Perfusionist

Perfusionist**Job Code**:
30000604

**Basic Function**:
Sets up and operates heart-lung machine in hospital to take over functions of patient's heart and lungs during surgery or respiratory failure: Reviews patient medical history and chart, and consults with surgeon or anesthetist to obtain patient information needed to set up heart-lung machine and associated equipment.

**Scope**:
The perfusionist performs functions and services which are necessary for the support, treatment, measurement or supplementation of a patient’s cardiovascular, circulatory or respiratory systems or other organs, or any combination of those organs or systems

Ensures the safe management of that patient’s physiological functions through the monitoring and analysis of the bodily systems.

The functions and services performed by a perfusionist include:

- use of extracorporeal circulation and associated therapeutic and/or diagnostic technologies,
- ECMO, VADs, myocardial preservation and/or organ preservation techniques in connection with the performance of procedures involving cardiopulmonary bypass
- blood management
- administration of pharmacological and therapeutic agents through the extracorporeal circuit
- administration of anesthetic agents through the extracorporeal circuit
- performance of central hypothermia or hyperthermia, and
- performance of anticoagulation monitoring
- myocardial protection

**Principal Contacts**:
Chief of anesthesia

**Principal Duties**:
Duties include but are not limited to the following procedures
- Heart Failure Therapy and Support
- Ventricular Assist Device management
- Intra-aortic Balloon Counterpulsation
- Transportation of Extracorporeal Supported Patients
- Hemofiltration (i.e. “Aquapheresis”)
- Periodic flow augmentation therapy
- Blood Management
- Autotransfusion
- Hemostasis monitoring and analysis
- Non-Clinical Responsibilities
- Documentation of duties via the official medical record
- Administration, including managing all aspects - technical, fiscal, workflow, and human resources - of Clinical Perfusion operations.
- Quality Control and Assurance
- Regulatory Compliance
- Competency/Performance Evaluation
- Professional Performance
- Obtains and maintains appropriate professional credentials.
- Works in partnership with other health care professionals to provide the best medical care possible for all patients.
- Adheres to the standards, policies, and procedures adopted by the profession and regulated by law.
- Stays current with required continuing medical education (CME) in order to stay abreast of changes in the field of extracorporeal technology and to maintain professional credentials.
- Participates in continuing education activities through professional organizations, to enhance knowledge, skills and performance.

**Education**:
Bachelor degree in perfusion science from an accredited cardiovascular perfusion education program

**Experience**:
Minimum 5 years’ experience

**Certifications/Other requirements as applicable**:
Good communication skills