Summary:
Under the direction of the attending cardiac and credentialed general surgeons prepares sets-up and operates extra corporeal circulation devices to provide cardiopulmonary bypass support to adult and pediatric patients during cardiac major vascular or trauma surgery. While patient is undergoing extra corporeal circulatory support obtains and interprets relevant laboratory tests maintains appropriate fluid volume status with crystalloid and/or blood transfusion to the circuit and gives physician-directed medications. Makes technical adjustments as necessary to optimize the patient�s clinical status. Maintains cardiopulmonary bypass circuit platforms cardioplegia pumps heater/cooler machines and related monitoring equipment in working order. Reports perfusion-related adverse patient outcomes to the Medical Director of Perfusion and assists in Quality Committee investigations and quality control programs. Operationally perfusionists will report to the Administrative Director of Surgical Services.

Responsibilities:
Operates the extra corporeal circulatory assist devices under the direct supervision of an attending cardiac or general surgeon with medical staff privileges in placing patients on cardiopulmonary bypass support. This may include:

- Assembly of extra corporeal perfusion circuits and related equipment following the manufacturer�s directions and using accepted aseptic techniques and tests for reliable functioning.

- Consultation with attending surgeon to determine the desired circuit oxygenator perfusate solution composition planned venous and arterial cannulation sites.

- Review of patient�s medical record and preoperative laboratory testing in consultation with the attending surgeon and anesthesiologist to ensure surgical team�s awareness of relevant patient co-morbidities that may alter perfusion technique. Completes patient database information collection.

- Conduction of extra corporeal perfusion on adult and pediatric patients with maintenance of patient�s blood pressure acid-base status oxygen and carbon-dioxide exchange blood volume and hematocrit and temperature at clinically appropriate values.

- Obtains and/or performs laboratory tests of coagulation acid-base status hemoglobin levels blood chemistry as indicated in the conduct of extra corporeal perfusion and any additional testing as requested by the attending surgeon and/or anesthesiologist during the surgery.

- Administration of inhalation or intravenous medications to a patient undergoing extra corporeal circulation in consultation with the surgeon and/or anesthesiologist.

- Assembly and operation of blood scavenging device (i.e. Cell Saver) for cardiac surgical cases.

- Completion of an accurate record of the extra corporeal perfusion for each individual patient with original placed in patient�s medical record and a copy kept in the departmental files.



Assembles and operates intra-aortic balloon assist devices left ventricular assist devices or pediatric ECMO circuit and equipment under the supervision of the attending surgeon in the operating suites. Assists intensive care unit nursing staff in the assembly and operation of intra-aortic balloon devices for inpatients when requested by an attending physician.



Inspects and maintains all extra corporeal perfusion equipment and related monitoring and testing equipment in working order. Reports defective equipment to Medical Director and Biomedical Department. Arranges for servicing from hospital biomedical engineering staff and/or manufacturer. Assists in determining and ordering an adequate supply of perfusion-related disposables. Communicates order requests/status to clinical perfusionist colleagues and responsible hospital staff.



Operates pediatric Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) circulatory assist devices under the supervision of an attending surgeon with medical staff privileges in ECMO therapy.



Reports potential untoward patient outcomes related to the delivery of extra corporeal perfusion to the Medical Director of Perfusion Services. Assists in the Quality Assurance Committee activities related to the investigation of such reports. Attends staff meetings in-services and relevant medical conferences as requested by the Chief of Cardiac Surgery or the Medical Director of Perfusion or the Director of Operating Room Nursing.



Assists in the conduct of the RIH IRB-approved clinical or laboratory research in the field of cardiac surgery or extra corporeal circulation as directed by either the Chief of Cardiac Surgery of the Medical Director of Perfusion.



Assists in the clinical orientation of newly hired clinical perfusionists.



Performs other related duties as required by the Administrative Director of Surgical Services the Medical Director of Perfusion and/or Chief of Cardiac Surgery.

Other information:
BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

Graduation from an accredited school of perfusion technology with an Bachelor�s Degree in a related field.



Current certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion or eligibility for certification by the ABCP within one year of hire date.



Demonstration of and maintenance of knowledge and skills necessary to provide care in extra corporeal circulation techniques to adult and pediatric patients as evaluated by the Chief of Cardiac Surgery and/or the Medical Director of Perfusion.



EXPERIENCE:

Requires three to five year�s of clinical perfusion experience before eligibility to take the oral and written exam for certification.



WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Considerable exposure to Operating Room environment.

Works with patient blood and with some exposure to diseases associated with blood. Hazards are minimized by adherence to established safety precautions.



SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

Brown University Health is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status.   Brown University Health is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Location: Rhode Island Hospital USA:RI:Providence

Work Type: Full Time

Shift: Shift 1

Union: UNAP

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