Pulmonary Function Technician - Per Diem

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on assessing the needs of patients who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and delivering therapy services to improve their developmental, physical, or cognitive impairment. It also involves Respiratory Therapy duties, evaluating patients and helping them improve physical and mental conditions by treating cardiopulmonary dysfunction. The role is a clinical technologist position requiring specialized knowledge gained through vocational education, training, and experience, typically applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs.

It is an entry‑level role that is routine, follows standard procedures, is closely supervised, and requires little explanation or interpretation.

Under general supervision and according to established procedures, this position records patient lung volumes and flow rates and summarizes the data from such studies to assist a physician in the clinical evaluation of lung disease.

• Associate’s degree
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Six (6) months of relevant clinical experience in a technical, laboratory, or acute care setting

• Explains test procedures to patients to relieve apprehension and help them relax and cooperate.
• Collects pertinent diagnostic information (e.g., hematocrit, medications) from patient records.
• Escorts patients to and from the pulmonary function laboratory.
• Performs lung volume testing with technical equipment such as gas analyzers, recorders, volume and flow measuring devices, and water spirometers.
• When necessary, draws blood for blood gas studies and performs related tests.
• Calculates basic data and enters it into a computer for analysis.
• Assists during special testing such as exercise testing.
• Performs related clerical duties such as answering telephones, scheduling appointments, filing records, and storing supplies.
• Maintains equipment in a clean and proper working order and replenishes machine supplies as necessary.
• Performs minor equipment adjustments and notifies the supervisor of serious malfunctions.

• Works in normal patient care environments, tolerating typical temperature, noise, dust, and similar conditions.
• Requires walking, standing, pushing equipment, and lifting and positioning patients.
• Requires occasional close exposure to ill patients.
• Frequent contacts with physicians, patients, laboratory personnel, nurses, and medical students or house staff.

• Ability to perform complex mathematical calculations.
• Basic knowledge of biological science and medical terminology.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to relieve apprehension and explain procedures to patients.
• Ability to effectively use pulmonary function testing devices such as gas analyzers, recorders, volume and flow measuring devices, water spirometers, plethysmographs, ergometers, etc.
• Ability to judge when to proceed with routine testing and when to confirm with a supervisor.
• Ability to communicate with and assess the needs of patients of all ages to provide appropriate care.

$20.12 - $25.15