Respiratory Therapist Extern

Location Address:

Compensation Pay Range:

Summary:

How you grow, learn and thrive matters here.
• Educational and career development options, including tuition and certification reimbursement, scholarship opportunities
• Staff Safety (a wearable badge that allows nurses to quickly and discreetly call for help when safety is a concern)
• Differentials for night/weekend shifts, higher education, certifications and various lead roles (for eligible positions)
• Malpractice liability insurance
• Loan forgiveness through the  New Mexico Higher Education Department 
• EPIC electronic charting system

Responsibilities:

As a respiratory therapist extern, your daily responsibilities are a blend of clinical precision and compassionate care, where you’ll be actively involved in assessing patients’ respiratory status, learning to interpret diagnostic tests like arterial blood gases and pulse oximetry, and observing how subtle changes in breathing patterns can signal deeper issues. You’ll assist in administering oxygen therapy using various delivery systems such as nasal cannulas, face masks, and non-rebreathers, adjusting flow rates to maintain optimal oxygen saturation while ensuring patient comfort and safety. Monitoring patients closely, you’ll track vital signs, document responses to therapy, and communicate any concerns to the healthcare team, all while gaining hands-on experience with respiratory equipment, learning how to set up, calibrate, and maintain devices like BiPAP machines and ventilators. You’ll also play a key role in educating patients and families on oxygen safety and proper inhaler techniques, helping them feel more confident in managing their conditions. In emergency situations, you’ll observe and support airway management, suctioning, and rapid response interventions, developing the calm and clarity needed when seconds count. Throughout your externship, you’ll collaborate with nurses, physicians, and other therapists, absorbing knowledge, asking questions, and building the clinical instincts that will shape your future practice. Every breath a patient takes under your care is a chance to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

How you grow, learn and thrive matters here.

• Educational and career development options, including tuition and certification reimbursement, scholarship opportunities
• Staff Safety (a wearable badge that allows nurses to quickly and discreetly call for help when safety is a concern)
• Shift differentials for nights and weekends
• Differentials for higher education, certifications and various lead roles
• Malpractice liability insurance
• Loan forgiveness through the New Mexico Higher Education Department 
• EPIC electronic charting system

This position is eligible for the Northern New Mexico differential of $4.00 per hour. (This differential may be adjusted or discontinued based on business requirements.)

Qualifications:

• High school diploma
• Requires New Mexico Respiratory Care training permit and BLS certification.
• Must be CRTT eligible or currently enrolled in an accredited respiratory program

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Presbyterian employees have access to a fun, engaging and unique wellness program, including free on-site and community-based gyms, nutrition coaching and classes, mindfulness and meditation resources, wellness challenges and more.

Learn more about our employee benefits.

About Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Presbyterian exists to improve the health of patients, members, and the communities we serve. We are locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, we are the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 employees - including more than 1600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses.

Our health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care) and Commercial health plans.

AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED. PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.

Compensation Disclaimer

The compensation range for this role takes into account a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience and training, internal equity, and other business and organizational needs.

We're Determined to Support New Mexico's Well-Being | Presbyterian Healthcare Services