Ecmo Specialist

The extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) specialist is responsible for the daily operation of the ECMO program under the direction of the ECMO Coordinator for Respiratory Care. The ECMO specialist is responsible for all aspects of monitoring and troubleshooting the ECMO circuit and related equipment during the management period. They are expected to maintain and effectively assess ECMO circuit function and integrity. The ECMO specialist independently ensures administration of blood products and medication delivery is accurate and safe for all patients ranging from neonatal to geriatric. They are to work in conjunction with the bedside nurse to ensure that the patient on ECMO has adequate perfusion, corrects for proper acid-base balance and hemodynamic stability within ordered parameters, and maintains other parameters as ordered by the ECMO service. The ECMO specialist is responsible for managing CRRT when connected in-line with ECMO circuit. They perform required technical skills with efficiency, accuracy and safety while anticipating, troubleshooting and managing crises and emergency situations according to policy and procedure. The ECMO specialist performs quality control, quality assurance and preventive maintenance according to policy and procedure. The ECMO specialist assumes responsibility for continuous learning, engaging in educational activities annually or pursuing advanced academic education, while developing and achieving personal and professional goals. The ECMO specialist will maintain proactive involvement in quality improvement by the identification of issues, planning and evaluation of quality. The ECMO Specialist will assist Respiratory Care to cover staffing and/or patient care needs. They will assist the ECMO Medical Director and ECMO Coordinator in the collection/review of quality improvement initiatives, using internal and external data to benchmark with the goal of establishing best practice. The ECMO specialist will participate in domestic and international transport needs for ECMO inclusive of, but not limited to, ground, helicopter and fixed-wing flights.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy program with current State of Florida licensure as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience as an ECMO specialist.
• 2 years of experience as an ECMO specialist with primer training preferred.

Licensure/Certification/Registration:

• National Board for Respiratory Care - Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Basic Life Support
• PALS (may be obtained within 6 weeks of hire)
• ACLS (may be obtained within 6 weeks of hire)
• ECMO course completion
• Transport course completion
• RRT licensure with State of Florida