Respiratory Therapist - ECMO Specialist

Job Title

Responsible for maintaining and performing both clinical and assigned administrative duties as it relates to the Extra Corporeal Life Support (ECLS) service of ACCM. Functions as an advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been at the forefront of discovery, innovation, and medical advances for over 125 years. Our reputation for excellence has earned us a spot-on U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals list for over two decades. We believe that the commitment of our entire professional staff is one of the primary reasons we can continually set the standard of excellence in patient care in our community and worldwide. Renowned for our specialty services and innovative clinical advances, we strive to make The Johns Hopkins Hospital an exceptional place to work, learn, and advance your career.

Position Summary:

Provides specialized expertise regarding ECLS, Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD), and respiratory care to all members of the health care team. Participates in the education, orientation, and training programs of all respiratory care staff, nursing staff, and physician staff to correspond with JCAHO, ELSO, and Johns Hopkins ECMO program standards. Provides for the needs of the staff in keeping with their skills and proficiencies which are required to perform ECLS. Participates in performance improvement monitoring activities within the department and interdepartmentally. Performs and is proficient in all assigned duties that are required and will act as a clinical resource for ECLS, VAD, and respiratory care service. Will assume on-call responsibility, as necessary. All ECMO Specialists will assure appropriate ECMO pump coverage 24/7. Assists ECMO Coordinator in organizing and implementing policy and procedure. Assist in training and education of ECMO staff (i.e.: ECPR, VAD, emergency drills, other annual competencies). Provide expertise for ECLS transport (internal and external), as necessary. Assist in data collection and data entry (i.e.: ELSO forms, JHH database, etc.). Assist in research activities, as necessary. Will perform other related duties as directed by the ECMO Coordinator.

Education:

Associates Degree required, Graduation from a Registered Respiratory Therapy Program approved by the COARC Council for the Accreditation of Respiratory Care Education, Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Job Requirements:

Requires completion of a C.O.A.R.C. accredited Respiratory Care Program. Must have two years (24 months) of critical care experience at JHH. Plus two years (24 months) of ECMO experience at JHH. Requires a thorough understanding of all equipment used in ECMO and VADs. Requires expert understanding and proficiency in all ECMO, VAD, and respiratory care equipment in age-specific populations. Proficient in the clinical application and use of equipment including the following: extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems, ventricular assist devices (VAD), mechanical ventilators, surfactant administration, jet and oscillation ventilation equipment, all respiratory care medication delivery, oxygen and compressed gas systems, blood gas systems where appropriate, and all appropriate equipment used to treat patients with cardio-pulmonary diseases Strong technical, organizational, and analytical skills are required to care for patients and coordinate clinical activities within the ECMO program. Strong writing and communication skills required. Ability to work with the multidisciplinary team. Strong organization and analytical skills are necessary to direct and participate in the development of research projects with all staff and University faculty. Ability to participate in the training of respiratory care, nursing, and physician staff. The ability to interact with age-specific populations to which they are assigned. Must be proficient in the assessment and management of the pediatric/neonatal airway and mechanical ventilation as a practitioner and resource. Must understand, recognize, and be proficient in the application of advanced techniques such as bronchoscopy, ECLS, VAD, and mixed gas therapy. Must be proficient in the care and management of patients during intra-hospital and high-acuity inter-hospital transports. Under the direction of an Attending physician or physician designee, ECMO Specialists will evaluate the need and efficacy of ECMO, ECPR, VAD, blood gases, and mechanical ventilation using a physical exam, laboratory results, and ventilator-derived data. Must be proficient and perform all pediatric respiratory care modalities, including but not limited to clinical application of mechanical ventilation, HFOV, and specialty gas therapy. Strong analytical and organizational ability is required for interpreting physician orders.

License/Certification:

Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner (RRT) and Maryland License required. Basic Life Support (B.L.S.) CPR certification required, A.C.L.S., P.A.L.S., N.R.P., NPS preferred.

Salary Range: Minimum $39.89/hour - Maximum $68.85/hour. Compensation will be commensurate with equity and experience for roles of similar scope and responsibility.

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Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.