ECMO Program Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

Regions Hospital

Job Title:

Coordinator, ECMO Program

Job Code:



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.

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.

Squatting - Assuming or maintaining a crouching position with the knees bent.

Reaching - Stretching out or extending to touch or grasp.

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.

Pushing/Pulling - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away/towards from the force.

Handling/Fingering - (includes typing, computer work, gripping, grasping, and pinching)

Section 2: Place an "X" next to ONE of the terms that best describes the Strength Rating for this job classification whichis 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 walkin