ECMO stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a life-saving treatment for patients with severe heart or lung failure. Because this treatment requires specialized skills and equipment, hospitals often rely on travel nurses to fill ECMO nurse positions. If you’re a nurse with a passion for critical care, you might consider becoming an ECMO travel nurse. Here’s what you need to know.
Job Description
As an ECMO travel nurse, your primary responsibility is to provide round-the-clock care to patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This includes operating ECMO equipment, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and communicating with doctors and other healthcare professionals. You’ll work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment where every minute counts, making quick decisions and using critical thinking skills to save lives.
Because ECMO patients are often in critical condition, you’ll also be responsible for providing emotional support to patients and their families. This can include explaining complex medical procedures, listening to concerns, and offering encouragement and comfort.
Qualifications
To become an ECMO travel nurse, you must first have a valid nursing license in your state of residence. You’ll also need at least two years of experience in a critical care setting, such as an ICU or emergency department.
Because ECMO is a highly specialized treatment, many hospitals also require additional certifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and ECMO Specialist Training.
In addition to your nursing qualifications, you’ll need to demonstrate strong communication skills, quick thinking, and the ability to work well under pressure. You should also be comfortable working as part of a team and have a passion for helping others.
Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of becoming an ECMO travel nurse is the opportunity to see different parts of the country while doing what you love. Travel nurses typically work short-term contracts in different cities, giving them the chance to explore new places and meet new people.
In addition to the travel aspect, ECMO travel nurses also enjoy competitive pay, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits packages. Because ECMO is such a specialized treatment, there is often a high demand for experienced travel nurses, meaning you’ll have plenty of job opportunities to choose from.
FAQ
Q: What is ECMO? | A: ECMO stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a life-saving treatment for patients with severe heart or lung failure. |
Q: What does an ECMO travel nurse do? | A: An ECMO travel nurse is responsible for providing round-the-clock care to patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This includes operating ECMO equipment, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and communicating with doctors and other healthcare professionals. |
Q: What qualifications do I need to become an ECMO travel nurse? | A: To become an ECMO travel nurse, you must have a valid nursing license in your state of residence, at least two years of experience in a critical care setting, and additional certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and ECMO Specialist Training. |
Q: What are the benefits of becoming an ECMO travel nurse? | A: The benefits of becoming an ECMO travel nurse include the opportunity to see different parts of the country while doing what you love, competitive pay, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits packages. |
Q: Is being an ECMO travel nurse stressful? | A: Yes, being an ECMO travel nurse can be stressful. You’ll work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment where every minute counts, making quick decisions and using critical thinking skills to save lives. |