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Pulmonary Function Testing information

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in Pulmonary Function Testing, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in Pulmonary Function Testing often encounter challenges such as ensuring accurate patient cooperation during tests, maintaining and calibrating sensitive equipment, and adapting to a fast-paced clinical environment. Clear communication with patients is crucial, as some may have anxiety or difficulty understanding instructions, which can impact test results. Staying updated with evolving testing protocols and collaborating closely with respiratory therapists, physicians, and other healthcare staff helps maintain high-quality care and supports continuous professional development.

What is the difference between Pulmonary Function Testing vs Respiratory Therapist?

AspectPulmonary Function TestingRespiratory Therapist
CredentialsOften requires specialized certification in pulmonary testingRequires respiratory therapy license and certification
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, pulmonary labsHospitals, clinics, emergency settings
Job FocusAdministering and interpreting pulmonary testsManaging patient airway, ventilator support
Industry UsageUsed mainly in diagnostic settingsUsed in patient care and respiratory management

While both roles involve respiratory health, Pulmonary Function Testing specialists focus on conducting and analyzing lung function tests, whereas Respiratory Therapists provide broader patient respiratory care and support. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are pulmonary function testing (PFT) and what do they measure?

Pulmonary function testing (PFT) refers to a group of noninvasive tests that measure how well your lungs are working. These tests evaluate lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange to help diagnose and monitor various lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory disorders. PFTs can help your doctor determine the severity of lung problems and how well treatments are working, providing essential information for ongoing care.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pulmonary Function Technologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pulmonary Function Technologist, you need a solid background in respiratory care or allied health, typically with a relevant associate degree or certification such as Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT). Proficiency in operating pulmonary function testing equipment, spirometers, and related diagnostic software is essential. Attention to detail, strong communication, and patient-focused interpersonal skills help ensure accurate results and a positive patient experience. These skills and qualifications are vital for providing reliable diagnostic data that guides effective respiratory care and treatment.
What are popular job titles related to Pulmonary Function Testing jobs in Utah? For Pulmonary Function Testing jobs in Utah, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pulmonary Function Testing jobs in Utah look for? The top searched job categories for Pulmonary Function Testing jobs in Utah are:
What cities in Utah are hiring for Pulmonary Function Testing jobs? Cities in Utah with the most Pulmonary Function Testing job openings:
Pulmonary Function Testing jobs near you

Pulmonary Function Technologist I

University of Utah Health

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

Other

Posted 14 days ago

University Of Utah Health rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 137 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

185th of 869 rated healthcare providers

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
The Pulmonary Function Technologist sets up and runs respiratory tests on patients to check for lung diseases or disorders. Duties include conducting various types of patient tests and collaborating with other medical staff to assist in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of possible lung disease. Responsibilities also include explaining tests to patients, maintaining the testing equipment, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, and ordering supplies. Procedures can be completed at hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities. This position is responsible for providing direct patient care.
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.

Qualifications
Required
  • 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.
Qualifications (Preferred)
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, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking

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