About the position
UPMC Procirca is seeking a dedicated and skilled ECMO Specialist to join their team at Children's Hospital. This full-time position involves performing advanced technical work under the supervision of a licensed physician, focusing on the support and treatment of the cardiopulmonary system of patients. The ECMO Specialist will be responsible for the selection, preparation, operation, and maintenance of the ECMO circuit and accessory equipment, including the heater/cooler. The primary work areas will be the intensive care units and operating room, with the potential to provide ECMO services throughout the hospital and during critical transport, both internally and externally by air and ground. The role requires travel between UPMC Hospitals to deliver ECMO services as per institutional policy, and participation in a rotating on-call schedule is also expected. The ECMO Specialist will work three 12-hour shifts per week, alternating between days and nights, and will be required to work every other weekend. This position offers an opportunity to be part of a team that integrates the best technologies and clinical practices in ECMO care, while also supporting continuing education and research initiatives. The ECMO Specialist will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with various healthcare standards and will be involved in the education of patients, families, and staff regarding ECMO procedures and care.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with medical staff to integrate best technologies and clinical practices.
- Support continuing education and research.
- Support ELSO Center of Excellence requirements.
- Support other Procirca initiatives determined to improve ECMO care.
- Support Procirca internal and external contractual obligations with various healthcare facilities per institutional policy.
- Safely conduct ECMO care scope of practice.
- Provide patient, family, staff, and community education.
- Participate in on-call schedule per institutional policy.
- Perform documentation associated with described responsibilities.
- Perform duties and responsibilities according to the philosophy and standards of UPMC, including conveying courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude in work situations with patients, peers, medical staff, and visitors.
- Perform equipment maintenance checklists as required.
- Operate and manage ECMO circuits and their components during ECMO procedures.
- Operate point-of-care laboratory requirement to evaluate changes in ABGs, CBC, and electrolytes.
- Meet compliance with Joint Commission, State Department of Health, CAP, and AABB.
- Support Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in conjunction with the ECMO circuit.
- Manage planned and emergent disruptions of ECMO, such as circuit repairs and trials off ECMO (with physician/perfusion supervision as needed).
- Maintain proficiency with accessory equipment and procedures.
- Maintain record of required ECMO competency, continuing education, and bedside ECMO hours.
- Make appropriate changes in therapy after consultation with the attending physician(s).
- Continually assess vital signs, hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, SvO2, optimize oxygen delivery, CO2 removal, and other factors related to systemic oxygen supply/demand, and adjust support accordingly.
- Collaborate with patient care team (attending physician, fellows, bedside RN) to correct abnormal lab values.
- Attend meetings and support committee work to improve ECMO care.
- At UPMC facilities, participate with coverage and call for STAT MedEvac responsibilities per institutional policy.
- At UPMC facilities, serve as instructor to UPMC School of Cardiovascular Perfusion students per institutional policy.
- Assist with transportation of ECMO patients by land and air per institutional policy.
- Assist Perfusion/ECMO Director with monthly reports on clinical activity, quality improvement, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.
- Assist team members with cannulation, initiation of ECMO support, decannulation, and procedures.
- Assist with new equipment and supply evaluations.
- Assist with system-wide policy and procedure guidelines, performance management, clinical competency, and continuing education programs.
- Administer medications, blood components, and anesthetic agents under the supervision of the attending physicians.
Requirements
- Registered Nurse, Certified Clinical Perfusionist, or Registered Respiratory Therapist with a minimum of 4 years of clinical experience, of which 2 or more years are in ECMO care, demonstrating advanced knowledge and proficiency.
Nice-to-haves
- General computer skills to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database management.
- Demonstrated evidence of strong and effective interpersonal, written, and oral communications.
- Completion of an Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) qualified program (or equivalent).
Benefits
- Generous benefits package
- Expansive total rewards package
- Opportunity to grow your career
