Perfusionist

A Brief Overview

The primary role of the Cardiovascular Perfusionist is to operate the heart‑lung machine during cardiopulmonary bypass. The perfusionist must have the ability to focus and perform during stressful, life‑threatening situations. Secondary roles include, but are not limited to, intra‑operative blood conservation, arterial‑venous and cerebral oxygen saturation monitoring, adjunctive therapies for ventricular assist. Functions in supportive roles with other medical specialties in operating room to provide a successful patient outcome. The perfusion staff also provides extended, long‑term support of the patient's circulation outside of the operating room environment, i.e., cath lab, and ICU.

What You Will Do

• Demonstrate competence in perfusion concept application: filtration, gas‑exchange, myocardial preservation, hypothermia, hemodilution, perfusion circuitry, and pharmacologic intervention, blood conservation techniques, coagulation management.
• Perform perfusion procedures involving specialized instrumentation and/or advanced life support techniques, including extracorporeal life support such as ventricular assist devices, ECMO, right and left heart bypass, veno‑veno bypass.
• Apply adjunctive techniques with extracorporeal circulation such as volume management hemoconcentration, autotransfusion, aseptic technique, cardiac operative techniques, anesthetic management, circulatory arrest procedures, organ preservation and transplantation.
• Monitor the patient during extracorporeal circulation: hemodynamic monitoring, blood gas analysis, bubble/air detection, level sensing, temperature monitoring, electrocardiography, fluid and electrolyte balance, coagulation monitoring, perfusion adequacy.
• Document major duties and measurable standards. Include any age‑specific requirements or applicable addenda.
• Manage catastrophic events: emergent cases, device failure, massive air emboli, arterial dissections, and critical lab values.
• Perform safety checks of equipment and supplies before each patient encounter.
• Clean and maintain all perfusion equipment.
• Maintain clear charting and pre‑bypass checklist documentation.
• Execute other miscellaneous duties and special projects as directed by the Director of Perfusion Services.
• Collect and enter data for the Adult Cardiac Surgery STS database.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.
• Refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation for specific duties.
• Abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI); complete annual training and adhere to the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures regarding PHI use.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree (Required) or
• 10 plus years of experience (Required)

Work Experience

• Clinical exposure to 40 clinical perfusions, either pediatric or adult patients (Required)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology (Required proficiency).
• Proficiency in ECMO and long‑ and short‑term ventricular assist devices.
• Proficiency in veno‑veno bypass, vacuum‑assisted venous drainage, circulatory support, autotransfusion, laboratory values and interpretation.
• Knowledge of equipment available for extracorporeal circulation functions and monitoring; responsible for selecting appropriate equipment and techniques in consultation with the surgeon (Required proficiency).

Licenses and Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) (Required)
• Certified Clinical Perfusionist or Board‑eligible graduate of an accredited Perfusion Program (Required)

Physical Demands

• Standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, grasping - frequently.
• Repetitive motions, eye/hand/foot coordination, hearing, feeling, talking, speaking, and other constant activities.

Travel Requirements

• 10%

Primary Location

United States-Ohio-Cleveland

Work Locations

11100 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland 44106

Organization

Harrington_Heart_&_Vascular_Institute_UHC