O.R. Perfusionist - FT

JOB SUMMARY:

Staff Perfusionist is responsible for any perfusion services offered at UMC. He/she is responsible for maintaining all equipment used for perfusion services and will be supervised by the Chief Perfusionist.

REPORTS TO:

JOB SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assembly of an extracorporeal circuit, consisting of but not limited to:

o sterile tubing
o blood oxygenerators
o blood heat exchangers
o filters (arterial, transfusion, cardiotomy, leukocyte, gas cardioplegia, pre-bypass)
o collection reservoirs
o hemoconcentrators
o bubble traps
o temperature sensors

• Operate the following equipment in conjunction with an extracorporeal circuit:

o heart-lung machine console
o blood pumps (roller, certifugal)
o water heater/cooler
o oxygen sensor
o anesthetic gas vaporizer
o continuous blood gas monitors
o air bubbles sensors
o high/low levels sensors

• Operate the aforementioned extracorporeal circuit and equipment to perform the following procedures:

o Cardiopulmonary Bypass
o Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
o Extracorporeal CO2 Removal (ECCO2R)
o Ventricular Assist (VAD)
o Vascular Shunting
o Isolated limb/organ perfusion
o Total Body Washout
o Liver Transplant/Partial Bypass

• Performs Autologous Blood Recovery By:

o cell saver
o hemoconcentration
o mediastinal collection/reinfusion

• Performs the following laboratory procedures in compliance with established hospital policy for "Point-of-Care" laboratory testing:

o blood gas
o electrolytes
o hematocrit
o activated clotting time
o haparin/procaine titration assay
o serum glucose

• Assist with physiological monitoring to include:

o set up and calibration of transducers and monitors
o aspiration and flushing of peripherally placed lines
o establishing temperature monitoring
o establish ECG monitoring.

• Operate an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) to include:

o set up and preparation of the balloon and placement tray
o assist with balloon placement
o establishing triggering signals
o filling the balloon with helium
o setting the timing
o assist with balloon removal

• Administer medication and blood/blood components through an extracorporeal circuit to include:

o any medication at the direction of a physician
o medications that are part of an established protocol for priming extracorporeal circuits
o blood products at the direction of a physician and with the knowledge and consent of the physician record.

• Employ myocardial preservation techniques to include:

o infusion of cardioplegia solution via antegrade or retragrade techniques
o set up and operation of topical cooling devices
o set up and operation of extracorporeal circuits that achieve the dilutional ratio desired by the physician
o performing "controlled re-perfusion."

• Operate the Rapid Infusion System (RIS) device:

o infusion of large amounts of volume to include PRBC's, FFP, and crystalloid to the trauma patient
o infusion necessary amounts of volume during liver transplant surgery

• Demonstrates competency in technical skills specific to the Operating Room and be competent

with clinical skills specific to age patients served.

• Follows hospital wide and department specific policies and procedures. If pertaining to attendance (absences or tardiness) rating will be as follows:

o Perfect attendance
o No verbal or written warning
o With verbal or written warning
o Placed on probation
o Placed on suspension

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an accredited school of perfusion. Perfusion technologies an area of medicine that has diverse clinical applications. All procedures must be performed under the supervision of a physician who has expertise in the application of perfusion and is credentialed to perform procedures that require the use of perfusion services.

REQUIRED LICENSURES/CERTIFICATIONS/REGISTRATIONS:

The staff Perfusionist must be certifies by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion and licensed by the State of Texas to Perform Clinical Perfusion within 2 years from date of hire to UMC. Maintain current CPR certification.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

All applications of perfusion require, in some manner, the use of extracorporeal circulation, or have evolved from perfusion related procedures. These applications range from cardiopulmonary bypass, to autologous blood recovery to rewarming of hypothermia victims, to total body "wash-out", to isolated limb perfusion, to ECMO, and virtually any procedure that requires the patient's blood to be circulated mechanically for a period of time. Of necessity, perfusion also encompasses the clinical application of various pieces of equipment that are required to either perform extracorporeal circulation, monitor physiological parameters during perfusion, or recover blood volume that would otherwise by lost.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER RELATIONSHIPS:

Close interaction with the Operating Room, ECMO, Cath Lab and ICUs. Close interaction with the CV surgeons, Cardiologists, and Pedi General Surgery.

PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES:

Work is of medium demand; walking, sitting, and standing most of the time. Occasional lifting of heavy (100 lbs.) equipment if required. Adequate hand/eye coordination and fine motor skills required. Talking and hearing is essential in conversing with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other OR personnel. Near visual acuity required to work with charts and records and to observe patients.

ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS:

The area the work is performed in is a high-risk area for exposure to blood born pathogens. Hours may vary to accommodate needs in the department as prescribed by the philosophy of the hospital. Must be able to respond to an emergency situation when called within 20 minutes.