Respiratory Care Intern - UPMC East

Purpose

Respiratory Care Interns (students) will develop the ability to gain additional clinical experience and knowledge prior to the completion of their education in a CoARC approved Respiratory Care program and their subsequent credentialing as a licensed RCP. The Intern will be under the direct supervision of the Educational Coordinator, Respiratory Supervisor or their designee. The Intern will be assigned to a RCP at all times.

Responsibilities

• Participate in clinical research projects as required
• Maintain accurate records as required by department standards
• Communicate with all other healthcare personnel regarding the care of the patient
• Perform chest physiotherapy according to department standards
• Assist in the transport of patients requiring respiratory support
• Administer therapeutic gases such as oxygen as prescribed or according to departmental procedures
• Perform flutter valve therapy according to department standards
• Document interactions with and care given to the patient in the medical record and/or hospital information system
• Perform arterial punctures (radial and brachial arteries only) and analyze samples maintaining asepsis and quality as per department standards
• Administer IPPB therapy as prescribed or according to departmental procedures
• Perform simple bedside pulmonary function testing and calculation
• Transport and change respiratory equipment on the general patient units throughout the hospital and maintain associated records in an organized and legible manner
• Clean, disinfect and/or sterilize all respiratory equipment
• Complete all mandatory and hospital competencies
• Exhibit and practice service excellence by actively seeking, listening and responding to the needs of patients, their family, physicians, staff and others
• Administer BiPAP/CPAP as prescribed or according to department policy/procedure
• Utilize Customer Relations principles
• Prepare and administer humidification and nebulization therapy under controlled temperature and saturation levels
• Perform evaluation of therapy objectives to determine the patient's needs
• Provide equipment for the therapy mentioned above and perform minor repairs, maintenance and calibration as per department standards
• Participate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to include the establishment of an airway, ventilatory support and external cardiac massage
• Perform incentive spirometry according to department standards
• Perform PEP therapy according to department standards
• Prepare and administer aerosolized drugs and drug mixtures as prescribed (i.e. bronchodilator, antibiotics, antibacterials, wetting agents, enzymes, steroids, etc.)
• Attend and participate in department meetings, conferences and inservices as able upgrading your knowledge of respiratory and/or related fields to a level as acceptable as department standard
• Ensure that all patient charges are entered daily
• Perform resting, titration, exercise and nocturnal oximetry studies
• Replace oxygen and other compressed gas cylinders used for the respiratory care of patients and monitor and change the compressed gas cylinder banks when indicated
• Disassemble and prepare respiratory equipment for cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a CoARC approved school of Respiratory Care
• Must have completed one semester of clinical rotations at a CoARC approved school of Respiratory Care

Licenses and Certifications

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Act 34

Schedule

This role will be scheduled mainly for a daylight shift and have weekend and holiday responsibility – scheduled shifts are flexible based on school schedules.