Perfusion Technician (PRN) - Providence Hospital

Overview

USA Health is Transforming Medicine along the Gulf Coast to care for the unique needs of our community. USA Health is changing how medical care, education and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists and researchers provide the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall wellbeing of our community.

Responsibilities

The Perfusion Technician works under the supervision of the Chief CRNA & Lead perfusionist and Operating Room Manager and provides comprehensive support for patient care activities; provides support to the OR, primarily performing Perioperative Autologous Cell Salvage; assists the operating room with Endoscopy and Anesthesia technical support; sets up flush devices, catheters, transducers, and monitors for hemodynamic monitoring procedures; assists physicians with manipulation, insertion/withdrawal, and administration of catheters into patient's heart chambers; assists Certified Perfusionist in total and patrial cardiopulmonary bypass, intra-aortic Balloon, and autologous blood salvage procedures; checks machines/equipment using checklist and established protocol. Restocks carts; assembles, sets up, and primes extracorporeal circuit using sterile/aseptic techniques, under the direction of Certified Perfusionist; assembles monitoring systemsl assists in initiation, monitoring, and termination of procedures; ensures that salvaged blood is anticoagulated, processed, washed and bagged, following perfusion protocols; performs documentation for each case: patient chart, checklists, statistical information sheets, studies, notification of service records, and other clinical records; assists in transporting patients; cleans and sterilizes used equipment, disposes of refuse, restocks disposable supplies; maintains properly functioning equipment & communicates problems / issues with supervisor; assists in troubleshooting routine GI endoscopy equipment; problem solve equipment problems quickly & efficiently; maintains and assists with operation of endoscope towers and image recording systems to ensure proper documentation of procedures; notifies supervisor of equipment repair needs and helps coordinate necessary repairs with Clinical Engineering; assist nurses or physicians by obtaining supplies during procedures; performs scrub functions and maintains professional growth and development through an ongoing process of formal and informal education; regular and prompt attendance; ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required; related duties as required. The perfusion Tech will split there responsibiity with anesthesia and the perfusion department. Anesthesia duties include. Working as elbow support for the CRNA and Anesthesiologist.

Performs intraoperative autologous blood transfusion within cardiac and non-cardiac operating rooms

• Stock, maintain inventory and organize perfusion and autotransfusion equipment and disposables. Works with the staff and supply chain team for inventory management.

• Using sterile technique, assemble perfusion equipment, such as the cardiopulmonary bypass machine circuit, and the autotransfusion device.

• Performs documentation and testing for point-of-care devices, which includes quality control/quality assurance metrics.

• Assists staff perfusionist with transport of patients on mechanical support devices. This can include intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP), and Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).

• Open heart surgery support assistance under the direct supervision of a Certified Clinical Perfusionist, the Cardiovascular Surgeon and/or Anesthesiologist:

• Act as a courier for the perfusionist during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures by transporting blood samples for laboratory evaluation, obtaining additional supplies and or equipment for the perfusionist including blood products, as ordered, from the blood bank.

• Set up and prime extracorporeal circuits under the supervision of a Certified Clinical Perfusionist.

• Cleaning of equipment, following manufacturer Instructions for Use and Specialty Care Policy.

• Perform other surgical procedures requiring autotransfusion services including platelet rich plasma processing:

• Set up the autotransfusion and or platelet rich plasma equipment

• Prepare the anticoagulation solution

• Process the patient’s shed blood per protocol and return patient’s processed blood to the anesthesia provider

• Prepare Platelet Rich Plasma per protocol

• Perform procedures under the direct supervision of the attending physician for those patients requiring an Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) as directed by the physician:

• Gather equipment and disposables needed to place a patient on an intra-aortic balloon pump.

• Prime the pressure transducer tubing circuit for use with the intra-aortic balloon pump including preparation of the anticoagulation solution for the transducer's flush device

• Set up the intra-aortic balloon pump per protocol

• Assist in the transportation of a patient requiring continuous intra-aortic balloon pump augmentation

• Monitoring of the intra-aortic balloon pump including adjustments in timing, arterial pressure waveform interpretation during augmentation, and ECG acquisition for intra-aortic balloon pump operation

• Charting IABP status per policy

• Perform electronic physiological monitoring

• Manage laboratory services/lab analysis equipment.

• Reads, understands, and implements all policies and procedure guidelines.

• Collects and reports quality indicator data as requested.

• Demonstrates quality improvement.

• Ensures that all required documentation is done according to protocol established by the customer, Specialty Care and/or region.

• Notifies appropriate person(s)/department(s) when problems develop with equipment and/or personnel as established in Specialty Cares’ protocols and policies.

• Cleans equipment at end of each case, prepares equipment for next case and appropriately disposes of all refuse.

• Informs appropriate individuals of inventory level, equipment condition, and general needs.

• Assists physician, perfusionist and other clinical staff members as requested.

• Ensures that supplies are ordered, stocked and available as needed.

• Establishes and maintains procedures to communicate and document potential or real equipment problems to all members of the clinical team.

• May be required to competently support surgical procedures outside core service line duties through cross training and in-services.

• Lives the Specialty Care Values – Integrity, Care, Urgency, and Improvement.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent and one year of experience in an Operating Room or GI Laboratory.