ECMO Specialist Jefferson Highway

Ochsner Health•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The ECMO Specialist uses skills gained through in-house training, certification, recertification, and skills validation to deliver specialized care by operating and managing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) equipment. The role works under the supervision of the ECMO Program Manager and ECMO physicians and provides ECMO services as ordered by a physician, following established policies and procedures. The specialist participates with the healthcare team in planning and delivering patient care, monitors patient status and the ECMO circuit, maintains the ECMO pump, and manages ECMO patients. The role also identifies and corrects problems associated with ECMO procedures and collects and manages quality improvement data. Work requires adapting communication and care to the needs and privacy of each patient population, complying with applicable laws and standards, and following Ochsner’s compliance, privacy, and conduct requirements. This position requires the ability to work in patient-care settings with exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, and communicable diseases. It requires a flexible schedule, including 24/7 availability, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability, as well as the ability to travel throughout and between facilities. The position is classified as very heavy work, with physical requirements including lifting or moving objects, stooping, bending, reaching, grasping, manual dexterity, and prolonged sitting or standing. Mechanical lifting devices or team lifts should be used.

Requirements

Associate degree in Nursing, completion of an AMA-approved Respiratory Care program, or Certified Clinical Perfusionist.
At least 1 year of strong critical care experience.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Current Louisiana RN license, or completion of an AMA-approved Respiratory Care program with a current Louisiana Respiratory Therapist license and active Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care, or a Certified Respiratory Therapist grandfathered by the ECMO Medical Director.
Computer skills and dexterity for data entry and information retrieval.
Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
Proficiency with Windows-style applications, role-specific software, and keyboard use.
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple tasks.
Ability to support management decisions, promote a positive work environment, and manage stress while maintaining a professional demeanor with physicians, coworkers, patients, and families.
Ability to communicate effectively with ECMO physicians and healthcare team members.
Sound judgment in assessing patient and family needs and analytical skills to interpret medical test results and act within parameters defined by the ECMO physician.
Ability to meet very heavy physical demands, including exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and more than 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to stoop, bend, reach, grasp, use manual dexterity, sit or stand for prolonged periods, and travel throughout and between facilities.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including 24/7, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability.
Ability to work in patient-care areas and accept routine exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, and potential communicable diseases.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
1 year of pediatric or neonatal experience.

Responsibilities

Assess and plan the daily ECMO course with the healthcare team.
Manage ECMO patients.
Manage and maintain the ECMO pump.
Monitor the patient’s status and ECMO circuit and identify and correct problems associated with ECMO procedures.
Provide ECMO services as ordered by a physician and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Collect and manage quality improvement data.
Adapt care and communication to the needs of the patient population, including respecting privacy, introducing oneself appropriately, explaining services or procedures, requesting permission, and adapting communication style.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements and ensure compliance.
Comply with Ochsner Health System’s Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including promptly reporting suspected unethical or questionable conduct and safety, privacy, or other compliance concerns.
Perform other related duties as required.