What are the responsibilities and job description for the ECMO Specialist position at SpecialtyCare Associate Referral Program?
As an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) Specialist you will operate and maintain ECMO circuits for patients requiring long-term pulmonary and/or cardiopulmonary support. The ECMO Specialist functions interdependently following standing ECMO orders and parameters under the direction and clinical supervision by of an ECMO physician.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist the physician, perfusionist and/or other clinical staff members with initiation of ECMO, the course and conduct of ECMO, and the conclusion of ECMO and any related therapies therein including but not limited to circuit or component changes, priming, blood bank communications, medication administration as licensure permits, and hemofiltration as examples.
- Demonstrate a culture of safety through a hand-off of the ECMO patient covering all aspects of the patient’s care and the state of the ECMO circuit.
- Provide a detailed examination of the circuit to ensure its integrity, while written parameters and a plan of care are worked out during rounds.
- Ensure the continuity of the ECMO circuit as a whole, keeping it safe and secure during patient handling. Reducing the risks of circuit compromise by regular assessments is ongoing.
- Assess blood gas values, anticoagulation parameters and other laboratory values and work within a prescribed set of parameters and guidelines to maintain the patient in an optimal state of well-being.
- Monitor anticoagulation, analgesics, inotropes and other infusions are titrated, blood products are ordered and given, and the ECMO pump flow and oxygenator gas flow adjusted as needed.
- Lives the SpecialtyCare Values- Integrity, Care, Urgency, and Improvement.
Qualifications:
Must possess one of the following education backgrounds, credentials and experience as an ECMO Specialist:
- Registered Nurse (RN) – holds either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited education program. Has an active RN license to practice.
- Respiratory Therapist (RT)– holds either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited education program and current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Perfusion and a certification from American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion or meets other Company requirements as a Perfusionist (CCP).
- Demonstrates a superior working knowledge of ECMO therapy including but not limited to the ECMO circuit and pump, adjustments to pump flow, sweep flow, FiDO2, anticoagulation therapy to maintain parameters within limits set by the physician, point of care testing, patient monitoring systems, and related policies and procedure guidelines.
Benefits
SpecialtyCare is committed to supporting professional growth for our associates. Each associate is allocated funds for continuing education, membership fees, and dues for professional associations. We also provide tuition reimbursement or tuition repayment assistance. We provide a full benefits package including a matching 401K and generous PTO plan. We also cover the cost of maintaining certification and licensure.