Respiratory Care Assistant (Casual / Student Position)

Flexible, Paid Experience While You’re in School

Are you currently enrolled in a Respiratory Therapy program and looking for hands-on experience that fits around your class schedule? This casual position offers variable day and evening shifts, making it an ideal opportunity to gain real-world exposure while you work toward your career as a Respiratory Therapist.

As a Respiratory Care Assistant, you’ll work alongside experienced respiratory therapists and gain practical knowledge with clinical equipment, procedures, and department operations. This role is designed to help you build a strong foundation, sharpen essential skills, and become familiar with the environment you’ll work in as a future Respiratory Therapist.

Under the general direction of a Therapist IV, you will support patient care activities and assist with respiratory equipment management, while gaining invaluable insight into hospital-based respiratory care.

Why This Opportunity Is Valuable

• Flexible scheduling around your coursework
• Hands-on experience with respiratory equipment and hospital systems
• Exposure to patient care in a clinical setting
• Opportunity to learn department workflows and best practices
• Builds confidence and readiness for future Respiratory Therapist roles

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with patient care activities under therapist supervision
• Clean, disinfect, sterilize, and prepare respiratory care equipment according to departmental policies
• Assemble, distribute, and restock respiratory care supplies throughout the hospital
• Track, identify, catalog, and maintain respiratory care equipment
• Assist biomedical technicians with equipment tracking and repair as needed
• Maintain adequate inventory of respiratory care supplies, medical gases, and medications
• Replace and manage oxygen and compressed gas cylinders for patients of all age groups
• Provide oxygen support during patient transportation
• Assist therapists during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other routine or emergent procedures
• Maintain proficiency with the hospital’s computer systems
• Educate and explain tasks to fellow employees and therapist/technician students as appropriate
• Demonstrate service excellence by actively supporting patients, families, physicians, and staff

Eligibility

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited Respiratory Therapy program

High school diploma and/or current enrollment in an accredited Respiratory Therapy program

Ability to safely lift and carry equipment or supplies weighing up to 30 pounds, and push or maneuver equipment weighing up to 100 pounds

Ability to perform physical tasks including standing, walking, bending, and handling equipment throughout the work shift

Access to medications is limited to the distribution of medications to licensed Respiratory Therapists, in accordance with departmental policies

Strong attention to detail and ability to follow infection control and safety procedures

Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with clinical staff

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
 

• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran