Respiratory Therapist, ECMO Spec

Respiratory Therapist, ECMO Spec

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The Respiratory Therapist Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Specialist (RT ECMO Specialist) is a licensed advanced respiratory care practitioner with advanced training in extracorporeal life support, responsible for the operation and management of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) devices and care of patients being supported with ECMO based on established policies and procedures and physician/advanced practice provider (APP) order.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level:

• Operates the ECMO device and manages ECMO-related care for neonatal, pediatric, and adult ECMO including, but not limited to: ECMO circuit set up, priming, and initiation of ECMO support; adjustment of ECMO flow, gases, and temperature; accessing the ECMO circuit for laboratory studies, drug, fluid, and blood administration, ultrafiltration, dialysis, and apheresis; continuous ECMO and patient data monitoring and interpretation including hemodynamics, ECMO parameters, labs, and imaging; patient and circuit assessments, care, and maintenance; emergency interventions to any part of the ECMO circuitry including ECMO catheters.
• Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients with multiple or complex conditions in which ECMO may be indicated; ECMO physiology including effects of congenital anatomical defects and palliations, various cannulation strategies and support modalities and impact of additional cardiopulmonary support devices.
• Ensures appropriate ECMO patient care, anticipating, identifying and correcting problems associated with any ECMO procedures or technology and collaborates with the care team to deliver superior patient care including the knowledge, clinical and communication skills to direct and deliver critical troubleshooting and emergency response for patients on ECMO support; functions independently following standing orders and ECMO policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Coordinates activities such as turns, baths, dressing changes, diagnostic testing, procedures, and patient mobility with the care team to directly support and maintain patency of the cannulae as well as stability of cardiopulmonary support while patient is undergoing ECMO.
• Actively participates in ECMO patient rounds to share information and determine appropriateness of patient care plans; maintains communication with ECMO Leadership Team regarding concerns and variances as well as any ECMO patient complications; utilizes the ECMO electronic record to maintain ongoing complete and detailed documentation of patient and ECMO parameters; provides family/parental education and reinforces medical counseling initiated by the physician and advanced practice provider team; provides a clear and concise end of shift report for oncoming ECMO Specialist regarding ECMO settings, patient status, and patient care plans; provide orientation, education and training for Duke residents and fellows, interdisciplinary partners in assigned units, new hires, and students. Supports ECMO team quality improvement initiatives and research through the collection of ECMO-related data, preparation, and presentation of research abstracts and/or other documentation. Contributes to the maintenance of the environment of care including cleanliness and stocking.
• Maintains all competencies and continuing education requirements as set forth by the Department of Respiratory Care Services, the Duke ECMO Program, Duke University Hospital, and the State of North Carolina including competence in all responsibilities of the Respiratory Care Practitioner Advanced as RT ECMO Specialists will be floated to assist respiratory care practitioners as assigned during times of low ECMO census.

Required Qualifications at this Level:

Education:

• Completion of a two-year CoARC approved respiratory care program (Associates Degree or equivalent) required.
• Bachelor Degree preferred.

Experience:

• Two years' experience in clinical respiratory therapy, including one-year experience in intensive care respiratory required.
• ECMO experience preferred.
• Experience working in a team environment and excellent communication skills.
• Computer skills required, prior experience with electronic medical record systems preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership, effective communicator, and excellent critical thinking skills.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• North Carolina State Licensure required. ECMO verification required within 90 days of hire.
• Registry (RRT) by the National Association for Respiratory Care (NBRC), required.
• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS), required.
• AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), required.
• AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), required.
• ELSO Adult ECMO Practitioner Certification (E-AEC) required within 12 months for current teammates. New hires, or those transferring into the role will have 12 months from their hire or transfer date, into the ECMO Specialist role.
• Once released (anticipated date January, 2025), the ELSO Pediatric ECMO Practitioner Certification (E-PEC) will be required within 12 months for current teammates. New hires, or those transferring into the role will have 12 months from their hire or transfer date, into the ECMO Specialist role.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge necessary to make appropriate clinical decisions and interaction relative to the specific age of a patient.
• Skills validation/competencies for the duties and responsibilities required for a Respiratory Care Practitioner, Advanced Skills validation/competencies for the duties and responsibilities required for an ECMO Specialist.
• Maintain ECMO Continuing Education requirements as specified by the State of North Carolina Respiratory Care Board as well as the Duke ECMO Program including attendance and participation in specified continuing education activities, competencies, and minimum direct ECMO patient care hours.
• Ability to work flexible hours, which may include days, evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends and on-call.
• Ability to adapt to unpredictable situations within the work setting.
• Ability to triage and prioritize multiple priorities in high acuity patient care.
• Must maintain annual safety/compliance requirements.
• Must maintain North Carolina annual license requirements for CEUs.
• Work may require lifting or pushing in excess of 50 pounds.
• Work requires walking, running, climbing, and bending.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.