Pulmonary Function Technician

Career Guide

A Pulmonary Function Technician performs breathing and lung capacity tests that help clinicians diagnose and monitor conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and restrictive lung disease. The role combines patient care, precise test administration, equipment handling, and accurate documentation.

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Key Responsibilities

Prepare patients for pulmonary function testing by explaining procedures and checking readiness
Conduct spirometry testing to measure airflow
Conduct lung volume testing to measure total air in the lungs
Conduct diffusion capacity testing to measure how well oxygen moves into the blood
Perform bronchodilator response testing when ordered
Monitor patient safety during testing and respond to distress
Calibrate and maintain pulmonary testing equipment
Record test results clearly in the medical record
Check test quality and repeat tests when results do not meet quality standards
Follow infection prevention and cleaning protocols for reusable equipment
Coordinate scheduling and manage test workflow
Communicate findings and testing issues to respiratory therapists and ordering clinicians

Top Skills for Success

Patient Communication

Empathy

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Team Collaboration

Clinical Documentation

Equipment Calibration

Infection Prevention

Spirometry Testing

Lung Volume Testing

Diffusion Capacity Testing

Quality Control

Basic Anatomy Knowledge

Medical Terminology

Patient Privacy Compliance

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Pulmonary Function Technician

Pulmonary Function Lab Lead

Respiratory Therapy Assistant

Respiratory Therapist

Sleep Technologist

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist

Pulmonary Research Coordinator

Clinical Educator

Transition Opportunities

Respiratory Therapist

Sleep Technologist

Cardiology Technician

Clinical Research Coordinator

Healthcare Quality Specialist

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Pulmonary Test Quality StandardsEquipment TroubleshootingDiffusion Capacity TestingLung Volume TestingPatient CoachingClinical DocumentationWorkflow Improvement

Development SuggestionsBuild competency through supervised testing hours, structured checklists for test quality, and routine calibration practice. Ask to shadow a senior technician for complex cases, and request feedback on coaching technique, repeatability, and documentation quality.

Market Intelligence Report

Pulmonary Function Technician is part of the Medical Support category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUS$40,000 to US$52,000

Mid LevelUS$52,000 to US$68,000

Senior LevelUS$68,000 to US$85,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand driven by aging populations, chronic respiratory disease, increased pulmonary rehabilitation referrals, and expanded diagnostic services in hospitals and outpatient clinics.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

HCA HealthcareKaiser PermanenteMayo ClinicCleveland ClinicAscensionCommonSpirit HealthProvidenceMass General BrighamTenet HealthcareVeterans Health Administration

Industry Sectors

HospitalsOutpatient pulmonary clinicsPulmonary rehabilitation centersSleep centersDiagnostic laboratoriesAcademic medical centersClinical research organizations

Recommended Next Steps

Confirm required credentials for your region and target employers

Practice a consistent patient coaching script for spirometry and repeatability

Create a calibration and cleaning routine to reduce test delays and rework

Track a small quality metric such as repeat tests due to coaching issues and improve it over four weeks

Learn basic troubleshooting for common equipment errors and sensor issues

Update your resume with test types performed, patient volume handled, and quality outcomes

Network with respiratory therapy teams to understand internal pathways to advanced roles