What are the responsibilities and job description for the Respiratory Care Intern - UPMC Presbyterian position at UPMC?
Start your respiratory care career at UPMC Presbyterian, a nationally recognized academic medical center where learning, innovation, and patient care come together. As a Respiratory Care Intern, you’ll gain hands-on clinical experience while working alongside an expert respiratory care team in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment. This internship is designed to support respiratory therapy students as they build foundational skills, apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, and prepare for a successful transition into professional practice.
At Presby, interns are valued members of the care team and are supported through structured learning, mentorship, and exposure to a wide range of patient populations and advanced therapies. If you’re passionate about respiratory care and eager to grow within a leading health system, UPMC Presbyterian is the ideal place to start.
Respiratory Care Interns (students) will develop the ability to gain additional clinical experience and knowledge prior to the completion of their education in a CoARC approved Respiratory Care program and their subsequent credentialing as a licensed RCP. The Intern will be under the direct supervision of the Educational Coordinator, Respiratory Supervisor or their designee. The Intern will be assigned to a RCP at all times. The procedures that an Intern can perform while assigned to a RCP will be outlined below. Responsible for the administration of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of Respiratory Care in the general medical/surgical units observing all necessary precautions during therapy in order to prevent any adverse effects from occurring. Responsible for the care of equipment, economical use of supplies and utilities and cleanliness in the department and work areas.
Responsibilities:
- Participate in clinical research projects as required
- Maintain accurate records as required by department standards
- Communicate with all other healthcare personnel regarding the care of the patient
- Perform chest physiotherapy according to department standards
- Assist in the transport of patients requiring respiratory support
- Administer therapeutic gases such as oxygen as prescribed or according to departmental procedures
- The intern must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the area of the patients served and know the principles of growth and development over their lifespan.
- Perform flutter valve therapy according to department standards
- Document interactions with and care given to the patient in the medical record and/or hospital information system
- Perform arterial punctures (radial and brachial arteries only) and analyze samples maintaining asepsis and quality as per department standards
- Personal cleanliness and courtesy is a must at all times.
- Administer IPPB therapy as prescribed or according to departmental procedures
- Perform simple bedside pulmonary function testing and calculation
- The intern must possess the ability to assess and interpret patient data needed to identify each patient's requirements related to his or her age specific needs.
- Transport and change respiratory equipment on the general patient units throughout the hospital and maintain associated records in an organized and legible manner.
- Clean, disinfect and/or sterilize all respiratory equipment
- Complete all mandatory and hospital competencies
- Exhibit and practice service excellence by actively seeking, listening and responding to the needs of patients, their family, physicians, staff and others
- Administer BiPAP/CPAP as prescribed or according to department policy/procedure
- Utilize Customer Relations principles
- Prepare and administer humidification and nebulization therapy under controlled temperature and saturation levels
- Perform evaluation of therapy objectives to determine the patient's needs
- Provide equipment for the therapy mentioned above and perform minor repairs, maintenance and calibration as per department standards
- Participate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to include the establishment of an airway, ventilatory support and external cardiac massage
- Perform incentive spirometry according to department standards
- Perform PEP therapy according to department standards
- Prepare and administer aerosolized drugs and drug mixtures as prescribed (i.e. bronchodilator, antibiotics, antibacterials, wetting agents, enzymes, steroids, etc.)
- Must be familiar with and follow the hospital and department policies and procedures
- Attend and participate in department meetings, conferences and inservices as able upgrading your knowledge of respiratory and/or related fields to a level as acceptable as department standard
- Ensure that all patient charges are entered daily
- Perform resting, titration, exercise and nocturnal oximetry studies
- Replace oxygen and other compressed gas cylinders used for the respiratory care of patients and monitor and change the compressed gas cylinder banks when indicated
- Disassemble and prepare respiratory equipment for cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization