Student Respiratory Therapist

DCH Health System; Tuscaloosa (AL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is seeking a professional to provide Respiratory Care services to patients of all ages. The role requires an individual enrolled in a respiratory therapy program, with a high school diploma and basic life support certification. Main responsibilities include assessing patient needs and executing respiratory care plans while adhering to safety practices and standards. Candidates must communicate effectively and collaborate with healthcare teams. Physical presence on-site is essential, and certification must be obtained within a specified timeframe.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend English.
• Basic life support certification required within 150 days of employment.
• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Responsibilities

• Plan and evaluate effectiveness of Respiratory Care services.
• Formulate respiratory care plans based on patient assessments.
• Perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for various patients.
• Adhere to infection control and safety practices per policies.

Skills

Communication with different personalities

Ability to work in teams

Ability to perform structured and unstructured work

Basic life support certification

Reading and writing in English

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Enrolled in a respiratory therapy program

Job description

Overview

Plan, provide, and evaluate the effectiveness of basic Respiratory Care services to neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients with oversight of licensed therapist.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, collects relevant clinical data.
• Formulates an appropriate respiratory care plan based on patient assessment.
• Performs basic emergency, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures for neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
• Provides effective education to patients and co-workers as appropriate.
• Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice and student limitations.
• Communicates changes in the respiratory care plan with other healthcare team members.
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
• Adheres to infection control and safety practices according to policies and procedures.
• Must be able to receive delegation.
• Address conflict and stressful situation.
• Communicate with different personalities and engage in face‑to‑face discussion.
• Dealing with unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive personalities.
• Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting.
• Must be able to work in groups.
• Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work.
• Must meet time pressure and time lines.
• Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions.
• Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.
• DCH Standards:
  • Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
  • Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
  • Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required. Enrolled in a respiratory therapy program leading to eligibility for National Board for Respiratory Care Entry Level (CRT) and/or Advanced Practice (RRT) examinations. Must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend English. Basic life support certification within 150 days of employment. Ability to meet behavioral expectations and work well as part of a team. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORK CONTEXT
Environmental Conditions: Includes exposure to human fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.
Psychological Conditions: Includes communicating with all types of personalities and being responsible for outcomes/results.
PHYSICAL FACTORS
Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
Ability to lift and carry up to a maximum of 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
Able to reach reasonable distances in any direction.
Ability to run in emergency situations.
Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.
Must have ability to feel and perceive temperatures, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
Physical presence onsite is essential.
Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.