Rachel Pontzer
Erie
Summary
Certified Respiratory Therapist with a total of five years of experience. Forming my skills based on independence and guidance, I learned very quickly the importance of communication and teamwork. Working closely in all areas of the acute care facility, such as the emergency department, intensive care units, medical and surgical floors, the pediatric wing, and within the operating room. Working amongst all these areas has made me extremely versatile and adaptable as well as comfortable no matter the scene. It has allowed me to provide exceptional respiratory a patient care in fast-paced environments. I am very passionate about my profession and I enjoy learning new things in new environments.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
UPMC Hamot Hospital
Erie
10.2020 - 12.2025
- Adminisered respiratory treatments and therapies, be it nebulizers, initiating oxygen therapy, initiating mechanical ventilation, both invasive and non-invasive.
- Monitored lab results, patient graphs, EKG's, oxygen saturation along with progress and followed up with appropriate adjustments made to therapies.
- Performed Arterial blood gases, monitored those results and performed the appropriate actions based off those results with the assistance of the ordering physician.
- I have drawn off of two different kinds of arterial lines in the Intensive Care Unit.
- Monitored patients in the Intensive Care Unit who have undergone open-heart surgery, open- belly procedures, craniotomies, dismemberment and disfigurement.
- Networked with the critical care teams in Traumatic, Cardiac, Medical and Neonatal Intensive Care Units in order to optimize patient care.
- Transported patients within the facility and outside to and from other facilities on Respiratory support.
- Educated students, patients, family members and supporting staff on Respiratory health and procedures of therapy as dictated by facility policy and the National Board of Respiratory Care.
- Assisted in intubation and bedside bronchoscopy procedures.
- Performed Blind Alveolar Lavage's, collected samples and sent them to the laboratory.
- I am familiar with invasive and non-invasive machinery including the Puritan Bennett 980, Servo-U, Servo-I, Phillips V60, Fischer Pakel Airvo 2, Bubble CPAP, Trilogy, and Hamilton.
- Educated students outside of the facility in three different school districts, ages 10 to 17.
- Conducted therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with treatment methods and equipment.
- Maintained safe patient airways with endotrachial intubation, tracheostomy and laryngectomy care.
- Interpreted X-rays and reported my findings accordingly.
- Attended and participated in staff meetings and events including further education on new equipment, policy changes, current events and upcoming changes.
- Assisted with respiratory needs of newborn infants, both full-term and premature.
Education
Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapy
Mercyhurst University-Northeast Campus
North East, PA05-2020
Skills
- Arterial blood gas performance and analysis
- Invasive and non-invasive ventilation management
- Effective time management
- Respiratory assistance to an infant post-birth via c-section and/or naturally
- Emergent procedures
- Basic Life Support
- Education for patients, family members, and students
- Efficient and effective communication
- End-of-life care
- Cardiac intensive care
- Traumatic intensive care
- Medical intensive care
- Neonatal intensive care
- Infection prevention and control
- Tracheostomy and laryngectomy care/maintenance
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Care in the acute setting
- Umbilical Cord blood gas analysis
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
UPMC Hamot Hospital
10.2020 - 12.2025
Associate of Science - Respiratory Therapy
Mercyhurst University-Northeast Campus