Pneumatic Tube Systems Technician (Senior Facilities Technician)

Department Overview

Performs installation, inspection, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and operational support for the hospital pneumatic tube transport system. Ensures reliable transport of specimens, medications, supplies, and other approved items throughout the facility while maintaining compliance with safety, infection control, and hospital procedures.

Function/Duties of Position

• Performs preventive maintenance on pneumatic tube system equipment including stations, blowers, transfer units, diverters, carriers, tubing, and control components. Completes scheduled inspections, testing, cleaning, lubrication, adjustments, and routine component replacement to maintain system reliability and reduce downtime.
• Troubleshoots and repairs pneumatic tube system failures including mechanical, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and control-related issues. Responds to service calls, identifies root causes of jams, routing failures, station malfunctions, and communication faults, and restores equipment to proper operating condition.
• Installs, modifies, and supports upgrades to pneumatic tube system equipment and related infrastructure. Assists with new station installation, component replacement, system expansions, and coordination of vendor-supported upgrades or repairs. Verifies proper operation after installation or modification.
• Monitors system performance and operational status by reviewing alarms, trends, and recurring issues. Recommends corrective actions, replacement needs, and reliability improvements to reduce disruptions to patient care and hospital operations.
• Documents work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) including preventive maintenance, corrective repairs, parts usage, downtime events, follow-up needs, and completion status. Maintains accurate and timely records for compliance, planning, and performance tracking.
• Coordinates service activities with hospital departments, vendors, and Facilities Operations staff to minimize operational disruption. Communicates outages, repair timelines, workarounds, and return-to-service status with nursing, laboratory, pharmacy, and other affected departments.
• Provides user support and training for hospital staff on proper pneumatic tube system use, approved transport practices, basic troubleshooting steps, and escalation procedures. Promotes safe and effective system use consistent with hospital policies and infection control requirements.
• Maintains compliance with safety, infection prevention, and departmental standards including safe work practices, tool and parts management, housekeeping in work areas, and adherence to OHSU policies, procedures, and applicable codes. Participates in emergency response or other Facilities Operations support activities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School or GED equivalent.
• Seven years of facilities maintenance or trades related experience.
  • Two completed years of building maintenance experience can substitute for two of the seven years of experience required above.
  • Successful completion of a Facilities Maintenance technical training program may substitute for one of the seven years of experience required above.
• Computer skills: beginning - intermediate.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable record according to OHSU standards.
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, electronic, and pneumatic troubleshooting methods.
• Ability to inspect, diagnose, repair, and maintain pneumatic tube stations, blowers, diverters, carriers, tubing, and related system controls.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, schematics, blueprints, and manufacturer documentation.
• Ability to prioritize service calls, manage multiple assignments, and respond effectively to urgent operational issues.
• Skill in documenting work performed, parts usage, maintenance history, and system downtime in a CMMS or other work order system.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, vendors, and leadership in a professional healthcare environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while maintaining a high level of customer service.
• Knowledge of safe work practices, infection prevention awareness, and basic hospital operational standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Trade school, vocational training, or associate degree in electronics, electrical systems, industrial maintenance, mechanical systems, or a related field.
• Experience maintaining pneumatic tube systems in a hospital or healthcare environment.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), preventive maintenance programs, and vendor-supported specialty systems.
• Knowledge of hospital pneumatic tube transport systems and their clinical operational impact.
• Experience supporting systems that interface with patient care, laboratory, pharmacy, or other critical hospital departments.
• Experience coordinating vendor service, equipment upgrades, and outage planning.
• Working knowledge of low-voltage controls, relays, sensors, communication components, and electromechanical devices.
• Limited maintenance electrician license, low-voltage license, or other relevant trade certification.

Additional Details

Normal duties require 40 hours per week. The position does require the ability if the incumbent to be able to respond to on-call assignments, overtime, and after hours or emergency call-backs as needed.

Benefits 

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation - up to 200 hours per year dependent on length of service.
• Sick Leave - up to 96 hours per year.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and national businesses.

Working conditions may include working outside in inclement weather, walking, standing, bending and stooping for extended periods of time, lifting carrying heavy objects, crawling in small, cramped spaces, working from ladders, scaffolds and other above ground locations including high sloping roofs.  Working in extreme temperatures, around moving machinery, and in confined spaces containing high levels of noise dust and odors could be expected.  There is some risk of exposure to dirt, biological, chemical and radiological materials or danger of steam or hot water burns, electric shock, infection or minor injuries that could require the use of OSHA approved Personal Protective Equipment. 

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