Respiratory Therapist

Carmen Rivera

Calle Abeto B* Lomas Verdes Bayamon, PR 00956

Day/Evening Phone: 787-***-**** / E-Mail: *****************@*****.*** PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Possess over 18 years of experience working with patients with breathing issues, chronic respiratory diseases, and/or cardiopulmonary disorders to help them overcome breathing difficulties and enhance quality of life through respiratory therapy programs. Maintain professionalism and a focused mind in high-pressure situations.

• Evaluated patients’ conditions and developed effective care plans according to orders from the medical staff, monitored efficacy and made adjustments when needed.

• Performed advanced airway and ventilation management. Troubleshooting equipment. Experienced with cardiopulmonary therapies, oxygen therapies, Spirometry, Tracheostomy Care, CPRS, BCMA, Even Capture, hemodynamic monitoring, intravenous line insertion, needle chest decompression, and intubation, among others.

• Worked in team-work environment, collaborated with other health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and technicians to accomplish satisfactory patient outcomes. WORK HISTORY

Caribbean Health Care System-Veterans Hospital

C. Casia, San Juan, PR 00921

Registered Respiratory Therapist

July 2013 – present

Salary: $64,649.00 per year / 80 Hours/Week

Supervisor Name: Lizandro Carrasquillo 787-***-**** Ext. 12404; okay to contact: yes Worked in the areas of Medical Intensive Care Unit, Spinal Cord Unit, Surgical Intensive Care, Emergency Room, Medical Floors, and Rapid Response Team for a Joint Commission accredited, 280-bed facility serving over 82,000 veterans in Puerto Rico and the USVI.

• Performed assessments of military and veteran population (18-44), adult (45-64), and elderly (over 65), by accurately identifying and diagnosing, implemented a plan of care, and evaluated and communicated results to physicians and nursing staff.

• Managed and/or performed troubleshooting for DRAGER-V-500, HAMILTON, PHILLIPS RESPIRONICS, VISION, TRILOGY, V-50, HFNC-VAPOTHERM, AIRVO 2, LT 500, Respiratory Therapy-Power nebulizer, CPT, Postural Drainage, BIPAP, and CPAP.

• Engaged in special assignments for emergencies:

o Inpatient Cpap/Bipap set up and titration for home. o Management and troubleshooting Cpap/Bipap Non-Invasive therapy.

• Acted as integral part of an ICU team made up of physicians, nurses, and other medical staff.

• Performed hemodynamic monitoring, ISTAT Equipment-Lab Control, Arterial Blood Gas – Puncture and Arterial Line sample, Rotated in Pulmonary Function Test clinic.

• Electronic Charting system CPRS, BCMA medication scanning administration, and charting system.

• Ability to utilize computer-based technologies, software, and programs.

• Responded to emergent rapid response calls, cardiac arrest codes, and calls from emergency room in a prompt matter.

• Performed Tracheostomy Care and educated patients and family members on procedures.

• Liaised with home oxygen coordinator on in-service for noninvasive and invasive. Carmen Rivera – Page 2

WORK HISTORY

• Intubated and extubated critically ill compromised patients.

• Developed and provided education: training to patients, students, and co-workers as appropriate-Provided training sessions of new equipment for new hires.

• Initiated and managed mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit.

• Generated and received reports at the patients’ bedside regarding diagnosis, Clinical status, Therapy ordered and patients’ responses to therapy, equipment in use, and any other pertinent information.

• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment.

• Coordinated, implemented, and evaluated new initiatives, programs, and protocols.

• Preform acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines.

Hospital Hermanos Meléndez

Km 11.7 PR-2, Bayamón, PR 00959

Registered Respiratory Therapist / Team Leader / Educator July 2010 – June 2013

Salary: $38,000.00 per year / 80 Hours/Week

Supervisor Name: Juan Robles; 787-***-**** Ext. 13456; okay to contact: yes Provided and administered all aspects of Respiratory Care Therapy and supportive equipment in the areas of Medical Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit, Emergency Room, Neonatal Care Unit, Labor, and Delivery for patients of all ages (neonatal, adults, and the elderly) for a 237-bed hospital. Patients’ conditions included congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiac bypass surgery, hypertension, pneumonia, and cardiac disease. Supervised 12 registered respiratory therapists during weekends.

• Coordinated with supervisor for quality improvement projects within the department, including but not limited to patient satisfaction, infection control, equipment malfunction problems, and chart audits.

• Served as Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE) for a wide array of topics.

• Managed equipment, such as Avea,840, Avela,7200, Avita, and Dragger-V500.

• Provided appropriate patient care and education using age-specific guidelines.

• Performed troubleshooting for equipment/system problems.

• Provided in-service: worked with the health care team of nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals to coordinate meetings and training programs.

• Conducted ventilator initiation and management in the intensive care unit.

• Provided bronchoscopy assistance and follow-up care.

• Handled critical calls from emergency room.

• Worked with specialized gas administration such as nitric oxide and heliox therapy.

• Maintained and cleaned patient’s tracheostomy and oral endotracheal tubes. Educated patients and family on Tracheostomy care and the need to maintain patient airway.

• Evaluated and responded to medication side effects.

• Communicated with physicians and nursing of any changes in patient clinical signs.

• Performed emergency endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy tube changes.

• Consulted with physicians to develop patient treatment plans.

• Monitored and recorded ventilator checks and other complex procedures.

• Conducted blood gas analysis and arterial line insertion for hemodynamic monitoring.

• Performed respiratory treatments, bedside spirometry, and pulse oximetry readings.

• Initiated Non-Invasive Ventilation Nasal CPAP and BIPAP Full Face mask.

• Documented the patient's overall condition, any respiratory equipment used, and the settings required, the patient's response to any interventions, and the proper functioning of the equipment.

Carmen Rivera – Page 3

WORK HISTORY

Children’s Memorial Hospital

225 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Registered Respiratory Therapist-PICU, Transport Team March 2006 – May 2009

Salary: $48,348.00 per year / 80 Hours/Week

Supervisor Name: Anne Pollito; 773-***-**** Ext. 4957; okay to contact: yes Provided respiratory care to pediatric patients in the areas of Pediatric intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Transport Team for a nationally ranked pediatric acute care children's hospital. Conditions included: bronchiolitis, pulmonary hypertension, influenza, asthma, croup, strep throat, pneumonia, respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe asthma exacerbation, apnea, sepsis, shock, trauma (including non- accidental trauma), altered mental status, congenital heart defects, diabetic ketoacidosis complications, gastrointestinal perforations, cancer, organ transplants, prolonged seizures, poisoning, and other life-threatening conditions.

• Assessed the pulmonary status of patients and reviewed their medical charts and performed in-depth physical examinations.

• Provided specialized emergency response team care to critically ill neonate and pediatric patients when transported to other facilities. Worked with the Critical Care Transport team, Neonatology, and Pediatrics to transfer critical neonate.

• bronchoscopy assistance and follow-up care.

• Managed and/or performed troubleshooting for equipment: AVEA, SERVO, LTV, VAPOTHERM, RESPIRONICS, OSCILLATOR, BUBBLE CPAP, V-50.

• Initiated and monitored specialized Respiratory therapy Heliox, Nitirc oxide, High frequency oscillation ventilation. Performed tracheostomy care.

• Responded to calls from ER and cardiac arrest codes and calls for clinical evaluation.

• Verified and charted patient clinical signs and procedures.

• Monitored blood gas/chemistry and CoOximeter readings for ventilator changes.

• Promotes a customer-centered environment, taking personal responsibility for problem solving and effective courteous communication with patients, their families, medical staff, students, and co-workers.

• Performed respiratory treatments, such as Power nebulizer, IPPB, Bubble CPAP, BIPAP humidified Oxygen, and Chest physiotherapy.

• Charted all patient ventilator parameters and procedures in patient records.

• Performed arterial blood gas puncture and analysis.

• Performed pediatric and neonate advanced airway intubation and ventilation management for respiratory failure.

• Performed assessments of the patients’ vital signs, including oxygenation. ST. Joseph Health Institution

1401 St Joseph Pkwy, Houston, TX 77002

Respiratory Therapist – Home Health Care Visit

January 2004 – February 2006

Salary: $43,568.00 per year / 80 Hours/Week

Supervisor Name: Patricia Mc Intosh; 832-***-****; okay to contact: yes Provided respiratory care and education for patients with chronic or acute respiratory illnesses

(congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiac bypass surgery, hypertension, pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, and cardiac disease) in a general acute care 792-bed hospital with a Level III Trauma Center.

• Charted all patient care parameters and procedures in patients’ records.

• Worked in collaboration with Physicians and Case Supervisors to create effective treatment programs.

Carmen Rivera – Page 4

WORK HISTORY

• Assessed patients’ condition, inspected and cleaned equipment, taught the patients and caregivers how to use breathing devices such as ventilators or oxygen, and provided Power nebulizer therapy.

• Delivered home respiratory equipment including spirometers, Pulmonary Function Testing

(PFT) Equipment, Ventilators, Humidifiers, Nebulizers, PAP (positive airway pressure) Devices, Manual Resuscitators, Mask, Oxygen Equipment and Circuits & Disposables.

• Delivered Home oxygen therapy and treatment; Sleep apnea therapy; Disease management and education; evaluation and recommendation on home medical equipment and maintenance.

• Conducted fit testing for patients for a CPAP mask at home and in outpatient clinic

• Distributed supplies and initiated treatment according to physicians’ orders: CPAP/BIPAP, home oxygen, oxygen concentrate, travel oxygen, home ventilators, nebulizers, and tracheostomy supplies.

• Provided quality patient care to patients in the home setting for patients ranging from newborn to elderly.

• Performed trach care, ventilator management, and administered breathing treatments. EDUCATION

Ana G. Mendez, Bayamon, PR 00961

Bachelor’s Degree in Science Nursing

June 2016

ST. Augustine College, Chicago, IL 60640

AAS, Registered Respiratory Therapist

June 2002

Pedro Albizu Campos High School 60622

High School Diploma

May 1998

Credentials:

− Pulmonary Resuscitation (BLS, CPR, ACLS, PALS)

− National Board of Respiratory Care – Florida, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RT 15690)

− NBRC- National board of Respiratory care (102416) Honors/Awards:

− Pedro Albizu Campos High School- Best achievement and role model.

− Children’s Memorial Hospital – Good Achievement Award – Orientating New Employees. OTHER INFORMATION

Languages: Fully Bilingual in English and Spanish

Technology: Microsoft Word, MS PowerPoint, and electronic record platforms

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