CardioVascular Perfusionist

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

7d•$157,000 - $208,000

About The Position

The Cardiovascular Perfusionist is responsible for the safe setup and operation of extracorporeal circulation, including long-term ECMO and ventricular assist devices. The role also requires knowledge and proficiency in autologous blood salvaging and point-of-care testing, familiarity with departmental supplies and equipment, and ongoing maintenance of those supplies and equipment in partnership with the Chief Perfusionist. The perfusionist serves as an information resource for other medical departments and works to continually improve departmental services. In partnership with the Chief Perfusionist and other team members, the perfusionist provides extracorporeal circulation services throughout the hospital. The department maintains 24/7 availability and rapid response for initiation of extracorporeal support and related concerns. Perfusion circuits for ECMO, ventricular assistance, and full cardiopulmonary bypass should be ready for clinical use within 30 minutes of a physician’s order 90% of the time. The perfusionist provides expert pediatric perfusion for patients of all sizes undergoing full cardiopulmonary bypass, ECMO, and ventricular assistance in the cardiac intensive care unit or operating room, following established protocols and standardized methods. The role also includes collaboration on clinical protocols, policies, procedures, circuit standardization, and equipment maintenance and safety; keeping current with perfusion practices; and providing technical guidance to clinical colleagues.

Requirements

Certificate in Perfusion.
Pennsylvania Licensed Perfusionist or Temporary Perfusionist License, required upon hire.
Knowledge and proficiency in autologous blood salvaging and point-of-care testing.
Familiarity with departmental supplies and equipment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Perfusion or a related science.
Specific experience in pediatric surgery and ECMO.

Responsibilities

Safely set up and operate extracorporeal circulation, including long-term ECMO and ventricular assist devices.
Provide extracorporeal circulation services throughout the hospital in partnership with the Chief Perfusionist and other team members.
Support departmental 24/7 availability and rapid response for initiation of extracorporeal support and related concerns.
Prepare perfusion circuits for ECMO, ventricular assistance, and full cardiopulmonary bypass for clinical use within 30 minutes of a physician’s order 90% of the time.
Provide pediatric perfusion for patients of all sizes undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass, ECMO, and ventricular assistance in the cardiac intensive care unit or operating room.
Follow established protocols and standardized methods when providing patient care.
Maintain working relationships and collaborate with team members to provide quality patient care.
Evaluate perfusion services, clinical protocols, policies, and procedures annually with the team, and ensure standardization of perfusion circuit assembly.
Collaborate with Biomedical Engineering to ensure appropriate maintenance and safety standards for perfusion technology and equipment.
Maintain departmental supplies and equipment with the Chief Perfusionist.
Keep current on devices and perfusion practices through professional meetings and journals, and learn and institute procedures and policies determined by the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Chief Perfusionist.
Provide professional assistance, guidance, and technical consultation to physicians, nurses, and other professional staff to support continual improvement in patient care.