Job Summary: The perfusionist must be knowledgeable concerning the variety of equipment available to perform extracorporeal circulation functions and is responsible, in consultation with the physician, for selecting the appropriate equipment and techniques to be used. The perfusionist may be administratively responsible for purchasing supplies and equipment, assuring periodic maintenance of same, as well as appropriate personnel and departmental management. Management duties may include development and implementation of policies and procedures, quality assurance measures and staff development. The perfusionist must be able to operate extracorporeal circulation equipment during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or replace the patient’s cardiopulmonary/circulatory function and ensure the proper management of physiologic functions by monitoring the necessary variables. Must demonstrate knowledge and skills to appropriately communicate and interact with patients, families, and visitors of all age groups while being sensitive to their cultural and religious beliefs.
Performance Expectations:
The duties of the perfusionist include those functions necessary for the support, treatment, measurement or supplementation of the cardiopulmonary and circulatory system of the patient. These duties include, but are not limited to, the safe performance and/or management of:
- Extracorporeal circulation/cardiopulmonary support
- Counter pulsation
- Circulatory support ventricular assistance
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
- Blood Conversation techniques/autotransfusion-sequestering of autologous blood products
- Myocardial preservation
- Anticoagulation and hematologic monitoring/analysis
- Physiological monitoring/analysis
- Blood gas and blood chemistry monitoring/analysis
- Inducation of hypothermia/hyperthermia with reversal
- Hemodilution
- Administration of medications, blood components and anesthetic agents via the extracorporeal circuit
- Documentation associated with described duties
- Preparing platleet gel or fibrin glue
- Isolated limb/organ perfusion
- Electrophysiological analysis
- Surgical assistance
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served
- Assist supervising physician with consult for purpose of gathering information and formulating an immediate action-plan but CANNOT produce dictated or written consultation.
- Performing perfusionist duties for scheduled cardiovascular cases as well as stand-by when needed; be available for call as appropriate.
- Balloon pump monitoring and setup, as well as long-term support operation and setup.
- Preparing an electronic spreadsheet to be turned in for billing purposes.
- Performing other tasks as assigned.
- Responsible for inserting intravenous and intra-rterial catheters, cardioplegia and/or defibrillation when indicated according to approved technique and procedure under supervision in maintaining the patient to and from OR.
- Responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of all cardiac perfusion equipment.
- Maintains a sufficient inventory of cardiac perfusion supplies for the volume of procedures.
- Shared knowledge and skills as appropriate with others on a formal and informal basis.
- Adheres to established policies, procedures, precautions, and documentation required to ensure compliance with hospital standards of care.
Qualifications:
Education/Skills
High school graduate and completion of accredited Clinical Perfusionist Training. Basic Life Support (BLS) within one-month of hire. Obtain 45-CEUs every 3-years.
Work Experience:
Previous work experience as a Clinical Perfusionist preferred but not required.
Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE
- American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion Certified or Board Eligible.
Mental Demands:
High degree of concentration, good interpersonal skills.
