Senior Perfusionist - Peds

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

25d

About The Position

The Senior Perfusionist performs the duties of the Perfusionist classification and serves as an advanced clinical resource. The role independently manages complex adult, pediatric, neonatal, transplant, and mechanical circulatory support cases; exercises advanced clinical judgment; consults with physicians and staff; leads quality improvement activities; and precepts and mentors staff and students. The main operating room provides patient care through the management of capital supplies, instrumentation, technology, and human resources in collaboration with medical and paramedical staff for elective, urgent, and emergent surgery. Clinical perfusionists are members of the open-heart surgery team and work primarily in cardiac operating theatres alongside cardio-thoracic surgeons, anesthetists, cardiologists, cardiac sciences healthcare scientists, theatre nurses, and operating department practitioners. The position selects, assembles, tests, and operates cardiopulmonary bypass equipment and associated devices; determines equipment and blood and fluid management strategies; initiates and manages extracorporeal circulation; monitors patient parameters and responses; administers cardioplegia; operates hemoconcentration and blood conservation systems; and performs advanced perfusion techniques. It also operates and manages ECMO, VAD, IABP, and related systems, responds to emergencies, participates in on-call coverage, supports education and department operations, and contributes to quality improvement, research, and program development.

Requirements

Successful completion of an accredited perfusion education program.
Current Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) credential from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, or CCP eligibility as applicable to classification.
BLS certification.
One to two years of progressively responsible perfusion experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated competency managing adult, pediatric, and neonatal perfusion procedures.
Demonstrated competency managing ECMO, VAD, and advanced circulatory support systems.
Ability to independently manage highly complex clinical situations.
Demonstrated leadership, precepting, and mentoring experience.
Ability to operate routine equipment, special devices, and monitors.
Knowledge of sterile and perfusion supplies, including extracorporeal oxygenators, tubing circuits, and cannulae for adults, children, and infants.
Knowledge of blood components, plasma composition, and use of blood products with extracorporeal circuits and devices.
Advanced knowledge of human anatomy, disease processes, physiology, and biochemistry.
Advanced knowledge of arteries, veins, organs, blood-flow pathways, pressures, and gas exchange for all patient populations.
Ability to work variable shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
Ability to maintain flexibility and work in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
Ability to learn and apply TJC, CDC, and AABB standards and protocols applicable to operating room procedures and departmental policies and protocols.
Knowledge of sterile techniques in patient care.
Ability to independently initiate bypass for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.
Ability to follow orders and directions and implement written perfusion protocols.
Ability to use formulas and applied mathematics in perfusion protocols.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of applicable regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of the EPIC medical record system.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
Experience in a tertiary academic medical center or Level I Trauma Center.
Pediatric and neonatal perfusion experience.
ECMO specialist experience.
Participation in research, publication, or quality improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Select, assemble, test, and operate cardiopulmonary bypass equipment and associated devices.
Choose oxygenators, circuits, cannulae, pumps, and ancillary equipment based on patient needs.
Independently initiate and manage extracorporeal circulation procedures and determine blood and fluid management strategies.
Monitor and interpret hemodynamic, physiologic, laboratory, anticoagulation, and blood gas parameters; assess patient responses and communicate recommendations to physicians and surgical teams.
Provide myocardial protection through cardioplegia and operate hemoconcentration devices and blood conservation systems.
Perform advanced perfusion techniques, including hypothermia, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, retrograde cerebral perfusion, and organ preservation procedures.
Independently manage highly complex adult, pediatric, neonatal, transplant, and re-operative procedures; consult on non-routine strategies and equipment selection and serve as a clinical resource for advanced techniques.
Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot ECMO, VAD, IABP, and related mechanical circulatory support systems; assess patient status and device performance.
Communicate with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary care teams; participate in transport and emergency deployment of circulatory support systems.
Independently initiate, manage, and troubleshoot ECMO and mechanical circulatory support systems; advise physicians on cannulation strategies, device selection, and management approaches; lead emergency deployment and advanced support activities.
Respond to emergencies requiring extracorporeal support and participate in emergency cardiac and respiratory support procedures.
Provide on-call coverage as assigned and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams during emergent care.
Participate in continuing education, orient and train staff and students, and maintain required certifications and competencies.
Serve as a clinical preceptor and mentor; develop educational content and competency programs; educate staff and interdisciplinary teams; and assist with competency validation and professional development initiatives.
Maintain inventory and supply levels, assist with equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, participate in quality assurance and regulatory compliance, and maintain clinical and operational documentation.
Assist with operational planning and departmental initiatives, coordinate equipment evaluations, assist with capital planning, and provide leadership support during operational challenges.
Participate in data collection, quality improvement, protocol implementation, performance improvement, and assigned research activities.
Lead quality improvement projects and protocol development; analyze clinical outcomes and operational metrics; and participate in research design, implementation, and publication activities.