Perfusionist

Pantai Hospital Ipoh; Ipoh; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare institution in Ipoh seeks a skilled perfusionist to ensure patient safety during critical procedures. Responsibilities include operating specialized equipment, monitoring patient vitals, and collaborating with surgical teams. Ideal candidates should have a diploma/degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience, with strong communication and leadership abilities. This position entails working in a fast-paced environment, emphasizing critical thinking and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ experience in a relevant capacity.
• Experience in managing off-pump cases will be an added advantage.
• Must be self-motivated and independent with a high degree of initiative.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate heart-lung machines and other extracorporeal equipment.
• Monitor vital signs and closely observe patient conditions during procedures.
• Administer medications under supervision of the attending surgeon or anesthesiologist.

Skills

Strong interpersonal communication skills

Critical thinking and analytical skills

Leadership and management skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Diploma / Degree in relevant field

Job description

The primary role of a perfusionist is to ensure patient safety and adequate blood flow and oxygenation during procedures where the heart and lungs are stopped or compromised. Duties often include:

Responsibilities

• Operating Extracorporeal Equipment: Setting up and operating heart-lung machines, intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP), ventricular assist devices (VAD), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systems.
• Monitoring Patient Vitals: Closely monitoring vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, blood gas levels, temperature, and coagulation status throughout the procedures that require perfusionist participation.
• Administering Medications: Administering blood products, anesthetic agents, cardioplegia, and other pharmaceuticals via the bypass circuit under the supervision of the attending surgeon or anesthesiologist.
• Patient Transport: Participating in the transport of patients who are on life support devices.
• Equipment Management: Performing quality control, maintaining equipment, managing supply inventory, and ensuring all equipment is sterile and functioning correctly.
• Collaboration and Communication: Working as part of a multidisciplinary surgical team, communicating patient parameters to surgeons and anesthesiologists, and adapting plans in critical situations.
• Documentation: Completing case-specific paperwork and accurately recording all data and procedures.
• On-Call Availability: Participating in on-call rotations to provide 24/7 coverage for emergency procedures.
• Adjusting blood flow rates and regulating oxygenation levels within the bypass circuit to maintain proper tissue perfusion.
• Interpreting laboratory values like arterial and venous blood gases, clotting times, and making necessary adjustments based on the results.
• Managing cell salvage techniques to reinfuse a patient's own blood, when required.
• Assisting with research related to perfusion techniques, when required.

Education Requirements

• Diploma / Degree in relevant field.

Experience / Knowledge Requirements

• At least 5 years’ experience in relevant capacity.
• Experience in managing off-pump cases will be an added advantage.
• Good interpersonal skills and able to lead the organization towards excellence.
• Good communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Must possess good leadership quality and effective management skills, able to lead and manage.
• Self-motivated and independent with a high degree of initiative and commitment.
• Ability to drive and to achieve company’s objectives.
• Must be deft problem solvers, detailed planners and adept managers and decision makers.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to personally build and maintain relationships with consultants.
• In-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and sterile techniques; critical thinking; analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent communication skills; and the ability to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment are all vital.