RESPIRATORY CARE EXTERN

Overview:

The Respiratory Care Extern demonstrates excellent customer service performance in that his/her attitude and actions are at all times consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission and Values of Covenant and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation .

T his individual works under the direct supervision of a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) mentor while carrying out designated skills that she/he has had in educational programs and/or orientation and has demonstrated competence to her/his unit manager or RRT mentor. The individual will work tandem with a Registered Respiratory Therapist in COVID units. The extern program is designed to provide a respiratory student an opportunity to become more comfortable in the hospital setting, gain skills in organizing their work, compliment learning provided in their educational program. At the conclusion of the extern program there is an option to continue employment at the manager’s recommendation. The Respiratory Care Extern perform’ s those components of the job that are delegated by a Registered Respiratory Therapist or Shift Leader.

Responsibilities:

Prioritizes/organized delegated patient care assignments.
Accountable for all patient care assignments and documentation of all interventions.
Performs technical respiratory care skills as outlined in standards and procedures manual and as described by unit-specific competencies.
Engages in reinforcement of patient/family teaching as delegated by the RRT shift Leaders.
Encouraged to be proactive in seeking learning experiences.
Performs and records complete physical assessment as outlined in unit specific guidelines.
Identifies and communicates changes in the patient’s condition to the RRT Shift Leaders.
Demonstrates a positive personal approach and interaction with others.
Maintains clean, safe patient area.
Handles equipment appropriately. Returns equipment to proper place after its use. Asks questions about its use when necessary.
Considers cost in using supplies for patient care.
Assists with completing patient classification correctly.
Demonstrates ability to give care cooperatively with other patient care team members.
Actively participates in quality management and continuing education. Updates and maintains knowledge, skills, and competencies related to area of practice and age(s) of patient population.
Presents a clean and neat appearance according to the dress code for Patient Services.

Under the direction of a therapist:

Assists with Proning procedures

Assists with equipment set-up and turn-over

Assists with running Arterial Blood Gases

Maintains adequate stock of tanks in RT storage area

Maintains clean and stocked medication carts

Assists Registered Therapist with any other assigned tasks

Qualifications: EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
High school graduate or equivalent.
Continued enrollment in an accredited school of respiratory care acceptable to Covenant and has completed clinical content pertinent to the assigned unit. Has demonstrated by transcript and instructor evaluation above average academic and provides a signed clinical skills checklist. Committed to complete a determined amount of employment.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
Demonstrates ongoing competency in selected psychomotor skills.
Verbal and written communication skills.
Basic computer literacy with the ability to learn applications.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to maintain punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
Constant talking, hearing and near vision.
Frequent lifting up to 25 lbs.
Frequent standing, walking, carrying, twisting, reaching, handling, feeling, midrange vision, far vision, depth perception, visual accommodation and color vision.
Occasional lifting up to 100 lbs.
Occasional sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, squatting and field of vision.