Respiratory Therapist – ECMO Specialist
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Job Opportunity: CRT - ECMO Specialist (Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics)

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

Position Details

• Specialty: Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics
• Job Title: CRT - ECMO Specialist
• Shift: 3x12 hour night shifts (1830-0700), occasional day shift rotation (0630-1900)
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• On-call: Yes, 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
• Return to Office 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-timers accepted with at least 1 year ECMO experience)
• Experience working with the ECMO machine is mandatory
• Required work setting experience: Adult Critical Care

Required Skills & Competencies

Airway Management

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

Patient Care Conditions

• ARDS
• Aspiration
• Bronchoscopy
• COVID-19
• 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, 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

Ventilator Management

• BiPAP, CPAP
• Patient transport (inter-departmental and ambulance)
• SIMV (Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation)
• Troubleshooting high pressure alarms
• Weaning from mechanical ventilation

Other Required Skills

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

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license (Minnesota state license required)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• Must have all certifications active and valid at start

Additional Requirements

• Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required
• Background checks including criminal background, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG within 1 year of start
• 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 (documentation required before or shortly after start)
  • 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 (declinations accepted)
• OSHA Respiratory Safety clearance required prior to start (for fit testing)
• Fingerprinting and MN DHS Net Study Questionnaire completion required immediately after contract signing (Minnesota state law)
• Completion of facility-specific preorientation modules within 72 hours of assignment start
• Passport-style photo for badge required within 48 hours of signing contract
• Uniform: Ceil Blue (provided) or Olive Green (traveler’s own)

Facility & Work Environment

• Type: Short Term Acute Care
• Magnet / Teaching / Level III Trauma Center
• Total Staffed Beds: 672
• Charting system: Excellian/Epic
• Parking: Flat rate per hour

Notes

• Guaranteed hours may be canceled up to 3 shifts without penalty
• On-call hours do not count toward guaranteed minimum hours
• Must be able to work every other weekend and be available for on-call as needed

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