Special Procedures Technologist

Primary Specialized Duties

• Aids pulmonologists during bronchoscopy (including EBUS), thoracentesis, chest tube insertion, and other invasive pulmonary procedures.
• Maintains patient safety, ensures equipment readiness, monitors, collects specimens, and provides post-procedure care.
• Performs comprehensive pulmonary function testing (including plethysmography, spirometry, and bedside PFTs).
• Interprets, reports, and analyzes arterial blood gas (ABG) samples to assess oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
• Delivers chronic disease education to patients, focusing on COPD management to reduce readmissions.
• Conducts noninvasive cardiopulmonary monitoring and supports pulmonary rehabilitation activities.

Core Clinical & Operational Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently administers diagnostic, therapeutic, and emergency respiratory procedures within scope of practice and policy.
• Affirms 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 patient and staff education; participates in departmental quality assurance, performance improvement, huddles, meetings, and call rotation.
• Maintains strong clinical judgment, clinical proficiency/certifications, and clinical competence.
• Communicates clearly, collaborates with team members, delegates appropriately, manages conflict, and advocates for patient safety.

Scope of Practice

• Administers pharmacologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic agents related to respiratory care (excluding IV medications except for line maintenance).
• Collects and analyzes blood gases.

Duties as Assigned

• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Current Alabama Respiratory Care licensure.
• Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy (Bachelor’s preferred) or certificate in Respiratory Therapy.
• Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential (CRT acceptable with experience).
• Preferred Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT).
• BLS (AHA) upon hire; ACLS (AHA) within six months of start date.
• Strongly encouraged membership in professional organizations (e.g., AARC, Alabama Society for Respiratory Care).
• Ability to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.