Jennifer Mertz
Mechanicsburg
Summary
Accomplished Registered Respiratory Therapist and educator with a solid background in critical care, home care, and education. Renowned for leading teams to excellence through the development of knowledge, whether it is a patient, a caregiver, a student, a care team member or a healthcare organization needing to meet compliance; I accomplish this with patience, empathy and expertise.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Surveyor
HQAA
02.2023 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive surveys and evaluations of healthcare facilities, focusing on compliance with state and federal regulations
- Review and analyze documentation, including financials, policies and procedures, licenses, logs, audits, etc.
- Audit HR files and medicare patient files
- Observe patient/staff interaction, if applicable ride along to patients home
- Interview staff to assess the quality of care and facility operations
- Write up a detailed report of findings
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Assist Home Care
12.2018 - Current
- Educate patients on sleep apnea and it's effect on their health, review their sleep study results, and educate them on the use of pap therapy.
- Performs patient assessments, monitor and record patients' progress
- Educate patients and/or caregivers on respiratory equipment
- Coordinate with physicians and other care team members on care, treatment and progress
- Document therapies and diagnostic tests in patient electronic records for use by care team, physicians and insurance companies
- Receive intake of new respiratory orders, request proper documentation, including notes, diagnosis and testing
- Maintain company inventory on all pap equipment
Respiratory Lab Instructor
YTI Career Institute
06.2023 - 01.2024
- Perform all aspects of clinical preparation and instruction in simulation laboratory for skills practice
- Utilized various assessment methods to measure student progress throughout the semester accurately
- Maintained updated knowledge of current industry practices through continuous professional development opportunities
- Organized supplementary materials, such as articles, videos, and guest speakers, to deepen student engagement in course topics
Registered Respiratory Therapist / Team Leader
Geisinger Medical Center
07.2002 - 12.2018
- Perform and document thorough patient assessments
- Establish appropriate care plans
- Coordinate with physicians and other care team members on proper patient care and treatment
- Correctly performs and documents routine therapeutic modalities including aerosolized medications, secretion management techniques, pulmonary volume expansion, oxygen therapy, and assists with routine care and maintenance of artificial airways
- Initiates and manages conventional and high frequency mechanical ventilators according to established protocol
- Provides appropriate, age-specific, patient and family education as it relates to disease management
- Monitor adult and pediatric patients Cardio/Pulmonary status in intensive care units
- Trained in ICU, PICU, NICU, CCU and Surgery
- Team Leader for 5 years in the respiratory department
- Onboarded new employees with training/education
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members
Education
Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapy
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, PA06-2002
Associate of Arts - English Literature
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05-1992
Skills
- Ability to educate
- Extensive critical care experience
- Extensive home care experience
- Knowledge of state and federal regulations in healthcare
- Knowledge of HCPC codes and ICD codes
- Medical terminology
- Excellent communicator
- Ability to lead
Accomplishments
Published article in "Respiratory Therapy; The Journal of Pulmonary Technique" Vol. 8
April-May 2013
"Bronchodilator Abuse"
Member of NBRC: National Board for Respiratory Care
Member of PSRC: Pennsylvania Society for Respiratory Care
Member of AARC: American Association of Respiratory Care
Timeline
Respiratory Lab Instructor
YTI Career Institute
06.2023 - 01.2024
Surveyor
HQAA
02.2023 - Current
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Assist Home Care
12.2018 - Current
Registered Respiratory Therapist / Team Leader
Geisinger Medical Center
07.2002 - 12.2018
Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapy
Luzerne County Community College
Associate of Arts - English Literature
Montclair State University
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