Pulmonary Technologist

About the role

At RWJ New Brunswick, Pulmonary Technologists play a vital role in providing high-quality diagnostic services that support the evaluation and management of patients with pulmonary and cardiopulmonary conditions. As a member of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory team, you will perform a comprehensive range of pulmonary function and exercise testing procedures, collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, maintain laboratory standards and procedures, and ensure patients receive safe, accurate, and compassionate care. You will also contribute to the ongoing quality, safety, and operational effectiveness of the laboratory by maintaining equipment and supplies, updating policies and procedures in accordance with current American Thoracic Society standards, and supporting a safe patient and work environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform pulmonary function testing duties as needed in accordance with established laboratory protocols and standards.
• Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in all services offered by the Pulmonary Function Laboratory, including spirometry, lung volume testing, diffusion capacity testing, provocation studies, blood gas puncture and analysis, and simple and complex exercise testing.
• Perform cardiopulmonary stress testing and other exercise-related diagnostic procedures while maintaining appropriate patient monitoring and safety standards.
• Administer inhaled medications and agents as indicated for testing, including bronchodilators, methacholine, and pentamidine, in accordance with established protocols.
• Obtain accurate and reliable pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary testing results while recognizing factors that may affect test quality and patient performance.
• Monitor patients throughout diagnostic and exercise testing procedures and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition in accordance with established emergency and safety protocols.
• Work collaboratively with pulmonologists, physicians, respiratory care practitioners, laboratory staff, and other healthcare professionals to support accurate diagnostic evaluation and quality patient care.
• Develop, maintain, and update the Pulmonary Laboratory Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Review new American Thoracic Society (ATS) standards and guidelines and incorporate applicable changes into laboratory policies and procedures as standards are released.
• Support quality assurance and performance improvement activities within the Pulmonary Function Laboratory.
• Order and maintain adequate supplies and consumables, including mouthpieces, filters, desiccants, paper, testing materials, and other laboratory supplies, to ensure uninterrupted laboratory services.
• Monitor laboratory equipment and supplies and communicate equipment or operational concerns promptly to appropriate personnel.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of testing procedures, patient information, results, quality control activities, and other required laboratory records.
• Adhere to Standard Precautions and all applicable infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate awareness and competency in safety, security, life safety, emergency preparedness, utility management, and equipment management policies and procedures.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and professional patient and work environment.
• Follow established incident-reporting procedures and promptly communicate patient safety, equipment, or workplace concerns.
• Complete all mandatory competencies, education, training, and continuing professional development requirements.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families, physicians, laboratory staff, hospital personnel, and visitors.
• Provide patients with appropriate explanations and instructions regarding pulmonary function and exercise testing procedures while promoting comfort, cooperation, and understanding.
• Occasionally assist with the safe movement of patients, equipment, and testing gas mixture cylinders as required.
• Participate in departmental meetings, educational activities, competency assessments, quality improvement initiatives, and other professional development opportunities.

Requirements

• Graduate of an AMA-approved Respiratory Care Program; a Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Current New Jersey license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• Current National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) credentials.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through American Heart Association.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience performing all aspects of Pulmonary Function Testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• ACLS and PALS certification.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of pulmonary function testing, cardiopulmonary stress testing, pulmonary diagnostic procedures, patient monitoring, laboratory safety, infection prevention, and American Thoracic Society (ATS) standards and guidelines.
• Demonstrated proficiency in spirometry, lung volume and diffusion testing, blood gas puncture and analysis, simple and complex exercise testing, provocation studies, and administration of inhaled medications such as bronchodilators, methacholine, and pentamidine.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, laboratory staff, hospital personnel, and visitors in both oral and written formats.
• Ability to operate, monitor, and maintain pulmonary function laboratory equipment; recognize equipment or testing concerns; and maintain accurate documentation of testing and quality assurance activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Standard Precautions, infection prevention and control, emergency preparedness, life safety, security, utility, equipment management, and incident-reporting procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to occasionally assist with moving patients, laboratory equipment, and testing gas mixture cylinders.
• Ability to perform duties in a clinical laboratory environment.

Work Environment

• Ability to work in a well-lighted, heated, and well-ventilated Pulmonary Function Laboratory.
• Potential exposure to equipment-related injury and communicable diseases.

Schedule

Ability to work 40 hours per week and perform pulmonary function testing duties as needed to support patient care and uninterrupted laboratory operations.

Pay

$47.09 – $61.22 per hour (anticipated range; compensation will depend on education, skills, and professional experience).

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts through partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more