Per-Diem Clinical Perfusionist

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery the Cardiothoracic Attending Surgeons and the Chief Perfusionist of Cardiothoracic Surgery the Clinical Cardiovascular Perfusionist is responsible for conducting extracorporeal circulation and ensuring the safe management of cardiorespiratory functions during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or replace the patients cardiopulmonary/circulation functions. Responsible for monitoring the necessary physiologic variables during cardiopulmonary bypass; administering blood byproducts; administering anesthetic agents and drugs through extracorporeal circuit maintaining accurate records; following established protocols in accordance with hospital policy and directives from attending surgeons.

Position: Clinical Perfusionist

Department: Cardiothoracic Perfusion NP

Schedule: Part Time Per Diem

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares patient and equipment for extracorporeal support.
• Reviews the patients medical record documents and all appropriate medical and laboratory information. This includes but is not limited to diagnosis planned surgical procedure current drug therapy allergies renal hepatic metabolic and coagulation data.
• Evaluates and prepares equipment for bypass. Ensures sterile assembly degassing and priming of all cardiopulmonary bypass components. This includes but is not limited to the appropriate reservoir filters tubing heat exchangers oxygenator cardioplegia delivery system temperature monitoring equipment and heatercooler.
• Assembles the intraoperative cell saver autotransfusion equipment. Understands autotransfusion (cell saver) technology and how to integrate it with the perfusion circuit.
• Oversees all aspects of the safe operation and monitoring of the bypass and cardioplegia delivery system. Must recognize interpret and manage changes during perfusion.
• Calculates and coordinates bypass flow rates and pressures for optimum perfusion.
• Orders and interprets blood chemistry tests. Controls oxygen and gas flows to maintain optimal oxygenation and ventilation.
• Determines and maintains adequate heparinization during the procedures and calculates adequate heparin reversal at the termination of the bypass.
• Performs administration of Blood Products per Hospital Policy.
• Setup and analyzes Cerebral Oximetry per Perfusion Department policy.
• Operates Transmyocardial Laser machine including preuse testing perioperative setup use and disassembles per Cardiac Surgery Attending.
• Maintains Point of Care equipment in working order to ensure reliability of tests according to departmental practices and procedures per Hospital Point of Care Policies.
• Regulates and controls body temperature per Attending Surgeon orders.
• Administers appropriate drugs per Attending Surgeon and Anesthesiologist orders.
• Administers pharmacologic agents necessary to maintain electrolyte balance and renal function per orders of Attending Surgeons and Anesthesiologist.
• Determines appropriate fluid replacement including crystalloid and colloid based on hematocrit blood loss pump volume and urine output.
• Operates with assistance automatic autotransfusion equipment for the sterile collection and processing of shed blood. Maintains a complete record of the perfusion and autotransfusion processing.
• Performs various techniques of myocardial protection under the direct supervision of the Attending Surgeons.
• Performs other procedures related to intraoperative activities involving extracorporeal assist or circulation.
• Performs intraaortic Balloon Pump including insertion console setup augmentation timing transportation and troubleshooting.
• Assembles and correctly operates a hemoconcentration system during perfusion.
• Understands and is able to operate with assistance specialized perfusion circuits including: ascending arch aneurysms left ventricular bypass total circulatory arrest femoral veinfemoral artery bypass and percutaneous bypass.
• Operates limb perfusion device in conjunction with Surgical Oncology Service.
• Operates LVAD ECMO and other long term cardiopulmonary support equipment which requires 24 hour inhouse coverage for long periods of time.
• Assists in maintaining perfusion equipment in operating condition. This includes the checking and adjusting of pump head occlusions and pump outputs. Has a thorough operating knowledge of the equipment. Keeps equipment in working order to ensure reliability of tests according to departmental practices and procedures.
• Dismantles and disposes of all nonreusable equipment after surgery. Cleans and stores all durable equipment and hardware. Orders and stocks all pump related equipment and supplies.
• Participates in special studies ensuring data collection and verification as required in accordance with protocol.
• Participates in laboratory studies utilizing expertise to perform animal studies as required in accordance with protocol.
• Attends mandatory inservice educational meetings according to departmental and hospital policy. Attends departmental institutional and external meetings to ensure professional standards. Reads appropriate professional journals to maintain and enhance skills and clinical competencies. Makes presentations to other inservice programs within hospital as required.
• Supervises students in perfusion training programs as required.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide save appropriate to the age groups of adult and geriatric patients regularly served. Notifies supervisor when patients in age groups not regularly served are present and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.
• Utilizes hospitals behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospitals mission and goals.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Requires a minimum of a Bachelors degree. Must have graduated from or be currently enrolled in an accredited Perfusion Education program and anticipating graduation prior to hire date.
• Degree requirement may be waived for applicants who were admitted to the examination process before April 15 1981 or have been previously certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP).

CERTIFICATES LICENSES REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Certification in Cardiovascular Perfusion by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion or eligible to take the examination for certification.
• Must be licensed by the board of Registration of Perfusionists in Massachusetts. Outofstate licensed perfusionists must obtain MA license within 90 days of employment. New grads must obtain license within 18 months of employment.
• CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required.

EXPERIENCE:

• Cardiovascular Perfusionist experience in a fastpaced academic hospital is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Basic knowledge of Anatomy Physiology Pharmacology Chemistry Pathology and Mathematics.
• Work requires knowledge of perfusion equipment and its operation; basic knowledge of the circuitry and operation of ventricular assist devices and of clinical physiology necessary to conduct the best possible perfusion for any given patient.
• Must have the ability to exercise appropriate judgment to respond immediately to unexpected events especially in crisis situations when preparation time is a factor in successful treatment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to work smoothly and effectively as a member of a close functioning team; and to interact effectively with the medical staff nursing staff and various departments throughout the hospital.
• Ability to use considerable mental and visual strain during procedures when constant attention must be paid to monitoring signals and machine function.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans