Elite ECMO Specialist — Critical Care Life Support

UF Health; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Gainesville, Florida, is seeking an experienced ECMO Specialist to join their high-acuity Critical Care team. This role focuses on providing advanced ECMO management for patients requiring life-sustaining support. Ideal candidates include ICU Registered Nurses or Respiratory Therapists with a strong background in managing high-acuity cardiopulmonary life support, demonstrating calmness under pressure and a commitment to clinical excellence. Competitive compensation and supportive professional development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years ICU experience required.
• Preferred: 1+ year ECMO Specialist experience with formal primer training.
• Required certifications: BLS, ACLS, and PALS.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot ECMO circuits and related equipment.
• Support hemodynamic stability and manage anticoagulation.
• Participate in ground and air ECMO transports.

Skills

Advanced knowledge of hemodynamics

Crisis management skills

Strong background in CVICU/CTICU

Education

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program

Registered Nurse program

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced ECMO Specialist to join our high-acuity Critical Care team. This role provides advanced Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) management for neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients requiring life-sustaining cardiopulmonary support.

The ECMO Specialist independently manages ECMO circuits, monitors patient hemodynamics, and collaborates with intensivists, surgeons, and bedside nurses to ensure optimal perfusion, oxygenation, and acid-base balance.
This is an ideal opportunity for experienced ICU Registered Nurses (RN) or Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) seeking advanced practice in extracorporeal life support within a high-performing program.

Responsibilities

ECMO Circuit & Patient Management

• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot ECMO circuits and related equipment
• Maintain circuit integrity and ensure patient safety
• Manage anticoagulation, blood products, and medication delivery
• Support hemodynamic stability and perfusion within ordered parameters
• Manage CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) when integrated with ECMO
• Respond rapidly to emergencies and mechanical complications

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Partner with ICU nurses, physicians, perfusionists, and respiratory teams
• Facilitate safe mobility and participation in Physical/Occupational Therapy
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and care planning

ECMO Transport

• Participate in ground, helicopter, and fixed-wing ECMO transports
• Provide advanced extracorporeal life support during interfacility transfers

Quality & Program Development

• Perform quality assurance, preventive maintenance, and equipment checks
• Contribute to quality improvement and benchmarking initiatives
• Assist ECMO Medical Director and Coordinator with program optimization
• Maintain ongoing professional development and ECMO education

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Graduate of an accredited:
• Respiratory Therapy program (RRT – Florida license required)

- OR -

• Registered Nurse program (RN – Florida license required)

Experience

• Minimum 2 years ICU experience
• Preferred: 1+ year ECMO Specialist experience with formal primer training

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – within 6 weeks of hire
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) – within 6 weeks of hire

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong background in CVICU, CTICU, PICU, NICU, or Medical ICU
• Advanced knowledge of hemodynamics, perfusion, and acid-base balance
• Confident managing high-acuity cardiopulmonary life support
• Calm under pressure with strong crisis management skills
• Committed to clinical excellence and continuous improvement