Perfusionist - Open Heart - Methodist

Carle Health•Peoria, IL

About The Position

The Senior Perfusionist performs functions necessary to support, treat, measure, and supplement patients’ cardiopulmonary and circulatory systems. The role involves advanced technical work in selecting, preparing, operating, and maintaining cardiopulmonary bypass and ancillary equipment, as well as other circulatory support devices. The Senior Perfusionist works closely with attending physicians in extracorporeal perfusion practices. The primary work area is the operating room, though work may also occur elsewhere within the Health System. The position provides circulatory support during cardiovascular procedures under physician supervision; monitors and interprets physiological and hemodynamic changes; performs blood gas and blood chemistry testing; manages anticoagulation, hemodilution, hemofiltration, and temperature changes during bypass; and operates and troubleshoots equipment used for autotransfusion, VAD, intra-aortic balloon pump, and platelet gel therapy. The role also maintains equipment and supplies, supports cost-effective perfusion services, contributes to quality improvement and staff education, and helps ensure service availability through staffing plans and assigned call coverage. The posting lists a bachelor’s degree and the following credentials: Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days through the American Heart Association, Chronic Care Professional (CCP) Certification through the Health Sciences Institute, and an Illinois Licensed Perfusionist credential. Work experience is listed under qualifications, but no specific duration is provided. The compensation range is $68.36 to $117.58 per hour. Carle Health states that it offers a comprehensive benefits package, with details available on its benefits website.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association within 30 days.
Chronic Care Professional (CCP) Certification through the Health Sciences Institute.
Licensed Perfusionist credential from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Work experience in perfusion is listed as a qualification, but no duration is specified.
Working knowledge of cardiopulmonary bypass equipment and the anatomy, physiology, physics, and mechanics of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Knowledge of cardioplegia delivery systems, including retrograde delivery, and related anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology.
Working knowledge of cell saver, intra-aortic balloon pump, VAD, ECMO, blood gas machine, and ACT machine operations; the posting also specifies quality control knowledge for blood gas and ACT machines.
Ability to recognize changing and critical patient conditions, adjust therapy appropriately, and communicate with the attending surgeon.
Ability to perform and interpret physiological monitoring, blood gas testing, blood chemistry testing, and anticoagulation monitoring.
Ability to operate and troubleshoot perfusion, autotransfusion, VAD, intra-aortic balloon pump, and platelet gel equipment.
Ability to document perfusion services accurately and in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

Support, treat, measure, and supplement patients’ cardiopulmonary and circulatory systems.
Select supplies and assemble and prepare perfusion equipment, including cardiopulmonary bypass, cardioplegia delivery, ultrafiltration, and cell saver systems.
Review relevant patient information and accurately complete perfusion records, worksheets, and related documentation.
Recognize critical situations and respond appropriately, including communicating with the attending surgeon and adjusting therapy to changing conditions.
Administer medications, anesthetic gases, and blood components as needed during perfusion care.
Provide circulatory support during cardiovascular procedures under direct physician supervision.
Provide and interpret physiological monitoring during surgical procedures.
Perform and interpret blood gas, blood chemistry, and comprehensive blood count testing.
Provide, monitor, and maintain hemodilution and hemofiltration of blood during cardiopulmonary bypass.
Induce, maintain, and reverse hypothermia during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures.
Monitor and analyze anticoagulation therapy during cardiopulmonary, surgical, and blood conservation procedures.
Troubleshoot autotransfusion equipment during and after operative procedures and ensure proper function.
Maintain and operate VAD and intra-aortic balloon pump therapy equipment and interpret related hemodynamic and physiological changes.
Maintain and operate equipment for platelet gel therapy, monitor platelet gel until use, and troubleshoot equipment.
Clean and maintain equipment in a timely manner and according to manufacturer recommendations.
Maintain perfusion cart supplies, track departmental inventory, and notify appropriate personnel of supply levels.
Oversee products used in platelet gel therapy.
Participate in development of cost-effective perfusion services and work with administration, staff, Materials Management, and vendors to manage supply costs.
Participate in registry abstraction and quality improvement measures; oversee collection of perfusion service data.
Oversee staff training and development and promote education and communication about current perfusion techniques.
Oversee, perform, and track required documentation, including perfusion records, patient charts, checklists, and autotransfusion records.
Develop and maintain staffing plans and schedules with a supervisor to ensure perfusion service availability.
Take assigned call to provide perfusion services during off-hours and schedule leave with the supervisor to ensure coverage.