Pulmonary Function Technician

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 3214.3: Cardiopulmonary Technologists

2006 NOC-S

• D214: Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists and CardioPulmonary Technologists

2011 NOC

• 3214: Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

2016 NOC

• 3214: Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

2021 NOC

• 32103: Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

2023 OaSIS

• 32103.03: Cardiopulmonary technologists

In general, pulmonary function technicians:

• Collect and review a patient’s related medical history
• Note any past or present exposure to harmful chemicals or risk factors
• Operate, monitor, maintain, calibrate, and test related diagnostic equipment
• Check if patients have any symptoms or medical conditions that may provide a reason not to test
• Advise the physician of any significant changes in a patient’s condition
• Report to the physician any critical values as defined by the laboratory’s protocols to ensure proper clinical management
• Explain procedures, provide information, and care for patients before and during tests
• Decide whether test results are acceptable (for example, the patient demonstrated proper testing technique and good effort)
• Perform a variety of related tests such as spirometry, lung volumes, or diffusion capacity)
• Explain test results and make referrals as needed
• Organize patient reports and records
• Follow patient information confidentiality as per laboratory protocol
• Keep supply inventories and order supplies when needed (for example, mouthpieces or nose clips)
• Prepare medications and provide treatments under lab protocol as determined by the lab’s medical director
• Supervise and train students and other technicians
• Provide technical support for research
• Perform administrative tasks such as answering phones and scheduling patient appointments

In health-care settings, they may work with various health-care providers.

Pulmonary function technicians may work regular weekday hours full-time, part-time, or on a casual basis.

Work settings vary a lot. Some technicians work in health-care settings such as medical clinics or pulmonary function labs. In hospitals, they may perform tests in a lab or at a patient’s bedside.

In the mining, manufacturing, and construction industries, workers may be exposed to asbestos, silica, or coal dust. Pulmonary technicians may need to travel to these work sites and conduct mobile mark / respirator fit tests to workers.

Pulmonary function technicians spend most of their working hours on their feet. They may need to help lift patients with mobility issues.

Pulmonary function technicians work for:

• Private companies that offer occupational health and safety services
• Health facilities such as hospitals and medical labs

Prospects for advancement depend partly on the size of the organization. They improve with time on the job and further training.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 3214: Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists occupational group, 95.0% of people work in:

• Health Care and Social Services

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 3214: Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 14 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canadian Association of Cardio-Pulmonary Technologists (CACPT) website: cacpt.ca

College of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta (CRTA) website: rrtalberta.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.