What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pulmonary Function Technologist II - Cardiovascular Diagnostic Services position at uic?
Position Summary
Employees in positions allocated to this series conduct physiologic and diagnostic testing of lung functions to provide physicians with data to detect the presence of lung disease; e.g., spirometry, diffusion testing, lung volumes, airway resistance, respiratory muscle forces, bronchial provocation testing; diagnose the type of pathologic process; assess functional status, level of disability, and response to therapy; and also determine the prognosis of patients with pulmonary disease. These tests involve direct interaction with the patient, require the use of specialized testing equipment, and require making qualitative assessments of the presence and nature of abnormal results. They communicate the test results to the physician in charge for a decision.
Duties & Responsibilities
1. calibrates, operates, records, and obtains data from such instruments as: oxygen and carbon dioxide gas analyzers, bicycle ergometers & treadmills, pressures & flow transducers, electromyogram amplifiers, and electroencephalogram.
2. is trained to become certified in the procedures of arterial puncture and drawing of arterial blood for blood gas analysis.
3. performs or assists the physician in conducting advanced tests of respiratory functions:
a. prepares the necessary supplies, such as needles, syringes, and local anesthetics.
b. assists the physician in preparing the patient.
c. conducts tests such as exercise studies on the bicycle ergometer or treadmill, pulmonary gas exchange and shunt studies, lung compliance study, regulation of ventilation, sleep studies, etc.
d. alerts the physician to patient difficulties and assists the physician in the event of complications.
e. tabulates and calculates, or assists in tabulation and calculation of, the data from tests for interpretation by the physician.
f. may be trained to assist the pulmonary physician in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as fiberoptic bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, and pleural biopsy.
4. prepares and maintains for use supplies and equipment.
5. arranges for transport of, or transports, patient to procedure room.
6. checks chart for completion of preliminary procedures and availability of necessary information.
7. prepares patient for procedures, such as administering topical local anesthesia, positioning patient, and explaining procedure.
8. assists physician during procedures, such as during a bronchoscopy.
9. observes ECG monitor; notifies physicians of abnormalities; assists in any emergency resuscitative efforts.
10. is responsible for preparing material obtained from these procedures for analysis by laboratories.
11. keeps logbook and procedure book up to date by following up on all laboratory reports, recording results, and informing physician of any significant findings.
12. is responsible for physician operative report getting in the clinical chart and acquiring physician's signature for records and forms.
13. keeps record of clinical consults, procedures, and medical service plan records.
14. arranges with suppliers for the use of new supplies.
a. keeps equipment and areas of procedure cleaned; makes incidental repairs, adjustments, and replacements of equipment; reports to superior defects in equipment and when major repairs or replacement of parts are necessary; returns supplies to central supply when appropriate.
b. conducts tests performed by lower-level technologists as assigned.
15. performs duties at the lower level of this series.
16. performs related duties as assigned.
