Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Pulmonary Function Technologist
(Respiratory Therapy Technician)
Job description
A pulmonary function technologist works under the supervision of a physician to conduct diagnostic evaluations of normal and abnormal pulmonary (lung) conditions by administering a variety of tests to the patient.
Activities may include
●
select and set up appropriate equipment
●
explain procedures to patients and get their cooperation
●
gather data
●
conduct tests and calculate test results
●
supervise other personnel who monitor patients' responses
●
evaluate test reliability, patients' performance, and clinical implications
Pulmonary technology has just in recent years been defined as a specific field and is expanding rapidly. As a result, job descriptions, requirements, and even titles for pulmonary technologists vary widely.
Pulmonary technologists work in hospitals, clinics, private practice offices, home care facilities, rehab centers and research facilities.
Salaries and benefits*
Salaries depend on the level of training and range from about $27,280 to $39,740 and up. The national average salary of a pulmonary function technologist is approximately $32,860 annually. The median annual earnings for those employed in hospitals were $32,830 in 2000.
Training and requirements
Bachelor's degree is preferred, but is not always necessary. There are four paths to education and training in this field: (1) enroll in a post college program offered by a medical center; (2) earn an associate's degree in pulmonary technology from a community college; (3) earn a Bachelor's degree in pulmonary technology from a college or university; and (4) receive a high school diploma and acquire extensive on-the-job training.
Most pulmonary function technologists are trained as respiratory therapists or have a nursing background. In Washington State, training in respiratory therapy is available at Highline Community College, Seattle Central Community College, Spokane Community College and Tacoma Community College.
Necessary skills
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manual dexterity and precision
●
dependability and detail oriented
●
desire to work with all types of people
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good listening skills and ability to communicate clearly
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mechanical and mathematical aptitude
Licensure/Certification
Certification and registration are voluntary and are offered through the National Board for Respiratory Care. To sit for the certification exam, a candidate must be a graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy program; or an accredited pulmonary technology program; or be a certified or registered respiratory therapist; or have 62 semester hours of college credit which includes courses in biology, chemistry and math, plus six months clinical experience in pulmonary functions; or have a high school diploma and two years of clinical experience in pulmonary functions.
Helpful high school courses
Include math such as algebra and general math, biology, chemistry, computer science, English, health science and physics.
Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
●
Highline Community College
2400 South 240th St.
Des Moines, WA 98198-9800
(206) 878-3710
●
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 587-3800
●
Spokane Community College
North 1810 Greene St.
Spokane, WA 99207-5399
(509) 533-7000
●
Tacoma Community College
6501 S. 19th St.
Tacoma, WA 98466-6139
(253) 566-5000
Outlook*
Employment of respiratory therapist technicians is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010.
Professional Associations
●
American Association for Respiratory Care
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229
(972) 243-2272
http://www.aarc.org
●
The National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc.
8310 Nieman Road
Lenexa, KS 66214
(913) 599-4200
http://www.nbrc.org
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 9/15/04