HCSS Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) specialist/RRT

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

Job summary

The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is seeking an ECMO Specialist to coordinate care for patients requiring extracorporeal life support. The role requires a licensed professional with at least two years of ICU experience, strong clinical skills, and training in ECMO device management.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication abilities, be proficient with ECMO devices, and have current certifications in ACLS, BLS, and PALS. This is a contractual position with variable shifts.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as an ECMO Specialist.
• Current ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates clinical care for patients requiring ECLS and MCS.
• Provides family education and medical counseling.
• Monitors and adjusts anticoagulation levels.

Skills

Clinical competencies

Excellent communication

Blood gas interpretation

Calm in stressful situations

Education

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner

Graduate of a CoARC accredited school

Bachelor’s degree or higher in allied health

Tools

ECMO devices

MCS devices

Laboratory equipment

Job description

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 and is responsible for coordinating clinical care for patients requiring extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices under the direction and supervision of credentialed ECMO and advanced heart failure physicians. The ES has successfully completed advanced training to operate ECLS & MCS devices in accordance with guidelines established by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) and the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology (AmSECT). The ES adheres to the policies, guidelines & best practices set forth by the director, manager & coordinator of the ECMO department and plays a key role in device management, patient monitoring, emergency response, and quality improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Participates in monthly interdisciplinary ECMO case reviews and in‑services to share information and determine the appropriateness of patient care plans.
• Supports ECMO team research through the collection of ECMO‑related data, preparation, and presentation of research abstracts and/or other documentation.
• Utilizes the ECMO flow sheet to maintain complete and detailed documentation of patient history, fluid administration, and any complications.
• Provides family/parental education and reinforces medical counseling initiated by the ECMO physician.
• Provides a clear and concise end‑of‑shift report for the on‑coming ECMO Specialist regarding machine settings, patient status, and care plans.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary physician teams to identify patients indicated for ECLS or MCS therapies and guide care to adhere to hospital guidelines and policies.
• Coordinates and collaborates with the multidisciplinary care team to prepare the patient and environment for the timely and safe initiation of ECLS or MCS support.
• Assesses and manages patient clinical needs, including hemodynamic monitoring, NIRS, blood gas interpretation, laboratory results, fluid balance, nutrition, respiratory support, neurologic status, infection control, sedation, pain management, hematology, and cardiac function.
• Collaborates with the ECMO physician to coordinate all tests and evaluations (e.g., ultrasounds, EEGs) and provide care in accordance with individualized patient plans.
• Recommends modifications in patient management to the ECMO physician based on diagnostic testing results.
• Implements diagnostic testing such as x‑ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, EEG and coordinates safe transport to CT, cath lab, or operating room.
• Assists with extrapericardial VAD devices (e.g., CentriMag), percutaneous VADs (e.g., Impella), and implanted VADs (e.g., HeartMate 3) by managing insertion, troubleshooting, anticoagulation, weaning, and removal procedures.
• Prepares and primes ECLS circuits, including pumps, oxygenators, heat exchangers, shunt lines, ensuring sterility and functionality before patient connection.
• Blood‑primes ECMO circuits safely and maintains competency in anticoagulation, buffering, citrate reversal, washing, and hemoconcentration.
• Continuously monitors and maintains circuit integrity, adjusting blood flow rates, pressure gradients, and performing ongoing troubleshooting.
• Calculates metrics such as oxygen consumption (VO₂), oxygen delivery (DO₂), oxygen transfer rate, recirculation, and sweep gas adjustment rate using in‑line tools and blood gas analyses.
• Identifies and resolves issues such as leaks, component failures, or suboptimal performance, performing elective or emergent component changes when indicated.
• Monitors and adjusts anticoagulation levels to balance circuit thrombosis risk and patient hemostasis.
• Follows guidelines for gradual weaning and safe decannulation procedures.
• Participates in daily rounds, case reviews, and ECMO transport, ensuring secure patient handling and circuit integrity.
• Contributes to staff training, continuing education, critical incident reviews, and tracking performance indicators to support quality improvement initiatives.
• Assists in setting up and managing CVVHD/haemodialysis devices (e.g., Prismaflex, NxStage) integrated into the ECMO circuit, monitoring therapy parameters and troubleshooting.
• Implements ultrafiltration techniques (SCUF, ZBUF, countercurrent haemodialysis) for fluid removal, monitoring volumes and electrolyte shifts, and managing technique‑specific issues.
• Integrates cytokine adsorbers (e.g., CytoSorb, oXiris) into the ECMO circuit for removal of cytokines and endotoxins, monitoring cartridge performance and troubleshooting saturation.
• Administers medications directly into the ECMO circuit, adjusting vasoactive drips, sedatives, analgesics, antibiotics, and other supportive agents, monitoring effects and preventing interactions.
• Administers blood products via the ECMO circuit, monitoring transfusion effects on the circuit and patient hematology, and troubleshooting related complications.
• Evaluates clot formation, triages severity, and recommends anticoagulation adjustments to mitigate thrombosis risk in line with ELSO and AmSECT guidelines.
• Manages ECMO system flow, including alarm triage, interpretation, and troubleshooting for deviations beyond 10% of physician‑ordered goals.
• Interprets and troubleshoots ECMO system alarms, triaging replacement needs and coordinating with allied health teams per AmSECT and ELSO standards.
• Handles equipment alarms, addressing replacements, forming safety protocols, and coordinating timely repairs per guidelines.
• Maintains active competencies for circuit priming, initiation, and management of ECMO and MCS therapies.
• Responds to emergency scenarios in accordance with training and guidelines, including power failure, air entrainment, cannula dislodgement, bleeding, hypotension, ACLS/PALS, circuit exchange, pump failure, tubing fracture/rupture, kinks, oxygenator or heat exchanger failure, and circuit component replacement.
• Applies emergency clot removal techniques, cannula stabilization, and hand‑cranking to maintain continuous therapy during system interruptions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Maintains clinical competencies through regular simulations and emergency drills.
• Completes annual ECMO didactic program with ≥90% score on the annual exam.
• Completes required special procedure classes and stays current on quality improvement standards.
• Excellent communication skills, including patient and family education.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret arterial blood gas measurements.
• Can respond calmly and appropriately to emergent or stressful situations.
• Responds to ECMO activation within 45–60 minutes and fulfills on‑call shift requirements.

Required Education / Experience

• Licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RRT) credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care OR registered nurse license in Texas, OR certified clinical perfusionist (CCP) recognized by ABCP with Texas licensure.
• Graduate of a CoARC accredited school for respiratory care OR degree in nursing OR graduate of a perfusion program.
• Preferred baccalaureate degree and certification in a specific allied health area.
• Two (2) years of experience as an ECMO Specialist, maintaining active competencies to prime and initiate ECMO.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in allied health or healthcare related discipline.
• Current ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications obtained through the American Heart Association (AHA).
• ECMO Specialist certification through ELSO (Adult or Neonatal/Pediatric) or AmSECT (Adult or Pediatric).
• May be required to travel in an ambulance with the patient.
• Can lift up to 50 pounds with frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Working Environment / Equipment

• May be required to travel in ambulance with patient.
• Proficiency with ECMO and MCS devices (ECLS, CentriMag, Impella, HeartMate 3, etc.).

Primary Location

United States – Texas – Galveston

Job Details

Allied Health | Standard shift | Non‑Manager | Variable shift | Contractual | Posting date: Sep 11, 2025, 7:35:32 AM

Equal Opportunity Employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.