Pulmonary Function Technologist I

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

The Pulmonary Function Technologist sets up and runs respiratory tests on patients to check for lung diseases or disorders. Duties include conducting various types of patient tests and collaborating with other medical staff to assist in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of possible lung disease. Responsibilities also include explaining tests to patients, maintaining the testing equipment, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, and ordering supplies. Procedures can be completed at hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities. This position is responsible for providing direct patient care.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Evaluates patient hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic response to exercise, and assesses appropriateness of responses as they relate to exercise intensity and endurance.
• Follow precautions to ensure patient safety.
• Meets and complies with departmental standards regarding the use of all department supplies and equipment.
• Completes billing records within departmental standards.
• Consults with physicians and health care team in order to recommend appropriate testing procedures to provide results that will assist the physician with the treatment of the patient’s respiratory disease/diagnosis.
• Identifies impending changes in patient’s condition and takes appropriate action.
• Utilizes information generated from both computerized and paper systems that support functions such as medical records and pulmonary databases.
• Participates in quality assurance / quality improvement activities.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Thorough understanding and ability to apply all equipment used in pulmonary function testing and cardiac monitoring. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: spirometry/flow volume loops, gas dilution lung volumes, CO diffusing capacity, plethysmographic lung volumes, arterial blood gas acquisition and analysis, maximum voluntary ventilation, 6 minute walk test, pulse oximetry, cardio-pulmonary exercise tests, methacholine challenge and any appropriate equipment used to diagnosis pulmonary diseases.

• Strong working knowledge of infectious disease, cross contamination, and pathophysiology.

• Ability to function with ease in both hospital and outpatient clinic settings through periodic rotation of personnel.

• Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.

• Ability to provide care to the population served.

• Ability to interpret basic ECG rhythm.

• Demonstrated human relations and effective communications skills.

• Possesses knowledge of pulmonary anatomy and physiology.

• Knowledge of equipment and techniques used in respiratory/pulmonary care for age specific populations.

• Aptitude to be trained and the knowledge to operate all equipment used in pulmonary function testing, as well as equipment that may be used as a cardiac technician.

• Competency in the ability to analyze and interpret measured data and communicate the results to the physician and health care team members.

• Competency in applying the American Thoracic Society testing guideline/protocol for each test modality.

Qualifications

Required

• Associates degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Biological Science, Respiratory Therapy, a related field, or the equivalency.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• ACLS may be required by some departments.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients.

Physical Requirements