About the role#
The Respiratory Care Intern provides patient care across VCU Health System units, including intensive care, acute care, and the emergency room. You will work under the supervision of a licensed respiratory therapist to support patients ranging from newborns to geriatrics. This role allows you to apply clinical skills learned in your academic program within a hospital setting.
What you'll do#
- Provide respiratory care procedures that you have already completed in your school curriculum.
- Use the respiratory care process to recommend, coordinate, and deliver safe, therapeutic care.
- Perform clinical tasks under supervision, such as spirometry, airway clearance, tracheostomy management, and medication administration.
- Clean, calibrate, sterilize, assemble, and distribute respiratory and resuscitation equipment.
- Assist with clinical judgments regarding routine and complex patient issues.
- Follow departmental and organizational policies to minimize risk and support team effectiveness.
- Respond to pages and codes while assisting with basic BLS techniques.
- Participate in special projects that support the mission of the department.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment and good standing in an accredited Respiratory Care Program in the State of Virginia.
- Current AHA BLS Certification.
- Previous hospital or medical experience is preferred.
- Ability to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and perform physical tasks like bending, reaching, and walking.
- Strong reasoning, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Location & details#
- Location: Richmond, Virginia.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Employment Type: Part-time, rotating schedule.
- Compensation: $15.69 to $23.53 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
About VCU Health
VCU Health is an academic medical center based in Richmond, Virginia. It employs over 12,500 people and provides patient care across specialties including cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, and surgery. The organization functions as a nonprofit entity and maintains multiple locations throughout the region. It focuses on medical research, clinical training, and patient services.
How to get in at VCU Health
Applying early is a distinct advantage at VCU Health, as recruiters often review candidates as they arrive in the system. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, which helps you apply among the first before the pile grows. This timing can be the difference between being seen and getting lost in a high volume of applicants. Reaching out to the right person is often more effective than submitting a cold application. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a referral. This approach materially improves your response rates compared to standard application methods.
