Respiratory Therapist Extern

The Respiratory Therapy Extern shall work under the supervision of a licensed respiratory therapist certified or registered.  The licensed therapists shall be present in the facility, but direct observational supervision is not required.  The licensed respiratory therapists must be readily available in the event of an emergent need and act as a source of reference for the respiratory extern. The Respiratory Therapy Extern shall:

• Set up and maintains low flow oxygen devices of 6LPM or less to include nasal cannulas or simple masks
• Set up and maintains aerosol devices with FiO2 of 50% or less
• Deliver medications through small volume nebulizers, MDIs or dry powder inhalers
• Measure peak flow and performs simple spirometry
• Measure pulse oximetry
• Use the following airway clearance devices or techniques: therapy vest, chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry, suctioning via artificial airway and positive expiratory pressure therapies.
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation after BLS certification
• Receives and gives report to co-workers. Effectively communicates in a positive way with patients, employees both inside and outside of the department.
• Notifies licensed respiratory therapist of any adverse reactions.
• Auscultates breath sounds and records findings.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate records and charges for patients.

• High School diploma or equivalent is required
• At least 30 semester hours at a Junior College/Technical school is required
• W.V. Student Temporary Permit is required
• ACLS is preferred
• PALS is preferred
• No previous experience is required

The kind of position-related experience includes:

Completion of a minimum of thirty semester hours or the quarter hour equivalent, eighteen of which must be specific to respiratory care core curriculum, and at least two hundred clinical hours