ECMO Program Coordinator

CommonSpirit Health•Phoenix, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The ECMO Program Coordinator provides specialized critical care and life support for patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure and ensures optimal function of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems. The role includes managing ECMO circuits, monitoring patient physiological parameters, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to provide continuous, compassionate support. In collaboration with ECMO medical staff leadership, the coordinator oversees general program operations, quality monitoring, education, and competency validation. The coordinator develops and maintains program processes, policies, procedures, metrics, educational materials, order sets, and data monitoring, ensuring accuracy and compliance with ELSO guidelines and regulatory requirements. The role includes reviewing cases and care modalities, advising on patient selection, coordinating staff education, and maintaining program readiness to achieve ELSO Center of Excellence recognition. The coordinator provides leadership to multidisciplinary staff, supports performance improvement and safety initiatives, and serves as a liaison among departments and facilities. Ongoing communication and collaboration with Medical Directors are required.

Requirements

Bachelor of Nursing.
Two years of ICU experience.
American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
Basic Life Support (BLS) - CPR.

Nice To Haves

Three years of critical care experience.

Responsibilities

Oversee ECMO Program operations in collaboration with ECMO Medical Staff Leadership, including program coordination, quality monitoring, education, and competency validation.
Plan, develop, implement, coordinate, evaluate, and administer care provided to ECMO patients.
Provide leadership to multidisciplinary staff in support of professional and program goals and the organization’s mission and vision.
Serve as a liaison between departments and facilities, meeting with their management to coordinate care for ECMO patients.
Provide clinical consultation and guidance on patient selection based on ELSO guidelines.
Review patients for appropriate modality of care and recommend whether they meet criteria for therapy.
Select and administer appropriate care based on each patient’s age, size, developmental level, clinical needs, and physiological needs.
Develop and help administer detailed ECMO processes, policies, and procedures.
Develop metrics to assess the success of new and established processes.
Keep policies, procedures, order sets, educational materials, and data monitoring accurate and current.
Review each ECMO case and address quality, safety, equipment, clinical, or staffing concerns.
Ensure ECMO activities comply with regulatory requirements and maintain the program at a level that supports achieving the ELSO Center of Excellence Award.
Coordinate ECMO staff orientation, continuing education, and clinical competency validation in accordance with ELSO guidelines.
Provide education, including a wet lab, if there has been no patient within 90 days, to maintain competency.
Maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with Medical Directors.
Manage ECMO circuits, monitor patient physiological parameters, and troubleshoot technical issues.
Institute and participate in quality and safety initiatives, research concerns, develop solutions, and keep performance improvement initiatives current and compliant with ELSO guidelines and recommendations.