ECMO Specialist

ECMO Specialist I

Job Summary: The ECMO Specialist I reflects the mission, vision, and values of Emory Healthcare, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards. Under the supervision of ECMO Program Leadership and senior ECMO Specialists, the ECMO Specialist I provides Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) care to patients within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act or Respiratory Therapy practice standards. The ECMO Specialist I collaborates with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to support safe and effective ECMO therapy and patient-centered care goals. This role assists with ECMO circuit preparation, patient monitoring, and communication of ECMO-related clinical information to the care team while developing advanced ECMO clinical competencies.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

• Clinical ECMO Patient Care
• Assist with setup and priming of primary ECMO circuits in preparation for patient support.
• Monitor ECMO patients and interpret blood gases to support adjustments to ECMO settings within established protocols.
• Assist with cannulation and decannulation procedures and support ECMO patient transports when required.
• ECMO Program Support
• Recognize ECMO circuit patterns and trends and communicate potential issues to the multidisciplinary ECMO team.
• Maintain ECMO carts, supply inventory, and equipment readiness.
• Participate in required competencies, ECMO education, and program quality improvement initiatives.
• Travel: Less than 10% of the time may be required.
• Work Type: On-Site

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Education - Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing or Respiratory Therapy.
• Experience - 1-5 years of Critical Care RN or RRT experience.
• Licensure - Active Georgia RN or Respiratory Therapy license or eligibility for licensure.
• Certification - Basic Life Support (BLS) required. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required within 30 days of hire.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (required):

• Ability to set up and prime primary ECMO circuits.
• Ability to interpret blood gases and adjust ECMO settings appropriately.
• Ability to recognize ECMO circuit patterns and trends.
• Ability to communicate ECMO-related clinical information to the multidisciplinary care team.

Preferred Qualifications Experience - 1-3 years of ECMO Specialist experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Medium Max 25lbs): up to 25 lbs., 0-33% of the work day (occasionally) Lifting 25 lbs. max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs.; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure, Bio-hazardous waste chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, Communicable diseases, Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.