Registered Respiratory Therapist -ECMO Specialist- (Day, 7am-7pm)

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

44d•Onsite

About The Position

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist-ECMO Specialist (RRT-ES) to provide respiratory care services in accordance with department policies. This role involves administering, monitoring, controlling, and evaluating complex life support systems for acutely or chronically ill patients. The RRT-ES is a technical specialist trained to manage the ECMO system, including the blood pump, tubing, artificial oxygenator, and related equipment. Under medical direction, the ECMO Specialist is responsible for the clinical needs of the patient on ECMO, including maintaining acid-base balance, oxygenation, and ventilation; administering blood products; delivering medications; and maintaining appropriate anticoagulation. The position also involves participating in hospital initiatives and projects.

Requirements

Graduate of a 2 year Associate’s Degree, CoARC approved Respiratory Therapy Program.
Must have successfully completed a BMC approved ECMO Specialist training course with ongoing continuing education and competency.
Maintains active license, credentials, and certifications by obtaining the minimum CEU requirements.
Licensed Respiratory Therapist by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health or ability to obtain MA license prior to starting.
Registered Respiratory Therapist by start date.
Active member of American Association of Respiratory Care.
Basic Life Support (BLS) by start date.
Requires a minimum of two years as a Respiratory Therapist.
Knowledge of basic medical terminology required.
Demonstrated knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Pulmonary Physics, pulmonary Pathophysiology, Advanced Respiratory Care, Mathematics, Blood Gas Chemistry, and Pharmacology at a level generally acquired through completion of a two year AMA approved program in Respiratory Therapy.
Demonstrated ability to read and communicate in English language.
Must have the ability to prioritize tasks and effectively work in a team environment, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Requires a caring and sympathetic attitude and ability to explain therapy and goals to patients and family members and to communicate effectively with other health care professionals.
Basic computer proficiency inclusive of ability to enter and access data/information.
Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality of all personal/health sensitive information.
Must have the physical ability to meet core job requirements in accordance with practice setting and demands for the patient populations regularly served.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s preferred.
Current certification as an ECMO specialist, preferred not required.

Responsibilities

Conducts Respiratory Care services according to department policy and procedure, as assigned, to ensure the quality of care provided to patients.
Reviews the patient chart and accurately interprets the physician’s orders.
Sets up appropriate equipment and medication needed for each test and therapy treatment correctly.
Administers all tests, treatments and therapy as ordered, including oxygen administration, humidity therapy, airway management, resuscitation and mechanical ventilation.
Documents every patient treatment and/or interaction administered in patient charts, noting response to therapy.
Delivers, sets up, and safely operates mechanical ventilators and monitors patients receiving mechanical ventilation.
Performs endotracheal suctioning and tracheal suctioning as needed.
Makes patient rounds according to assigned department schedules, observes patient condition, checks equipment operation, and makes adjustments as necessary.
Resolves problems and discontinues therapy as ordered.
Removes equipment from patient rooms and disassembles equipment following department policies.
Recognizes medical problems (i.e., adverse reactions to therapy), discontinues treatment if indicated, and notifies physician immediately.
Applies emergency protocols as needed, and alerts Lead Respiratory Therapist on shift.
Assists physicians with establishment and maintenance of patient airway in the event of a cardiac arrest.
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups of neo-natal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients regularly served.
Notifies Lead RRT when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.
Performs advanced Respiratory Therapy assignments.
Attends and participates, as directed, in activities of collaborative clinical committees.
Assists in development and implementation of protocols, clinical pathways, policies and procedures.
Provides in-service education to members of the healthcare team as needed.
Assists in development of quality improvement indicators, collecting data, analyzing results, and suggests corrective action.
Performs advanced clinical and technical assignments with critical care patients.
Attends, as directed, and completes Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
Assists with bronchoscopy following department policy and procedure.
Performs pulmonary function testing as directed.
Performs tracheotomy tube changes.
Performs Arterial Blood Gases punctures and/or arterial line samples.
Analyzes blood gas samples according to policy and reports results.
Performs endotracheal intubation following department policy and procedure.
Maintains clinical competency in areas of Respiratory Care.
Maintains current Massachusetts License as a Respiratory Therapist and registration by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Therapist.
Attends all mandatory continuous education classes as assigned during the year.
Assumes Lead RRT responsibilities when and as directed by department Manager.
Participates in non-assigned service related continuing education classes to ensure professional development and license requirements.
Attends all scheduled staff meetings or, if unable, accepts responsibility for reading staff meeting minutes.
Accepts membership in all assigned department or hospital committees or task forces.
Demonstrates knowledge of patient’s clinical needs and contacts appropriate personnel to meet identified needs.
Manages work time in a generally productive and reliable manner.
Ensures maintaining work area clean and organized daily.
Operates assigned equipment and performs all procedures in a safe manner as instructed.
Demonstrates proper body mechanics in all functions as required.
Conforms to hospital standards of conduct so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
Conducts interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, physicians and fellow employees in a courteous, professional and friendly manner.
Supports department operations by working harmoniously with coworkers and management when other occasional management intervention is required.
Maintains confidentiality of all personal/health sensitive information.
Utilizes hospital’s cultural beliefs as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals.
Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
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-related 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.