ECMO Specialist

About the role

As an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) Specialist, you will operate and maintain ECMO circuits for patients requiring long-term pulmonary and/or cardiopulmonary support. The ECMO Specialist functions interdependently following standing ECMO orders and parameters under the direction and clinical supervision of an ECMO physician.

Responsibilities

• Assist the physician, perfusionist, and/or other clinical staff members with initiation, course, conduct, and conclusion of ECMO and any related therapies, including but not limited to circuit or component changes, priming, blood bank communications, medication administration as licensure permits, and hemofiltration.
• Demonstrate a culture of safety through a hand-off of the ECMO patient covering all aspects of the patient’s care and the state of the ECMO circuit.
• Provide a detailed examination of the circuit to ensure its integrity, while written parameters and a plan of care are worked out during rounds.
• Ensure the continuity of the ECMO circuit as a whole, keeping it safe and secure during patient handling and reducing risks of circuit compromise through regular assessments.
• Assess blood gas values, anticoagulation parameters, and other laboratory values, working within prescribed guidelines to maintain the patient in an optimal state of well-being.
• Monitor anticoagulation, analgesics, inotropes, and other infusions; titrate as needed; order and administer blood products; and adjust ECMO pump flow and oxygenator gas flow.
• Uphold SpecialtyCare Values: Integrity, Care, Urgency, and Improvement.

Qualifications

Must possess one of the following education backgrounds, credentials, and experience as an ECMO Specialist:

• Registered Nurse (RN): Holds either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited education program and has an active RN license to practice.
• Respiratory Therapist (RT): Holds either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited education program and current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification.
• Perfusionist: Bachelor’s Degree in Perfusion and certification from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion or meets other Company requirements as a Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP).

Demonstrates a superior working knowledge of ECMO therapy, including but not limited to the ECMO circuit and pump, adjustments to pump flow, sweep flow, FiDO₂, anticoagulation therapy, point-of-care testing, patient monitoring systems, and related policies and procedure guidelines.

Benefits

• Funds allocated for continuing education, membership fees, and dues for professional associations.
• Tuition reimbursement or tuition repayment assistance.
• Full benefits package including a matching 401K and generous PTO plan.
• Coverage of costs for maintaining certification and licensure.