Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.

Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.

Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.

We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.

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 JOB FUNCTIONS:

• 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.
• 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.
• Documents all related patient care, quality control procedures and equipment status information in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• 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.
• Participates in development and implementation of policies and procedures and Quality Assurance measures.
• Trains staff, technicians and RNs in the use of circulatory and respiratory function equipment, long term assist devices and blood conservation programs, as required.
• 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 Requirements

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/Certification

• 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.