Respiratory Care Practitioner I Intern - St. Mary's Hospital

Bon Secours Health System • Richmond, VA

8d • $29 - $45 • Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner I Intern provides respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. The role performs respiratory care procedures including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services, and patient and staff education. The practitioner monitors patients’ responses to therapy and recommends changes or modifications based on assessment. The position may also precept new team members or students and may be assigned other job-related duties by a supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

• Current respiratory care license in the state of employment (required).
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential (required).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (required).
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other staff.
• Good communication, customer service, organizational, and time-management skills, including oral and written communication.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse people, receive feedback, gather and interpret data, and demonstrate accountability.
• Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment, such as oximeters or end-tidal CO2 analyzers.
• Knowledge of therapeutic procedures including CPAP/BiPAP, jet aerosol, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, pulse oximetry, high-flow oxygen, continuous aerosols, ventilator management, and diagnostic testing.
• Understanding of EKGs, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Ability to perform arterial blood gas punctures and testing, airway maneuvers, bedside pulmonary function testing, patient assessment, and patient education.
• Knowledge of chest suction equipment and chest X-ray interpretation.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree related to respiratory therapy, healthcare, healthcare administration, or business administration.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association or Red Cross.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification from the American Heart Association.
• Valid driver’s license for Home Care/DME roles.
• Previous working experience in an ambulatory or acute care setting.
• Six months of Respiratory Therapy experience in a general care area.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ physical status through inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, observation of behavior, and review of the patient record.
• Perform treatments according to physician orders, explain therapy and therapeutic goals to patients, and modify procedures according to patient response.
• Assess the appropriateness of prescribed therapies and recommend methods to physicians to achieve therapeutic goals, including IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulization, incentive spirometry, and metered-dose inhalers with spacers.
• Set up and maintain oxygen therapy modes to maintain adequate PaO2 levels and accurate inspired oxygen concentrations.
• Administer IPPB or aerosol therapy, prepare prescribed medications, adjust equipment to meet individual clinical needs, document and observe patient response and vital signs, and use judgment to identify possible adverse reactions and recommend therapy changes.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays before treatment and assess breath sounds and response before and after the procedure.
• Instruct patients and families in incentive spirometry, MDI administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Assist physicians with bronchoscopy and tracheostomy as needed; assist with tracheostomy and endotracheal tube changes and ensure proper humidification.
• Obtain sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance through patient coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or endotracheal or nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis, interpret arterial blood gases, and perform arterial line procedures, including safety precautions, sterile technique, flushing, and ABG aspiration.
• May perform EKGs and use knowledge of electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as indicated by clinical circumstances.
• May serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and 403(b) with employer contributions when eligible.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage; HSA/FSA options; life insurance; mental health resources; and discounts.
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, and backup care for children and elders.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed