Respiratory Therapy Extern

**Department**:

- Respiratory

**Status**:

- Temporary Part Time

Applications are now being accepted for a temporary contract Respiratory Therapy Externs.

The Respiratory Therapy (RT) Extern is an integral member of the healthcare team, working collaboratively with the support of a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) as an unregulated care provider, within the ESHC hospital. The RT Extern responsibilities include working under the direction of a RRT to support high quality care for patients and families, while demonstrating a commitment to excellence in supporting the patient and family experience. A RT Extern would bring beginner level experience and knowledge in respiratory therapy principles, RT equipment, respiratory supplies, medical gas management, cleaning, calibration and non-clinical secretarial and/or customer service support.

The RT Extern position is open to Respiratory Therapy Students enrolled in their 2nd and 3rd year of a CRTO approved diploma Respiratory Therapy program.

The position has an expected contract end date on or before **March 31, 2025.**

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Participate in patient functional, mobility assessments, and contribute to care planning and evaluation
- Provide assistance with lifting, turning, transferring, transporting and ambulating
- Provide measures to ensure skin integrity and reduce pressure injuries
- Assist with comfort measures and patient safety by ensuring the environment is clean and tidy and free of hazards
- Communicate care (documentation/report)
- Engage in additional skills via delegation as approved by unit leadership (and as applicable)
- Providing Activities of Daily Living
- Hourly Rounding
- Answering Call bells

For RT Students enrolled in their 2nd or final year of study for the following:
- Responsible for monitoring and ensuring adequate supply levels
- Checking and maintaining equipment in respiratory airway carts (e.g. difficult airway carts)
- Responsible ensuring equipment is sent to and received/picked up from the sterilization processing unit
- Cleaning/re-circuiting of all invasive and non-invasive ventilators and preparation and calibration of other respiratory therapy equipment for patient use
- Required to participate in other RT related/administrative duties specific to the RT Department as required
- Participation in clinical observership, with limited interaction with patients under the direct supervision of a Registered Respiratory Therapist for some therapeutic procedures

QUALIFICATIONS- Must have the ability to communicate in a confidential, professional, diplomatic and friendly manner when interacting with patients, and staff
- Demonstrate emotional maturity
- Ability to maintain poise and discretion in emergency and stressful situations
- Currently enrolled in 2nd or 3rd year respiratory therapy student from an accredited institution - required
- Evidence of good academic standing
- Evidence of successful learning experiences in recent clinical placements in a hospital setting, acute care hospital setting preferred
- Completion of Basic Life Support (B.L.S.) preferred
- Willingness to work with a mixed aggregation of patients
- Demonstrated assessment skills within the appropriate Regulatory scope of practice
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal
- Demonstrates excellent problem-solving, decision making and critical thinking skills
- Demonstrates excellent organizational and time-management skills
- Flexible and adaptable regarding assignment locations
- Proven strong patient assessment and observation skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment
- Demonstrates excellent team building skills
- Demonstrates a positive attitude and the willingness to work effectively in a team.
- Demonstrated commitment to on-going learning and professional development
- Utilize protective equipment provided and identify and reports hazards
- Work is moderately heavy involving lifting, considerable walking, and standing, bending, pushing and pulling of equipment
- Demonstrated knowledge of infection control practices
- Erie Shores HealthCare is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodations available on request in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process as required under ESHC’s Accommodation Policy._

**As a condition of employment, you are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination to the Hospital’s Occupational Health and Safety department.