Respiratory Care Intern - UPMC Shadyside

UPMC • Pittsburgh, PA

8h

About The Position

UPMC Shadyside is hiring Respiratory Care Interns on a casual basis to support its Respiratory Care Services department. The role provides students with additional clinical experience and knowledge before completing their education in a CoARC-approved Respiratory Care program and pursuing credentialing as a licensed respiratory care practitioner. Interns work under the direct supervision of the Educational Coordinator, a Respiratory Supervisor, or their designee, and are assigned to a respiratory care practitioner (RCP) at all times.

Interns administer diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory care in general medical/surgical units while observing required precautions to prevent adverse effects. They are responsible for equipment care, economical use of supplies and utilities, and maintaining cleanliness in the department and work areas. The position also involves patient assessment and care appropriate to patients’ age-specific needs, documentation, communication with healthcare personnel, and compliance with hospital and department policies and standards.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a CoARC-approved school of Respiratory Care.
• Register for the Internship/Preceptorship each semester or quarter.
• Complete one semester of clinical rotations at a CoARC-approved school of Respiratory Care.
• CPR certification.
• Act 34 clearance.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population served, including understanding growth and development across the lifespan.
• Be able to assess and interpret patient data to identify each patient's age-specific needs.

Responsibilities

• Participate in clinical research projects as required.
• Maintain accurate records in accordance with department standards.
• Communicate with healthcare personnel regarding patient care.
• Perform chest physiotherapy, flutter valve therapy, incentive spirometry, and PEP therapy according to department standards.
• Assist with transport of patients requiring respiratory support.
• Administer therapeutic gases, including oxygen, as prescribed or according to department procedures.
• Document patient interactions and care in the medical record and/or hospital information system.
• Perform radial and brachial arterial punctures and analyze samples while maintaining asepsis and quality standards.
• Administer IPPB therapy as prescribed or according to department procedures.
• Perform simple bedside pulmonary function testing and calculations.
• Transport and change respiratory equipment on general patient units and maintain associated records in an organized and legible manner.
• Clean, disinfect, sterilize, disassemble, and prepare respiratory equipment for cleaning, disinfection, and/or sterilization.
• Complete mandatory and hospital competencies.
• Exhibit service excellence by seeking, listening to, and responding to the needs of patients, families, physicians, staff, and others.
• Administer BiPAP/CPAP as prescribed or according to department policy and procedure.
• Use customer relations principles.
• Prepare and administer humidification and nebulization therapy under controlled temperature and saturation levels.
• Evaluate therapy objectives to determine patient needs.
• Provide equipment for respiratory therapies and perform minor repairs, maintenance, and calibration according to department standards.
• Participate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including establishing an airway, providing ventilatory support, and performing external cardiac massage.
• Prepare and administer prescribed aerosolized drugs and drug mixtures.
• Follow hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Attend and participate in department meetings, conferences, and in-services as able, maintaining respiratory and related knowledge at the level required by department standards.
• Ensure patient charges are entered daily.
• Perform resting, titration, exercise, and nocturnal oximetry studies.
• Replace oxygen and other compressed gas cylinders used for patient respiratory care, and monitor and change compressed gas cylinder banks when indicated.
• Maintain personal cleanliness and courtesy.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed