Staff Perfusionist - Perfusion Therapy

Company Description

It takes a lot of very smart, hard-working and talented people to provide the level of care that we give to our patients. Tufts Medical Center is an internationally respected academic medical center and we pride ourselves not only on the sophistication of the care we deliver, but the compassionate way in which we provide it. And that starts with our employees.

Job Description
We are seeking a Staff Level Perfusionist to join our team at Tufts Medical Center. Ideal candidates for this role would be newly licensed or up to 5 years of experience working as a Staff Perfusionist within a cardiac clinical practice.

This position under general supervision, and according to established procedures, professional standards, experience, judgment, and analysis, operates a heart-lung machine and associated equipment to provide extracorporeal circulation and respiration for patients undergoing cardiac surgery and associated procedures.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Operates heart-lung machine and its ancillary equipment under supervision of the professional staff, at all times monitoring and maintaining continuous blood flow and respiration to the patient. Alters the system to adapt to changes in the patient condition or operative technique.
2. Maintains thorough perfusion records before, during and after pump run, recording pump data, laboratory values and activated clotting times. Monitors and records patient’s vital signs such as blood flow rates, blood volume, gas flow rates, oxygenation, EKG and temperature during bypass. Completes safety checklists and records other data forms when relevant.
3. Provides for maximization of blood conservation techniques. Assembles and operates Cell Saver and other intraoperative blood salvage systems, including hemoconcentrators. Assesses patient’s eligibility for autologous pre-bypass blood donation and if eligible performs collection for post bypass re-transfusion. May add blood or blood products to the bypass system when necessary.
4. Determines heparin/protamine dosages for anticoagulation and reversal. Monitors patient’s coagulation status through use of activated clotting times and if necessary, other laboratory tests.
5. Adjusts system so that patient's respiratory and/or circulatory systems gradually perform independently of the pump. Continues to monitor physiological parameters until patient is independent of mechanical assistance.
6. Disassembles equipment, inspects, cleans, and reassembles equipment and insures that it is properly stored. Prepares appropriate equipment for sterilization.
7. Reviews patient’s records and consults with surgeon, anesthesiologist and/or nursing staff to ascertain physical parameters of patient for appropriate selection of perfusion equipment.
8. Prepares appropriate equipment for each case using accepted sterile technique.
9. Assembles solutions and drugs to be used during bypass.
10. Performs, or arranges for, preventative maintenance of perfusion equipment.
11. Orders, inventories and stores standard supplies and equipment.
12. Assists in the training of new perfusion personnel.
13. Participates in continuing education of group by preparing discussions and talks as assigned.
14. Performs quality assurance tests as indicated by hospital and JCAHO protocol, and records such data for review and audit.
15. Supplies yearly verification of completion of OSHA mandated safety modules.
16. Assists with the set-up/placement of intra-aortic balloon catheter in the cardiac operating room. Operates/monitors timing of IABP console during cardiac operative procedure and transport if necessary.
17. Sets up and assists with the preparation of ventricular assists devices in the operating room.
18. Assists perfusion leadership with researching, writing and implementing standard procedures and protocols of perfusion.
19. Oversees the continuing education of staff members by organizing seminars/discussions on pertinent perfusion issues and current events. Presents perfusion lectures to cardiothoracic surgery and anesthesia groups.
20. Under chiefs' direction, sets up quality assurance assessments in areas such as laboratory control data, medical record charting, research data, and information collection for database and safety checks.
21. Assists in the development and running of research projects directly and indirectly involving cardiopulmonary bypass and perfusion.
22. With the chief, acts as resource person, handling perfusion inquiries from outside hospitals, manufacturers, physicians and perfusionists as well as in-house groups.
23. Maintains complete and accurate perfusion records.
24. Evaluates new products and techniques as they develop.
25. Implements all aspects of orientation/training for new employees and affiliated students.
26. Participates in training of observational and clinical perfusion students with affiliated accredited academic perfusion program.
27. Participates in equitable call coverage with the team.

Qualifications
JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

1. Demonstrated exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
2. Demonstrated ability to act quickly and authoritatively under extremely stressful and potentially life-threatening situations.
3. Current knowledge of clinical best-practices through an ongoing review of industry-specific literature and research to ensure continuous clinical advancements.

EDUCATION:

1. Bachelor’s degree is required plus graduation from an accredited academic perfusion program.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimally eligible to sit for certification exam by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
2. Working as a staff perfusionist elsewhere with less than 3 years’ experience in cardiac clinical practice.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

1. Board-eligible for Certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
2. Provisional or full Licensure by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Works in a sterile operating room environment with the possibility of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, harmful anesthetic gases, and radiation.
2. Work requires regular walking, standing, significant pushing and carrying of equipment and lifting/positioning of patients.
3. Work hours may exceed scheduled hours, even when not on call, due to emergency cases or unforeseen circumstances.

AGE SPECIFC COMPETENCIES:
Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. This includes:

1. Knowledge of growth and development.
2. Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care.
3. Provide age specific communication.