Registered Respiratory Therapist-ECMO Specialist (All Shifts)- $15k Sign On Bonus

About the role

The Registered Respiratory Therapist–ECMO Specialist (RRT-ES) provides respiratory care services in accordance with departmental policies and procedures while supporting the care of patients requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).

Responsibilities

• Respiratory Therapist Responsibilities:
  • Provides respiratory care services in accordance with department policies, physician orders, and established clinical protocols, including oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, airway management, and mechanical ventilation.
  • Manages and monitors patients receiving mechanical ventilation, including ventilator setup, assessment, troubleshooting, airway care, and appropriate adjustments per department policy and protocol.
  • Affords assessments, documents, and communicates patient response to respiratory therapies and escalates clinical concerns appropriately.
  • Performs advanced respiratory care procedures including arterial blood gas sampling and analysis, bronchoscopy assistance, pulmonary function testing, tracheostomy tube changes, and endotracheal intubation assistance as directed.
  • Responds to emergency situations and participates in rapid response, code, and other critical care interventions as required.
• ECMO Specialist Responsibilities:
  • Supports the management and monitoring of adult ECMO patients in collaboration with the multidisciplinary ECMO team and under established protocols.
  • Assists with bedside ECMO management and intra-hospital transport, including circuit monitoring, safety checks, and equipment readiness.
  • Operates and troubleshoots ECMO equipment within scope of training and established departmental practices.
  • Performs routine circuit surveillance and communicates changes in ECMO support status or patient condition to the multidisciplinary ECMO team.
  • Assists with ECMO-related procedures, patient support activities, and emergency response situations involving ECMO patients as directed.
  • Maintains ECMO equipment and supplies in a state of operational readiness and reports equipment concerns appropriately.
  • Participates in ECMO education, training, quality initiatives, data collection, and program development activities as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Must successfully complete an ELSO-approved or BMC-approved ECMO Specialist training program upon hire or during the next available course offering if not currently ECMO certified.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Licensed Respiratory Therapist by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential required, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred, Current ECMO Specialist certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of two years of critical care Respiratory Therapy experience preferred. Prior ECMO experience or completion of an ECMO training program preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge: Knowledge of respiratory care principles, critical care monitoring, mechanical ventilation, and related respiratory equipment.
• Demonstrated Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pulmonary pathophysiology, blood gas analysis, and pharmacology as related to respiratory and critical care practice.
• ECMO Support: Demonstrated knowledge of adult ECMO, including VA and VV support and common cannulation strategies.
• Communication: Demonstrated ability to support management of ECMO at the bedside and during intra-hospital transport, including circuit monitoring, safety checks, and basic parameter adjustments under established protocols. Effectively communicates ECMO support status and patient condition to the multidisciplinary ECMO team.
• Prioritization: Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, exercise clinical judgment, and function effectively in a fast-paced team environment.
• Documentation: Strong interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with hospital safety, infection control, and regulatory requirements.