ECMO Specialist, Procirca (Pinnacle)

UPMC • Harrisburg, PA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

UPMC Procirca is seeking a casual ECMO Specialist to provide services at Pinnacle Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and other UPMC hospitals as assigned. Under the supervision of a licensed physician and according to prescribed procedures, the ECMO Specialist supports and treats patients’ cardiopulmonary systems. The role involves advanced technical work in selecting, preparing, operating, and maintaining ECMO circuits and accessory equipment, including heater/cooler equipment.

Work is primarily in intensive care units and operating rooms, with possible assignments elsewhere in the hospital and during internal or external critical transport by air or ground. The Specialist travels between UPMC hospitals to deliver ECMO services and participates in a rotating on-call schedule under institutional policy. This casual-status position involves flexible 12-hour shifts, with at least one shift every two weeks.

Requirements

• Be a registered nurse, certified clinical perfusionist, or registered respiratory therapist.
• Have at least 4 years of clinical experience, including 2 or more years in ECMO care, with advanced knowledge and proficiency.
• Hold a current Pennsylvania license as a registered nurse, respiratory therapist, or perfusionist, or applicable multistate licensure under the Nursing Licensure Compact.
• Hold a current Pennsylvania driver's license.
• Have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Meet the listed role credential alternatives: American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusionist, Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT), Registered Nurse (RN), or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Meet the listed automotive insurance and Act 34 requirements.
• Complete at least one flexible 12-hour shift every two weeks and participate in the rotating on-call schedule.
• Travel between UPMC hospitals as required to provide ECMO services.

Nice To Haves

• General computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database management.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Completion of an Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO)-qualified program or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Work with medical staff to integrate appropriate technologies and clinical practices.
• Support continuing education, research, ELSO Center of Excellence requirements, and other initiatives to improve ECMO care.
• Support Procirca's internal and external contractual obligations with healthcare facilities in accordance with institutional policy.
• Provide ECMO care within the applicable scope of practice.
• Provide education to patients, families, staff, and the community.
• Participate in the institutional on-call schedule and complete associated documentation.
• Perform duties in accordance with UPMC's philosophy and standards, demonstrating courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.
• Complete required equipment maintenance checklists.
• Operate and manage ECMO circuits and components during ECMO procedures.
• Operate point-of-care laboratory equipment to evaluate arterial blood gases, CBC, and electrolytes.
• Meet applicable Joint Commission, State Department of Health, CAP, and AABB requirements.
• Support Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in conjunction with the ECMO circuit.
• Manage planned and emergent ECMO disruptions, including circuit repairs and trials off ECMO, with physician or perfusion supervision as needed.
• Maintain proficiency with accessory equipment and procedures, and records of required ECMO competency, continuing education, and bedside ECMO hours.
• Make appropriate therapy changes after consulting with attending physicians.
• Assess vital signs, hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, SvO2, oxygen delivery, CO2 removal, and other factors related to systemic oxygen supply and demand; adjust support accordingly.
• Collaborate with the patient care team, including attending physicians, fellows, and bedside RNs, to address abnormal laboratory values.
• Attend meetings and support committee work to improve ECMO care.
• At UPMC facilities, participate in coverage and call for STAT MedEvac responsibilities under institutional policy.
• At UPMC facilities, serve as an instructor for UPMC School of Cardiovascular Perfusion students under institutional policy.
• Assist with land and air transportation of ECMO patients under institutional policy.
• Assist the Perfusion/ECMO Director with monthly reports on clinical activity, quality improvement, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.
• Assist team members with cannulation, ECMO initiation, decannulation, and procedures.
• Assist with evaluations of new equipment and supplies.
• Assist with system-wide policy and procedure guidelines, performance management, clinical competency, and continuing education programs.
• Administer medications, blood components, and anesthetic agents under attending physician supervision.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed