Suzanne Stephenson
Denver,CO
Summary
Compassionate professional with expertise in education, childcare administration, and healthcare. Specializes in program development, staff training, and regulatory compliance to enhance learning environments. Proven ability in communication, problem-solving, and leadership to create collaborative and supportive settings for children and educators.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
Apria Healthcare
Littleton, CO
06.2024 - 06.2025
- Instructed patients on the proper use of respiratory equipment, including oxygen therapy, ventilators, and PAP therapy.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Performed services on-site and in patients' homes.
- Educated patients and families about conditions and taught appropriate disease management techniques.
- Maintained records of patient assessments, treatments provided and changes in patient status.
- Ensured all regulatory requirements were met within scope of practice guidelines set forth by governing agencies.
- Assisted in training new hires on department policies, protocols and safety procedures related to respiratory therapy practices.
Director
Gateway Learning Center
Edmond, OK
03.2020 - 12.2020
- Directed the organization's daily operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and DHS regulations.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with corporate standards.
- Inspected facilities regularly to ensure cleanliness and safety requirements are met.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss strategies for improving quality of childcare services.
- Communicated with parents and fostered strong professional relationships.
- Worked with parents and staff to improve student behavioral and learning issues with proactive approaches.
- Created and updated records to document employee and participant information.
- Promoted a culture of innovation and encouraged staff to contribute ideas.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific duties.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Established relationships with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms for materials or services.
- Assessed employee performance against established benchmarks or targets.
Respiratory Therapist
Mercy Hospital
Guthrie, OK
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Administered medication, monitored vital signs and assisted in the delivery of medical gases to patients.
- ER coverage, floor therapy, and patient care.
- Conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway maintenance.
- Developed individualized plans of care based on assessment findings, patient needs and physician orders.
Respiratory Therapist
Stillwater Medical Center
Stillwater, OK
02.2013 - 08.2017
- ICU, floor therapy, as well as ER coverage and airway management across all age groups.
- Identified high risk situations such as airway obstruction or inadequate ventilation and took appropriate action.
- Assisted in training new hires on department policies, protocols and safety procedures related to respiratory therapy practices.
- Instructed patients on proper use of respiratory equipment including oxygen therapy, ventilators and aerosol therapy.
- Assisted physicians with intubations, bronchoscopies, thoracenteses and other procedures.
- 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.
Executive Director
Children’s World Daycare
Durango, CO
09.2007 - 08.2010
- Company Overview: faith-based infant, toddler, and preschool center
- Reviewed licensing regulations regularly to maintain compliance standards.
- Inspected facility and activities to monitor safety, sanitation and procedures.
- Participated in community events that promoted early childhood education awareness.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss strategies for improving quality of childcare services.
- Communicated with parents and fostered strong professional relationships.
- Provided guidance for parents on child development issues.
- Implemented innovative programs designed to enhance cognitive development among young learners.
- Evaluated existing programs for improvement opportunities while identifying new program ideas based on market analysis.
- Provided oversight of all departments to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
- Maintained accountability for operational and fiscal integrity, effectively managing designated budget.
- Determined allocations of funds for staff, equipment and authorized purchases.
- Monitored student progress and assisted students and teachers with resolving problems.
- Informed board and committee about trends, issues and activities to facilitate policy-making.
- Recruited, trained, mentored, evaluated, coached, and managed staff members to ensure success in achieving their goals.
Owner and Director
Nite and Daycare
Breckenridge, CO
07.2004 - 11.2004
- Owner and Director of small infant center that was licensed for 10 infants.
- Led startup and creation of operational procedures and workflow planning.
- Set pricing structures according to market analytics and emerging trends.
- Created marketing campaigns to attract new customers.
- Created and implemented employee onboarding and training programs to promote employee retention and team collaboration.
- Analyzed industry trends to develop competitive strategies.
- Developed policies and procedures for the organization.
- Opened as a for-profit center and unfortunately had to close due to financial restraints.
Education
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Colorado Mountain College
Breckenridge, CO08-2008
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Care
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo12-2005
Skills
- Leadership development
- Staff management
- Early childhood education
- Time management
- Regulatory compliance
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Program development
- Conflict resolution
- Curriculum planning
- Staff hiring
- Fostering positive environment
- Marketing and communications
- Health and safety regulations
- Oxygen therapy
- Ventilator management
- Patient assessment
- Disease management
- Emergency response
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- First Aid/CPR Certified
Certification
Early Childhood Education- PDIS Level 3 and Large Center Director Certification
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner- State of CO
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
Apria Healthcare
06.2024 - 06.2025
Director
Gateway Learning Center
03.2020 - 12.2020
Respiratory Therapist
Mercy Hospital
08.2016 - 05.2018
Respiratory Therapist
Stillwater Medical Center
02.2013 - 08.2017
Executive Director
Children’s World Daycare
09.2007 - 08.2010
Owner and Director
Nite and Daycare
07.2004 - 11.2004
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Colorado Mountain College
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Care
Pueblo Community College
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