Pulmonary Function Technologist

Job Summary:

Communicates effectively with all medical staff members, the Manager of Respiratory & Pulmonary Services, director of Pulmonary Function Lab, the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy and Pulmonary Function Lab and the Clinical Coordinator for Respiratory Therapy and Pulmonary Lab Services. Performs all testing modalities provided in the pulmonary function lab. Assists in the development and implementation of new testing procedures/equipment and policies. Helps to oversee and train/teach the respiratory therapy students assigned to a clinical rotation in the PFT Lab, participates in biologic control testing in the PFT lab and clarifies any ambiguous testing orders. Maintains compliance with charge on documentation policy/procedure. Assists manager, Clinical Coordinator and Administrative Systems Coordinator with the performance of PFT Lab Daily Transaction Activity Reports (DTAR), and compilation of monthly statistics. Ensures accurate patient registration in accordance with CMS and Covenant policies. Stays abreast of the latest technology for pulmonary function testing and Respiratory Therapy education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry.
• Annual Competency/Training: Completes annual competency related to all job duties for PFT technologists and for ABG lab. Assists in scheduling and overseeing the training of Respiratory Therapy program students in the Pulmonary Function lab.
• Communication: Effectively communicates with providers, ambulatory care offices, and staff members for scheduling of specialty exams in the Pulmonary Lab.
• Customer Support/Outreach: In absence of Administrative Systems Coordinator: Confirms patient appointments on day prior to scheduled testing and provides testing instructions when necessary. Participates in hospital-wide and interdepartmental in-services.
• Recognizes trends which impact quality delivery of services and recommends courses of action to help correct them.
• Provides accurate documentation of testing performed and billing in the electronic medical record.
• In absence of Administrative Systems Coordinator- contacts interpreting physicians from Pulmonary group and informs Manager/Director if delays are noted with PFT interpretation time. Confirms patient appointments on day prior to scheduled testing and provides testing instructions when necessary. Assists with the following: Scheduling and/or rescheduling of patients for complex testing procedures or because of lab closures. Receives patients for testing, completes patient registration to include verification of insurance and validation of patient information and proper testing to be performed. Notifies providers of high priority testing and reworks schedules to accommodate such tests.
• Assists in ordering of supplies, checking to prevent accumulation of over stock to help maintain expense budget.
• Helps to maintain monthly log sheet for compilation of monthly statistics for Respiratory and Pulmonary Function testing for reporting by 4th day of the month.
• Assists in the compilation of the monthly stats for annual reports. Runs DTAR for Pulmonary Lab in absence of manager/Administrative Systems Coordinator/Clinical Coordinator and verifies their correctness with the manager.
• Assists in monitoring the daily operation of the Blood Gas Lab to assure adherence to the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Guidelines.
• Prepares, maintains, and calibrates pulmonary function testing equipment.
• Ability to perform pulmonary function tests for demonstration purposes and for the collection of biological control data for QC purposes.
• Troubleshoots equipment problems and reports needed repairs/replacements.
• Other duties as consistent with this role.

Job Requirements

Job Knowledge and Skills

• Completes Covenant, hospital, and department assigned Computer Based Learnings in a timely manner.
• Maintains initial and annual equipment competencies.
• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent understanding of the field of pulmonary function testing and respiratory therapy.
• Able to communicate with all staff members.

Education and Experience

• Maintain a current New Hampshire license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, RCP, required.
• Credentialed by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) required.
• Maintains CPR Certification.
• Graduate of an approved AMA school of Respiratory Therapy or a Cardiopulmonary Technologist training program preferred.
• Three to five years of experience in the Respiratory Therapy field and Pulmonary Function Testing preferred.

An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with this position that involves a combination of sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching. Occasional lifting/carrying up to 25 lbs.  Some stress related to high level of responsibility for quality care.

Americans with Disabilities Statement

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

                                                                                                                                                           

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.  Covenant Health reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

                                                                                                                                                           

Standard of Business Conduct

Every St Joseph Hospital employee is required to abide by the Standards of Conduct and to report any activity that appears to violate the Standards of Conduct.

Covenant Health Mission Statement

We are a Catholic health ministry, providing healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities.

Our Core Values:

•Compassion

We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering.

•Integrity

We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources.

•Collaboration

We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities.

•Excellence

We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation.

Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, and genetic information (including family medical history).

Comp Range:

$33.43 - $46.04

Rate of pay displayed reflects the beginning of the pay scale.  At the time of an offer, determination of your offer will reflect your skills and experience as it relates to the position.

Our people make the difference. See firsthand what makes our employees and culture shine!