HCSS Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) RN

The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare institution in Texas is seeking an experienced ECMO Specialist to coordinate clinical care for patients requiring advanced life support. The ideal candidate will have extensive clinical background, strong communication skills, and relevant licensure. The role includes responsibilities in education, patient management, and equipment oversight, specifically in high-acuity environments. This position requires two years of ICU experience or completion of an accredited training program.

Qualifications

• Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or Registered Nurse with Texas license.
• Completion of annual ECMO exam with 90%+.
• Two years of critical care experience.

Responsibilities

• Educate and train ECMO team members.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for patient management.
• Manage ECMO circuit and alarms.

Skills

Clinical competency

Communication

Manual dexterity

Education

Baccalaureate degree preferred

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner

Registered Nurse in Texas

Job description

Overview

HCSS Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) RN role at The University of Texas Medical Branch.

JOB SUMMARY: The ECMO Specialist (ES) is a licensed allied health care professional with a strong clinical background in neonatal, pediatric and/or adult critical care and advanced cardiopulmonary support. The ES has ≥ 2 years ICU experience or completion of an accredited cardiovascular perfusion training program. The ES is responsible for the coordination of clinical care for patients requiring the support of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) & mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices under the direction & supervision of credentialed ECMO and advanced heart failure physicians. The ES adheres to the policies, guidelines & best practices set forth by the director, manager & coordinator of the ECMO department. The ES plays a key role in device management, patient monitoring, emergency response, and quality improvement initiatives.

The ECMO Specialist is a competent technical specialist, preceptor & ECMO primer with experience in two high acuity clinical environments (Adult, Pediatric &/or Neonatal) and in two patient populations. The required experience to qualify includes ≥ 2 years’ experience as an ES or completion of an accredited program in cardiovascular perfusion, nursing, or respiratory therapy, plus annual drills, simulations & competency examinations, and two population orientations.

Primary location: United States-Texas-Galveston. Organization: HealthCare System Staffing. Employment type: Full-time. Shift: Standard. Job Posting: Sep 17, 2025.

Responsibilities

• Programmatic Responsibilities: Education – Collaborates with ECMO team leadership to educate, train, precept & mentor ES I & II team members. Equipment – Assists leadership with equipment maintenance, cleaning & troubleshooting of ECMO, MCS & ECMO monitoring equipment; ensures backup ECMO circuit is primed & ready for use each shift.
• Technical Specialist Responsibilities: Patient Identification – Collaborates with multidisciplinary physician teams to identify patients for ECLS or MCS therapies and partners with ECMO physicians to follow indications and contraindications per program guidelines. Initiation of Support – Prepares patient and environment for timely and safe initiation of ECLS or MCS. Patient Management & Monitoring – Includes hemodynamic monitoring, blood gas interpretation, nutrition, respiratory support, neurologic status, infection control, sedation, pain management, hematology and cardiac function. Documentation – Maintains detailed ECMO case documentation in EMR and flow sheets. Diagnostic Testing – Coordinates safe execution of diagnostic testing (x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, EEG) and transport as needed; evaluates chest x-rays for cannula and device positioning.
• Extracorporeal VAD, Percutaneously Inserted VAD, and Implanted VAD Management – Assists with insertion, troubleshooting and management of VAD devices; coordinates discontinuation and weaning under physician guidance.
• ECLS Circuit Priming, Blood Priming, Maintenance & Evaluation – Prepares, primes and maintains ECMO circuits; monitors and interprets blood gas analyses and ECMO metrics (VO2, DO2, oxygen transfer, recirculation, sweep gas). Troubleshoots circuit issues and anticoagulation management; coordinates circuit changes when indicated.
• Medication Administration & Blood Product Administration to ECMO Circuit – Administers medications per orders into the ECMO circuit; monitors pharmacokinetics and interactions; administers blood products through the circuit as guided by physicians; monitors transfusion-related effects.
• ECMO Circuit Flow Management & Alarms – Sets and interprets circuit flow and alarms; coordinates interventions with ECMO physician and care team; addresses ancillary equipment alarms as needed.
• ECMO Transport – Leads inter-facility and intra-facility ECMO transport with attention to circuit integrity and equipment readiness.
• Weaning, Withdrawal & Decannulation – Assesses readiness and coordinates safe weaning and decannulation per physician orders; supports end-of-life decisions as appropriate.

Emergency Responses

The ECMO Specialist must master emergency response skills through drills to minimize loss of flow and reduce risk during interruptions of extracorporeal life support. Drills cover power failure, equipment failure, blood pump failures, air entrainment, cannula dislodgement, cannula malpositioning, uncontrolled hemorrhage, ACLS/PALS/BLS adaptation, circuit exchange, and other ECMO-system emergencies with expectations for rapid coordination and safe intervention.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Satisfactory maintenance of clinical competencies for the position level
• Completion of annual ECMO exam with 90%+ and required special procedure classes
• Knowledge of quality improvement and standards of care
• Experience teaching patients and families; excellent communication
• Ability to interpret arterial blood gases; respond calmly in emergent situations
• Manual dexterity to operate equipment; ability to assist with positioning and transporting patients

Required Education / Experience

• Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner and RRT or CRRT credentialed by NBRC OR Registered Nurse license in Texas OR Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) with Texas licensure as a Perfusionist
• Graduate of CoARC-accredited School for Respiratory Care OR Degree in Nursing OR Graduate of Perfusion Program; Baccalaureate degree preferred
• Two years directly related critical care experience in adult or neonatal/pediatric care; two years as an ECMO Specialist (ECMO Primer) with active competencies to prime and initiate ECMO
• ACLS, BLS, and PALS current per American Heart Association

Working Environment / Equipment

• May travel in ambulance with patient; exposure to infectious diseases, hazards, and various environmental conditions
• Standard office and patient care equipment; physical demands including lifting (frequent >20 lbs, occasional >50 lbs)
• Ability to interpret monitoring equipment and communicate accurately; overtime may be required
• Staffing readiness: ECMO activation response within 120 minutes; primer activation response within 60 minutes if volunteering

Any qualifications considered as equivalents require prior approval of the Executive Director of Human Resources.

Location/Organization Details

• Primary Location: United States-Texas-Galveston
• Other Locations: United States
• Job: Nursing & Care Management
• Organization: HealthCare System Staffing