Respiratory Intern, PRN

University of Maryland Medical System•Baltimore, MD

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision of the education and clinical supervisors, LIPs, and guest lecturers, the respiratory intern will observe in the classroom setting and in precepted clinical orientation a variety of routine technical procedures. This orientation period will allow time to gain knowledge of effective evaluation and treatment of individuals with cardiopulmonary functions threatened or impaired by developmental defects, the aging process, physical injury, or disease. The intern period is to serve as a means to provide effective respiratory care department orientation, while ascertaining the overall competency of the new graduate.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited respiratory care education program.
Pending credentialing as a CRT or RRT by the National Board of Respiratory Care in Respiratory Therapy is required.
Hired interns may be onboarded and start the classroom portion of orientation.
Progression to the clinical phase of orientation requires licensure by The Maryland Board for Physician Quality Assurance.
Failure to attain a Maryland State license will required alternate work as an equipment technician until a license is issued.
Once a license is issued, the RCP will be converted to either a CRT or RRT Job Description.
General knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, biology, microbiology, technical mathematics, and pharmacology are required.
Knowledge of medical terminology, and moderate level of proficiency in operation of equipment, such as, various types of ventilators, nebulizers, aerosol masks, nasal cannulas, mist tents, oxyhoods and other oxygen delivery devices.
Possess the ability to determine the quality of patient performance, judge degree of patient discomfort or failing medical status, and the inability of patient to perform during treatment process.
Possess the ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit.
The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
They must also possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs.
Additionally they should provide the care needed as described in the unit/area/department policies and procedures.
Possess the ability to work with patients possessing potentially infectious diseases using the appropriate “Universal Precautions” and other safety procedures.
Possess effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in communicating with patients, doctors, other respiratory staff and nursing staff throughout the medical system, and in maintaining accurate and complete documentation of testing procedures.
CPR is required.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of six months to one year performing didactic and clinical Respiratory care procedures is preferred.
A Certificate from an AMA approved program by the National Board of Respiratory Care in Respiratory Therapy is preferred.
Associates Degree in respiratory or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Observe a variety of respiratory care treatments given to specific patient populations (adult, pediatric, or neonatal).
Observe explanation of treatments to patient and/or family before performing.
Observe physical signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care procedures.
Observe collaboration of therapists with physicians regarding therapeutic treatment plans to determine whether initiation, modification, or discontinuation of the treatment regimen is warranted.
Observe termination of patient treatment upon notice of patient discomfort, troubled medical status, or inability to accept treatment.
Observe Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures, including, airway management, manual ventilation, and cardiac compressions as needed.
Observe the therapist as they administer therapeutic and diagnostic gases (exclusive of general anesthesia), bronchodilator treatments, and chest physiotherapy, aerosolized medication treatments in accordance with departmental procedures, as directed by a physician.
Observe the therapist delivering oxygen and humidified air through a variety of devises to reverse and prevent tissue hypoxia, treat arterial hypoxemia, decrease the work of breathing and decrease myocardial work.
Observe therapist physician interaction as they assist the physician with non-surgical insertion, maintenance and removal of artificial airways, as requested.
Watch the technique of suctioning of the patients artificial and nasal/oral airways with the use of a sterile disposable catheter inserted into the airway.
Learn age-specific version(s) of respiratory techniques when working with adult/pediatric/neonatal population.
Observe mechanical ventilation and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to critical care patients, witnessing while the therapist adjusts ventilation and CPAP under the direct supervision of a physician.
Observe the effectiveness of mechanical ventilation and other therapeutic interventions in the critically ill patient by learning the interpretation of chest x-rays, and blood gas results.
Observe the therapist as they observe the patients appearance, respiration rate and oxygen saturation, and notifying doctor as required.
Perform calibration and maintenance of ventilators (life support systems), pulse oximeters, nebulizers, Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI), oxygen and humidity equipment in accordance with departmental procedures and standard operating procedures.
Complete Mechanical Ventilation Competency.
Ensure correct ventilator alarms and settings.
Given a mock scenario, make an adjustment to ventilator parameters and settings as outlined by the Education Coordinator.
Apply cleaning/sterile techniques or ensure decontamination of equipment essential for optimal operation of the respiratory therapy equipment.
Follow protocols and guidelines regarding the disinfecting of equipment.
Review how to initiate and perform maintenance rounds on all types of oxygen and humidity equipment used through the hospital.
Review procedure on how to assure all equipment in need of service is labeled appropriately and sent for repair to biomedical engineering, in accordance with departmental procedures.
Review and practice in a mock computer environment, respiratory care documentation and reporting of information on activities related to patient care in accordance with departmental procedures.
Review the collection of data, such as, Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) readings, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Hemodynamics, laboratory values and patient history to fully understand reason for adjusting patient’s life support equipment.
Given a mock scenario, practice preliminary interpretation of arterial blood gas results and related information detailing how they would report the results to the attending physician.
Review quality improvement information such as inappropriate ventilator change, incident sheets, and equipment failures.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit.
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and provides the care needed as described in the unit/area/department policies and procedures.
Attend and participate in in-service training and various educational programs for professional growth and development.
Strive to continually maintain the highest personal and professional standards as defined by the state license, medical system policy, and the American Association of Respiratory Care code of ethics.
Ensure patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.
Take action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
Report adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
Implement policies, procedure, and standards consistently in the performance of assigned duties.
Develop effective working relationships and maintain good communication with other team members.
Identify possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicate the same to those in charge.