PS Cardiovascular Perfusionist

The University of Utah•Salt Lake, UT

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Primary Children’s Hospital affiliated with the University of Utah performs approximately 350-400 open heart cases per year with another 100+ pump standby cases. We are looking for someone who is a strong team player, hard worker, and has a desire to see the program succeed. The perfusionist is responsible for set-up, priming, and operation of the heart-lung console for circulatory support procedures as well as other ancillary equipment. The University of Utah pediatric perfusionist is involved in a wide variety of cardiac cases including, but not limited to: ASD , VSD , Tetralogy of Fallot, AV Canal, Norwood, Glenn, Fontan, unifocalization, valve repair/replacement, LVAD , RVAD , sVAD, heart transplantation, etc. Perfusion also provides services related to auto-transfusion, perfusion standby, and coagulation testing. There is limited involvement with ECMO , but Perfusion is occasionally asked to consult on difficult ECMO patients. Perfusion is also involved in air ECMO transport where we assist the ECMO primers during transport. We are affiliated with the University of Utah School of Medicine which has a rich history of providing excellent medical training and has recently provided the opportunity to teach and train upcoming perfusion students by starting a master’s level Perfusion Program. All perfusionists will be a part of the clinical education of these students and may also have the opportunity to teach didactically in the classroom in addition to performing clinical responsibilities. On-call responsibilities are divided equally amongst the team. The duties described are generally descriptive but not all-inclusive.

Requirements

Must be in good physical and mental health.
Must be able to push heavy equipment and lift or move supplies.
Must be able to work in high stress and emergency situations.
Must be able to maintain solid interpersonal relationships.
Must be willing to work in highly stressful conditions with exposure to blood and blood products, needles, sharp instruments, possible exposure to infectious disease and blood-borne pathogens, as well as exposure to anesthetic and chemotherapy agents.
The perfusionist must be willing to work long and unpredictable hours and assume call responsibilities as assigned.
Must be able to perform duties as an individual as well as part of a team.
Must maintain their personal credentialing and licensure set forth by the ABCP , state, and their employer.
Completion of a formal academic training program in cardiovascular perfusion.
Current certification by the American Board of cardiovascular perfusion.
This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements.
We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Responsibilities

Routinely performs safety and performance checks on all equipment prior to use
Sets up and primes any extracorporeal circuit according to protocol
ECMO consultation and assistance with air transport
Clinical Instruction of perfusion students
Possible didactic instruction of perfusion students
Conducts perfusion related procedures per protocol
Records all procedural information relating to perfusion according to protocol
Acquires and records pertinent patient information
Thoroughly completes patient records, and ancillary paperwork for each procedure
Assesses each case with respect to surgeon preferences and selects appropriate disposable supplies
Responsible for completing the pre-procedure checklist
Performs and documents Quality Control testing on all laboratory equipment per laboratory recommendations and requirements
Wears protective equipment
Keeps work area neat and well organized
Communicates pertinent information throughout the procedure to appropriate personnel
Gives an appropriate hand-off when being given relief
Disposes of used or contaminated equipment or supplies in an appropriate manner
Carefully cleans all equipment and surfaces with an appropriate solution per hospital regulations
Restocks supplies
Readies equipment and supplies as much as possible for emergent use
Checks and maintains inventory levels
Sets up, prepares and uses ancillary equipment
Complies with all AABB standards relating to the use and handling of peri-operative blood and blood products
Does not leave the hospital premises prior to the patient leaving the operating room without notifying the attending surgeon or designate.