Registered Nurse ECMO Specialist Clinical Expanded

Job Description

The ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) nurse specialist is a highly skilled nurse responsible for Mechanical Circulatory Support. The ECMO Nurse Specialist operates and maintains ECMO machines to provide life‑saving support for critically ill patients, ensuring continuous monitoring and assessment of the ECMO circuit, patient status, and related technology to deliver optimal patient care in collaboration with critical care nursing teams. This position requires specialized clinical expertise, leveraging extensive knowledge and advanced skills to provide consultation, education, and research within the ECMO specialty.

• Advanced clinical leadership role supporting ECMO services and critically ill patients
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams including intensivists, surgeons, and perfusion specialists
• Opportunity to lead, educate, and mentor staff in a high‑acuity environment
• Exposure to cutting‑edge therapies and complex critical care cases
• Strong culture focused on clinical excellence, innovation, and teamwork
• Ongoing professional development and leadership growth opportunities

No call shifts or on‑call requirement.

• Identify critical values, interpret data, and enter key points into the ELSO registry.
• Initiate, maintain, and troubleshoot ECMO circuits, partnering with critical care nursing for patient care.
• Set up, operate, and manage ECMO machines during procedures.
• Monitor and adjust ECMO circuit settings as per ECMO physician's parameters.
• Continuously monitor patients receiving ECMO therapy, adjusting settings as needed.
• Assess cardiopulmonary status, recommend administration of blood products, fluids, and medications.
• Maintain ECMO equipment and troubleshoot issues effectively.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team, consult with ECMO physicians, educate staff, document patient information, and participate in research and quality improvement initiatives.

• Nursing
• Life Support
• Patient Care
• Acute Care
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Nursing Process
• BLS for Healthcare Providers
• Patient Care Coordination

• Current RN license in state of practice
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution (degree will be verified). Registered Nurses (RNs) hired or promoted into this role must obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within four years of their hire or promotion date. If there is an existing education agreement, that agreement will take precedence.
• BLS Certification for healthcare providers.
• Unit specific certification as required (i.e., ACLS, PALS, etc.).
• ELSO ECMO Specialist Certification required within one year of starting in role. Required to complete initial training of 40 hours of didactic and 40 hours of hands‑on training. Along with ongoing quarterly education according to ELSO standards.
• 2 years of clinical nursing experience.
• Experience in assigned clinical area.
• Leadership and mentoring experience.
• Basic computer skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing.

• Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.
• Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, medication preparation, etc.
• Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients. Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.
• Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment. This includes pushing/pulling gurneys and portable equipment, including heavy items. Often required to navigate crowded…