Pulmonary Function Technologist I

University of Utah Health; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah Health is seeking staff for pulmonary function testing and cardio-respiratory care in a hospital and outpatient setting. The role focuses on evaluating patient responses to exercise, ensuring safety, and supporting diagnosis through testing procedures.

Responsibilities include coordinating with physicians, maintaining records, and participating in quality improvement activities. A relevant associate degree is required, with certification expectations per department policy and

Qualifications

• Minimum education: Associate degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Biological Science, Respiratory Therapy or related field.
• Ability to operate pulmonary function testing and cardiac monitoring equipment.
• Ability to interpret ECG rhythm and communicate results to physician team.
• Familiarity with infection control and cross-contamination concepts.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patient responses to exercise and assesses appropriate exercise intensity.
• Ensures patient safety and follows departmental standards.
• Completes billing records per standards.
• Consults with physicians to determine testing procedures for pulmonary disease assessment.
• Identifies changes in patient condition and takes appropriate action.
• Utilizes patient data from electronic and paper records for care delivery.
• Participates in quality assurance and improvement activities.

Skills

Pulmonary function testing

Cardiac monitoring

ECG interpretation

Infectious disease control

Data analysis

Communication skills

Patient care

Education

Associate degree (related field)

Tools

Spirometry equipment

Plethysmograph

CO diffusing capacity testing

Gas dilution methods

Job description

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

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.

Required

Qualifications

• 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.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Preferred

Qualifications (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

Carrying, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Walking