ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Manual

chapter  2

2. Manager/Supervisor/Technical Director (4) 2.1. Bachelor’s degree in respiratory care or other science is preferred

2.2. At least 4 years of experience in PF testing 2.3. At least 2 years of supervisory experience 2.4. Appropriate credentials, such as from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) (i.e., Certified or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist [CPFT or RPFT]) 2.5. Experience or education in business because responsibilities include determining appropriate patient charges for tests and for professional interpretation of test results, and interacting with financial man- agement of the institution 3. Technologist 3.1. The importance of the technologist in the PF laboratory has been recognized and has led to several recommendations on education and training (1, 4–8). 3.2. While there are no data specifying the education level necessary to train in the laboratory, the ATS and ERS recommend that completion of secondary education and at least 2 years of college education would be required to understand and fulfil the complete range of tasks undertaken by a pulmonary function technologist (1). 3.3. Technologists should be encouraged to minimally obtain the NBRC pulmonary function testing cre- dential as soon as they meet the examination criteria. Effective June, 2015, the Certification Examina- tion for Entry-Level Pulmonary Function Technologists (CPFT), and the Registry Examination for Advanced Pulmonary Function Technologists (RPFT) will transition to a one-examination, two-cut score examination. If a candidate achieves the lower cut score, they will earn the CPFT credential. If a candidate achieves the higher cut score, they will earn the RPFT credential. 3.3.1. In order to take the examination, an applicant must meet one of the following criteria (9).

1. Be at least 18 years of age 2. Satisfy one of the following:

• Have a minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program ( 1 ) supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), or ( 2 ) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Edu- cation Programs (CAAHEP) and graduated on or before November 11, 2009. OR • Be a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialed by the NBRC. OR • Complete 62 semester hours of college credit from a college or university accredited by its regional association or its equivalent, including college credit level courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. A minimum of 6 months of clinical experience in the field of pulmonary function technology is also required prior to applying for the examination. Clinical experience is defined as a minimum of 8 hours per week for a calendar year in pulmonary technology under the supervision of a medical director of a pulmonary func- tion laboratory or a special care area acceptable to the Board. Clinical experience must be completed before the candidate applies for the examination.

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