
- Educated patients and families about conditions and taught appropriate disease management techniques.
- Administered medication and ventilatory support.
- Managed care of patients with diverse conditions alongside physicians, nurses and support team members.
- Set up and operated mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Demonstrated respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
- Operated mechanical ventilators following specified parameters of treatment.
- Explained treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
- Maintained patient airways with endotracheal intubation.
- Tracked changes in blood chemistry, vital signs and other markers of improvement or decompensation in critically ill patients.
- Enforced physicians' orders for specific treatment protocols and durations.
- Read prescription information and laboratory results to assess patients' needs and conditions.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and instructed patients in breathing exercises.
- Performed endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients unable to breathe on own.
- Provided artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Respiratory Therapist
MUSC
Charleston , SC
1991.11 - 2001.02
- Assisted physicians with intubations, bronchoscopies, thoracenteses and other procedures.
- 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.
- Provided education to patients regarding lifestyle changes that may help improve their condition.
- Developed individualized plans of care based on assessment findings, patient needs and physician orders.
- Administered medication, monitored vital signs and assisted in the delivery of medical gases to patients.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient care was achieved.
- Evaluated patient's need for additional resources such as home health services or durable medical equipment.
- Consulted with physicians about potential problems related to prescribed respiratory therapies or medications.
- Provided emergency care when required including performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Participated in continuing education programs to maintain knowledge of current trends in respiratory therapy practices.
- Attended staff meetings, educational conferences and seminars related to respiratory therapy practice.
- Ensured all regulatory requirements were met within scope of practice guidelines set forth by governing agencies.
- Reviewed current literature related to respiratory disorders and treatments in order to update clinical skillset.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Set up and monitored mechanical ventilators and handled associated critical care duties.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Adhered to standards of excellence for respiratory care and diagnostic services.
- Determined patient safety risks to identify medical intervention needs.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and assisted patients with breathing exercises.
- Followed established guidelines to compliantly deliver services.
- Educated patients and families about conditions and taught appropriate disease management techniques.
- Set up and operated mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Operated mechanical ventilators following specified parameters of treatment.
- Administered medication and ventilatory support.
- Explained treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
- Demonstrated respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
- Performed bronchopulmonary drainage and instructed patients in breathing exercises.
- Provided artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Education
Associate of Science - Respiratory Care
Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC1995-05
Skills
- Pediatric Care
- Ethical Practice
- Tracheostomy Care
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Airway Management
- Ventilator management
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Noninvasive Ventilation
- Aerosol Therapy
- Diagnostic Tools
- Treatment Administration
- Patient Education
- Caring Bedside Manner
- Treatment Plan Development
- Patient Advocacy
- Professional Bedside Manner
- Intubation
- Respiratory Care Protocols
- Medication Administration
- Neonatal intensive care
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
- Respiratory equipment setup
- Medical record documentation
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Emergency medical care
- Pediatric Respiratory Care
- Time management abilities
- Reliability
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Attention to Detail
Affiliations
- Avid golfer. Member of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere). Mentor disabled veterans learning to golf.
Certification
- RCP 2057 SC Board of Medical Examiners 05/31/2023 issue date - Expires 05/31/25
- ACLS - Expires 06/30/2025
- PALS - Expires 08/31/2025
- NRP - Expires 12/21/25
- BLS - Expires 02/28/2026
Accomplishments
- Accumulated 150,000+ Reward points from being recognized by peers and customers alike. On top of all the rewards points I had already cashed in previously.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Staff Registered Respiratory Therapist
Summerville Medical Center
1994.06 - 2024.03
Respiratory Therapist
MUSC
1991.11 - 2001.02
Associate of Science - Respiratory Care
Trident Technical College
- RCP 2057 SC Board of Medical Examiners 05/31/2023 issue date - Expires 05/31/25
- ACLS - Expires 06/30/2025
- PALS - Expires 08/31/2025
- NRP - Expires 12/21/25
- BLS - Expires 02/28/2026
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