Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Specialist (ECMO) (RRT), Respiratory Therapy, PRN

Job Description:

At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.

As the region's adult academic health system, we strive for innovation and provide world-class care for not only our community, but patients from all over the world. Join our team and you'll be able to develop your skills, grow your career, build relationships with your peers and patients, and help us be a source of hope for our friends and neighbors.

UC Health is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of employment.

The Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialist is responsible for all aspects of monitoring and troubleshooting of the ECMO circuit and related equipment during the treatment period. The ECMO Specialist is also responsible for collaborating with bedside RNs, physicians, and other members of the health care team to coordinate care for these very complex patients.

Responsibilities

PATIENT POPULATION - (CLINICAL ONLY):

• Engages in population appropriate communication.
• Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.
• Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment.
• Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment and continuing care of the patient.
• Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.
• Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from, unique psychological needs or those associated with religious / cultural norms. Performs treatments, administers medication or operates equipment safely.
• Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS ON ECMO SUPPORT:

• Assess, collaborate, plan, and implement the daily ECMO plan of care with the interdisciplinary care team.
• Provide patient centered, specialized, evidence-based care to the ECMO patient Demonstrate strong critical thinking skills by making appropriate clinical decisions.
• Rapidly prioritize both planned and unplanned events, and proactively addresses actual and potential problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to prevent as well as manage risks.
• Monitor pump function throughout patient therapy while maintaining pump and circuit integrity
• Monitor circuit volume and administer products, medications, and/or volume as directed Monitor anticoagulation, electrolyte acid-base balance, and blood gas composition and adjust ECMO circuit as directed.
• Recommend appropriate changes to current patient management based on new information or changing patient status.
• Assist with logistics of cannulation and de-cannulation of patients on ECMO.
• Generate and compile appropriate documentation and charges related to ECMO Manage planned and emergent disruption of ECMO; replace circuit components under normal and emergent conditions.

CONDUCT OF POINT OF CARE DEVICES:

• Utilize EPOC for blood gas management.
• Utilize Hemocue for hemoglobin management.
• Utilize Hemochron Jr. for activated clotting time (ACT) and international normalized ratio (INR) management.
• Interpret results and make recommendations to the interdisciplinary care team.
• Operate, maintain, calibrate and perform quality control testing on all point of care laboratory equipment as per UCMC Laboratory's protocols and CLIA requirements.

CONDUCT OF TRANSPORTATION OF ECMO PATIENTS:

• Skilled in all aspects of in-house transportation.
• Skilled in all aspects of hospital to hospital transportation as needed.

MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LEVELS OF ECMO SUPPLIES:

• Replenish case carts after each use.
• Continuously monitor disposable and non-disposable supply levels; inform appropriate personnel of items that need to be ordered.
• Monitor and order medications as needed.
• Monitor and replenish point of care supplies.

PERFORM EQUIPMENT CHECKS, PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL CHECKS OF ECMO DEVICES:

• Continuously monitor equipment for signs of faulty performance.
• Inform the appropriate personnel of items that need to be serviced.
• Perform routine cleaning of heater-coolers as required.

DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING:

• Remain current and in good standing with all UCMC My Knowledge requirements.
• Remain current and in good standing with all departmental competencies.
• Remain current and in good standing with BLS certification.
• Remain current and in good standing with all other required documentation related to the ECMO Specialist role.
• Assist ECMO Coordinator with education, training, and simulation training.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Required: Associate's Degree - Respiratory Therapy.
• Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification required.
• Graduate of a CoARC approved respiratory care program. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Minimum Required: 2 Years equivalent experience - Critical Care.
• Preferred: 3 - 5 Years equivalent experience.