ECMO Specialist Respiratory Therapist
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Abbott Northwestern Hospital

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 primarily involves working night shifts with occasional day shift rotations.

Shift:

• 3x12 hour night shifts (1830-0700)
• Occasional day shifts (0630-1900)
• 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
• First-time ECMO specialists accepted if they meet the 1-year ECMO experience requirement

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license
• State license valid at start of assignment
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

Clinical Skills & Experience Requirements

Work Setting Experience

• Adult Critical Care

Airway Management & Suctioning Skills

• Endotracheal tube suctioning
• Extubation
• Intubation assist
• Tracheostomy suctioning

Patient Care Experience

• ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
• Aspiration
• Bronchoscopy
• COVID-19 patients
• ECMO management and experience working the ECMO machine
• Fresh tracheostomy care
• Pneumonia

Medication Delivery Systems & Nebulizer Skills

• Cold nebulizer
• Ultrasonic nebulizer
• Trach collar nebulizer

Oxygen Therapy Skills

• ET tube oxygen therapy
• High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Protocol-driven ECMO oxygen therapy

Other Required Skills

• Weaning from mechanical ventilation

Additional Job Details

• Floating within scope as needed
• Locals accepted
• Pending licenses accepted if active at start
• Ideally no more than 5 days of restrictions on Return to Work (RTO)
• Guaranteed hours subject to cancellation policy

Background & Compliance Requirements

• Criminal background check within 1 year required
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 1 year required
• Transcript or diploma verification required for RRT
• Fingerprinting and MN DHS Net Study Questionnaire required (Minnesota law)
• Physical exam within 12 months prior to start required
• Immunizations and health screenings required including:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (adult)
  • 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 (2025-26 season)
• OSHA Respiratory Safety clearance required prior to start for fit testing

Facility & Work Environment

• Short Term Acute Care facility
• Magnet recognized, Teaching hospital, Level III Trauma center
• Charting system: Excellian/Epic
• Scrub color: Ceil Blue (provided) or Olive Green (traveler’s own)
• Parking available at a flat hourly rate

Notes

• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required for this position.
• Candidates must have at least 1 year of ECMO specialist experience, but first-time ECMO travelers are accepted if they meet this requirement.

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