Respiratory Therapy Extern

Kindred Hospital Albuquerque is a long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital specializing in the treatment of patients recovering from post-intensive care and medically complex conditions. Our hospital provides both intensive care and telemetry-level services, offering advanced monitoring and support for patients requiring extended medical care. With a multidisciplinary team dedicated to personalized treatment plans, we focus on helping patients achieve significant recovery and transition to the next level of care.

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of a Licensed RT, the student extern will be responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, which includes administering respiratory medications, patient assessments, monitoring pulse oximetry, providing respiratory treatments such as IS, IMT, PEP tx, performing oral care and trach care, all with proper documentation.

Essential Functions

• Competent delivery of all respiratory care procedures as outlined in the department policy and procedure manual. Student extern will be assigned only to the Med Surgical Unit patients.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation of all respiratory care procedures per department policy and procedures. Enter into the electronic medical record all daily services and charges given to patients.
• Receive and give accurate and complete report to the charge RT on duty. Update and complete patient profile card to reflect patient’s current clinical status. Be prepared and ready to receive/give report at the specified report times or as directed by RT Supervisor.
• Attend and participate in department in-services, meetings, patient care rounds, and mandatory hospital meetings.
• Will work under the direct supervision of the RT Supervisor on shift and will communicate any changes in workload and patient acuity.
• Demonstrate excellent working knowledge of respiratory care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting with appropriate problem resolution with the RT Supervisor on shift.
• Perform effective airway management to include bag/mask ventilation and perform CPR. The student extern will have BLS and ACLS certification upon hire as a student extern.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• The ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations under the direction of the RT Supervisor.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills when working or interacting with residents, their families and other staff members.
• Ability to communicate in English effectively through verbal and written means to extent necessary to perform job duties appropriately.
• Understands principles of growth and development for the entire lifespan with the ability to provide care appropriate for adult and geriatric patients as appropriate to the patient population.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Reading and comprehension at a level necessary to perform job duties appropriately.
• Approximate percentage of time required to travel: 0%25
• Must read, write and speak fluent English.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Education

• Enrolled in an accredited respiratory therapy program and in the third semester of their program.

Licenses/Certifications

• Obtain a temporary respiratory student extern permit through the appropriate state licensing board.
• BLS and ACLS certifications and maintain them for the duration of employment or as required by the state employed.

Experience

• None required.