Special Procedures Technologist

DCH Health System•Tuscaloosa, AL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Procedures Technologist delivers specialized diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive respiratory care to adult and pediatric patients. This role primarily focuses on assisting pulmonologists in advanced pulmonary procedures, performing pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and educating patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The position may also involve duties of a Registered/Certified Respiratory Therapist as needed, adhering to the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy scope of practice and DCH Standards.

Requirements

Current Alabama Respiratory Care licensure.
Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy or certificate in Respiratory Therapy.
Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential (CRT acceptable with experience).
Minimum three (3) years of recent clinical experience as a Respiratory Therapist.
BLS (AHA) upon hire.
Ability to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy.
Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT).
ACLS (AHA) within six months of start date.
Membership in professional organizations (e.g., AARC, Alabama Society for Respiratory Care).

Responsibilities

Assists pulmonologists during bronchoscopy (including EBUS), thoracentesis, chest tube insertion, and other invasive pulmonary procedures, ensuring patient safety, equipment readiness, monitoring, specimen collection, and post-procedure care.
Performs comprehensive pulmonary function testing (including plethysmography, spirometry, and bedside PFTs) with accurate interpretation, quality control, and reporting.
Performs arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling (including arterial puncture), analysis, interpretation, and reporting to assess oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
Delivers targeted chronic disease education to patients (with emphasis on COPD management to reduce readmissions), including self-management strategies, medication use, and pulmonary rehabilitation principles.
Conducts noninvasive cardiopulmonary monitoring and supports pulmonary rehabilitation activities.
Performs and documents diagnostic, therapeutic, and emergency respiratory procedures safely and efficiently, within scope of practice and policy.
Assesses patients, collects/evaluates clinical data, and develops/modifies individualized care plans based on evidence-based guidelines.
Assembles, maintains, troubleshoots, and performs quality control on respiratory equipment; conducts low/high-level disinfection per manufacturer instructions.
Provides effective patient and staff education; participates in departmental quality assurance, performance improvement, huddles, meetings, and call rotation.
Works independently, exercises strong clinical judgment, and maintains clinical proficiency/certifications.
Communicates clearly, collaborates with team members, delegates appropriately, manages conflict, and advocates for patient safety.
Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Adheres to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
Utilizes electronic mail, telephone and texting, fax and copier, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
Adheres to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
Performs all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Exposure to human fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions.
Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.
Demonstrating leadership skills.
Delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.
Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
Lifting and carrying up to a maximum of 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
Reaching reasonable distances in any direction.
Running in emergency situations.
Coordinated movement of fingers.
Ability to feel and perceive temperatures, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
Normal or corrected to normal hearing and vision.
Ability to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.