ECMO Certification Exam

Many are asking, “Should I take an ECMO certification exam, and which one?”.

This is a legitimate question. ECMO programs across the globe currently have varying requirements for their teams. The need for standardization in program development, team training and ongoing competency is apparent.

There are a few challenges:
Should a medical center require a certification exam when the expectations and standards vary so greatly in this niche therapy among centers?
The ability to employ a competent, experienced ECMO Specialist and educator with significant skill to train and maintain an ECMO team and program can be difficult.

Let’s look at the comparison of the exams currently available to find out more.
1. E-AEC
The cost is $300USD, the price does vary based on your region of the world. It requires proof of taking an ECMO didactic course and simulation lab that meet ELSO standards as well as clinical bedside experience equal to 56 hours of ECMO patient care for a minimum of 6 months. This exam provides a good basic overview of ECMO Specialist knowledge and experience through clinical questions relevant to direct ECMO patient care. It is a practical exam that can be used to assess foundational knowledge in order to care for the patient population.
2. CES-A and CES-P
The cost is $150USD and requires 2 years of employment in the ECMO Specialist job description. Confirmation of the listed “job skills” which include knowledge, skill and ability statements. This exam provides a general overview of circuitry, flow dynamics, pressure variations, basic formulas to assess adequate consumption and delivery during ECLS. An exam which many describe as “perfusion” heavy due to the nature of the questions and the perspective from which it was written.
3. AACN micro-credential
A recently launched credential created by the American Association of Critical Care Nursing Association. The cost is $35 for member, $50 for non member nurses who care for ECMO patients. This exam consists of 38 questions which assess baseline knowledge of the ability to care for an ECMO patient.

Our answer to the ECMO Specialist is yes, take a certification exam to test your knowledge and understanding of the therapy. Most medical centers do not require one of these certifications to practice as an ECMO Specialist or clinician, but there may be a time in the future where this becomes a standard to assess foundational knowledge of the therapy and skill set by individuals who care for this patient population.