Respiratory Care Internship

Information on 2010 Internships will be posted to this page in late November/early December.

Respiratory Care Internships

In 2009 Duke Hospital will offer Respiratory Care Internships to new or recent graduates of respiratory therapist training programs. Two separate twenty-four month internships will be offered: an adult internship and a pediatric internship. Both internships will combine classroom activities with a wide array of clinical experiences in the application of respiratory care that will present the graduate therapist opportunities to acquire the knowledge and develop the behaviors and skills needed to establish a strong foundation upon which to build a successful professional career.

Respiratory Care Interns will participate in educational and clinical activities that are designed to develop critical thinking and sound fundamental patient care skills. Lectures will be provided by physicians, respiratory therapists, and other health care provides who are experts in critical care medicine. In the clinical area, interns will be supervised by Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioners who will be available to provide direction and assistance as needed. Clinical assignments will include rotations through the following areas:

Adult Internship - Adult Intermediate Care and Stepdown Units, Surgical Intensive Care, Medical Intensive Care, Cardiac Intensive Care, Neurosciences Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, Emergency Department
Pediatric Internship - Intermediate Care and Stepdown Units, Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care, and Intensive Care Nursery

During clinical rotations, interns will gain valuable experience in providing care to a wide variety of patient populations and will have an opportunity to earn competency validation recognition from Respiratory Care Services to perform state-of-the-art procedures at Duke Hospital.

Eligibility Requirements

2008 or 2009 graduate of a respiratory therapist training program accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care or eligible to sit for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examination following graduation.

Employment Status

Interns will be hired as full-time employees of Duke Hospital and will receive a salary commensurate with their education and experience. In addition, interns will be eligible for Duke Hospital benefits.

Candidates selected for an internship position must complete all pre-employment requirements and obtain a license to practice respiratory care in North Carolina prior to the start of their internship employment.

Interns who are ‘Registry Eligible’ must obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential within six months after entering the internship program.

Application and Selection Process

Candidates for the Respiratory Care Practitioner Internship must submit the following:

An official college transcript
Letters of recommendation from both the Program Director and the Director of Clinical Education of their respiratory care program.
A current resume accompanied by a one-two page statement that describes why you wish to become a respiratory care intern and what you hope to accomplish at the completion of the program.

The official transcipt, letters of recommendation, resume and paper should be submitted to:

Janice J. Thalman MHS, RRT, RCP

Director, Respiratory Care Services

Duke University Hospital

P.O. Box 3911

Durham, North Carolina 27710

Deadline for submission of materials is February 28, 2009.

A personal interview will complete the application process. Candidates should contact Judy Scott, Staff Assistant, at 919-681-2720, to schedule an appointment.

All interviews must be completed by Friday, March 27, 2009.

Recognition of Internship Completion

Upon completion of the twenty-four month internship, a certificate of completion will be awarded from the Department of Respiratory Care Services.

Questions?

Questions about the internship program can be directed to us via the ‘Contact Us’ link on the website home page or by calling 919-681-2720.