ECMO Specialist

Where compassion meets innovation and technology and our employees are family.

General Purpose of Job:

Performs ECMO and auto transfusion practices as it relates to patient specific support and treatment plans under the direct supervision of operating surgeon, anesthesiologist, ICU attending, or perfusionist.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; employees will perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.

• Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times.
• Adheres to hospital policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines. 
• Prepares the cardiopulmonary bypass machine for open heart surgery.
• Prepares and primes the ECMO machine
• Chooses correct size of cardiopulmonary and ECMO circuit for each patient.
• Chooses patient dependent cannula sizes for each procedure.
• Monitors and maintains normal patient physiology during ECMO.
• Communicates clearly and efficiently any patient changes to ICU attending, bedside nurse, respiratory therapist and perfusion department.
• Provides autotransfusion services during and after cardiac procedure and to other parts of the hospital that may need autotransfusion services.
• Provides and/or directs the provision of blood gas analysis, activated clotting times, heparin assay analysis, hemoconcentration, and mechanical circulatory support
• Participates in quality control and research opportunities as assigned by Director of Perfusion.
• Pursue educational and leadership opportunities to enhance professional growth and clinical expertise.
• Facilitate communication between all members of the health care team.
• Completes data entry for ELSO registry in a timely manner.
• Assists with ECMO education.
• Completes ECMO staffing schedule
• Other duties as assigned.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration:

• Active RN or RRT licensure in the state of Texas
• Must maintain current CPR, ACLS, and PALS (American Heart Assoc.)

Education and/or Experience:

• Current Nursing license through the Texas Board of Nursing or current Respiratory Therapy license through the Texas Medical Board.
• Maintains CEUs for licensure
• Maintains BLS/ACLS/PALS (American Heart Assoc.)
• 3-5 years ECMO specialist experience preferred
• Preferred research background, but not necessary.