Respiratory Intern, PRN

University of Maryland Medical System•Baltimore, MD

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Respiratory Intern will observe classroom and clinical settings to gain knowledge of effective evaluation and treatment of individuals with cardiopulmonary functions threatened or impaired by developmental defects, aging, physical injury, or disease. This orientation period is designed to provide effective respiratory care department orientation while assessing the competency of new graduates. The intern will observe a variety of routine technical procedures and patient care activities.

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.
Licensure by The Maryland Board for Physician Quality Assurance is required for the clinical phase of orientation.
General knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, biology, microbiology, technical mathematics, and pharmacology.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
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.
CPR is required.
Must have completed the first year in good standing of an accredited respiratory care program.
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.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit.
Ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs.
Ability to work with patients possessing potentially infectious diseases using appropriate “Universal Precautions” and other safety procedures.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.

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 respiratory care treatments for adult, pediatric, or neonatal patient populations.
Observe explanations of treatments to patients and/or families before procedures.
Observe physical signs and symptoms, behavior, and responses to respiratory care procedures.
Observe collaboration between therapists and physicians regarding therapeutic treatment plans.
Observe termination of patient treatment due to patient discomfort or medical status changes.
Observe Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures, including airway management, manual ventilation, and cardiac compressions.
Observe administration of therapeutic and diagnostic gases, bronchodilator treatments, chest physiotherapy, and aerosolized medication treatments.
Observe delivery of oxygen and humidified air through various devices.
Observe therapist-physician interaction during non-surgical insertion, maintenance, and removal of artificial airways.
Observe suctioning techniques for artificial and nasal/oral airways.
Learn age-specific respiratory techniques for adult/pediatric/neonatal populations.
Observe mechanical ventilation and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for critical care patients, including adjustments under physician supervision.
Observe effectiveness of mechanical ventilation and other interventions through interpretation of chest x-rays and blood gas results.
Observe patient appearance, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation, and notification of doctors as required.
Observe calibration and maintenance of ventilators, pulse oximeters, nebulizers, Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI), and oxygen/humidity equipment in the classroom setting.
Observe completion of Mechanical Ventilation Competency, including ensuring correct alarms and settings, and making adjustments in mock scenarios.
Observe application of cleaning/sterile techniques and decontamination of equipment.
Review initiation and maintenance rounds on oxygen and humidity equipment.
Review procedures for labeling and sending equipment for repair.
Practice respiratory care documentation and reporting in a mock computer environment.
Review the collection of data such as Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) readings, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Hemodynamics, laboratory values, and patient history.
Practice preliminary interpretation of arterial blood gas results and related information in a mock scenario.
Review quality improvement information, such as inappropriate ventilator changes, incident sheets, and equipment failures.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care.
Attend and participate in in-service training and educational programs.
Strive to maintain high personal and professional standards.