ECMO Specialist - Thomas Jefferson University

As an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) Specialist you will operate and maintain ECMO circuits for patients requiring long‑term pulmonary and/or cardiopulmonary support, functioning interdependently under the direction and clinical supervision of an ECMO physician.

Responsibilities

• Assist the physician, perfusionist, and/or other clinical staff with initiation, conduct, and conclusion of ECMO, including circuit or component changes, priming, blood bank communications, medication administration (as licensure permits), and hemofiltration.
• Demonstrate a culture of safety through comprehensive hand‑offs covering all aspects of patient care and the state of the ECMO circuit.
• Provide detailed examinations of the circuit to ensure integrity while collaborating on written parameters and care plans during rounds.
• Maintain continuity and security of the ECMO circuit during patient handling, reducing risk of compromise through regular assessments.
• Assess blood gas values, anticoagulation parameters, and other laboratory results, working within prescribed guidelines to keep the patient in an optimal state.
• Monitor and titrate anticoagulation, analgesics, inotropes, and other infusions; order and administer blood products; adjust ECMO pump flow and oxygenator gas flow as needed.
• Live the SpecialtyCare Values—Integrity, Care, Urgency, and Improvement.

Qualifications

• One of the following education backgrounds, credentials, and experience:
  • Registered Nurse (RN) – Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program; active RN license.
  • Respiratory Therapist (RT) – Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program; current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Perfusion and certification from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, or meet other company requirements as a Perfusionist (CCP).
• Superior working knowledge of ECMO therapy, including circuit and pump operation, adjustments to pump flow, sweep flow, FiO₂, anticoagulation management, point‑of‑care testing, patient monitoring systems, and related policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Allocated funds for continuing education, professional association membership fees, and dues.
• Tuition reimbursement or tuition repayment assistance.
• Full benefits package including a matching 401(k) and generous paid time off (PTO) plan.
• Coverage of costs for maintaining certification and licensure.