Respiratory Care Practitioner

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington. With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states.

About the role

The Respiratory Care Practitioner works under the direction of the department medical director to conduct diagnostic evaluations of normal and abnormal pulmonary conditions by administering a variety of tests to patients (spirometry lung volumes, blood gas draw, exercise testing). This position is per diem.

Responsibilities

• Possess knowledge and theory of pulmonary anatomy and physiology, and be able to correctly perform tests, acquiring accurate results on all patients.
• Testing skills include drawing arterial blood gases (ABG) with the use of local anesthesia as needed, pulse oximetry, spirometry, the use of metered dose inhalers in pre- and post-bronchodilator testing, diffusing capacity, lung volumes by nitrogen washout and body plethysmography techniques, negative inspiratory and positive expiratory pressures (NIF, PEF), and airway resistance.
• Able to set up equipment appropriately, explain procedures to patients and gain their cooperation, conduct tests and calculate test results for the physician, evaluate test reliability, patient performance and clinical implications.
• Support Fred Hutch patient and family centered care principles by inviting family members to observe testing, listening and encouraging questions, and providing a calm and pleasant environment.
• Able to advise on patient pulmonary function needs and to recognize and assess alarm values in testing, reporting them to the appropriate physician/medical provider.
• Assure adequate lab staffing and flexible scheduling for patient needs, and be capable of working with nursing and scheduling staff to achieve this goal.
• Able to calibrate, troubleshoot and arrange for service calls for lab equipment and will possess a working knowledge of machine mechanics in order to perform proper maintenance and cleaning procedures.
• Provide complete documentation of test results and maintenance procedures in permanent records, and perform research activities as required by physicians, including routine performance of tests as per research protocols.
• Prompt generation and dissemination of test results for charting and interpretation purposes.
• Order necessary equipment and supplies for the lab.
• Maintain report files and patient billing for test procedures.
• Capable of orienting new employees to the lab and responsible for creating and maintaining Policy and Procedure, Continuing Education and Performance Improvement manuals.
• Follow guidelines for the standardization of spirometry equipment and performance as established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS).
• Perform computer data entry, patient scheduling, administration of bronchodilators, and assist/perform equipment calibration, quality control checks and supply ordering and inventory.
• Maintain adherence to appropriate billing and compliance issues.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Therapy Program (AA).
• Washington State licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (LRCP).
• Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) via AHA.
• Minimum two years relevant experience required.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Basic word processing, typing skills.
• Manual dexterity, precision.
• Ability to communicate via documentation, telephone, computer and directly.
• Mechanical, mathematical aptitude.
• Knowledge of specialized equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Certified or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT or RPFT).

Pay

The hourly pay range for this position is from $46.71 to $70.05, which includes the per diem differential, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

This position is per diem.

Benefits

• Access to a retirement savings plan.
• Employee assistance program.
• Paid sick leave (1 hour for every 30 hours worked).