OPT Pulmonary Function Technologist Jobs
Pulmonary Function Technologist jobs on OPT involve administering diagnostic breathing tests, interpreting spirometry data, and supporting respiratory care teams. Most roles require CPFT or RPFT certification and a degree in respiratory therapy or a related clinical field. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on how your program is classified.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Your future role at a glance:
Location: Baltimore, MD
Facility: Ascension St. Agnes
Department/Specialty: Respiratory Care
Schedule: Days | Full-time
Salary: $36.37 - $50.71 per hour
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
How you'll make an impact in this role:
- Perform pulmonary function tests laboratory procedures.
- Monitor and evaluate patient physiological responses in real-time to ensure safety and data accuracy.
- Determine appropriate testing reference ranges and provide initial interpretation of results.
- Oversee the preparation, routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of diagnostic equipment.
- Serve as a clinical resource for staff, patients, and families.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What minimum qualifications you'll need:
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- Certified or Registered as a Pulmonary Function Technologist from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) required by hire or job transfer date required.
Education:
High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
LIFE AT ASCENSION
Where purpose meets opportunity:
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
FRAUD PREVENTION NOTICE
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-VERIFY STATEMENT
Employer does not participate in E-Verify and therefore cannot employ STEM OPT candidates.
BENEFITS
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Various health insurance options & wellness plans
- Retirement benefits including employer match plans
- Long-term & short-term disability
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Parental leave & adoption assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Ways to give back to your community
Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.
INTRODUCTION
Your future role at a glance:
Location: Baltimore, MD
Facility: Ascension St. Agnes
Department/Specialty: Respiratory Care
Schedule: Days | Full-time
Salary: $36.37 - $50.71 per hour
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
How you'll make an impact in this role:
- Perform pulmonary function tests laboratory procedures.
- Monitor and evaluate patient physiological responses in real-time to ensure safety and data accuracy.
- Determine appropriate testing reference ranges and provide initial interpretation of results.
- Oversee the preparation, routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of diagnostic equipment.
- Serve as a clinical resource for staff, patients, and families.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What minimum qualifications you'll need:
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- Certified or Registered as a Pulmonary Function Technologist from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) required by hire or job transfer date required.
Education:
High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
LIFE AT ASCENSION
Where purpose meets opportunity:
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
FRAUD PREVENTION NOTICE
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-VERIFY STATEMENT
Employer does not participate in E-Verify and therefore cannot employ STEM OPT candidates.
BENEFITS
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Various health insurance options & wellness plans
- Retirement benefits including employer match plans
- Long-term & short-term disability
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Parental leave & adoption assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Ways to give back to your community
Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.
See all OPT Pulmonary Function Technologist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Pulmonary Function Technologist
Clarify your OPT authorization type upfront
Tell hiring managers whether you're on standard 12-month OPT or a STEM extension early in conversations. Pulmonary function labs need to plan staffing timelines, and clarity prevents late-stage confusion that costs you the offer.
Pursue CPFT or RPFT certification before applying
Most hospital respiratory departments require CPFT certification at minimum. Holding it before your job search signals clinical readiness and removes a common barrier employers use to screen out candidates who need additional onboarding time.
Target academic medical centers and large health systems
Larger hospital networks like university health systems have established HR processes for hiring international employees on OPT. Smaller independent clinics rarely have experience navigating work authorization, making the sponsorship conversation significantly harder.
Connect your degree field to STEM OPT eligibility explicitly
If your degree is in respiratory therapy, biomedical science, or a related STEM-classified program, confirm your CIP code with your DSO. A valid STEM classification can extend your authorized work period from 12 months to 36 months.
Frame your authorization window around the H-1B timeline
Employers sponsoring H-1B visas need to file by April for an October start. Make sure your OPT expiration date gives you enough runway. If it does not, discuss cap-exempt employer options like hospitals affiliated with universities.
Highlight any clinical rotations completed in U.S. settings
U.S.-based clinical training, even from your degree program, directly addresses employer concerns about unfamiliarity with domestic hospital protocols and documentation standards. Reference specific equipment, EMR systems, or lab settings you have worked in.
Pulmonary Function Technologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Pulmonary Function Technologist on OPT?
Yes, if your OPT is authorized in a field directly related to your degree. A respiratory therapy or biomedical science graduate working in a pulmonary function lab is a straightforward match. You must be employed within your authorized field and report any employer changes to your DSO within 10 days to stay in compliance.
Does a Pulmonary Function Technologist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. Degrees in respiratory therapy are sometimes classified under STEM CIP codes, but this varies by institution. Check with your DSO to confirm whether your program qualifies. If it does, you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond the standard 12 months.
Will employers in this field sponsor an H-1B visa after OPT?
Academic medical centers and large health systems are the most likely to sponsor. Pulmonary function roles in hospital settings tied to universities may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which bypasses the lottery entirely and allows year-round filing. Smaller outpatient clinics rarely have the HR infrastructure or legal resources to navigate sponsorship. Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with a demonstrated history of sponsoring clinical roles.
What credentials do I need to work in a pulmonary function lab on OPT?
Most positions require a Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care, or eligibility to sit for the exam. Some roles accept candidates with a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential instead. State licensure requirements for respiratory therapists vary, so confirm your state's rules before applying to positions in a new location.
What happens to my OPT status if I leave my Pulmonary Function Technologist job?
You enter a mandatory unemployment period tracked by USCIS. Standard OPT allows no more than 90 cumulative days of unemployment across the full 12-month period. STEM OPT holders are allowed up to 150 days total across both periods. Exceeding these limits puts your status at risk, so report employer changes promptly and begin your next job search immediately.