Lead Respiratory Therapist-ECMO Specialist

BMC Software•Boston, MA

5d•$50 - $67•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist-ECMO Specialist (Lead RRT-ES) position provides oversight, consistency, and acts as a resource for all areas of the Respiratory Care Service during the assigned shift at Boston Medical Center (BMC). This role also involves providing clinical service as an ECMO Specialist. The Lead RRT-ES is a technical specialist trained to manage the ECMO system, including the blood pump, tubing, artificial oxygenator, and related equipment. Under qualified medical direction, the Lead RRT-ES is responsible for the clinical needs of the patient on ECMO, which includes maintaining normal acid-base balance, oxygenation, and ventilation; administering blood and blood by-products; delivering medication; and maintaining appropriate anticoagulation. The position also participates in hospital initiatives and projects. The Lead RRT-ES serves as the expert contact for all professional disciplines regarding respiratory care matters, assures appropriate performance of shift personnel, and ensures effective implementation of the respiratory care service, policies, and procedures. They are responsible for the appropriate administration of pulmonary therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and the setup, operation, monitoring, and management of various respiratory equipment for patients of all ages with cardiopulmonary system deficiencies and abnormalities.

Requirements

Graduate of a 2 year Associate’s Degree, CoARC approved Respiratory Therapy Program.
Successfully complete an ELSO approved ECMO specialist course.
Maintains active license, credentials, and certifications by obtaining the minimum CEU requirements.
Licensed Respiratory Therapist by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health by start date.
Registered Respiratory Therapist by start date.
Active member of American Association of Respiratory Care by start date.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification for Healthcare Workers by AHA or American Red Cross by start date.
Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS)-Completed within 6 months of hire.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)-Completed within 6 months of hire.
Minimum of 5 years of recent, clinical preferred experience.
Maintains skills as a respiratory therapist and ECMO specialist and remains current with education and training programs.
Provides direct patient care and is responsible for duties and skills as a licensed, registered respiratory therapist.
Cleans and set up ventilators and other equipment as needed to ensure availability of equipment.
Monitors and orders supplies as needed.
Demonstrated ability as an effective leader including effective communication, education, and mentorship.
Works independently to stay educated and well versed on standards of respiratory care practice, new treatment methods and current evidence based practice by reading current peer reviewed literature attending courses and workshops related to respiratory care, critical care medicine and pulmonary physiology.
Effective verbal and written communication skills in a multidisciplinary environment and appropriate to the patient populations served.
Experience in educational program design, delivery and measurement of learning outcomes.
Self-directed, self-starter able to implement new programs.
Organizational skills to set priorities and efficiently complete assigned workload.
Physical ability to meet core job responsibilities in accordance with practice setting demands for the patient populations regularly served.
Ability to manage stress due to critical patient care issues, changing organizational climate and personnel issues.
Ability to promote the change process.
Ability to implement problem solving and creative thinking skills.
Ability to critique development of staff and provide meaningful feedback in a professional and constructive manner.
Effective at prioritizing and meeting competing demands in the healthcare setting.
Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
Expert clinical judgment to function independently in an advanced clinical role.
Must have a minimum of an A.S. Degree in Respiratory Therapy and successful completion of an ELSO approved ECMO specialist course.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree preferred.
Previous experience with ELSO approved ECMO specialist course preferred.
Current certification as an ECMO Specialist preferred.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred, not required.
Prior Lead or Supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensures the services provided by the respiratory care department is patient centered.
Leads by example providing exceptional care without exception.
Acts as a role model in providing high quality, comprehensive, and culturally relevant health care.
Meets or exceeds patient expectations for service with respect and empathy.
Actively contributes to creating a friendly, welcoming, and safe environment for all BMC patients.
Communicates clearly to ensure understanding.
Responds to complaints and concerns by resolving issues immediately whenever possible.
Organizes work process to accommodate patient needs, including internal patients and co-workers.
Serves as the team leader during shifts when assigned to this role and acts as an administrative point of contact when no member of the management team is physically present on site.
Provides technical and clinical direction in all aspects of respiratory care including adult, pediatric, neonatal, and ambulatory services.
Assures appropriate performance of personnel and effective implementation of all respiratory care services according to BMC and departmental policies and procedures.
Responsible for monitoring appropriate documentation of the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of patient care.
Generates an accessible line of communication for the current shift.
Establishes, monitors and adjusts staffing patterns as necessary.
Maintains equal and fair workload distribution and delegation.
Communicates effectively with hospital employees at all levels, including members of the health care team, staff nurses, nursing leadership, physicians, and other organizational members.
Is an expert resource on all respiratory care related equipment and modalities, including high-level, advanced strategies and procedures.
Point of contact for all departments regarding any respiratory-related, patient care matters on any given shift.
Conducts daily huddle for oncoming shift providing insight on organizational acuity and departmental updates.
Reinforces productivity expectations of the respiratory care leadership team.
Assures attendance at patient rounds by covering staff when practical and follows up with staff regarding updates in patient condition and plan.
Assures appropriate staff documentation and data collection of the quality, effectiveness and efficiency expected of BMC patient care.
Assures appropriate and safe patient care according to departmental policies and procedures through quality control audits.
Rounds through each area of the hospital monitoring patient conditions, assuring appropriate operation of equipment and providing point of care education.
Reinforces, monitors, and evaluates quality improvement/research initiatives to enhance delivery of care including but not limited to, collecting data, analyzing results, and assuring staff compliance.
Assists in development, revision, and implementation of protocols, clinical pathways, policies, and procedures including training and competence.
Assists in direct clinical orientation of new staff in equipment needs, assessments and evaluations.
Identifies and resolves equipment/supply issues.
Provides the leadership team with recommendations and/or action plans regarding staffing and work flow issues.
Provides the respiratory care leadership team with feedback on staff performance and recommendations.
Participates in organizing and implementing skills days.
Participates in providing education to other members of the healthcare team including but not limited to nursing and physician staff.
Attends scheduled staff meetings or, if unable, accepts responsibility for reading staff meeting minutes.
Attends leadership meetings as organized by the respiratory care leadership team.
Protects the confidentiality of all Boston Medical Center information (patients, visitors and employees).
Adheres and complies with Joint Commission, Department of Public Health and other regulatory agencies.
Adheres and complies with department, Infection Control and all other Boston Medical Center policies and procedures.
Keeps informed of all pertinent federal, state and organizational regulations, laws, and policies as they presently exist and as they change or are modified.
Performs all duties required of a registered respiratory therapist at Boston Medical Center.
Performs all other related responsibilities as assigned by the respiratory care leadership team.
Performs other duties pertaining to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) as described below.
Supports and trains staff on ECMO procedures and devices and ensures all ECMO-associated equipment is properly maintained.
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to support patients, physicians, respiratory therapists and nursing staff to ensure the effective utilization of ECMO services.
Works independently and collaboratively, while exercising judgment and initiative to ensure all ECMO patient’s needs related to the equipment are met.
Coordinates activity needs of clinical resources for use of ECMO in patient care areas with an emphasis on safety.
Operates ECMO devices in the clinical environment.
Participates in device support from implantation through removal.
Maintains equipment and supplies in a complete state of readiness and assures that all routine maintenance and calibrations are performed as scheduled.
Acts as a consultant/resource for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other health care team members on the ECMO devices.
Is an active partner with the multidisciplinary team in the evaluation of care delivered.
Trains clinical staff involved in the care of ECMO patients in the operation and care of the ECMO devices; includes operation and trouble-shooting.
Assists with the transport of patients with ECMO devices.
Assists the nursing staff with patient care responsibilities at the bedside and crisis interventions.
Records/collects data and prepares documentation required by the FDA, device manufacturers, and ELSO registry.
Contacts vendors regarding equipment-related issues.
Serves as a consultant regarding new product evaluation and purchases.
Maintains current knowledge of regulations, laws, and standards which apply to ECMO instrumentation.
Remains current in application of technology through personal study, individual contacts or professional organizations, and attending conferences and training sessions.
Provides 24/7 coverage to support ECMO patients in the hospital.
Follows all safety rules and reports accidents/patient safety incidents promptly and accurately.
Performs moderately complex testing with ACT analysis and interpretation.
Performs other duties as assigned.