ECMO Specialist - RT, Full Time

  • Full-time
  • Job Shift: Night Job (3rd)

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The ECMO Specialist - RT reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities:

  • Monitors, operates, and adjusts ECMO circuits and the components to maintain patient specific parameters.
  • Continually assess and evaluate ECMO circuit and troubleshoot any difficulties.
  • Assist team members with cannulation and responds to eCPR, SHOCK, and lung rescue calls.
  • Able to set up and prime ECMO circuits independently.
  • Completed shift audit of not in use circuits and equipment to ensure seamless deployment.
  • Competent in troubleshooting skills within circuit.
  • Independent intra/inter hospital transport as part of interdisciplinary.
  • Confidently differentiate physiology for VV and VA ECMO indications.
  • Partner with ECMO Coordinators and Physician Leadership to advance the ECMO program within and across NM system.
  • Assist in staff training and competencies and quality and outcome review to ensure alignment with the ELSO guidelines.
  • Adheres to established system policies and procedures related to ECMO management.
  • Acts as a resource to the interdisciplinary team for safe management of ECMO circuit.
  • Establish connection for CRRT to the ECMO Circuit.
  • Maintain scheduled pre and post oxygenator gases and necessary laboratory monitoring.
  • Complete required shift documentation regarding patients progress.
  • Completes necessary billing documents and data capture for database management and improvement of quality outcome measurement.
  • Maintains and completes necessary bi-annual competencies and trainings per ELSO guidelines.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board of Respiratory Care.
  • Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) - Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (within three months of hire).
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association.
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association (for adult care therapists within 30 days of hire).
  • Associate's degree in Applied Science (AAS) - Respiratory Therapy.

Preferred:

  • 2 years of CTICU experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree (BS) or Master’s degree (MS) in respiratory care.
  • Adult Critical Specialist (ACCS) - National Board of Respiratory Care.
  • 1 year as NM Respiratory therapist role if prior Respiratory experience; if novice, 2 years minimum experience. 
  • Completion of basic NM ECMO training (inclusive of 24 hours of classroom learning and didactics and at the elbow preceptorship per ELSO guidelines). 

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.