ECMO Specialist Respiratory Therapist
Minneapolis, MN
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: RRT - ECMO Specialist

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Overview

Seeking a Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with specialized experience as an ECMO Specialist. This role requires hands-on expertise with the ECMO machine and adult critical care.

Shift:

• Primarily 3x12 hour night shifts (1830-0700)
• Occasional day shifts (0630-1900) as needed
• Every other weekend required
• On-call as needed

Required Experience

• Minimum 2 years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Minimum 1 year experience as an ECMO Specialist
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required
• Experience in adult critical care settings

Required Skills & Competencies

Clinical Skills

• Operation and management of ECMO machine
• Airway management including:

  • Endotracheal tube suctioning
  • Extubation
  • Intubation assist
  • Nasal and oral airway placement and suctioning
  • Pulmonary hygiene and sputum specimen collection
  • Tracheostomy suctioning
• Care of patients with:

  • ARDS, Aspiration, Bronchoscopy, COVID, ECMO, Fresh tracheostomy, Pneumonia
• Medication administration experience with:

  • Albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent, Flovent, Inhaled Flolan, Inhaled steroids, Mucomyst, Nitric Oxide, Pulmicort, Racemic epinephrine, Spiriva, Tobramycin, Xopenex
• Medication delivery systems: aerosol mask and trach setups
• Nebulizer use: cold, handheld, heated, ultrasonic, T-piece, trach collar
• Oxygen therapy: bag and mask, ET tube, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), portable oxygen tank, protocol-driven ECMO, T-piece, trach collar
• Arterial puncture experience required
• Ventilator management including:

  • BiPAP, CPAP, SIMV
  • Troubleshooting high pressure alarms
  • Weaning from mechanical ventilation
  • Patient transport (inter-departmental and ambulance)
• Professional knowledge:

  • ABG interpretation
  • Chest physiotherapy (vest and manual)
  • Drawing arterial blood gases

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license in Minnesota
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• State Respiratory Therapist License (must be active at start)

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Respiratory Therapist license in Minnesota
• Minimum 2 years of Respiratory Therapist experience, including experience within the last year
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification
• Experience in adult critical care settings
• Experience caring for patients with ARDS, aspiration, bronchoscopy, COVID, fresh tracheostomy, and pneumonia
• Arterial puncture experience
• Experience with aerosol mask setup
• Experience with heated nebulizer use
• Experience with ultrasonic nebulizer use
• Experience with T-piece nebulizer use
• Experience with high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy
• Experience with SIMV (Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation)
• Experience weaning patients from mechanical ventilation
• Experience with chest physiotherapy, including vest therapy

Additional Requirements

• Criminal background check within one year of start
• Physical exam within 12 months prior to start
• Immunizations and health screenings including:

  • Adult Tdap
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B (proof of immunity or vaccination)
  • Varicella (proof of immunity or vaccination)
  • Seasonal flu vaccination documentation (for 2025-26 season)
• OSHA Respiratory Safety clearance required prior to start (for fit testing)
• Completion of facility-specific online orientation modules within 72 hours of assignment start
• Passport-style photo for badge within 48 hours of contract signing
• Ability to float within scope of practice as needed
• Ideally no more than 5 days off between shifts (RTO restrictions)

Work Environment

• Adult critical care in a short-term acute care hospital
• Magnet recognized, teaching hospital, Level III trauma center
• Charting system: Excellian/Epic
• Scrub color: Provided (Ceil Blue) or traveler may wear Olive Green
• Parking available at a flat hourly rate

Notes

• First-time travelers accepted with minimum 1 year ECMO specialist experience
• Pending licenses accepted if active at start
• On-call required as needed
• Schedule accommodations may be discussed with management

This position is ideal for experienced RRTs with ECMO specialization seeking a travel contract in a high-acuity adult critical care setting.