Pulmonary Function Technician - Cardiovascular Research Institute

The Pulmonary Function Technician performs pulmonary function and exercise tests on patients. These tests are used to diagnose and manage disease in patients.  The pulmonary function technician also participates in research projects that require pulmonary function or exercise testing as an evaluation criterion.

The major portion of the pulmonary function technician's duties includes instructing and properly coaching patients to perform highly demanding, “effort-dependent” breathing tests, both independently and under minimal supervision, sometimes with very ill patients.

The technician must learn all the various lung function measurements to generate reproducible, accurate results.  An important factor in performing the testing is the ability to fully understand the equipment's technical aspects, as well as to comprehend various computerized hardware and software applications. Following a variety of detail-specific protocols is critical to the success of this position.

Key Responsibilities
	% TIME	Is Essential
Perform pulmonary function testing on outpatients, inpatients, and research participants.  Testing includes spirometry, diffusing capacity, single breath oxygen distribution, nitrogen washout, maximal voluntary ventilation, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, body plethysmography, airway resistance and lung volume measurements.  Other studies include methacholine provocations, invasive and non-invasive cardiopulmonary exercise tests, arterial blood gas preparation and six minute walk tests.	90	Yes
Other job duties as assigned	5	Yes
Receives specimens/materials, ascertains their acceptability against established criteria, investigates incomplete or unacceptable submissions, and provides timely follow-up communication with appropriate individuals/departments/offices when materials are determined to be unacceptable or lack adequate information for billing or clinical processing	5	Yes
(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)	100

Required Qualifications:

• Graduation from college with a major in an applicable natural science, including one year of experience in the kind of work to be performed; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills both verbal and written
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to work closely with other employees
• Ability to troubleshoot problems independently and in a team setting
• Able to communicate effectively with patients and be sensitive to their needs

Preferred Qualifcations:

• Pulmonary Function Certificate
• Phlebotomy experience
• Comfortable with human blood
• Ability to use statistics
• Coursework in physiology
• Experience working with (extremely ill) patients in a hospital or clinic setting