Experience

Medical Center Health System

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Director of the Cardiopulmonary Department

  • Mar 2019 - Present

  Odessa, Texas Oversee a staff of 50+ Respiratory Therapists, EKG techs, and equipment tech in a 402 bed hospital that is recognized as a Level 2 Trauma Center, two 20 bed ICU's, and teaching affiliate with Texas Tech University Health Science Center.

• Care Transition Coordinator

  • Jan 2016 - Mar 2019

  Odessa/Midland, Texas Area Lead a team of social workers and other professionals in placing patients in post acute facilities Discharge Planning Transition of care Assess patients with chronic pulmonary diseases for home health needs Assist patients in finding rehab or long term placement Assist in transferring patients to other facilities for higher level of care Assist patients in finding funding sources for their healthcare needs Part of a multidisciplinary team whose focus was reducing length of… Show more Lead a team of social workers and other professionals in placing patients in post acute facilities Discharge Planning Transition of care Assess patients with chronic pulmonary diseases for home health needs Assist patients in finding rehab or long term placement Assist in transferring patients to other facilities for higher level of care Assist patients in finding funding sources for their healthcare needs Part of a multidisciplinary team whose focus was reducing length of stay and readmission rates Tobacco cessation counseling Provide disease management education for patients with chronic pulmonary disease Educate other providers on current evidenced based guidelines for pulmonary disease management Assist in navigating patients with any chronic pulmonary disease Participate in educating staff and other healthcare providers in evidenced based chronic lung disease management Co-lead for the Ector County Healthcare Coalition that participates in the Texas DSHS Potentially Preventable Hospitalization Initiative Presenter for the Texas Society for Respiratory Care

• Pulmonary Patient Educator

  • Jul 2012 - Jan 2016

  Odessa/Midland, Texas Area Implemented an inpatient/outpatient tobacco cessation program. Participate in the Texas Department of State Health Services Potentially Preventable Hospitalization Initiative with the goal of reducing hospitalization for COPD,CHF,and Diabetes. Researched evidence based guidelines to reduce readmissions for Adult Asthma and COPD. Assisted in implementing a pediatric asthma management program with Texas Tech University Health Science Center Pediatrics. Educated Family Practice… Show more Implemented an inpatient/outpatient tobacco cessation program. Participate in the Texas Department of State Health Services Potentially Preventable Hospitalization Initiative with the goal of reducing hospitalization for COPD,CHF,and Diabetes. Researched evidence based guidelines to reduce readmissions for Adult Asthma and COPD. Assisted in implementing a pediatric asthma management program with Texas Tech University Health Science Center Pediatrics. Educated Family Practice residents, Internal Medicine residents, and 3rd year medical students on current GOLD COPD and EPR3 asthma management guidelines. Designed evidence based protocols for inpatient care including: bronchodilator therapy, oxygen titration, COPD screening. Participated as instructor for MCHS in house Nursing Bridge program which educated new graduate nurses on current pulmonary disease management guidelines. Increase referrals to outpatient Pulmonary Rehab Program. Invited guest instructor to various nursing and allied health programs in the Permian Basin. Member of the advisory boards for both Midland College and Midwestern State Universities Respiratory Care Programs.

• Pulmonary Function Technologist

  • Sep 2006 - Jun 2012

  Odessa/Midland, Texas Area Obtained training on Sensormedics V62w Pulmonary Function equipment. Performed pulmonary diagnostics with closed circuit spirometry, plethysmography, nitrogen washout, single breath DLCO, and methacholine bronchoprovocation studies. Quality Assurance analysis for Abbot I-Stat Point of Care Blood Gas Analyzers. Maintained blood gas equipment. Responsible for maintaining blood testing to College of American Pathologist standards. Checked off new incoming staff for blood gas… Show more Obtained training on Sensormedics V62w Pulmonary Function equipment. Performed pulmonary diagnostics with closed circuit spirometry, plethysmography, nitrogen washout, single breath DLCO, and methacholine bronchoprovocation studies. Quality Assurance analysis for Abbot I-Stat Point of Care Blood Gas Analyzers. Maintained blood gas equipment. Responsible for maintaining blood testing to College of American Pathologist standards. Checked off new incoming staff for blood gas competency.

• Staff Therapist

  • Aug 1997 - Sep 2006

  Odessa/Midland, Texas Area Team Leader: responsible for staff shift assignment, first line supervisor, transport of critical patients to various diagnostics labs, orientation of new staff. Medicated aerosol delivery. Obtaining arterial blood gas samples. Documentation into electronic medical records. Adult critical care ventilator management. Pediatric Critical Care. Emergency Room respiratory care.