Respiratory Student Equipment Technician I

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Student Technician (RST) supports the Respiratory Therapy Department while progressing through an accredited respiratory therapy program. Depending on competency level, responsibilities range from respiratory equipment and supply management to direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed Respiratory Therapist. The Respiratory Student Technician works in a hospital-based environment across multiple clinical and support areas. All duties are performed in accordance with hospital policies and procedures, infection prevention standards, departmental guidelines, and under the direction of Respiratory Therapy leadership. This is a PRN position. Hours include weekend and holiday coverage, as required, based on department needs. As a first-year student in the respiratory therapy program, the Respiratory Student Technician I (RST I) is primarily responsible for maintaining respiratory equipment and supplies. Responsibilities include retrieving soiled respiratory equipment, cleaning and disinfecting non-disposable equipment, preparing equipment for reuse, restocking respiratory supplies, delivering equipment to assigned areas, maintaining organized equipment storage locations, completing equipment logs, and identifying equipment that requires repair or preventative maintenance. The Respiratory Student Technician I collaborates with Respiratory Therapists, unit staff, clinical coordinators, educators, and department leadership to help maintain equipment availability and support efficient department workflow. All duties are performed according to established hospital policies and procedures, infection prevention standards, safety requirements, and departmental workflows. As a second-year respiratory therapy student, Respiratory Student Technician II (RST II) assumes expanded clinical responsibilities as competencies advance. In addition to maintaining and managing respiratory equipment, the RST II performs respiratory assessments, administers respiratory therapies, assists with treatment planning, documents patient care activities, and provides patient and family education under the supervision of a licensed Respiratory Therapist. All clinical activities and documentation must comply with departmental standards, hospital policies, and applicable regulatory requirements. Patient care documentation completed by an RST II requires review and co-signature by a supervising Respiratory Therapist. The RST II is expected to demonstrate professionalism, support the delivery of safe and effective patient care, participate in ongoing professional development, and collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote high-quality respiratory care services and positive patient outcomes.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a Respiratory Therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC) or a recognized successor organization.
High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
Ability to follow detailed instructions and adhere to policies and procedures
Strong organization and time management skills
Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively with respiratory team members
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification preferred
Adheres to all hospital infection prevention policies and CDC guidelines
Utilizes appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during all cleaning and handling processes
Ensure proper handling, transport, and storage of contaminated and/or clean equipment
Reports safety concerns or equipment mal
Ability to perform job functions while standing. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to perform job functions while walking. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to climb stairs. (I) Infrequent – 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to work indoors. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (I) Infrequent – 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to work from elevated areas. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (I) Infrequent – 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to bend at the waist. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to twist at the waist. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to squat and perform job functions. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to perform “pinching” operations. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to fully use both legs. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to reach in all directions. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Possess good finger dexterity. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (I) Infrequent – 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to thirty-six inches unassisted. (I) Infrequent – 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to lift from thirty-six” to overhead 25 lbs. (I) Infrequent – 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to exert up to 50lbs. of force. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to maintain vision 20/40 corrected. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Good peripheral vision capabilities. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to work rotating shifts. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to work overtime as required. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and as required.

Nice To Haves

None required for this role; entry level

Responsibilities

Retrieving soiled respiratory equipment
Cleaning and disinfecting non-disposable equipment
Preparing equipment for reuse
Restocking respiratory supplies
Delivering equipment to assigned areas
Maintaining organized equipment storage locations
Completing equipment logs
Identifying equipment that requires repair or preventative maintenance
Collaborating with Respiratory Therapists, unit staff, clinical coordinators, educators, and department leadership to help maintain equipment availability and support efficient department workflow
Performing respiratory assessments (RST II)
Administering respiratory therapies (RST II)
Assisting with treatment planning (RST II)
Documenting patient care activities (RST II)
Providing patient and family education (RST II)