Shayli Makaneole
Mount Vernon,KY
Summary
Respiratory Therapist with over 12 years of experience providing direct patient care in critical care, emergency, procedural, and inpatient healthcare settings. Extensive experience in mechanical ventilation, airway management, arterial blood gas analysis, emergency response, and respiratory therapies for critically ill and non-critical patient populations. Skilled in multidisciplinary collaboration, patient advocacy, staff development, conflict resolution, and fostering inclusive healthcare environments. Combines strong clinical expertise with leadership experience, labor-management relations knowledge, AFGE Steward responsibilities, EEO training, and graduate-level healthcare administration education to support high-quality patient care, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Respiratory Therapist
University of Kentucky Healthcare
Lexington, KY
10.2023 - Current
- Provide comprehensive respiratory care to critically ill and non-critical adult patient populations within a high-acuity academic medical center. Manage invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, including ventilator initiation, monitoring, troubleshooting, weaning protocols, and extubation. Deliver respiratory therapies including aerosolized medications, oxygen therapy, bronchial hygiene, high-flow nasal cannula therapy, CPAP/BiPAP, and secretion clearance techniques.
- Respond to rapid response activations, code blue events, emergent intubations, and airway emergencies requiring advanced respiratory intervention and critical thinking in fast-paced clinical situations. Assist physicians and advanced practice providers with airway management, intubation support, tracheostomy care, bedside procedures, suctioning, and patient stabilization.
- Perform arterial blood gas collection and analysis to assess respiratory and metabolic status and communicate critical findings to healthcare providers. Monitor patient response to respiratory interventions and collaborate with physicians, nurses, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop, adjust, and implement individualized patient care plans.
- Provide respiratory care across multiple inpatient settings, including critical care and step-down environments, while maintaining proficiency in emergency response, patient transport, ventilator management, and evidence-based respiratory care practices. Educate patients and families regarding respiratory treatments, ventilator support, pulmonary disease processes, and discharge-related respiratory care needs.
- Maintain accurate electronic medical record documentation, ensure compliance with hospital policies and regulatory standards, and contribute to safe, high-quality patient care in a collaborative healthcare environment.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Atlas MedStaff
Louisville, KY
11.2022 - 08.2023
- Travel respiratory therapist at a level 1 trauma center, providing respiratory care across multiple inpatient units and specialized intensive care units including neuro, trauma, stroke, oncology, cardiac, and burn. Demonstrated adaptability and strong clinical performance by earning two contract extensions beyond the initial 13-week assignment. Experienced in ventilator and airway management, arterial blood gas analysis, patient transport, code blue and rapid response events, and electronic medical record systems including Cerner Powerchart and Meditech.
Lead Respiratory Therapist
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Washington, DC
08.2018 - 03.2023
- Lead respiratory therapist for the interventional pulmonology lab at a designated 1a complexity level facility, overseeing daily operations and supporting a wide range of interventional pulmonary procedures for inpatient and outpatient populations. Coordinated and assisted with advanced pulmonary procedures while providing orientation, training, ongoing competency validation, and leadership support to respiratory staff and interdisciplinary team members. Represented the respiratory department and pulmonary procedure lab at multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meetings to support collaborative patient care and operational effectiveness.
- Served on both critical and non-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) committees and was selected as the RME Champion for the pulmonary department. Maintained VHA and Joint Commission inspection readiness for the pulmonary procedure lab, pulmonary function lab, and inpatient respiratory care areas through ongoing quality assurance, policy review, and compliance oversight.
- Acted as a liaison between vendors, physicians, clinicians, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to support continuity of care, equipment management, and operational efficiency. Provided technical and administrative guidance related to vendor contracts, supply ordering, equipment acquisition, and fiscal forecasting. Coordinated patient scheduling, patient and caregiver education, provider order interpretation, and pulmonary device selection while educating staff on developments in interventional pulmonology.
- Key accomplishments include successfully bringing the pulmonary procedure lab into VA and Joint Commission compliance through the development of standard operating procedures, point-of-use navigational robotic bronchoscopy system for the facility’s Lung Cancer Program.
Respiratory Care Practitioner II
Charles Regional Medical Center
La Plata, MD
10.2014 - 08.2018
- Provided respiratory care to patients across all age populations in a variety of clinical settings. Managed invasive and non-invasive ventilation, airway support, bronchoscopies, tracheostomy care, aerosolized medication administration, arterial blood gas collection and analysis, medication management, smoking cessation counseling, and patient education. Rotated throughout multiple hospital departments including the intensive care unit, emergency department, operating room, telemetry, pediatrics, and general medical-surgical floors.
Phlebotomist
Calvert Memorial Hospital
Prince Frederick, MD
08.2013 - 05.2014
- Performed venipuncture procedures, specimen collection, handling, labeling, and transport while ensuring accuracy, patient safety, and compliance with laboratory protocols.
Education
Master of Healthcare Administration -
Capella University
01-2027
Bachelor of Science - Respiratory Care
Boise State University
01-2018
Associates of Applied Science - Respiratory Care
Prince Georges Community College
01-2014
Skills
- Advanced mechanical ventilation management
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Airway management and tracheostomy care
- Non-invasive ventilation
- Oxygen therapy administration
- Bronchial hygiene and respiratory care therapies
- Nitric oxide administration
- Critical care and emergency response
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Physical assessment and patient monitoring
- Respiratory equipment setup and maintenance
- Clinical decision-making and critical thinking
- Interdisciplinary collaboration and team leadership
- Patient and family education and advocacy
- Safety protocols, reporting, and documentation
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
Accomplishments
AFGE Steward • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Collaborated with labor and management representatives to support a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. Represented employees in grievances, disciplinary actions, removals, and alternative dispute resolution processes while promoting effective communication, fair labor practices, and conflict resolution.
Controlled Substance Inspector • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Appointed by the Medical Center Director to a voluntary three-year term as a Controlled Substance Inspector (CSI). Conducted controlled substance inspections, identified diversion risks and count discrepancies, and performed chart audits to ensure medication and regulatory compliance.
Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
Supported community health, emergency preparedness, and public health response initiatives through volunteer service and healthcare support activities.
National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
Nominated in recognition of academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to professional development. Participated in leadership development programs focused on communication, goal setting, team development, and career advancement.
Certification
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) 2014 - Current
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) 2014 - Current
- AARC Member 2021 - Current
- BLS (American Heart Association) 2012 - Current
- ACLS (American Heart Association) 2012 - Current
- Virginia State Respiratory Care Practitioner 2018 - Current
- Kentucky Respiratory Therapist License 2023 - Current
LEADERSHIP & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
- Labor-management relations
- Employee advocacy
- Federal EEO complaint processes and ADRConflict resolution and consensus building
- Staff guidance regarding disciplinary and performance matters
- Change management and workplace policy communication
- Team leadership and staff development
- Project management and operational coordination
- Professional communication and negotiation
- Critical thinking and analytical problem-solving
- Organizational effectiveness and decision-making
- Adaptability in fast-paced healthcare environments
Timeline
Senior Respiratory Therapist
University of Kentucky Healthcare
10.2023 - Current
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Atlas MedStaff
11.2022 - 08.2023
Lead Respiratory Therapist
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
08.2018 - 03.2023
Respiratory Care Practitioner II
Charles Regional Medical Center
10.2014 - 08.2018
Phlebotomist
Calvert Memorial Hospital
08.2013 - 05.2014
Associates of Applied Science - Respiratory Care
Prince Georges Community College
Master of Healthcare Administration -
Capella University
Bachelor of Science - Respiratory Care
Boise State University