Covenant Health

Respiratory Therapy Intern

PRN, Shifts vary

Parkwest Overview:

Since admitting our first patient in 1973, Parkwest has been at the vanguard of healthcare in East Tennessee. We are an eight-time Top 100 Heart Hospital and have received multiple awards for excellence in emergency care, clinical practice, and patient satisfaction. Learn more about our professional accolades.

Respiratory Therapy:

The Respiratory Department covers all units of the hospital including critical care, ED and all inpatient beds. Our department is comprised of a manager, one supervisor, three shifts leaders, and a mixture of CRT, RRT, and ACCS staff. Respiratory therapy is a fast-paced, high-demand department where employees must work as a team in order to ensure quality patient care.  We have a family-oriented type environment with a mixture of seasoned long-term employees and newer employees. Most full-time employees are on a set schedule consisting of 8 or 12 hour shifts, there are some variable shift positions within the department as well.

Position Summary: 

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

Recruiter: Jason Shubert || jshuber1@covhlth.com || 865-374-5393

• Maintains respiratory equipment. This includes cleaning and disinfecting equipment in accordance with procedures, assembly and testing of equipment if appropriate, notifying and communicating with 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 ventilator 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 such as would be 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 evident by submission of college/university program director or appointee on college/university letterhead.

Licensure Requirements     

None at the time of hire. Current BLS.