Perfusionist

In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.

While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

***$20,000 SIGN ON BONUS PAID OUT IN

3 INSTALLMENTS (NO YEAR EXP REQUIRED)***

Job Summary:

Selects, assembles, sets up, test and operates extra-corporeal blood circulation equipment (e.g. Heart-Lung Machine) during medical procedures where the patient’s circulatory or respiratory function must be supported or temporarily replaced (e.g. cardiopulmonary bypass and associated ancillary services). An incumbent consults with the physician/surgical team to select appropriate equipment, techniques and blood products, anesthetics or drugs to be given to the patient through the extra-corporeal circuit. Duties also include continuously monitoring for safe clinical management of patient’s cardio-respiratory function and proper equipment functioning, addressing issues as they arise.
Work is performed under the direction of a physician, in accordance with the standards of the profession, established Franciscan Health System (FHS) procedure/protocols and applicable regulatory requirements. In addition to considerable knowledge of clinical perfusion concepts, standards, protocols and equipment, work requires familiarity with the operation of membrane oxygenators, centrifugal blood pumps, hemoconcentrators and ventricular assist devices and the ability to keep abreast of new equipment, standards, trends and developments in the field of clinical perfusion.

Essential Duties:

•Reviews patient medical history/chart, and consults with surgical team to obtain information needed to set up extra-corporeal pump (heart-lung machine) and associated equipment; prepares operating room by selecting, assembling and setting up equipment to take over functions of patient’s heart and lungs during open-heart surgery and other medical procedures, including medical supplies, filters, tubes and related equipment; prepares blood, solutions and related components; selects and assembles ancillary supplies and equipment including auto-transfusion, ultra-filtration, potassium and calcium analyzer, anti-coagulation assay equipment, in-line blood gases and chemistry monitoring; performs diagnostic tests to ensure that machine and associated equipment function according to specifications.

•Operates heart-lung machine to take over the functions of the patient’s heart and lungs, including regulating blood circulation and composition, administering drugs and anesthetic agents and controlling body temperature; monitors the patient’s altered circulatory process and physiologic variables closely, taking appropriate corrective action when abnormal situations arise, and maintains ongoing communication with the surgeon and anesthesiologist regarding the patient’s status.

•Operates ventricular assist device and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the operating room.

•Monitors patient’s vital signs and maintains safe clinical management of patient’s cardio-respiratory function during surgery; interprets blood gases and chemistry values; recognizes, resolves and reports any abnormal situations that arise during surgery within scope of practice; ensures adequate anticoagulation of patient before, during and after being placed on H-L Machine.

•Monitors and continually observes the operation of extra-corporeal pump during open-heart surgery for proper functioning, blood, drug dilution levels, patient’s temperature and control of hot/cold water to maintain proper blood temperature; adjusts equipment for proper calibration of pump heads to prevent destruction of blood cells, proper functioning of component parts/connectors and the proper electrical functioning of pump Accessories; makes the necessary corrections during any machine/equipment malfunction as circumstances dictate.

•Monitors and documents all perfusion-related activities and parameters during surgical procedure, including oxygenation flow rates, body temperature, perfusion pressure, blood chemistries, urinary output and related data in accordance with established procedures.
•Documents all related patient care, quality control procedures and equipment status information in accordance with department policies and procedures.

•Maintains data in appropriate databases and registries.

•Disassembles and cleans machine and heater/coolers after each use in accordance with established procedures; performs and documents quality control procedures on all equipment used to provide patient care; identifies the need for, and initiates, the repair or replacement of malfunctioning equipment.
•Coordinates with appropriate parties to maintain appropriate inventory of equipment, materials and supplies as needed to perform perfusion services.
•Participates in development and implementation of policies and procedures and Quality Assurance measures.
•Makes recommendations to adjust current protocols to improve clinical outcomes and patient safety.
•Trains staff, technicians and RNs in the use of circulatory and respiratory function equipment, long term assist devices and blood conservation programs, as required.
•Trains in the use of the pump oxygenator in relation to open-heart surgery.
•Participates in and provides education and training on blood conservation program.
•Cultural Sensitivity and Competence: Demonstrates proper use of communication tools/materials for effective communication and understands how the culture(s) of patient populations can affect communication, collaboration and the provision of care, treatment and services. Patient •Population Served: Demonstrates knowledge and proper skills associated with the department’s defined specific populations served.
•Performs related duties as required.

Education/ Work Experience:

Certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion or certification-eligible; AND a) Bachelor’s degree in perfusion technology, chemistry, biology or other allied health specialty; OR b) Graduate of a CAAHEP-accredited school of cardiovascular perfusion; OR c) five years of experience as a clinical perfusionist; OR d) an equivalent combination of the foregoing training and experience as defined by the limits of (a) through (c).

Licensure/Certifications:

Must be:

1) certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, or

2) certification-eligible. A certification-eligible employee must become certified within one year of date of hire.

Current healthcare provider BLS certification.