ECMO Specialist - YH ECMO -

Full time (72 hours/pay period)

Day/Evening

Monday-Friday, primary dayshift

Every 4th Weekend and holiday rotation

Flexibility is required as this position may be assigned to night shift per operational needs of department and/or management discretion

General Summary

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

• Operates and manages ECMO circuits and their components during ECMO procedures.
• Monitors functional integrity of all ECMO circuit components.
• Troubleshoots the ECMO circuit and assists with repairs/replacement of ECMO circuit components under normal and emergent conditions.
• Continually assesses vital signs, hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, SvO2, and other factors related to systemic oxygen supply/demand, and adjust support accordingly
• Continually evaluates ECMO circuit function to optimize oxygen delivery, CO2 removal, and obtain optimal hemodynamic stability.
• Operates point-of-care laboratory requirement to evaluate changes in ABGs, CBC, and electrolytes. Collaborates with bedside RN to correct abnormal lab values.
• Effectively manages planned and emergent disruptions of ECMO, such as circuit repairs and trials off ECMO (with perfusion supervision as needed).
• Manages Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in conjunction with the ECMO circuit.
• Maintains 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.).
• Assists team members with cannulation, initiation of ECMO support, decannulation, and other procedures/operations while on ECMO.
• Assists team members with the preparation, set-up and priming of the ECMO circuit and its replacement components.
• Adheres to managing physicians daily ECMO protocols/parameters.
• Maintains record of required ECMO competency, continuing education, and bedside ECMO hours.
• 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.
• Maintains ECMO services at the Center of Excellence performance levels as established by ESLO.
• Assists with new equipment evaluation and purchase and maintaining supplies for the ECMO program.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Required
• Bachelors Degree In nursing, respiratory care, or perfusion technology from an accredited training program. Preferred

Work Experience:

• 1 year Experience in providing bedside ECMO support and/or completion of ECMO Specialist training program. Required and
• Advanced knowledge of principles and techniques of extracorporeal support. Required and
• 3 years Cardiothoracic ICU experience. Required

Licenses:

• Licensed Registered Nurse Upon Hire Required or
• Registered Nurse Multi State License Upon Hire Required or
• Licensed Respiratory Therapist Upon Hire Required and
• Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required
• Critical Care Registered Nurse - AACN Upon Hire Preferred and
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Upon Hire Preferred
• Obtain E-AEC certification within two years of hire date

Courses and Training:

• Annual re-certification: Meeting attendance, Wet lab simulation, written exam, Pump time requirements, professional conference attendance, competency/skill assessment. Upon Hire Required