Registered Respiratory Therapist (ECMO Specialist)
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Job Opportunity: RRT - ECMO Specialist

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

Position Details

• Specialty: Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics
• Shift: 3x12 hour night shifts (1830-0700), occasional day shift rotation (0630-1900)
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• On-call: Required as needed
• Floating: May float within scope to meet facility needs
• Schedule Flexibility: Block schedule requests can be discussed with manager
• Local Candidates: Not accepted (must live more than 100 miles from facility)
• Pending License: Accepted if active at start
• RTO Restrictions: Ideally no more than 5 days

Required Experience

• Minimum 2 years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Minimum 1 year experience as an ECMO Specialist
• First-time travelers accepted with minimum 1 year ECMO specialist experience
• Prior travel experience not explicitly required

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current RRT license (Minnesota state license required)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

Required Clinical Skills & Experience

• Work Setting: Adult Critical Care
• ECMO Machine: Must have experience working the ECMO machine
• Airway Management:

  • Endotracheal tube/suctioning
  • Extubation
  • Intubation assist
  • Nasal airway placement and suctioning
  • Oral airway placement and suctioning
  • Pulmonary hygiene
  • Sputum specimen collection
  • Tracheostomy suctioning
• Patient Care:

  • ARDS, Aspiration, Bronchoscopy, COVID, ECMO, Fresh tracheostomy, Pneumonia
• Medication Administration:

  • Albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent, Flovent, Inhaled Flolan, Inhaled steroids, Mucomyst, Nitric Oxide (INo), Pulmicort, Racemic epinephrine, Spiriva, Tobramycin, Xopenex
• Medication Delivery Systems:

  • Aerosol set up mask and trach
• Nebulizer Types:

  • Cold, Hand held, 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:

  • BiPAP, CPAP, SIMV, Troubleshooting high pressure alarms, Weaning from mechanical ventilation
• Patient Transport: Inter-departmental and ambulance transport
• Professional Knowledge:

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

Facility Information

• Type: Short Term Acute Care
• Magnet / Teaching / Trauma Level III
• Total Staffed Beds: 672
• Charting System: Excellian/Epic
• Scrub Color: Ceil Blue (provided) or Olive Green (traveler’s own)

Additional Requirements

• Criminal background check within 1 year of start
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 1 year of start
• Diploma or transcripts verifying education in respiratory therapy
• Physical exam within 12 months prior to start
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Adult Tdap (no declinations accepted without exemption approval)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within required timeframe
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 vaccines or positive titer required)
  • Hepatitis B (proof of immunity or vaccination series)
  • Varicella (proof of immunity or vaccination series)
  • Seasonal flu vaccination documentation (required for 2025-26 season)
• OSHA Respiratory Safety clearance required prior to start
• MN DHS Net Study Fingerprint clearance required before start (no fingerprints pending allowed)
• Completion of facility-specific preorientation modules within 72 hours of assignment start
• Photo for badge (passport style) required within 48 hours of signing contract

Notes

• Guaranteed hours may be canceled up to 3 shifts without penalty
• On-call hours do not count toward guaranteed minimum hours
• Candidates must be able to complete fingerprinting and background checks as per Minnesota state law
• Candidates must be prepared to complete all required training modules and health documentation prior to start

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