Perfusionist

Baptist Health Care • Pensacola, FL

2d

About The Position

The Perfusionist is a skilled professional qualified through academic and clinical education, training, and experience. The role sets up, operates, and manages extracorporeal circulation equipment and helps ensure appropriate management of patients’ physiologic functions. The Perfusionist is knowledgeable about equipment used for extracorporeal circulation and, in consultation with the attending physician, selects appropriate equipment and techniques. The role also requires the ability to operate ancillary equipment needed to complete procedures.

Perfusion Services are provided for Baptist Health Care at Baptist Hospital and Gulf Breeze Hospital. Education and research are fundamental parts of the Perfusionist’s scope of practice. The position works under the general supervision of the attending physician and the Chief of Perfusion and Autotransfusion Services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in nursing, perfusion/circulation technology, or allied health, or a master's degree in one of these fields.
• Experience as a perfusionist.
• Cardiovascular Perfusionists (ABCP) certification required upon hire.
• Demonstrated competency and comprehensive knowledge of all ancillary procedures according to departmental standards.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge of associated equipment and devices.

Responsibilities

• Performs, assesses, and manages perfusion procedures.
• Interprets physician medication orders for accuracy and appropriateness; informs physicians of errors, omissions, or discrepancies and suggests appropriate or alternate drug therapy based on the patient's condition.
• Maintains, monitors, and ensures aseptic techniques related to perfusion and autotransfusion services during procedures and, where appropriate, throughout the institution.
• Reviews and assesses the patient's medical history and chart, and consults with the surgeon and/or anesthesiologist to obtain information needed to set up the heart-lung machine and associated equipment for procedure- and patient-specific care.
• Selects appropriate devices and patient-specific equipment, and sets up and operates perfusion, autotransfusion, and ancillary machines as required by physician orders, recommendations, and procedures.
• Selects, assembles, sets up, and tests the heart-lung machine and associated equipment to ensure they function according to specifications.
• Operates the heart-lung machine to regulate blood circulation and composition, administer drugs and anesthetic agents, and control body temperature during surgery or respiratory failure.
• Administers myocardial preservation solutions by antegrade, retrograde, or ostial delivery according to physician orders or direction.
• Controls body temperature during surgical procedures using cardiopulmonary bypass, according to written protocols or physician instructions.
• Monitors and manipulates the heart-lung machine and patient physiologic variables, including blood temperature, blood composition, and flow rate, adjusting equipment to maintain body functions or meet anticipated physician requirements.
• Administers drugs and anesthetic agents via the extracorporeal circuit according to protocols and physician instructions or guidance.
• Cleans, performs operator maintenance on, and adjusts the calibration or parts of procedural equipment as necessary or scheduled.
• Assists with other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational operational needs.
• May be required to remain on campus immediately before, during, and after severe weather or disasters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time