Respiratory Therapy Intern

Position Purpose

This is a temporary position intended for any person who has completed a high school diploma or equivalent and completed an education program in respiratory care which has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

The Respiratory Therapy Intern may practice respiratory care pursuant to a program of practical training as an intern in respiratory care for not more than 12 months after completing a respiratory therapy program. (NRS 630.276).

This position performs respiratory therapy procedures per protocol and those ordered by physicians to improve the cardiopulmonary conditions of patients from newborn to geriatric ages. Respiratory Therapist's primarily collaborate with patients in the adult critical care units, adult general care, and pediatric general care, and may provide respiratory care at secondary care sites consistent with the mission and obligations of Renown Regional Medical Center and the department of Respiratory Care.

Nature and Scope

"Respiratory Care" means the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control, and care of persons with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. (NRS 630.023)

The Respiratory Therapy Intern is accountable for the assessment, planning, implementation of care, and evaluation of Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric patients and families. A thorough patient assessment by Respiratory Therapist Interns is the cornerstone for the effective implementation of protocols. Respiratory Therapist Interns can initiate or modify a patient's plan of care following a predetermined and structured set of orders under the protocol placed by a provider. Protocols include instructions or interventions in which the Respiratory Therapist intern is empowered to initiate, refine, transition, discontinue, and restart therapy as the patient's medical condition dictates. The Respiratory Therapist Intern is accountable for the assessment, planning, implementation of care, and evaluation of Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric patients and families.

The Respiratory Therapy Interns are responsible for the proper documentation of all patient records and department logs. In addition, they are responsible for keeping abreast of technological advances in applicable areas and are well versed in appropriate clinical applications. Continuous comprehensive mental effort is required to provide optimal safe patient care, and the same mental effort is required when interacting with internal and external contacts, exercising judgments, and making decisions.


The Respiratory Therapy Intern is responsible for ensuring a positive patient experience is achieved. This is accomplished through initially making a connection, introducing yourself, explaining the duration of the work being performed, explaining the procedure / task, and thanking the patient when complete (CIDET). Additionally, the Respiratory Therapy Intern is responsible for service recovery when the patient experience does not go well. This is accomplished by listening with empathy to the concern, apologizing for the experience, solving the problem if able and escalating to leadership if not able, and thanking the patient for providing us with an opportunity to improve their experience (LAST).

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

This position does provide direct patient care.

Disclaimer

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Minimum Qualifications
Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Name

Description

Education:

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English. High school diploma or equivalent. Complete an education program for respiratory care which has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.


Experience:

None

License(s):

Active State of Nevada Board of Medical Examiners Respiratory Care Practitioner Intern License.


The State of Nevada Board of Medical Examiners Respiratory Care Practitioner License and National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist license is required within 6 months of graduation. An extension may be granted by the Director of Respiratory Care but will not exceed more than 12 months from the Program graduation.

Certification(s):

Ability to obtain and maintain a current BLS certification by the American Heart Association (AHA) standards required at time of hire.

Ability to obtain and maintain a current ACLS and PALS certification by the American Heart Association (AHA) standards required within 6 months of hire.

Computer / Typing:

Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computers skills necessary to complete online learning requirements for job-specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.