Pulmonary Function Specialist

Fairview Health Services•Minneapolis, MN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pulmonary Function Specialist provides physician-prescribed diagnostic and therapeutic services and performs routine and advanced pulmonary function testing in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory. The specialist serves as a resource for testing procedures and may monitor workflow or coordinate the laboratory’s daily operations. The role requires strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills and consistent adherence to laboratory safety standards. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the UMMC West Bank Rehab Building, 2512 S 7th St, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Requirements

Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association or Red Cross within 30 days, or CPFT or RPFT certification from the National Board for Respiratory Care within one year.
Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Follow laboratory safety standards.

Nice To Haves

Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Care from a JRCRTE-accredited program.
One year of experience performing pulmonary function testing in a healthcare environment.
Respiratory Care license in the state of Minnesota.

Responsibilities

Assess patient data and needs and identify expected outcomes.
Obtain patient vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
Analyze information and respond to identified needs and potential risks.
Involve patients, families, and other healthcare team members in gathering data.
Identify outcomes that are age-appropriate, culturally appropriate, realistic, and attainable; validate them with the patient, family, and healthcare team.
Document data and identified outcomes.
Perform pulmonary function testing, including flow volume loop, lung volume (plethysmograph), diffusion capacity (single breath), bronchodilator response, methacholine challenge, and exercise challenge.
Respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Assess the validity of test orders and results.
Follow established practice and determine when additional pulmonary function testing may be needed; suggest further testing to physicians.
Follow ATS guidelines for pulmonary function tests and evaluate test validity based on calibration and patient effort.
Verify equipment is in proper working condition.
Calibrate the plethysmograph and metabolic cart daily and assess calibration to ensure accurate patient testing.
Troubleshoot and repair software and hardware problems.
Contact factory service personnel for troubleshooting assistance and coordinate equipment repairs with biomedical engineering.
Monitor workflow and/or coordinate the daily operation of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory.