ECMO Specialist - Perfusion - Day/Evening

Full Time Day/Evening- 3 - 12-hour shifts per week with some weekends

Job Description:

Under the general direction of the Heart and Vascular leadership, and in collaboration with the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Coordinator and ECMO physicians, manages the ECMO system and the clinical needs of patients on ECMO. Responsible for all aspects of monitoring and troubleshooting the ECMO circuit and related equipment for patients receiving Extracorporeal Life Support. Adheres to established clinical guidelines set forth by the organization and alignment with Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) standards of care.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Operate and manage ECMO circuits and their components during ECMO procedures.
2. Monitor functional integrity of all ECMO circuit components.
3. Troubleshoots the ECMO circuit and assist with repairs/replacement of ECMO circuit components under normal and emergent conditions.
4. Continually assess vital signs, hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, SvO2, and other factors related to systemic oxygen supply/demand, and adjust support accordingly
5. Continually evaluate ECMO circuit function to optimize oxygen delivery, CO2 removal, and obtain optimal hemodynamic stability.
6. Operate point-of-care laboratory requirement to evaluate changes in ABGs, CBC, and electrolytes. Collaborate with bedside RN to correct abnormal lab values.
7. Effectively managed planned and emergent disruptions of ECMO, such as circuit repairs and trials off ECMO (with perfusion supervision as needed).
8. Manage Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in conjunction with the ECMO circuit.
9. Maintain knowledge of ECMO and critical care research, including new developments/technologies (via review of literature, news reports, conference attendance, formal and informal continuing education class etc.).
10. Assist team members with cannulation, initiation of ECMO support, decannulation, and other procedures/operations while on ECMO.
11. Assist team members with the preparation, set-up and priming of the ECMO circuit and its replacement components.
12. Adhere to managing physicians daily ECMO protocols/parameters.
13. Maintain record of required ECMO competency, continuing education, and bedside ECMO hours.
14. Provides patient, family, staff and community education. Serves as a resource to the multidisciplinary team caring for ECMO patients, providing expertise in device operation, and troubleshooting.
15. Maintains ECMO services at the Center of Excellence performance levels as established by ESLO.
16. Assist with new equipment evaluation and purchase and maintaining supplies for the ECMO program.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Experience:
  • One year of experience in providing bedside ECMO support and/ or completion of ECMO Specialist training program. Advanced knowledge of principles and techniques of extracorporeal support. Three years Cardiothoracic ICU experience.
• Minimum Education:
  • High School or G.E.D.
• Preferred Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree desirable in nursing, respiratory care, or perfusion technology from an accredited training program
• Required Certification:
  • Registration and current license as an RN OR Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT);
  • BLS Certification
• Preferred Certification:
  • Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) certification; ACLS certification
• Physical Demands:
  • Occasional prolonged standing/walking
  • Occasionally lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients