Respiratory Therapist, ECMO

UChicago Medicine•Chicago, IL

3h•$51 - $60•Onsite

About The Position

We're hiring an Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support/ECMO Specialist (with a background in respiratory therapy) for the Clinical & Procedural department for a Full-Time, Nights shift at the University of Chicago Medicine in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL. Join one of the nation’s most comprehensive academic medical centers, University of Chicago Medicine, in a patient-centric role as the Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support/ECMO Specialist with our Clinical & Procedural Services division. Our employees deliver world-class care in an environment where opinions are respected, decision-making is rewarded and teamwork is the order of the day. Our staff are encouraged to achieve their career goals, which in turn benefits all of our patients and the University of Chicago Medicine as a whole.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of respiratory therapy
At least one year of recent pediatric/neonatal critical care experience
Certification in Respiratory Therapy or registration in respiratory therapy from the NBRC

Nice To Haves

One year of ECMO experience preferred

Responsibilities

Providing direct patient care to neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients requiring extracorporeal life support
Preparing life support systems according to case and age appropriateness
Assisting the surgeons with initiation of AMCS/ECMO support in emergent situations
Implementing, operating, managing, troubleshooting the life support system
Functioning independently following standing AMCS/ECMO orders and parameters under the direction of a surgeon and the supervision of the AMCS/ECMO Manager
Assessing patients and equipment continuously during support
Providing patient support by continuous monitoring during surgical procedures
Managing the extracorporeal circuit and diagnosing complications of extracorporeal physiology
Maintaining communication with managing surgeons
Troubleshooting equipment as necessary
Documenting patient care related activities
Ensuring pump supplies and emergency equipment are readily available at all times
Discontinuing support as directed by surgery team
Cleaning equipment
Other duties as assigned
Working in high stress situations and communicate effectively with a multidisciplinary team
Working collaboratively with physicians and nurses in determining the best management of AMCS/ECMO equipment usage
Managing and maintaining all AMCS/ECMO equipment on flight and ground transports
Set up and prime ECMO circuits
Proficient in assisting MD with set up and initiation of ECMO
Monitors and manages patients that are receiving ECMO
Evaluates interventions and collaborates with care team members to make changes as necessary
Collaborates with the care team, and multi-disciplinary team to assure appropriate, safe, cost-effective, timely and efficient care
Assures that comprehensive documentation of the patients ECMO course is done each shift
Has knowledge of and utilizes appropriate patient care protocols relating to the physical needs of neonatal, and pediatric patients
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge base in area of clinical specialty
When there are no ECMO needs during your scheduled shift, technician will be required to staff in the neonatal/pediatric respiratory department
Demonstrates reliability and responsibility to the ECMO program
Attends and participates in meetings as requested
Provides support to peers by assisting as needed, being a resource person and working as a team member
Demonstrates awareness and compliance with hospital policies and procedures
Communicates effectively with patients, families, and other staff members
Assumes responsibility for professional and personal actions
Assumes responsibility for maintaining own competency and continuing education in area of specialization and in professional practice
Participates in educational offerings for all ECMO specialists and RT throughout the Children’s Hospital
Attends relevant workshops, conferences and seminars locally and nationally
Disseminates professional contributions in lectures, seminars and publications
Belongs to appropriate professional and/or specialty organizations
Participates within professional organizations to improve patient care
Performs other duties as requested by senior management