Respiratory Therapy Intern​/Per Diem

Job Overview

The Respiratory Therapy (RT) Intern is responsible for performing multiple duties that require expertise in the assembly, transport, disinfection, calibration, and troubleshooting of respiratory equipment. The RT Intern maintains an appropriate level of equipment in the various respiratory work areas and assists Respiratory Therapists and providers with equipment‑related duties for procedures and tasks, as directed. RT Interns who demonstrate proficiency in respiratory equipment handling will be trained to assemble, troubleshoot, and assist with interventional pulmonary procedures.

The intern also participates in providing COPD education to inpatients, including disease process, basic overview of medications, and documentation in medical records. The position may assist in training new Respiratory Care staff on equipment reprocessing and routine therapy assistant functions.

• Change equipment as needed.
• Monitor inventory of supplies and order as necessary.
• Stock all RT storage areas and shelves as necessary.
• Monitor oxygen and various gas cylinders maintained by the hospital.
• Sign in all arriving supplies and process equipment for sterilization.
• Update Respiratory Leadership on equipment, supplies, oxygen and other gases needs.
• Cleans, disinfects, and restocks equipment in hospital areas and emergency kits.
• Set up ventilators in the department and perform pre‑operative checks.
• Work in conjunction with Bio‑med to repair equipment.
• Adhere to infection control guidelines related to cleaning of equipment.
• Set up and break down respiratory equipment in patient care areas.
• Assist in interventional pulmonary procedures, including setup of equipment prior to procedure, handling instruments, preparing and transporting specimens, and equipment reprocessing/pre‑clean in line with infection control guidelines.
• Comply with Department and Hospital policy regarding safety, attendance, and dress code.
• Demonstrate and model the hospital’s core values and customer service behaviors in interactions with all customers (internal and external).
• Maintain confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/Entity, and properly release information.
• Comply with Network and departmental policies regarding employee, patient, and environmental safety and report appropriately.
• Demonstrate performance improvement in areas such as clinical care/outcomes, customer/service improvement, operational system/process, and safety.
• Demonstrate financial responsibility and accountability through effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes, and practices.
• Comply with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.
• Demonstrate competency in assessment, range of treatment, and communication appropriate to patient age.

• Sitting up to two hours per day – 1‑hour increments.
• Standing up to six hours per day – 1‑hour increments.
• Walking up to six hours per day – 50‑minute increments.
• Frequently use fingers to manipulate small objects, equipment.
• Continuous handling of equipment, documentation of records.
• Frequent twisting/turning of hands while changing equipment.
• Occasional twisting/turning of body.
• Frequent lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional carrying of objects up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent pushing and pulling of equipment up to 150 pounds.
• Occasional stooping, bending, and crouching.
• Rarely require squatting, kneeling, crawling, or climbing.
• Occasional reaching above shoulder level.
• Ability to feel temperature and other attributes of objects through touch.
• Vision: general, near, far, peripheral, and depth perception.
• Hearing: normal, high, and low frequencies.

• 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 the department as needed.
• Prior hospital experience preferred.

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.