ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Manual

ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Management & Procedure Manual | 3rd Edition

Technologist Training and Continuing Education 1. The duration of training required before an individual is competent to perform testing varies according to background, schooling, and prior experience. 2. One recommendation for training time for a laboratory that trains individuals concurrently to perform arterial blood gases, spirometry, lung volumes, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung (Dl CO ), and exercise tests is 6–12 months (4). 3. For troubleshooting problems on PF equipment, it is recommended that the technologist have 1 to 2 years of training time (4). 4. For technologists working in a pediatric PF laboratory, special age-specific training is necessary. 5. Personnel administering PF tests as part of medical surveillance may be required to attend a training course, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (8). 5.1. The NIOSH training programs are designed to provide basic instruction in spirometry procedures. 5.2. For those who perform medical surveillance and/or epidemiological studies, additional training beyond the NIOSH training program is recommended (8). 6. At the end of the training program, written and practical examinations have been shown to be useful, but are not required (7). 7. Technologists will be required to maintain and improve their knowledge and skills through documented in-services and/or other lectures or seminars. 7.1. These activities will be documented in the employee’s department personnel file. Orientation 1. The organization’s human resource department should provide an orientation for new employees within the first 10 days of employment. This orientation usually includes: 1.2. Review of the organizational mission 1.2.1. Governance issues 1.2.2. Payroll and benefits 1.2.3. Various hospital or facility policies and procedures (e.g., infection control and safety). 2. The department will also conduct an orientation during an employee’s first three working shifts. This orien- tation will include information about: 2.1. Department mission and scope of practice 2.2. Department policies and procedures, including dress code, meals, fire and safety, disaster, haz- ardous materials, and infection control 2.3. The individual’s job description 2.4. Performance expectations 2.5. Training objectives 2.6. Department performance improvement program. 3. Attendance and completion of the departmental orientation will be documented using a checklist form (example in Appendix 2.1), which will become part of the employee’s department personnel file.

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