Respiratory Therapist - PFT Lab GSL

St. Luke’s University Health Network; Orwigsburg (Schuylkill County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke's University Health Network is seeking a Pulmonary Diagnostic Respiratory Therapist to perform inpatient and outpatient pulmonary function testing. The role includes processing, distributing, and reporting PFT results, scheduling tests, and maintaining a high level of professional growth.

Responsibilities include performing arterial punctures, pulmonary stress tests, and ensuring compliance with safety and confidentiality policies. Valid PA RT license and NBRC credentials are required.

Qualifications

• Must hold a PA Respiratory Therapist license.
• NBRC credentials are required.
• ACLS certification within 12 months of hire.
• Strong patient-care and teamwork skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform pulmonary function tests (PFT) for inpatients and outpatients.
• Schedule tests, process results, and report findings promptly.
• Demonstrate clinical knowledge and maintain departmental standards.

Skills

Patient care

Clinical documentation

Interpersonal communication

Education

Current Respiratory Therapist license (PA)

NBRC certification

ACLS within 1 year

Tools

Pulmonary Diagnostic Equipment

Job description

Company Introduction

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

Job Summary

The Pulmonary Diagnostic Respiratory Therapist will perform all inpatient and outpatient pulmonary diagnostic testing. The intent of this job description is to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

Work Performed

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) on inpatients and outpatients.
• Processing, distributing, and completing all PFT results.
• Scheduling tests as needed.
• Performs six‑minute walks and reports results.
• Performs pulmonary stress tests and reports results; location permitted.
• Performs any other outpatient tests and reports results.
• Performs arterial punctures.
• Makes budget recommendations regarding expenditure of funds to meet department objectives and to maintain or reduce costs within budgeted amounts.
• Maintains a high level of knowledge related to the department and seeks opportunities to enhance professional growth.
• Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth, development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.
• Demonstrates/models the Hospital’s core values and customer service behaviors in interaction with all customers (internal and external).
• Complies with all departmental and hospital policies regarding dress code, safety, and attendance and confidentiality.
• Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information.
• Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.
• Demonstrates/models the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).
• Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.
• Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.

Other Functions

Any other functions as designated by Respiratory Care Manager.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Sitting up to two hours per day – 1-hour increments.
• Standing up to 6 hours per day – 1-hour increments.
• Walking up to 4 hours per day – 15‑minute increments.
• Frequently uses fingers to manipulate small vials, equipment, etc.
• Continuous use of hands for writing and operating respiratory equipment.
• Continuous twisting/turning of hands and body to provide patient care.
• Occasional lifting of boxes and equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent carrying of objects/equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent pushing/pulling of equipment or patients up to 300 pounds.
• Frequent stooping/bending.
• Occasional crouching.
• Occasional reaching above shoulder level.
• Ability to palpate arteries, feel skin temperature, etc.
• Hearing as it relates to normal, high and low frequencies.
• Seeing as it relates to general, far, near, color, and peripheral vision.
• Depth perception.

Potential On‑the‑Job Risks

• Cuts and punctures while using needles – gloves required.
• Biological hazards when handling patient specimens – gloves required.
• Possible exposure to chemicals – gloves required.
• Potential exposure to droplet nuclei containing mycobacterium TB. (For employees identified by the manager.)
• Employees who work in patient care areas where they may have potential exposure to patients with suspected or proven tuberculosis (TB) must have the ability to wear a particulate respirator and be fit‑tested in compliance with the current recommendations from the CDC (enforced by OSHA) or must provide physician documentation as to the inability to wear a particulate respirator.

Most Complex Duty

PFTs and pulmonary stress testing.

Supervision

Respiratory Care Manager.

Communications

Communicates with physicians, other health care practitioners, patients, and families. Must be able to think independently and make decisions.

Additional Requirements

• Valid license to practice respiratory care in the state of PA.
• For Warren Campus ONLY: Graduate of a Respiratory Therapist training program approved by the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE) as evidenced by a valid NJ license as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• New graduates must have licensure as a Certified Respiratory Therapists and are required to obtain licensure as a Registered Respiratory therapist within 6 months of hire.
• Registered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 1 year of hire.
• Certified Pulmonary Function Test (CPFT) preferred.

Qualifications (Minimum) Education

• Current License as a Respiratory Therapist in a State of Pennsylvania.
• For Warren Campus ONLY: Graduate of a Respiratory Therapist training program approved by the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE) as evidenced by a valid NJ license as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• New graduates must have licensure as a Certified Respiratory Therapists and are required to obtain licensure as a Registered Respiratory therapist within 6 months of hire.
• Registered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 1 year of hire.
• Certified Pulmonary Function Test (CPFT) preferred.

Training and Experience

• Familiar with Pulmonary Diagnostic policy and procedure.
• Proper orientation/training to Pulmonary Diagnostic department.

Work Schedule

Primarily Monday through Friday, day shift or as needed.

Revised Responsibilities (02/2019)

The Registered Respiratory Therapist assesses patient’s condition and need for respiratory care; provides appropriate therapy in designated critical and all non-critical areas according to the physician order. Sets up and maintains appropriate ventilator support. Performs diagnostic studies and evaluates results as they relate to the patient. Perform shift charge for department as needed or assigned.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sets us and maintains ventilatory support of both adult and children in all critical care areas.
• Makes changes and weans patient in concert with physician`s approval or protocol.
• Evaluates patient, documents patient assessment and findings on medical record and consult with physicians regarding appropriate therapy.
• Administers respiratory care and O2 therapy modalities to patient following physician order or protocol.
• Evaluates results of therapy.
• Serves as a member of the “Code Blue” and “Rapid Response” team.
• Draws arterial blood gases, maintains patient airways, and provides artificial ventilation.
• Performs arterial puncture on adult, children.
• Analyzes specimens for blood gas values.
• Performs A-line insertion after appropriate training on adult patients.
• Performs diagnostic studies such as oximetry, CO2 monitoring, O2 consumption, metabolic studies, bedside PFT testing.
• Evaluates patients and consults with physician regarding appropriate therapy.
• Participates in in-service education.
• Assists physician with bronchoscopy at bedside, fluoroscopy and GI Lab.
• Appropriately labels and handles specimens.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Sitting up to two hours per day – 1 hour increments.
• Standing up to 3 hours per day – 1 hour increments.
• Walking up to 12 hours per day – 15 minute increments.
• Frequently uses fingers to manipulate small vials, equipment, etc.
• Continuous use of hands for writing and operating respiratory equipment.
• Continuous twisting/turning of hands and body to provide patient care.
• Occasional lifting of boxes and equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Frequently carrying of objects/equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent pushing/pulling of equipment or patients up to 300 pounds.
• Frequent stooping/bending.
• Occasional crouching.
• Occasional reaching above shoulder level.
• Ability to palpate arteries, feel skin temperature, etc.
• Hearing as it relates to normal, high and low frequencies.
• Seeing as it relates to general, far, near, color, and peripheral vision.
• Depth perception.

Education

Current License as a Respiratory Therapist. Received credentials through the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Training and Experience

• Minimum of 6 months clinical experience, either concurrent with training program or post‑graduation.
• Departmental orientation appropriate for knowledge and expertise.
• Certified in Basic Life Support by the American Heart Association.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support required within one (1) year of hire.
• PALS is recommended.

Equal Opportunity Employer

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Company Overview

Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network’s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke’s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare’s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. The Network’s flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke’s was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. St. Luke’s is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row. Also, for the third straight year, St. Luke’s has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award. In 2025, St. Luke’s was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024. Lastly, in 2025, St. Luke’s was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row. Learn More Here.