Respiratory Therapy Extern

San Juan Regional Medical Center • Farmington, NM

4d

About The Position

Respiratory Therapy Student Externs help restore patients to optimal health through the scientific application of tests and treatments for the cardiorespiratory system. Working as part of a coordinated team with physicians and other healthcare providers, they provide emergent, diagnostic, critical, and restorative care to patients with heart and lung disease. The position operates under the general supervision of department licensed practitioners and the leadership team; critical care is provided under the direct supervision of fully licensed staff.

The extern delivers routine respiratory therapies according to physician orders and department policy, and may initiate and maintain advanced respiratory support under the direct supervision of a fully licensed respiratory care practitioner. The role also includes patient monitoring and testing, documentation, equipment and supply support, infection control, communication and collaboration, respiratory care protocols, and CPR and emergency response duties. Employees are expected to reflect San Juan Regional Medical Center’s values and service standards in their daily work.

Requirements

• Enrollment in good standing in an A.M.A./J.R.C.R.T.E.-accredited school of Respiratory Therapy.
• BLS certification.
• Obtain a Temporary Training Permit from the New Mexico Respiratory License Board upon acceptance of the position.
• Operate under the general supervision of department licensed practitioners and leadership; provide critical care only under direct supervision of fully licensed staff.
• Correctable visual and auditory acuity sufficient to safely perform job duties.

Nice To Haves

• ACLS certification.
• PALS certification.
• NRP certification.

Responsibilities

• Deliver routine respiratory therapy modes in accordance with physician orders and department policy.
• Implement pertinent standing orders and communicate with physicians and other care providers about indications, hazards, and alternatives for respiratory care.
• Administer therapies with an understanding of equipment, objectives, indications, contraindications, hazards, alternatives, and medication actions and effects.
• Under direct supervision of a fully licensed respiratory care practitioner, initiate and maintain invasive and noninvasive mechanical life support and assist with establishing and maintaining artificial airways for patients of all age groups.
• Seek assistance and guidance from the shift supervisor or a coworker when an unapproved procedure is immediately necessary for a patient.
• Implement, monitor, troubleshoot, and interpret invasive and noninvasive physiological monitoring and testing systems, including EKGs, bedside spirometry, oximetry, end-tidal CO2 monitoring, mixed venous oximetry, weaning parameters, and Holter monitoring.
• Understand hazards, indications, and procedures for arterial sampling; interpret arterial blood gas results and implement or recommend appropriate actions.
• Complete required regulatory, financial, and assessment documentation in a timely manner and follow hospital documentation policy.
• Assist with maintaining, processing, and restocking departmental supplies and equipment.
• Follow infection-control protocols, including handwashing, equipment assembly and reprocessing, use of personal protective equipment, and isolation procedures.
• Communicate pertinent patient-care and departmental information to patients and families, physicians and other care providers, coworkers, and department leadership.
• Attend in-services and department meetings.
• Initiate, assess, implement, and follow department respiratory care protocols in collaboration with physicians and other care providers.
• Initiate CPR and Code Blue response, respond to Code Blue and disaster calls, and stock and assemble airway and resuscitation supplies as required.
• Respect cultural diversity, use interpreters as needed, collaborate with patients, families, physicians, and other care providers, use age-specific communication and teaching strategies, advocate for patient rights, and promote professional interdepartmental teamwork.
• Implement SJRMC’s Service Standard—Safety, Courtesy, Effectiveness, and Stewardship—and perform other duties as assigned.
• Practice respiratory care within established standards of care.
• Take call as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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