Lead ECMO Specialist

Lead Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialist

The Lead Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialist plays a critical role in delivering high-acuity, multidisciplinary care to neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. This role involves comprehensive circuit management, patient monitoring, troubleshooting, and emergency intervention, in adherence to protocols and standing orders. The Lead ECMO Specialist collaborates closely with the care team to ensure safe, effective treatment, maintains meticulous documentation, and supports team member, patient/family education. In partnership with the ECMO Coordinator, the Lead ECMO Specialist contributes to education, training, equipment oversight, quality improvement, and clinical research initiatives that advance ECMO care and outcomes. The Lead ECMO Specialist functions under the supervision of the designated physician(s) and in accordance with written policies and protocols developed and approved by the ECMO physicians, the medical executive committee and the governing board. Reports to department leadership.

Coordinates activities such as turns, baths, dressing changes, diagnostic testing, procedures, and patient mobility with the care team to directly support and maintain patency of the cannulas as well as stability of cardiopulmonary support while patient is undergoing ECMO.

Actively participates in ECMO patient rounds to share information and determine appropriateness of patient care plans; maintains communication with ECMO Leadership Team regarding concerns and variances as well as any ECMO patient complications.

Utilizes the ECMO electronic record to maintain ongoing complete and detailed documentation of patient and ECMO parameters; provides family/parental education; provides a clear and concise end of shift report for oncoming ECMO Specialist regarding ECMO settings, patient status, and patient care plans.

Ability to work flexible hours, which may include days, evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends and on-call.

Ability to adapt to unpredictable situations within the work setting.

Ability to triage and prioritize multiple priorities in high acuity patient care.

Must maintain annual safety/compliance requirements.

Work may require lifting or pushing in excess of 50 pounds.

Work requires walking bending.

Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in assessing and implementing comprehensive patient care services of ECMO patients.

Monitors and troubleshoots ECMO-related care for neonatal, pediatric, and adult ECMO including, but not limited to: ECMO circuit set up, priming, initiation, and daily management during the treatment period.

Ensures appropriate ECMO patient care, anticipating, identifying and correcting problems associated with any ECMO procedures or technology.

Collaborates with the care team to deliver superior patient care including the knowledge, clinical and communication skills to direct and deliver critical troubleshooting and emergency response for patients on ECMO support; functions independently following standing orders and ECMO policies, procedures, and protocols.

Assist ECMO Coordinator by providing education and training for ECU Health residents and fellows, interdisciplinary partners in assigned units, new hires, and students.

Assist ECMO Coordinator with ECMO team quality improvement initiatives and research through the collection of ECMO-related data, preparation, and presentation of research abstracts and/or other documentation for neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.

Provide monthly education for ECMO specialist by PowerPoints or Journal reviews.

Assist ECMO Coordinator with ECMO equipment inventory and maintenance; including emergency backup equipment.

Assist ECMO Coordinator by participating in process improvement for the program and for the quality of clinical outcomes and participate in providing ongoing ECMO education for clinicians throughout the medical center including critical care nurses, respiratory therapist, faculty and resident physicians, and advanced practice providers.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Relevant Associates Degree, with a four-year degree or higher preferred. BSN or BSRT Preferred.

Must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Registered Nurse holding a current North Carolina State license or a valid compact state license.

2. Respiratory Care Practitioner holding current North Carolina license and current registry as a Respiratory Therapist with the National Board of Respiratory Care.

Minimum of 3 years experience in a relevant critical care setting required.

Ability to demonstrate high level of initiative, self-direction, and accountability. Interpersonal skills necessary for effective communication with department staff, physicians, nurses, other clinicians, and patients/families.

CPR Training, ACLS and PALS training required within 6 months of hire.

Must provide record of a completed diploma (or equivalent) or academic transcript for those areas performing laboratory testing.

$38.30 - $55.83

The placement of individual payrate within the above range is determined by experience and internal equity.

Location: ECU Health Medical Center - ECMO Program

Hours: This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week.

Shift: Rotating shifts to include 12 hour work shifts, 8 hour education or administrative shifts.

Weekends: Rotating

On Call: Yes

Great Benefits!!!

ECU Health Medical Center, one of four academic medical centers in North Carolina, is the 974-bed flagship hospital for ECU Health and serves as the primary teaching hospital for The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health Medical Center has achieved Magnet designation twice and provides acute and intermediate care, rehabilitation and outpatient health services to a 29-county region that is home to more than 1.4 million people.