Respiratory Care Practitioner - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Overview:

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

 

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

 

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

 

• The Respiratory Care Practitioner works under the direction of the department medical director to conduct diagnostic evaluations of normal and abnormal pulmonary conditions by administering a variety of tests to patients (spirometry lung volumes, blood gas draw, exercise testing).  
• Has knowledge of and follows guidelines for the standardization of spirometry equipment and performance as established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS).  
• Perform computer data entry, patient scheduling, administration of bronchodilators, and assist/perform equipment calibration, quality control checks and supply ordering and inventory.  Maintain adherence to appropriate billing and compliance issues.

Responsibilities:

• Possess knowledge and theory of pulmonary anatomy and physiology, and be able to correctly perform tests, acquiring accurate results on all patients.  Testing skills include drawing arterial blood gases (ABG) with the use of local anesthesia as needed.  Skills should also include pulse oximetry, spirometry, the use of metered dose inhalers in pre- and post- bronchodilator testing, diffusing capacity, lung volumes by nitrogen washout and body plethysmography techniques, negative inspiratory and positive expiratory pressures (NIF, PEF), and airway resistance.  
• Able to set up equipment appropriately, explain procedures to patients and gain their cooperation, conduct tests and calculate test results for the physician, evaluate test reliability, patients performance and clinical implications.  
• Support Fred Hutch patient and family centered care principles by inviting family members to observe testing, listening and encouraging questions, and providing a calm and pleasant environment.
• Able to advise on patient pulmonary function needs and to recognize and assess alarm values in testing, reporting them to the appropriate physician /medical provider.
• Assure adequate lab staffing and flexible scheduling for patient needs, and be capable of working with nursing and scheduling staff to achieve this goal.  
• Able to calibrate, troubleshoot ad arrange for service calls for lab equipment and will possess a working knowledge of machine mechanics in order to perform proper maintenance and cleaning procedures.  He/she will provide complete documentation of test results and maintenance procedures in permanent records, and will perform research activities as required by physicians.  This will include routine performance of tests as per research protocols.  Prompt generation and dissemination of test results should also be provided for charting and interpretation purposes.
• The technologist will order necessary equipment and supplies for the lab.  Maintenance of the report files and patient billing for test procedures are also tasks to be performed by the technologist.  
• Capable of orienting new employees to the lab and will be responsible for creating and maintaining Policy and Procedure, Continuing Education and Performance Improvement manuals.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Therapy Program (AA)
• Washington State licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (LRCP). Basic Life Support (BLS) via AHA.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Basic word processing, typing skills.
• Manual dexterity, precision.
• Requires ability to communicate via documentation, telephone, computer and directly
• Mechanical, mathematical aptitude.
• Requires knowledge of specialized equipment.

Preferred:

• Bachelors degree
• Credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Certified or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT or RPFT)

 

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

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The hourly pay range for this position is from $36.83 to $55.23 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.  

 

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks), and partially paid sabbatical leave (up to 6 months). Paid time off is prorated for part-time positions.  

Our Commitment to Diversity:We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.