As a respiratory scientist, you’ll test lung function to assist in:
- the early detection and diagnosis of disease
- the management of disease
- the measurement of the effects of therapeutic interventions
- pre-employment and lung health monitoring
- assessing functional capacity
- collecting data in research programs.
You’ll use a variety of instruments and testing methodologies to assess respiratory function, including:
- spirometers
- flow meters
- pressure transducers
- gas analysers
- whole body plethysmographs
- pressure monitors
- nebulisers
- blood pressure cuffs
- pulse oximeters
- electrocardiography machines
- blood gas analysers
- validated questionnaires.
For some of these, you may need to administer medication.
You may also take part in more complex assessments of respiratory pathophysiology. These often need greater expertise and understanding of integrated physiology systems and the intended outcomes of therapeutic interventions. Types of assessments this includes are:
- cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET)
- high altitude simulation testing (HAST)
- bronchial provocation/challenge testing (Bronchial Prov)
- arterial blood gas sampling and analysis (ABG).
Qualifications
To work as a respiratory scientist, you’ll need at least an undergraduate degree in science with a strong human physiology component. It is an advantage to do a degree that provides you with a respiratory placement experience.
Depending on your role, you may also need a graduate qualification in respiratory sciences or clinical physiology.
Read more about guidelines for qualifications of clinical respiratory laboratory scientists on the Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (ANZSRS) website.
You must also have relevant scientific and analytical skills to make sure test results are valid, reliable and achieved with consideration for patient safety. You must be able to adapt to new technologies and implement these.
Because respiratory investigations involve a high degree of patient effort and cooperation, you’ll also need excellent interpersonal skills.
You’ll also need to be eligible for membership with one of the following professional associations and organisations: