Vanessa Godbout
Summary
Detail-oriented Clinical Leader with strong organizational and project management skills, adept at balancing multiple priorities with accuracy and accountability. Skilled in leading quality improvement initiatives, applying evidence-based practice and change management principles to achieve measurable outcomes. Recognized for effective mentorship, conflict resolution, and team leadership, fostering confidence and growth in others while advancing high-quality, collaborative care. Experienced in stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making to influence practice and support system-wide improvements.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Instructor - Respiratory Therapy NICU
Alberta Health Services
08.2021 - Current
- Participated and collaborated with stakeholders on a variety of working groups and committees that promote quality improvement and best practice.
- Facilitated new hire orientation alongside the NICU Respiratory Therapy Clinical Lead.
- Successful implementation of INFO Clinical Debriefing Program at all 5 Edmonton Zone NICU's as the lead project manager.
- Development of references for a variety of equipment to promote best practice.
- Collaborated with PPL and technical lead on best practice documents.
- Liaison for frontline staff to identify any gaps in educational needs.
- Fostered a culture of safety within the learning environment by emphasizing proper use of equipment, infection control measures, and patient privacy guidelines.
- Participated in faculty meetings, committees, and continuing education events to stay current on Respiratory Therapy education trends and best practices.
- Updated course materials regularly to reflect current best practices within Respiratory Therapy education and healthcare delivery systems.
Respiratory Therapist
Alberta Health Services- Stollery Children's Hospital
05.2009 - Current
- Responsible for therapeutic and diagnostic interventions and equipment.
- Assess clients, develop and implement respiratory therapy care plans and monitor their progress.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to enhance clinical outcomes.
- Provide training and assist health care professionals in the use and care of respiratory equipment as well as educate clients and their families regarding medication, equipment, treatments, and diseases.
- Participated on multiple committees and working groups within the NICU to further establish and advance the Respiratory Therapy role.
- Monitored and assessed patient responses to therapies, adjusting care plans as needed for optimal outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized treatment protocols for complex cases.
- Enhanced departmental procedures by introducing new evidence-based practices, improving patient care delivery efficiency.
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in intensive care units, ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
Interim Clinical Lead - PCE/SG NICU
Alberta Health Services
02.2023 - 04.2024
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity. Applicable to supply organization, inventory and procurement. Applicable to interpersonal conversations and information delivery.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently. Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions. Applicable to Unplanned Extubation mitigation strategies and VAP prevention strategies.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships. Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems. Able to implement many frontline quality improvement initiatives.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
- Served as a key liaison between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure seamless communication and appropriate care planning.
- Provided expert guidance on clinical issues during team meetings, contributing to informed decision-making and best practice implementation.
- Streamlined workflow processes for increased efficiency and improved patient care delivery.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based clinical protocols and guidelines.
- Utilized data-driven approaches to monitor trends in patient outcomes, informing strategic improvements in service provision.
- Participated actively within departmental committees focused on enhancing clinical practice standards throughout the organization.
- Developed and implemented clinical protocols to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Analyzed patient outcomes data to identify areas for process improvement and optimize care pathways.
- Facilitated communication between departments to streamline workflows and enhance service delivery.
Education
Bachelor Of Science - General Sciences
Grant MacEwan
Edmonton, AB04.
Diploma - Respiratory Therapy
Northern Alberta Institute Of Technology
Edmonton, AB2009
Skills
- Precepting, mentoring, and positive role modeling
- Professionalism with strong clinical judgment and patient advocacy
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration and patient- & family-centered care
- Data collection, management, and effective communication (verbal & written)
- Highly organized, reliable, focused, and efficient
- [Software] proficiency: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Zoom, Excel, Connect Care, SharePoint
Affiliations
Member of the Collage and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta (CARTA) since 2009
Member of Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) since 2009
Certification
Neonatal Resuscitation Program last completed May 2024
Heart and Stroke Foundation BLS Provider last completed February 2024
AHS Leadership Courses
- A Leader's Guide to LEADS Self-Assessment (2/1/2019)
- Introduction to LEADS in a Caring Environment (2/1/2019)
- Insights Leadership Effectiveness Part 1 (5/3/2019)
- A Manager's Guide to Becoming a Great Change Leader (5/2/2019)
- Leadership Essentials (5/30/2019)
- Coaching Consults (5/31/2019)
- Persuasion and Influence (7/31/2019)
- Constructive Conversation for Leaders (8/7/2019)
- Situational Leadership (9/19/2019)
- Insights Leadership Effectiveness Part 2 (11/5/2019)
- Strategic Thinking (11/14/2019)
- The Emotionally Effective Leader (11/19/2019)
- Leading Teams (1/22/2020)
- Fundamentals of Change (1/24/2020)
- Leading Change- A Guide for All Leaders (2/24/2020)
- Trust Imperative (3/11/2020)
- Leading and Motivating (3/25/2020)
- Living Our Values (4/3/2020)
- The Leader's Guide to Emotional Intelligence Module 1-3 (4/4-5/2020)
- Art of Accountability (4/21/2020)
- Communicating Effectively (4/30/2020)
- Powerful Coaching Conversation (5/13/2020)
- Conflict Resolution- It Starts With You (5/18/2020)
- Coaching for Performance (6/9/2020)
- Accountable Leadership (10/27/2020)
- Enhancing Team Effectiveness (11/26/2020)
- Choosing to Make a Difference: Customer Service in Health Care (12/3/2020)
- Conflict Resolution - Building the Essential Skills (1/26/2021)
- EQ Everyday Modules 1-4 (1/28/2021)
- Strengthening Resilience During Change Part 1 (2/25/2021)
- Strengthening Resilience During Change Part 2 (3/16/2021)
- Prosci Change Management - Understanding and Taking Control of Change (5/26/2021)
- Conflict Resolution - Having the Conversation (6/3/2021)
- Self Leadership (7/22/2021)
- Diversity and Inclusion Module 1, 2, 5 (9/17/2021)
- Diversity and Inclusion Module 3 (10/19/2021)
- AIW for Everyone (10/21/2021)
- Diversity and Inclusion Module 4 (11/3/2021)
- Change Management Part 1 - Leading People Through Transition (11/19/2021)
- Change Management Part 2 - Leading People Through Change (11/19/2021)
- Change Management Part 3 - Leading People Through Resistance (11/19/2021)
- The Critical Role of Sponsors in Change Management (11/19/2021)
- AIW Fundamentals Plus (12/2/2021)
- Building Respectful Workplaces ( 9/19/2022)
- Leader As Coach ( 1/17/2023)
- AHS Preceptor Module - Summary (8/24/2023)
- Ongoing Management of Clinical Adverse Events (OM) (9/26/2024)
- Immediate Management of Clinical Adverse Events (IM) (9/26/2024)
- PPS100 A Culture of Patient Safety (10/1/2024)
- A Culture of Patient Safety for Clinical Service Delivery Team Members (10/7/2024)
- PQI100 Foundations of Quality Improvement (10/15/2024)
- PPS101 Communication for Patient Safety (11/5/2024)
- PPS102 Teamwork for Patient Safety (11/8/2024)
- Provincial Patient Safety Certificate - Level 1 (11/8/2024)
- FINE - Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education – Level 1 (11/19/2024)
- Patient Safety for Leaders (12/11/2024)
- PPS103 Patient Safety Risks & Hazards (02/6/2025)
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI/NVCI) - Edmonton Zone, RAH (03/4/2025)
- Communicating Unexpected Outcomes - Disclosure Skills for Teams (03/20/2025)
- PPS104 Advancing Patient Safety Improvement (04/9/2025)
- A Culture of Patient Safety for Clinical Service Delivery Team Members (06/22/2025)
- PQI101 Developing Knowledge and Skills in Quality Improvement Module 1 - QI Opportunities (07/31/2025)
- PQI101 Developing Knowledge and Skills in Quality Improvement Module 2 - Developing Data Literacy for QI (09/10/2025)
Committees/ Projects /Publications
Key Achievements
- Neonatal Ventilation Strategy – Developed and implemented an innovative BPD ventilation approach, improving outcomes; presented at Neonatology Rounds and preparing outcomes for publication.
- Unplanned Extubation Reduction – Achieved multiple months with zero UEs at the PCE NICU and lowered site rates below SPS and Canadian SPS benchmarks; results presented at EPIQ Neonatal Conference (Feb 2024) and CPS Conference (June 2024).
- Clinical Debriefing Program – Led implementation of the INFO Clinical Debriefing Program across all five Edmonton Zone NICUs.
- Simulation & Education Leadership – Co-developed a structured simulation program with delivery room checklists; facilitated bi-annual new hire orientation and organized advanced RT education (Nitric Oxide, Jet ventilation).
- Micropremie Respiratory Bundle – Expanded respiratory bundle across all teams at PCE NICU and introduced a new 25-week bundle.
- Policy & System Improvements –
Authored zone-wide Attendance at Delivery guideline.
Rolled out new cord gas time-limit algorithm at PCE/SG NICUs.
Collaborated with Human Factors to redesign emergency resuscitation equipment.
Developed VAP prevention practices including Clean Intubation Technique and dual suction systems. - Collaborative Leadership – Supported RT role development and staff orientation for Sturgeon NICU opening; contributed to frontline resource development for Connect Care across Stollery sites.
Professional Involvement
Active member of multidisciplinary working groups and committees including: Unplanned Extubation, Brain Health & Wellness, Resuscitation, Quality Council, Simulation, Lung Health, Micropreemie, Skin Integrity, VAP, and Infection Prevention.
Publications
Journal of Perinatology – “Implementation of a Nurse-Facilitated, Structured, Clinical Event Debriefing Initiative in Four Neonatal Intensive Care Units.”
Timeline
Interim Clinical Lead - PCE/SG NICU
Alberta Health Services
02.2023 - 04.2024
Clinical Instructor - Respiratory Therapy NICU
Alberta Health Services
08.2021 - Current
Respiratory Therapist
Alberta Health Services- Stollery Children's Hospital
05.2009 - Current
Diploma - Respiratory Therapy
Northern Alberta Institute Of Technology
Bachelor Of Science - General Sciences
Grant MacEwan