Respiratory Therapist Apprentice

Position Purpose

A Respiratory Therapist Apprentice is a student currently enrolled in a Respiratory Care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The position allows a student to practice respiratory care and productively gain experience with non-emergent and non-critical care tasks related to direct patient care, while under the supervision of a licensed Respiratory Therapist.

The practice of respiratory care by a student as part of a program of study in respiratory care that is approved by the Board, or is recognized by a national organization which is approved by the Board to review such programs, if the student is enrolled in the program and provides respiratory care only under the supervision of a practitioner of respiratory care (NRS 630.047)

Nature and Scope

The incumbent is in frequent contact with Respiratory Care staff, patients, and nursing personnel. The incumbent must be knowledgeable of the uses of respiratory equipment specific to the area of specialty. This position is responsible for demonstrating proficiency in body mechanics, fire safety, infection control, patient safety, CPR, and safe handling of hazardous materials.

This position is responsible for the maintenance of unit supplies and interdepartmental communication. The incumbent is responsible for making decisions regarding the levels of stock (disposable or non-disposable) to be maintained. The major challenges to this position are to meet the demands of several areas at once (i.e., process bronchoscopy cart, oxygen delivery, transporting of respiratory equipment, and assisting Therapists) while maintaining normal business operations.

Under the supervision of a licensed Respiratory Therapist the incumbent performs non-emergent and non-critical care respiratory therapy procedures. Respiratory Therapist Apprentices primarily collaborates with patients in adult general care, pediatric general care, and may provide respiratory care at secondary care sites.

The scope of practice for a Respiratory Therapist Apprentices includes non-emergent and non-critical care respiratory therapy procedures that have documented / verified skills by the Respiratory Care Educator.

Evidence based respiratory practice, along with beginning critical thinking skills, are required to provide optimally safe patient care when interacting with internal and external contacts and exercising judgment and making decisions.

This position is challenged to integrate the respiratory care of the patient with other care providers to achieve desired results and optimal outcomes.

The incumbent has the authority to initiate BLS, to contact other Respiratory Therapists in relation to care ordered, and perform all activities as assigned under the supervision of his or her authorized respiratory instructor.

The incumbent is responsible for the proper documentation of all patient records (all documentation must be cosigned by a licensed Respiratory Therapist) and department logs, keeping abreast of changes in the Respiratory and health care field, and is accountable for the completion of care tasks assigned and ordered for Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric patients. They must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with patient’s physical, motor / sensory adaptation, cognitive and psychosocial needs specific to the population being served and meet standards of quality as measured by the Unit/Department age specific competency standards.

The Respiratory Therapy Apprentice is responsible for ensuring a positive patient experience is achieved. This is accomplished through initially making a connection, introducing yourself, explaining the duration of the work being performed, explaining the procedure / task, and thanking the patient when complete (CIDET).

Additionally, the Respiratory Therapy Apprentice is responsible for service recovery when the patient experience does not go well. This is accomplished by listening with empathy to the concern, apologizing for the experience, solving the problem if able and escalating to leadership if not able, and thanking the patient for providing us with an opportunity to improve their experience (LAST).

Intense continuous mental effort is required to provide optimal safe patient care, and the same mental effort is required when interacting with internal and external contacts, exercising judgments, and making decisions.

Sixty (60) days prior to completion of the Respiratory Care Program, the Respiratory Therapy Apprentice must begin the Nevada Respiratory Intern licensing process and apply for a Respiratory Therapy Intern position. Upon completion of the Respiratory Care program, Respiratory Therapy Apprentice will no longer be able to practice Respiratory Care on patients.

This position does provide direct patient care under supervision.

Disclaimer

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Minimum Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred