Tamara Monroe Shultz
Clarksville,TN
Summary
Dynamic Respiratory Therapy Supervisor with a proven track record at Ascension Health St. Thomas Midtown, excelling in airway and ventilator management. Expert in interdisciplinary collaboration, significantly improving patient care and response times. Skilled in continuous quality improvement and adept at leading and training teams to achieve excellence in respiratory services.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Respiratory Therapy Supervisor
Ascension Health St Thomas Midtown
Nashville, TN
01.2021 - Current
- Investigated complaints concerning respiratory therapy services provided by the department.
- Coordinated with external vendors regarding equipment maintenance, repairs, and purchases.
- Maintained communication and transparency with governing boards, department heads and medical staff.
- Documented incidents or occurrences involving patient care or personnel issues according to established procedures.
- Communicated with patients with compassion while keeping medical information private.
- Implemented safety protocols within the department as needed.
- Assessed need for additional staff, equipment and services based on historical data and seasonal trends.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary staff to improve overall patient care and response times.
- Provided supervision to Respiratory Therapy staff, including scheduling and evaluating performance.
- Trained new employees on proper respiratory therapy techniques.
- Built work schedules and staff assignments, taking workload, space and equipment availability into consideration.
- Performed daily rounds on patients receiving respiratory therapy services.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff members to identify areas of improvement and discuss changes within the department.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Ascension Health St. Thomas Midtown
Nashville, TN
05.2015 - 01.2021
- Maintained accurate records of all patient assessments, treatments, medications administered and outcomes of treatments.
- Inspected and cleaned respiratory therapy equipment to maintain functionality.
- Set up and operated mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations involving respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Maintained patient airways with endotracheal intubation.
- Participated in continuing education programs related to advances in respiratory care practices.
Flight Respiratory Therapist
Advent Health Orlando
Orlando, FL
01.2006 - 04.2016
- Communicated effectively with both passengers and crew members regarding medical issues encountered during flight.
- Tracked changes in blood chemistry, vital signs and other markers of improvement or decompensation in critically ill patients.
- Maintained charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Interacted with patients, family members and physicians to coordinate patient care.
- Monitored patient's condition throughout the duration of the flight.
- Set up and operated mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Maintained accurate records of all medications administered, vital signs taken, and interventions provided during flight.
- Managed emergency scenarios involving cardiac arrest or other life threatening situations mid-flight.
- Collaborated with pilots regarding route selection based on weather conditions or turbulence levels that could affect a patient's health status.
- Demonstrated respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
- Performed pre-flight assessments on patients to ensure they were fit to fly.
- Inspected and maintained equipment such as ventilators and suction machines used during flights.
- Identified any potential problems that may arise during a flight and took appropriate action.
- Performed endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients unable to breathe on own.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences (w/ Concentration in RC)
Trident University International
Cypress, CA06-2011
Associate of Science - Respiratory Care
Valencia State College
Orlando, FL06-2004
Associate of Arts - General Studies W/ EMT Certificate
Valencia State College
Orlando06-2002
Skills
- Airway management
- Ventilator management
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Medical gas administration
- Aerosol therapy
- Bronchial hygiene
- Oxygen therapy
- Respiratory care planning
- Scheduling and staffing
- Continuous quality improvement
Certification
- Current BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP certifications
- Flight physiology
- AARC member since 2003
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Respiratory Therapy Supervisor
Ascension Health St Thomas Midtown
01.2021 - Current
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Ascension Health St. Thomas Midtown
05.2015 - 01.2021
Flight Respiratory Therapist
Advent Health Orlando
01.2006 - 04.2016
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences (w/ Concentration in RC)
Trident University International
Associate of Science - Respiratory Care
Valencia State College
Associate of Arts - General Studies W/ EMT Certificate
Valencia State College