Pulmonary Function Technologist- Department of Medicine (Medical Center)

At Houston Methodist, the Pulmonary Function Technologist (PFT) position is a competent Respiratory Therapy Practitioner whose primary role is in Pulmonary Function. This position performs basic pulmonary function studies and administers therapy per physician orders. The PFT position provides instruction to both the patient and family/caregiver related to procedures and disease processes and assists in educating practice associates. As a member of the direct patient care team, this position provides direct assistance to physicians and other care health professionals with pulmonary function and related procedures as assigned within the scope of the professional certification. The PFT position delivers exceptional patient care and adheres to standards and guidelines established by respiratory and regulatory agencies and Houston Methodist to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

EXPERIENCE

• One year experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) - National Board for Respiratory Care_PSV and
• RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV by the Texas Medical Board and
• CPFT - Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (NBRC) - National Board for Respiratory Care_PSV within 1 year and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to maintain patient and exam documents
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Demonstrates time management skills
• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solving

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by using progressive skills in therapeutic communication and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner, which includes active listening and teaching.
• Communicates effectively with others to facilitate providing the highest quality service during every customer and patient encounter. Serves as a patient advocate in preventing/resolving ethical issues. Facilitates interventions to relieve the patient’s/family spiritual distress.
• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs respiratory care to include but not limited to: pulse oximetry, body plethmosmography, flow volume loops, lung volume determination, airway resistance measurement, breath diffusion capacity, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and if assigned, bronchodilator administration.
• Assists in performings various protocols for cardiopulmonary exercise testing, monitoring.
• Provides care for the physical needs of patients by executing various respiratory care concepts to maximize performance, which includes positioning, physiology, procedure preparation, and technical factors. Modifies technical factors to achieve desired results and recognizes complications / limitations associated with certain procedures. Proactively identifies how to address these for optimum outcomes.
• Uses peer-to-peer accountability to contribute towards improving department score for patient satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Troubleshoots, calibrates and performs preventive maintenance and quality control on all equipment and analyzers per department guidelines, documenting activities.
• Provides direct assistance to physicians, performing tests as ordered, assessing and assuring quality, acceptability and reliability of results; takes corrective action and involves others as needed toward achievement of this end.
• Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and to meet department and hospital targets for quality and safety, focusing on the task at hand and reporting near misses, and inputing errors promptly into PSN to improve processes and identify trends.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accurately documents all patient care and respiratory-related activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation system. Enters charges at the time service is delivered.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in practice projects focused on innovation, efficiency or improvement in patient care and activities. Embraces and enacts new care pathways or service line implementation to improve service to the community.
• Identifies own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

EXPERIENCE

• One year experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) - National Board for Respiratory Care_PSV and
• RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV by the Texas Medical Board and
• CPFT - Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (NBRC) - National Board for Respiratory Care_PSV within 1 year and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association