KATIE BLANCHARD
El Cajon
Summary
Patient-oriented Respiratory Therapist offering seven year background assisting in diagnosing, treating and managing patients dealing with pulmonary disorders. Expertise in maintaining respiratory therapy equipment and determining requirements for treatment.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
Palomar Health
09.2023 - Current
- Manage and operate BPAP therapy, Airvo, high flow nasal canula, along with other respiratory care equipment to help improve patient outcomes.
- Administrations and delivery of aerosolized breathing treatments to critically ill patients with COPD and other lung abnormalities.
- Chest physiotherapy devices such as vest therapy, and the flutter valve used to help mobilize secretions and improve lung function.
- Collection and interpretation of patient chest X-Ray, blood gases, PCR and sputum cultures.
- Insensitive spirometry and IPPB therapy done for post surgery patients.
- Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for managing respiratory disorders to improve patient outcomes.
Respiratory Therapist
Golden Hills Post Acute
04.2023 - Current
- Set up and management of mechanical ventilators such as the Respironics Trilogy, 100 Newport HT 70, and Vivo 65.
- Trach care, trach changes and stoma care.
- Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. using PSV and CPAP therapies.
- Routine capping and Passy Muir trials done.
- Aerosolized breathing treatments done with SVN for mechanically ventilated or non ventilated patients.
- Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
- Routine equipment check and changeout done every shift.
Respiratory Therapist Intern
SHARP MARY BIRCH HOSPITAL
01.2023 - 03.2023
- Ability to provide direct care to six critically ill neonates per-shift shadowed by a preceptor
- Chest X-ray interpretation and ET tube placement confirmation done at beginning of every shift
- Assist with intubation and extubation of neonate and tapping of endotracheal tube
- Oral and endotracheal suctioning done PRN
- Monitor and assess neonates' status through interpretation of capillary or arterial blood gases and weaning mechanical ventilation settings per physician order
- Bubble CPAP mask changes done Q3 hours to monitor and prevent skin breakdown as well as monitoring infants' status on high or low flow nasal cannula
- Emergency resuscitation done with PPV and interpretation of neonate's pulmonary status when brought down from emergency room.
Respiratory Therapist
VILLA LAS PALMAS
10.2021 - 10.2022
- Managed and operate mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Trach care, stoma care, and trach changed.
- Endotracheal suction done every two hours or as needed to clear airway and improve lung function.
- Routine breathing treatments done to help improve lung function as well as help mobilize secretions
- Educate patient and family's on patient's illness and available remedies
- Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for managing respiratory disorders to improve patient outcomes.
Respiratory Therapist
SAN DIEGO POST ACUTE
04.2022 - 09.2022
- Trach care, trach changes and stoma care done.
- Endotrachial suctioning done every two hours or as needed to clear patient airway.
- Provided antibiotics, bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment
- Assessed response to planned care through monitoring and recording patient condition.
- Decannulating and weaning patients from ventilator and tracheotomy tube.
- Respiratory equipment check and change outs done every shift.
Respiratory Therapist
AVOCADO POST ACUTE
04.2021 - 07.2021
- Operated and managed patients on mechanical ventilators BiPAP CPAP therapy.
- Trach care, trach changes, stoma care, and endotracheal suctioning done every two hours or as need.
- Delivery of aerosolized medications such as bronchodilators and corticosteroid steroids.
- Analyzed patient and family feedback to identify opportunities for staff recognition and areas for improvement.
- Assessed, diagnosed and treated breathing issues.
- Set up and changeout of respiratory equipment.
Respiratory Therapist
JACOB HEALTHCARE
02.2020 - 07.2020
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings
- Analyzed patient and family feedback to identify opportunities for staff recognition and areas for improvement
- Maintained patient charts and information, strictly adhering to HIPAA laws and privacy guidelines
- Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases and blood chemistry changes.
Respiratory Therapist
LA MESA REHAB
01.2019 - 04.2020
- Instructed patients on how to use incentive spirometry, the peak flow meter, balloon and bubble breathing devices
- Applied chest physiotherapy, nebulizer treatments, vest therapy, and salt chamber therapy for the facilities patients
- Diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing exercises were demonstrated and implemented to help improve lung function
- Six minute walk, sit and stand testing done for newly admitted patients.
Respiratory Therapist
SLEEP DATA, LLC
04.2016 - 10.2019
- Provided comprehensive care to improve patient sleep and overall health by coaching and educating patient about their disease and sleep study.
- In office and scheduled home visits to set up equipment as well as educate patients how to use and clean therapy devices.
- Expert in ResMed, Respironics, and Alice One at home sleep test and travel devises.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Oxygen titrations done when patients were being discharged from hospital.
Education
Associates of Science -
California College San
San Diego, CA2015
Skills
- Time management
- Multitasking abilities
- Training and Teaching
- Breathing Treatments
- Airway Management
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Infection Control
- Patient Assessments
- Mechanical Ventilators
- Equipment Cleaning
- Acute Illness
- Professional Bedside Manner
Certifications
RRT, CRT, ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
Palomar Health
09.2023 - Current
Respiratory Therapist
Golden Hills Post Acute
04.2023 - Current
Respiratory Therapist Intern
SHARP MARY BIRCH HOSPITAL
01.2023 - 03.2023
Respiratory Therapist
SAN DIEGO POST ACUTE
04.2022 - 09.2022
Respiratory Therapist
VILLA LAS PALMAS
10.2021 - 10.2022
Respiratory Therapist
AVOCADO POST ACUTE
04.2021 - 07.2021
Respiratory Therapist
JACOB HEALTHCARE
02.2020 - 07.2020
Respiratory Therapist
LA MESA REHAB
01.2019 - 04.2020
Respiratory Therapist
SLEEP DATA, LLC
04.2016 - 10.2019
Associates of Science -
California College San
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