ECMO Nurse Specialist (FT, day)

About the role

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Advanced Heart Failure Comprehensive Care Center’s Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Program is seeking a full‑time ECMO Specialist Nurse to help grow the program. The AHFCCC team includes highly experienced physicians, surgeons, APPs, nurses, social workers, researchers and others. The MCS program is nationally recognized for cutting‑edge support in both outpatient and inpatient settings and offers a range of long‑term and short‑term support systems.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the initiation, management, and monitoring of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support for critically ill patients.
• As part of a multidisciplinary team, ensures safe, effective circuit operation, timely response to complications, and adherence to established clinical protocols to optimize patient outcomes.
• Provides device‑related care to patients on ECMO as well as other temporary and durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices in the inpatient, operative, and inter‑hospital settings.

Requirements

• Minimum of four (4) years recent clinical RN experience in an adult critical care setting (ED or ICU).
• Minimum of two (2) years recent RN experience working with ECMO patients.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience working with VAD patients.
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.
• Current American Heart Association CPR certification.
• Current American Heart Association ACLS certification.

Qualifications

• ECMO specialist experience.
• ELSO E‑AEC Certification.

Skills

• Strong understanding of cardiopulmonary physiology, hemodynamics, and coagulation management.
• Ability to interpret complex clinical data and respond quickly to changing patient conditions.
• Excellent critical thinking, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills under pressure.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Ability to remain calm and function effectively in high‑stress, emergent situations.
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to patient safety.
• Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.