Ecmo Specialist

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) Specialist is responsible for all aspects of monitoring and troubleshooting the ECMO circuit and related equipment during ECMO therapy. The ECMO Specialist participates and collaborates with bedside RNs, physicians, perfusionists, and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate care for these very complex patients.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients with multiple and complex problems by monitoring the ECMO circuit and patient status.

3. *Works under the direction of the Surgical Director, Medical Director, Physician that inserted the ECMO and Perfusionist. Works in conjunction with bedside nurse to ensure that the ECMO patient has adequate end-organ perfusion, manages acid base balance, maintains ordered anticoagulation parameters, assesses hemodynamic stability within ordered parameters, and maintains adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

4. *Monitors and adjusts ECMO circuit settings to maintain parameters established by the ECMO Physician.

5. *Uses problem-solving skills directly related to the ECMO system to identify problems, troubleshoot, and to implement solutions.

6. Advances work knowledge by participating in continuing education inservices, reading periodicals/literature and seeking ongoing development opportunities.

7. *Keeps up to date with new developments and technologies in critical care and considers these when developing patient care plans.

8. *Promotes quality improvement initiatives and health care outcomes based on currently accepted clinical practice guidelines.

9. *Ensures ECMO competency records are current.

10. Collaborates with healthcare team to provide complete and appropriate information for complex continuum of care planning.

11. *Recommends modifications in patient management to the ECMO physician and/or Perfusionist based on the relationship between patient diagnosis and ECMO circuit and/or lab parameters.

12. Independently develops, evaluates and revises individualized, age and culture specific teaching plans for all patients and families.

13. Serves as a resource and consultant to staff and participates in endeavors to increase ECMO knowledge.

14. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk "*". Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of principles and techniques of extracorporeal support.

2. Knowledge of respiratory therapy and critical care nursing, blood management principles and life support principles and practices.

3. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

4. Skill in the operation of perfusion and related hospital equipment.

5. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

6. Ability to work under stress/emergency situations and to exercise complex analytical judgment related to work tasks.

7. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment related to changing patient needs including working with patients with acute, chronic and complex disease processes and those who are dying.

8. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

9. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

10. Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently.

11. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, volunteer and ancillary departments including diverse patient populations.

12. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Licensure to practice respiratory care in the state of Nebraska required or licensure to practice professional nursing in the state of Nebraska. Completion of an Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) compliant ECMO training program or graduation from an accredited American Medical Association (AMA) approved perfusion school required.

Two (2) years of experience as a registered advanced practitioner Respiratory Therapist, or one (1) year of experience as a registered critical care Nurse, or one (1) year experience as a perfusion specialist preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Regular exposure to hazardous wastes, hazardous diseases, and blood/bodily fluids. Occasional exposure to chemical sterilizing agents. Several hours of work without breaks. Must be able to distinguish and discriminate between colors.