Respiratory Therapist, ECMO Specialist

About Duke University Hospital

At Duke Health, we’re driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health’s four hospitals with 1,062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo‑surgery center, and more.

• $15,000 Commitment Bonus (eligible if qualified)
• $8,000 Relocation Assistance (eligible if qualified)

The ECMO Specialist position at Duke University Hospital is for night shift.

• Operate ECMO device and manage ECMO‑related care for neonatal, pediatric, and adult ECMO including circuit set‑up, priming, and initiation of ECMO support
• Adjust ECMO flow, gases, and temperature; access circuit for labs, drugs, fluids, blood, ultrafiltration, dialysis, and apheresis
• Continuously monitor and interpret ECMO and patient data including hemodynamics, ECMO parameters, labs, and imaging
• Perform patient and circuit assessments, care, and maintenance; conduct emergency interventions to ECMO circuitry including catheters
• Demonstrate expertise in caring for patients with complex conditions and knowledge of ECMO physiology and support modalities
• Ensure appropriate ECMO patient care, anticipating and correcting problems; collaborate with the care team to deliver superior care
• Coordinate activities such as turns, baths, dressing changes, diagnostic testing, procedures, and patient mobility to maintain cannulae patency and stability of support
• Participate in ECMO patient rounds; share information and determine appropriateness of care plans
• Maintain communication with ECMO Leadership Team; use the ECMO electronic record to document patient and ECMO parameters
• Provide family education and counseling; provide an end‑of‑shift report for incoming ECMO Specialists
• Orient, educate, and train residents, fellows, interdisciplinary partners, new hires, and students
• Support ECMO team quality improvement initiatives and research; present research abstracts and other documentation
• Maintain environment of care, including cleanliness and stocking
• Maintain competencies and continuing education requirements per department and state
• Provide flexible hours, which may include nights, holidays, weekends, and on‑call

• Education:
  
  Complete a two‑year CoARC‑approved respiratory care program (Associate’s Degree or equivalent);
  Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Experience:
  
  Two years clinical respiratory therapy, including one year intensive care respiratory therapy; ECMO experience preferred
• Experience working in a team environment and excellent communication skills
• Computer skills required; experience with electronic medical record systems preferred
• Demonstrated leadership and critical thinking skills

• North Carolina State Licensure required
• ECMO verification required within 90 days of hire
• RRT (Registry) by NBRC required
• BLS, ACLS, PALS required
• ELSO Adult ECMO Practitioner Certification required within 12 months for current teammates; new hires have 12 months to obtain
• ELSO Pediatric ECMO Practitioner Certification required within 12 months; new hires have 12 months to obtain

• Appropriate clinical decision making for specific patient age groups
• Maintain ECMO continuing education requirements per state board and Duke program
• Work flexible hours; may include nights, evenings, holidays, weekends, and on‑call
• Adapt to unpredictable situations within the work setting
• Triage and prioritize multiple priorities in high‑acuity patient care
• Maintain annual safety/compliance and CEU requirements
• Ability to lift or push > 50 lbs; walk, run, climb, bend

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. All members of the community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.