NI-Respiratory Therapist, Diagnostic

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

7/2/2026

Entity:

Illinois

Job Code:

NI-3084AC

Job Title:

NI-Respiratory Therapist, Diagnostic

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic provides diagnostic testing, education, treatment, and respiratory services for patients and families in a variety of care settings across UW Health (such as the Pulmonary Function Labs, outpatient clinic areas and inpatient floors.  This position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work with the inter-disciplinary team to ensure high quality patient care.

The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic performs routine testing (such as spirometry, lung volumes and diffusion) on inpatients and outpatients (pediatrics to geriatrics) as well as research subjects.  As experience and proficiency develops, the Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic will be expected to learn and perform advanced testing procedures, monitor and implement changes in care or practice, and recommend methods to improve service quality.

The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic must effectively communicate with patients to elicit appropriate responses in order to derive meaningful cardiopulmonary data. The clinician regularly incorporates multiple problem-solving strategies to obtain and report reliable patient data and collaborates with physicians to assure optimal and cost-effective medical treatment strategies are determined.

The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic works closely with all members of the patient care team including patients, families, physicians and durable medical equipment (DME) providers.  The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic possesses a high degree of knowledge regarding disease management and guidelines, managed care, federal reimbursement regulations, and DME for the home. The clinician acts as a resource to health care professionals and DME providers ensuring orders are concurrent with policies and procedures. The clinician participates in direct patient care and offers clinical expertise in assessment, recommendations, and implementation of care plans/equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

•

Performs at a high degree of skill in providing direct patient and family care

•

Performs various testing, such as spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, respiratory muscle forces and impulse oscillometry

•

Calibrates, sets up, and troubleshoots equipment

•

Performs arterial punctures

•

Performs Shunt studies

•

Performs bronchoprovocation studies

•

Performs Cardiopulmonary Exercise testing

•

Performs 6MWT and oximetry testing

•

Assists physicians with therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures including EBUS & navigation procedures.

•

Reprocessing and maintaining bronchoscopes according to manufacturer’s instructions

•

Maintains knowledge of home respiratory equipment and new therapies

•

Ensures care is family centered, demonstrating excellent bedside manner

•

Provides accurate documentation and billing in the electronic health record

•

Performs pulmonary assessments and diagnostic respiratory services to formulate recommendations providers and nursing staff regarding patient care

•

Educates patient and family about existing health problems and related therapies, diagnostic tests, oxygen therapy and home equipment

•

Provides aerosolized medication, volume expansion, and airway clearance techniques

•

Downloads diagnostic data with entry into the electronic health record

•

Interprets selective laboratory/diagnostic tests

•

Evaluates response to bronchodilators

•

Provides clinical consultation on respiratory therapy interventions and treatments

•

Responds to all requests appropriately, accurately, and in a timely manner

•

Interacts with ordering provider in a timely, positive manner to resolve issues

•

Seeks appropriate disciplines/departments as required to expedite care

•

Reviews patient’s record to determine health status and potential respiratory interventions needed

•

Identifies patient/family education needs, ensuring patient/family members have adequate information to participate in care planning and are given choices in the process

•

Initiates and maintains communication and collaboration with physicians, care team leaders, staff nurses, other care giving disciplines and patients/families to develop, implement, and evaluate a plan of care for each patient

•

Provides patient and family education and counseling about existing health problems and related therapies/equipment

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Graduate of an AMA accredited educational program for Respiratory Care.

Required

1 year

experience with Pulmonary Function Diagnostics.

Preferred

2 years

experience in Respiratory Care, including ICU.

Preferred

Current licensure from the State of Illinois as a Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner.

Required

Basic Life Support/CPR Certification.

Required

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Required

Current CPFT or RPFT certification preferred; must be obtained within 1 year of hire.

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

•

Thorough understanding of the latest ATS/ERS guidelines.

•

Ability to effectively educate others.

•

Ability to perform advanced Respiratory Therapy procedures independently.

•

Ability to troubleshoot and possesses effective problem-solving skills.

•

Extensive knowledge of home respiratory equipment.

•

Knowledge of current disease management guidelines.

•

Excellent verbal and written skills.

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Effective time management and organizational skills.

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Ability to work in a team environment and collaborate with a variety of professionals and home care companies.

•

Ability to display leadership and professionalism.

•

Ability to interpret selective laboratory and diagnostic tests.

•

Ability to collaborate with all members of the healthcare team and external customers.

•

Demonstrates ability for complex clinical decision making.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Standing

X

Walking

X

Climbing

X

Bending

X

Crouching

X

Pushing / Pulling

X

Carry

X

Fine Hand / Eye Coordination

X

Color Discrimination

X

Hearing Ability

X

Lifting / Lowering 1 -15 lbs.

X

15 - 30 lbs.

X

30 - 50 lbs.

X

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Concentration on Detail

X

Attention Span of 1 + Hours on a Task

X

Ability to Remember Multiple Tasks

X

Oral Communication

X

Written Communication

X

Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids

X

Exposure to Toxins, Cytotoxins, Poisons

X

Exposure to Extreme Heat, Cold, Temp Fluctuations

X

Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

X

Exposure to Radiation

X

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.