Respiratory Therapy Student Intern

Job Description

RESPIRATORY THERAPY INTERN | East Alabama Health

The Tone:
This is an internship at East Alabama Health, located in Opelika, AL. East Alabama Health is a dedicated healthcare provider whose mission centers on delivering high quality, compassionate health care, while upholding stringent standards for customer service, quality outcomes, and effective cost management. This internship serves as a foundational role within the respiratory therapy department, offering a crucial opportunity for students to apply their academic learning in a real-world clinical environment. The intern’s contributions, though supervised and limited, directly support the organization’s commitment to patient well-being, providing essential respiratory therapy procedures and fostering the development of future healthcare professionals.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Location: In-person, Opelika, AL
• Mission: This person is responsible for performing specified, limited respiratory therapy procedures under direct clinical supervision.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Perform: Specified, limited respiratory therapy procedures within a clinical setting.
• Adhere: Ensure all procedures are carried out according to the scope of practice defined by completed academic semesters.
• Operate: Function under the constant and direct clinical supervision of an assigned licensed respiratory care practitioner.
• Assist: Support the respiratory care team in delivering patient-centered care through hands-on practice.
• Apply: Utilize classroom knowledge and clinical training to aid in the therapeutic management of respiratory patients.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level. Candidates must possess a foundational educational credential, which includes a High School Diploma, GED, or an equivalent appropriate certification. A core academic requirement is the successful completion of the first semester of a respiratory therapy program, demonstrating a preliminary understanding of the field’s principles.
• Experience: Applicants are required to have successfully completed all first-year clinical rotations within their respiratory therapy program, ensuring practical exposure to the healthcare environment. Preferred experience for this role includes any prior clinical work, whether in a hospital, home care, or skilled nursing facility, highlighting an early initiative in patient care.
• Skills: Active enrollment and continuous, current attendance in a Respiratory Care CoARC accredited program are absolute necessities, confirming ongoing educational progression and eligibility for an intern position.
• Bonus: Desirable qualifications extend to professional affiliations, such as being a member of the American Association for Respiratory Care or a state Society for Respiratory Care. Additionally, possessing critical life support certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is highly preferred, indicating readiness for advanced patient care scenarios.