Clinical Perfusionist

Summary

The Clinical Perfusionist's main responsibility is to manage the physiologic and metabolic needs of the surgical patient while on Cardiopulmonary Bypass or Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation. He/she is independently responsible for the conduct of perfusion and ensuring the safe management of cardio-respiratory function of the patient during those procedures so deemed by the Cardiac Surgeon.

Duties

Clinical Perfusionist Duties: Perform clinical perfusion practice independently and with varying levels of complexity and/or difficulty, utilizing perfusion principles and techniques to maintain best practices. Assesses and creates a pre-surgical evaluation and plan, presents his/her findings and recommendations to the surgeon and/or the anesthesiologist of the patient before surgery to ensure proper quality and timeliness of care for the patient. This may require instant and continuous modification to limit and alleviate surgical side effects and complications. Operates, manages, troubleshoots, and evaluates parameters of the heart lung machine to ensure best practices of perfusion for patient care. Manages life support systems other than the heart lung machine, including, but not limited to LVAD, RVAD, and ECMO. Instructs/aids other perfusionists, students, and other medical professionals on perfusion related equipment, perfusion principles and techniques by providing educational programs and material. After concurrence with the plan by the cardiothoracic surgeon, initiation of the planned clinical perfusion support and technique(s) which may require instant and continuous modification to limit and alleviate surgical side effects and complications. Induction of complete perfusion support ensuring circulatory and ventilator support are adequate. Adjustment of anesthetic drugs, anticoagulation therapy, pressor support and techniques utilized during the cardiothoracic surgical procedure. Manages emergence from complete circulatory support after discussion and concurrence from cardiothoracic surgeon and anesthesiologist.- May provide emergency perfusion case management throughout the facility, i.e. ER, Cath Lab, SICU. Participation in staff meetings, cardiothoracic multi-disciplinary conferences and other committees as assigned by the Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon or Chief Anesthesiologist. Maintains perfusion equipment in constant readiness and cleans equipment in accordance with hospital guidelines, SOPs, manufacturer's recommendations and CDC guidelines. Prepares pharmacologic agents properly for use in clinical perfusion casework administration. Attends in-service and continuing education programs. Assists in in-service educational programs regarding perfusion care. Precepts students Adheres to OR/clinical perfusion safety regulations/procedures and infection control policies. Complies with Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals- Fully complies with medical center Correct Site/Universal Protocol requirements, including pausing activities during pre-operative time-out. Complies with VA and Joint Commission documentation requirements. Performs all aspects of perfusion documentation, both paper and electronic, to include creation, update, implementation, and maintenance of perfusion records, charts, databases, policies/procedures, preference cards and storage of documents according to established guidelines, requirements and protocols. Instructs/aids other perfusionists, students, and other medical professionals on perfusion related equipment, perfusion principles and techniques by providing educational programs and material. Provide in-service and didactic teaching to ensure competency of staff. Aptitude of operation of all perfusion equipment, including quality control and troubleshooting as needed. Support, maintain and share evidence-based and goal directed perfusion to improve clinical practice and utilize pertinent medical literature to enhance patient care to the cardiothoracic team. Expert level of knowledge of current perfusion best practices and familiar with standard of care in the perfusion field. Perform quality control and internal reviews as required on all lab equipment utilized by the perfusion team. Perform improvement studies on all perfusion equipment as needed. This shall be done by collecting metrics in databases and analysis with software for quality performance of perfusion devices. Participation in staff meetings, cardiothoracic multi-disciplinary conferences and other committees as assigned by the Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon. Maintains perfusion equipment in constant readiness and cleans equipment in accordance with hospital guidelines, SOPs, manufacturer's recommendations and CDC guidelines. Prepares pharmacologic agents properly for use in clinical perfusion casework administration. The above list is not all inclusive Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7am-3:30pm with some evening/ weekend call coverage Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g., this part.) See 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3); 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B); 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education. Candidates must hold a degree in perfusion as described below in paragraphs (1) and (2) that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or EQualTM Canada at the time the program was completed. Bachelor's or master's degree in perfusion from a program in the United States or Canada accredited by the CAAHEP or EQualTM Canada. OR, Bachelor's or master's degree in addition to a post-baccalaureate certificate in perfusion from a program accredited by CAAHEP or the EQualTM Canada. NOTE: The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. The degree is to be verified by submitting a request to [email protected]. The request must include the name of the school, city, state, and graduation date of individual. Board Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to CP positions in VHA must be board-certified in the field of clinical perfusion as a Certified Clinical Perfusionist by the ABCP. The board certification must be current, and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education. Loss of Board Certification. Once board certified, a CP must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure, credential, or required certification will result in removal from the GS-0601CP occupation and may result in termination of employment. Licensure. None required, but a license or license eligibility or State required credential is strongly preferred. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRADE REQUIREMENTS. Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Clinical Perfusionist, GS-12 Experience, Certification and Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of CP experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and have obtained their ABCP certification as a CCP. License is preferred, but not required. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to apply the principles of program management and oversight required to develop program goals and ob