RESP THERAPY INTERN

Covenant Health; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, part of Covenant Health, is seeking a Respiratory Therapy Intern to support the Respiratory Department's operations. The intern will assist with equipment cleaning, assembly, distribution, and stocking of disposables, with no direct patient care until licensed in Tennessee.

Responsibilities include equipment maintenance, oxygen tank stocking, and communication with practitioners.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a CoARC approved Respiratory Therapy Program; must be a second-year student.
• One year of clinical and didactical completion of Respiratory Therapy.
• Current BLS certification.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and disinfect respiratory equipment.
• Stock and replace oxygen tanks.
• Deliver and set up equipment to designated areas.
• Communicate with respiratory practitioners about equipment needs.
• Assist therapists with transport of ventilated patients.
• Review charts for RT assessments under supervision.
• Attend meetings and participate in quality improvement initiatives.
• Adhere to safety standards and complete required education annually.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

CoARC Respiratory Therapy Program

Job description

Methodist Overview

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, part of Covenant Health, is a trusted regional hospital serving East Tennessee with advanced care and a personal touch. With more than 30 specialties, including cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and vascular care, the facility offers innovative treatments for complex conditions such as aneurysms, joint damage, heart failure, and chronic wounds. Backed by a team of over 1,000 healthcare professionals and 250 physicians, Methodist Medical Center combines state‑of‑the‑art technology with compassionate care, earning national recognition for patient safety and excellence in stroke and heart care. The center offers patients all the benefits of medical expertise and innovation while still embodying the convenience of a hometown medical center that is close to the support of family and friends.

Respiratory Therapy Intern

Position Summary

The Respiratory Therapy Intern is responsible for supporting the overall operations of the Respiratory Department, which includes equipment cleaning, assembling and distribution, transporting, oxygen tank replacement, and stocking of all disposables and equipment to designated areas. The intern will have no direct patient care until licensed through the State of Tennessee.

Responsibilities

• Maintains respiratory equipment, including cleaning and disinfecting equipment in accordance with procedures, assembling and testing equipment if appropriate, and notifying biomedical engineering regarding broken or malfunctioning equipment.
• Responsible for oxygen tank stocking and replacement where needed.
• Maintains equipment set up and delivery.
• Maintains direct communication with respiratory practitioners regarding equipment and other departmental needs.
• Assists therapists with transport of mechanically ventilated patients and responds to equipment requests to ensure an efficient and orderly process.
• Performs chart review for RT to evaluate and treat assessments to be overseen by a therapist on that shift.
• Demonstrates and maintains current/active BLS.
• Maintains clean work area.
• Attends meetings as required and participates on committees as directed.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Education

None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Current and active enrollment in a CoArc approved Respiratory Therapy Program. Must be a second‑year student.

Minimum Experience

One (1) year of both clinical and didactical completion of Respiratory Therapy, academic completion of an accredited CoArc Respiratory Care Program evidenced by submission of a college/university program director or appointee on college/university letterhead.

Licensure Requirements

None at the time of hire. Current BLS.