Pulmonary Function Specialist

Performs diagnostic pulmonary function testing (PFT) to both outpatients and inpatients in the PFT lab or at the bedside. Additionally functions as a coordinator for all pulmonary clinical research studies at SMHCS along with the research team. Schedules and performs methacholine challenge tests on adults and children. Knowledge to perform pulmonary stress tests and nutritional studies. Maintains PFT equipment, performs basic troubleshooting and ensures standardization of PFT testing. Performs linearity and biological quality control per ATS guidelines. Orders equipment and supplies for the PFT lab. Maintains awareness of changes in the PFT lab and updates equipment. Performs other outpatient duties; pre-open heart tests, arterial blood gases, sputum inductions, nebulizers and analyzing ionized calcium blood tests. Also functions in a leadership role in the clinical therapy sector delivering routine therapy and implementing department patient care protocols. Functions as an integral member of Respiratory Care (RC) support service delivering routine and advanced cardiopulmonary support to patients. May accept verbal and phone orders from physicians as defined by policy.
Consultation is provided to physicians, nurses, families, and other clinical professional staff. Initiates therapy based on department patient care protocols. Demonstrates knowledge of growth and development, demonstrating the ability to assess, interact, communicate and care for specific patient populations.

Functions as an education coordinator by organizing conferences for the RC staff's CEU needs. Schedules conferences per staff's needs for mandatory license requirements. Keeps staff informed of license requirements. Keeps tally of equipment lectures. Assists nursing in obtaining respiratory CEU's. Submits staff CEU's in CE broker. Maintains the CE broker number for the RC department and arranges webinars for RC staff. Performs isolation fit testing for the respiratory therapists.

- Prefer additional credentials per a Certification Examination for Entry-Level Pulmonary Function Technologists (CPFT) or Registry Examination for Advanced Pulmonary Function Technologists (RPFT).
- Prefer demonstrated ability to work and plan with others in a team setting.
- Prefer demonstrated ability to be creative and use time effectively.

BLS: Basic Life Support/CPR
RRT: Registered Resp Therapist