Respiratory Therapy Intern

St. Luke’s University Health Network•Bethlehem, PA

About The Position

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care. The Respiratory Therapy (RT) Intern is responsible for performing multiple duties that require an expertise in the assembly, transport, disinfection, calibration and troubleshooting of respiratory related equipment. The RT Intern is responsible for maintaining an appropriate level of equipment in the various respiratory work areas and assisting the Respiratory Therapists and providers with various equipment related duties for procedures and tasks, as directed. RT Interns that have demonstrated proficiency in respiratory equipment handling will be trained to assemble, troubleshoot, and assist with interventional pulmonary procedures. Participation in providing COPD education to inpatients including disease process, basic overview of medications, and documentation of education in medical records. The position may assist in training new Respiratory Care staff of equipment reprocessing and/or on routine therapy assistant functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Student enrolled in Respiratory Therapy Program preferred.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Basic computer skills and ability to learn new software to support department as needed.

Nice To Haves

Prior Hospital experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Changes equipment as needed.
Monitor’s inventory of supplies and orders as necessary.
Stocks all RT storage areas and shelves as necessary.
Monitor’s oxygen and various gas cylinders maintained by hospital.
Signs in all arriving supplies and processes equipment for sterilization.
Updates Respiratory Leadership on equipment, supply as well as oxygen and other gases needs.
Cleans, disinfects, and restocks equipment in hospital areas and emergency kits.
Set up ventilators in department and performs pre-operative checks.
Works in conjunction with Bio-med to repair equipment.
Adheres to infection control guidelines related to cleaning of equipment.
Set up and breakdown of Respiratory equipment in patient care areas
Assists in Interventional Pulmonary procedures including set up of equipment prior to procedure, handling of procedure instruments, preparing and transporting specimens, and equipment reprocessing/pre-clean in line with infection control guidelines.
Complies with Department and Hospital policy regarding safety, attendance, and dress code.
Demonstrates/models the hospital’s core values and customer service behaviors in interactions with all customers. (Internal and external).
Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information.
Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.
Demonstrates/models the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).
Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.
Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.
Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.
Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.