Perfusionist

General Summary of Position
The Perfusionist is a clinician with 1 or more years of experience (or with equivalent number of completed cases) who operates and maintains the heart-lung machine and other related equipment during cardiothoracic surgeries Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and other related procedure. Exhibits critical thinking in monitoring interpreting and maintaining various parameters while on extracorporeal circulation to provide adequate perfusion to patients.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS SETUP AND DISASSEMBLY: Selects appropriate circuits based on patient needs primes calibrates assembles and performs quality control on devices associated with cardiopulmonary bypass.A) Demonstrates proficiency in the following procedures CABG valve repair/replacements left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) Heart transplantation other routine procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.B) Demonstrates proficiency in complex aortic surgical Procedures including total arch replacement thoraco-abdominal which require circulatory arrest and may include antegrade/retrograde cerebral perfusion strategies.
• CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS SETUP AND DISASSEMBLY: C) Demonstrates proficiency to prime operate and troubleshoot left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).D) Demonstrates didactic understanding of and clinical ability to operate the heart-lung machine during robotic assisted cardiac surgery.
• AUTOTRANSFUSION: Setups operates and disassembles autotransfusion equipment for cardiac surgical procedures.
• EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION (ECMO): Participates as a member of the MedStar Washington Hospital Center's ECMO team.A) Setups initiates monitors and troubleshoots circuit. Weans terminates and disassembles equipment.B) Documents parameters related to ECMO circuit works in a multi-disciplinary team to optimize ECMO care and attends daily rounds on each ECMO patient.
• EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION (ECMO):C) Participates as a member of the MedStar Transport team which may include transportation via air or ground transportation of patients that are on or require ECMO within the hospital or within the region. D) Assists in training and educating of hospital colleagues as directed by perfusion Department Leadership.
• CLINICAL PRACTICE: Prepares Perfusion records to include medical history most recent lab results medications interactions calculation of Perfusion parameters and medication to be administered (i.e. heparin loading dose). Completes required documents related to Perfusion charges and clinical registries.A) During Extracorporeal Circulation monitors interprets and documents physiologic parameters on the Perfusion Record and makes appropriate changes to ensure adequate perfusion.
• CLINICAL PRACTICE: B) Administers medications blood and/or blood products anesthetic agents as directed by a physician and/or established protocols.C) Maintains rotates and stocks perfusion related inventory.
• ADMINISTRATIVE: Attends and/or participates in perfusion department team meetings and in-services.A) Maintains competencies for equipment and procedures.B) Participates in routine responsibilities related to daily operations in the perfusion department.
• ADMINISTRATIVE: C) Chairs/Co-Chairs a perfusion department committee.D) Independently participates in education and precepting perfusion Students and new employee orientation. May be asked to be the student liaison and communicate between the perfusion department and partnership universities.
• ADMINISTRATIVE:E) Provides mentorship for Perfusionist 1 and 2 teammates.F) Participates in evaluating and trialing new perfusion equipment.G) Participates in equal share of on-call responsibilities.
• Attends and participates in professional society meetings seminars and conferences related to perfusion and cardiac surgery related topics.

Minimal Qualifications
Education

• Associate's degree required or
• Higher-level degree or equivalent training and graduation from an accredited school of perfusion technology required

Experience

• 1+ years or equivalent case load preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Perfusionist or certification-eligible by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion required
• Once certified must maintain certification according to American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion requirements (annual recertification).