ECMO Program Coordinator

Job Description

Regions Hospital

Job Title:

Coordinator, ECMO Program

Job Code:

2002667

Leader Title Level:

Manager, Respiratory Care

Location:

Regions

Department:

Respiratory Care

Final Approval (Dir. or VP Level)

Director

Date Approved:

September 30, 2025

Date Revised:

September 2025

POSITION SUMMARY STATEMENT:

The ECMO Program Coordinator works with the ECMO program leadership in operational and administrative duties; and plans, coordinates and evaluates the ECMO program’s clinical performance and educational activities. In collaboration with the ECMO Oversight Committee, ECMO program leadership, ECMO Medical Director, Cardiac Perfusionists, and ECMO program stakeholders, the Coordinator ensures standards of practice and care for the ECMO patient population align with international standards. The Coordinator supports ECMO-related management of clinical performance and education for relevant staff, facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration, and ensures compliance with regulatory, quality, and accreditation standards. Additionally, the Coordinator contributes to outreach, quality improvement, and academic activities related to the ECMO program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care, nursing, or related healthcare field.

Minimum two years clinical ECMO experience

Minimum five years of experience in critical care

-OR-

Graduate of CoARC approved respiratory therapy program with a minimum of two years clinical ECMO experience.

Minimum five years of experience in critical care.

Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:

Respiratory Therapist License issued by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) OR Minnesota RN License

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification (as needed based on patient population)
• ELSO Adult Practitioner Certification (E-AEC)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrates strong clinical care and ECMO expertise
• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and conflict resolution skills
• Effective educator with simulation and didactic teaching experience
• Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
• Possess strong computer skills in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel), and adaptability to learn various system platforms (i.e. Power BI, Compliance 360, etc.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:

• Prior leadership role with ECMO or critical care programs
• Experience in quality improvement and ELSO reporting

Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:

Specialty Certifications:

• Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) - National Board for Respiratory Care
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy of Pediatrics
• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) - American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Essential Duties:

% Of Time (minimum 5% increments)

1.

Administrative Duties

• Maintains ELSO Registry, ensuring accurate and timely data entry, error reconciliation, and liaison with ELSO.
• Coordinates institutional ELSO membership, certification, and Center of Excellence activities.
• Develops and revises ECMO-specific policies and standards in conjunction with the ECMO Medical Director and program leadership, subject to approval by the ECMO Oversight Committee.
• Provides oversight of quarterly simulations, annual competencies, and monthly educational case review sessions.
• The ECMO Program Coordinator collaborates with the ECMO multidisciplinary team to develop, evaluate, and address the training needs of ECMO staff. In partnership with the ECMO program leadership and Respiratory Therapy Educator, the Coordinator maintains accurate records of staff training and competencies.
• Monitors patient outcomes, develops internal quality dashboards, and leads ECMO-specific quality improvement initiatives.
• Prepares program for regulatory and accreditation surveys (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS).
• Participates in capital equipment planning, vendor relations, and resource allocation in collaboration with ECMO program leadership.

25%

2.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Collaborate with ECMO Medical Director, ECMO Intensivists, Cardiac Perfusionists, and other clinical staff involved in the care of ECMO patients to ensure safe and effective use of ECMO therapy and patient care through the full course of a patient’s care.

• Serves as an expert-level ECMO Specialist and may cover bedside duties on an as-needed basis to fill emergency staffing gaps, while maintaining primary focus on program development and avoiding role dilution.

• Responds to Code Blue activations as available to assess ECPR eligibility and coordinate initiation as directed by ECMO Intensivist

• Ensures equipment readiness and oversees safe use of ECMO pump and circuit

• Supports dispute resolution among care teams (e.g., nursing, RT, perfusion) by escalating issues appropriately to program leadership

• Maintains own clinical and professional expertise at a high-level that facilitates the education and development of others.

• Monitors adherence to clinical practice guidelines, hospital policies and procedures through observation, medical record review, staff feedback, and other appropriate methods.

• Supports the ECMO Specialists and other care team members to be highly effective through effective communication, shared resources, and collaborative partnerships.

30%

3.

Education and Training

• The ECMO Program Coordinator, in collaboration with the ECMO multidisciplinary team and system education professionals, designs and delivers a comprehensive, multi-modal ECMO training program. Including, initial training, onboarding, ongoing education and updates, competency assessments, simulation, and just-in-time bedside teaching.

• In partnership with the ECMO program leadership and Respiratory Therapy Educator, the Coordinator maintains accurate records of staff training and competencies.

• Provides structured introduction to ECMO course for physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), nurses, and respiratory therapists (RT).

• Participate in ECMO education forums within the hospital regarding ECMO as needed.

• Provides family/patient ECMO specific education, support, and follow-up in close coordination with clinical team.

• Ensures professional development opportunities for ECMO specialists, including career progression pathways.

• Facilitates own personal and professional development.

25%

4.

Quality, Research, and Academic Mission

• Leads or supports ECMO-related data collection for academic, QI, and research initiatives.
• Partners with investigators on IRB-approved research projects.
• Encourages and facilitates publication, abstracts, and presentations related to ECMO.
• Ensures ECMO program contributes to scholarly activity consistent with institutional academic mission.

5%

5.

Team and Workforce Development

• Provides input on annual evaluations of ECMO specialists.

• Assists in recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.

• Addresses workforce well-being and resilience in a 24/7 program environment.

• Fosters a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

5%

6.

Outreach and Growth

• Collaborates ECMO program leadership to coordinate with regional EMS, referring hospitals, and outreach partners to develop referral pathways.
• Supports education and relationship-building with regional providers to facilitate ECMO access.
• Assists in strategic planning for program growth, including mobile ECMO and prehospital partnerships.

10%

*Job description rankings/percentages are intended to reflect normal averages over an extended period and are subject to daily variances. Quality and efficiency standards should at no time be compromised to meet the average expectations expressed above. Job descriptions are subject to change to accommodate organization or department needs.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Values

All colleagues are expected to live our values:

Excellence: We strive for the best results and always look for ways to improve.

Compassion: We care and show empathy and respect for each person.

Partnership: We are strongest when we work together and with those we serve.

Integrity: We are open and honest, and we keep our commitments.

Additional Expectations:

• Complies with safety instructions, observe safe work practices, provides input on safety issues, and promotes a safe work environment.

• Maintains regular and timely attendance

• Protects confidentiality

• Demonstrates participation in and support of the organization's Corporate Integrity Program by participating in compliance-related education and training and complying with the organization's policies and procedures.

• Timely completion of all mandatory education and organizational requirements (i.e., licensure/certification, Employee Health and Wellness requirements, annual training, etc.)

POPULATION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

x Yes

No

Does this employee have direct patient contact?

Departments will need to determine the appropriate competencies in their areas for their specific patient populations documented in the essential duties section.

Examples of items that can be included are:

• Identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient or situation specific to the needs of the population served.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, and team members.
• Integrates practices that supports patient safety, acknowledges variations in populations served.
• Anticipates the needs of the population served as well as the unique characteristics of the communities served.
• Anticipates the needs of the population in providing culturally responsive care and develops an individualized plan for patients and families.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY:

Please describe the degree to which the position directs the work of others or coordinates workflow of a clinic, department, or functional area. If applicable, indicate the number of people and the titles for which this position directly and/or indirectly directs the work of others or coordinates workflow.

ECMO Coordinator will provide input for annual staff evaluations and provide ongoing communication to the manager/s of staff performance.

Critical Job Demands

Section 1: Place an “X’ next to ONE of the terms that best describes the frequency for each of the Critical Demands.

N/A

0%

Rare

1-5%

(Up to

a 1/2 hour)

Occas.

6-33%

(1/2 hour

to

3 hours)

Freq.

34-66%

(3 to

5½ hours)

Cont.

67-100%

(5½ to

8 hours)

Standing - Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a workstation without moving about.

Walking- Moving about on foot.

Sitting - Remaining in a seated position.

Lifting - Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling).

Carrying - Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder.

Section 2: Place an “X” next to ONE of the terms that best describes the Strength Rating for this job classification which is expressed by one of five terms: Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy, and Very Heavy.

Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Heavy Work - Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.

Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work.

Note: During any patient handling task, if any caregiver is required to lift more than 35 lbs. of a patient’s weight, assistive transfer devices should be used for the transfer.

HAZARD ASSESSMENT FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Please contact the employer Employee Health & Safety (EHS) with any questions or assistance related to the completion of the Hazard Assessment for Personal Protective Equipment (HAPPE) Form.

RELATED TO: Hazardous Substances and Harmful Physical Agents

Yes

No

Task Description

Potential Hazard

Hazard control

PPE Required

• Cut away from body.

• Use proper tool for the job.

Safety knife or safety box cutter

Cut resistant gloves

Other ___________________

Working with liquid chemicals, acids, or caustics (Examples: reprocessing, cleaners, disinfectants, laboratory chemicals).

See MSDS online database for chemical list

Chemicals

Flammables

Toxic Gases

Corrosives

• Use only employer approved products.

• Use appropriate soaking containers with labels.

• Understand hazards of chemicals you use (read MSDS).

Goggles

Chemical face shield

Chemical resistant gloves

Chemical resistant aprons

Lab Coat

Closed toe shoes

Powered Air Purifying Respirator

Other ___________________

Heat

Cold Stress, Burns, Frostbite

• Approach hot surfaces carefully.

• Use only approved liquid nitrogen Dewars. Dispense only if trained.

Heat resistant gloves

Cryogenic (cold resistant) gloves

Goggles

Face shield

Other ___________________

• Absolutely no text messaging while driving.

• Refrain from cell phone use while driving.

Seat belt

Other ___________________

• For wet areas, mop excess water regularly.

• Place warning signs.

• Select footwear carefully

Slip resistant shoes

Rubber boots

Other ___________________

Chemical

Genetic damage

Tumors

• Receive training

• PPE

• Use of biological cabinet

• Spill procedures

• Waste disposal SOP

Gloves appropriate for chemical

Disposable barrier gown

Goggles

N95/PAPR (spill cleanup)

Ventilation Hood

Other ___________________

• Receive laser training.

• Awareness and knowledge to minimize surgical or procedural fires.

• Code Red training

• PPE

• Restricted access

Specialized laser safety glasses

Other ___________________

• Warning signage

• PPE

• Waste and spill procedures

• Personal monitoring

• Shielding, distance

Lead Aprons

Other ___________________

• Restrict access

• Screening

• Signage

• Proper body mechanics

• Get additional help

• Get Ergonomic help from EOHS.

• Training in verbal de-escalation techniques.

• Code Green procedure

Gloves (Clean)

Barrier Gown or fluid resistant Lab Coat

HAZARD ASSESSMENT FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

RELATED TO: Infectious Agents

Yes

No

Description

Potential Hazard

Hazard control

PPE Required

PERFORMING OR ASSISTING WITH THESE TASKS:

Potential for splash of blood/body fluid to face and clothing: examples but not all inclusive: suctioning, wound irrigation, eye & ear irrigation, close contact (within 3 ft.) of patient with frequent, productive cough, sigmoidoscopy, cystoscopy, colonoscopy.

Exposure to Infectious Agents

• Hand hygiene before and after task

• PPE

Facial protection (mask plus goggles OR face shield)

Gloves (Clean)

Barrier Gown if anticipate splash

Activity that requires touching patient’s non-intact skin or mucous membranes.

Exposure to Infectious Agents

• Hand hygiene before and after task

• PPE

Gloves (Clean)

Activity that includes touching patient’s blood/body fluid or contaminated items or environment, examples, but not all inclusive: disposal of urine, blood canisters.

Exposure to Infectious Agents

• Hand hygiene before and after task

• PPE

• Use of Spill kits (as needed)

Gloves (Clean)

Barrier Gown if anticipate splash

Facial protection (mask plus goggles OR face shield) if anticipate splash

Exposure to Infectious Agent/sharp injury

• Use of sharps safety devices

• Avoid re-capping needles

• Proper disposal of sharps at point of care

• For reusable sharp, use safe transporting practices

• Use neutral zone for passing sharps

• PPE

Gloves (Clean vs. Sterile depends on the procedure)

Facial protection (mask plus goggles OR face shield) if anticipate splash

• Mask patient

• Place patient in airborne infection isolation room if available

• Limit entry into room

• Keep door closed

• PPE

Follow Communicable Disease Guidelines and Tuberculosis Control Plan to determine if N95 respirator, PAPR, or surgical mask is needed

Exposure to Infectious Agent/inhalation

• PPE

• Biological Safety hoods/cabinet instrumentation with automated/closed sampling mechanisms

1. Procedures that enter deep tissue or body fluid, including but not limited to:

Central IV insertion, placing a catheter or injecting material into the spinal canal or subdural space (myelogram, lumbar puncture, spinal/epidural anesthesia), breast biopsy, temporal artery biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, OB vaginal delivery, incision & drainage.

Exposure to infectious agents

• Hand hygiene before and after procedures

• PPE

Gloves (Sterile)

Barrier Gown

Facial protection (mask plus eye protection or face shield plus mask required during these procedures)

2. a. Procedures that enter

subcutaneous tissue or are located

in the skin structure, including but

not limited to:

• Excision of mole, lump, or bump

• Excision of lipoma or sebaceous cyst, vasectomy

Exposure to infectious agents

• Hand hygiene before and after procedure

• PPE

Facial protection (mask and eye protection required during these procedures if anticipate splash)

Gloves (Sterile)

Barrier Gown if anticipate splash

2. b. Additional Procedures

• Shave biopsy, punch biopsy

• Joint injection, nerve injection, joint aspiration

• Peripheral IV insertion, ENT procedures

• Anal-rectal Biopsy

• Hand hygiene before and after procedure

• PPE

Gloves (Clean)

Barrier Gown if anticipate splash

Facial protection (mask and eye protection required during these procedures if anticipate splash)

3. Handling Lab specimens in a laboratory

• Hand hygiene after removing gloves

• PPE

• Biological Safety hoods/cabinet

• Splash guard

• Instrumentation with automated/closed sampling mechanisms

Lab Coat (fluid resistant)

Gloves (Clean)

Facial protection (mask plus eye protection or face shield plus mask required during these procedures)

Yes

No

Task Description

Hazard

Hazard control

List PPE required

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