Clinical Perfusionist - Pediatric

Oklahoma Children's Hospital; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

OU Health in Oklahoma seeks a Clinical Cardiovascular Perfusionist for the Pediatric Heart OR. Under supervision of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Chief Perfusionist, you will conduct extracorporeal circulation and manage cardiopulmonary functions during bypass to support or replace patient physiology.

Bachelor's degree required with perfusion education program; ABCP certification or eligibility; Life Support certification, and experience in a fast-paced academic hospital preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required and perfusion education program completed.
• Certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) desirable.
• Current Life Support certification (American Heart Association).

Responsibilities

• Operate extracorporeal circulation during cardiac procedures.
• Manage perfusion equipment and cardioplegia delivery.
• Maintain records and administer blood products per policy.

Skills

Perfusionist certification

Cardiovascular perfusion

Critical care

Education

Bachelor's degree

Perfusion education program

ABCP certification

Tools

ECMO equipment

LVAD system

Job description

Position Title

Clinical Perfusionist - Pediatric Department: Pediatric Heart OR

Job Description

General Description: Under the direction of the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Cardiothoracic Attending Surgeons and the Chief Perfusionist, the Clinical Cardiovascular Perfusionist is responsible for conducting extracorporeal circulation and ensuring the safe management of cardiorespiratory functions during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or replace the patients cardiopulmonary/circulation functions. Responsible for monitoring the necessary physiologic variables during cardiopulmonary bypass; administering blood byproducts; administering anesthetic agents and drugs through extracorporeal circuit, maintaining accurate records; following established protocols in accordance with hospital policy and directives from attending surgeon.

Essential Responsibilities

Prepares patient and equipment for extracorporeal support. Reviews the patient’s medical record, documents and all appropriate medical and laboratory information. This includes but is not limited to diagnosis, planned surgical procedure, current drug therapy, allergies, renal, hepatic, metabolic and coagulation data. Evaluates and prepares equipment for bypass. Ensures sterile assembly, degassing and priming of all cardiopulmonary bypass components. This includes, but is not limited, to the appropriate reservoir, filters, tubing, heat exchangers, oxygenator, cardioplegia delivery system, temperature monitoring equipment and heater-cooler. Assembles the intraoperative cell saver autotransfusion equipment. Understands autotransfusion (cell saver) technology and how to integrate it with the perfusion circuit. Oversees all aspects of the safe operation and monitoring of the bypass and cardioplegia delivery system. Must recognize, interpret and manage changes during perfusion. Performs administration of Blood Products per Hospital Policy. Maintains Point of Care equipment in working order to ensure reliability of tests according to departmental practices and procedures per Hospital Point of Care Policies. Administers appropriate drugs per Attending Surgeon and Anesthesiologist orders. Determines appropriate fluid replacement, including crystalloid and colloid, based on hematocrit, blood loss, pump volume, and urine output. Performs various techniques of myocardial protection under the direct supervision of the Attending Surgeons. Performs other procedures related to intraoperative activities involving extracorporeal assist or circulation. Understands and is able to operate with assistance specialized perfusion circuits including: ascending arch aneurysms, left ventricular bypass, total circulatory arrest, femoral vein‑femoral artery bypass, and percutaneous bypass. Operates LVAD, ECMO and other long‑term cardiopulmonary support, as well as assisting with organ retrieval on our new cardiac transplant program. Participates in clinical studies, ensuring data collection and verification as required, in accordance with protocol. Participates in laboratory studies, utilizing expertise to perform animal studies as required, in accordance with protocol. Attends mandatory in‑service educational meetings according to departmental and hospital policy. Attends departmental, institutional and external meetings to ensure professional standards. Reads appropriate professional journals to maintain and enhance skills and clinical competencies. Makes presentations to other in‑service programs within hospital, as required. Supervises students in perfusion training programs. Utilizes hospitals behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospitals mission and goals. Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

General Responsibilities

The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. Must have graduated from an accredited Perfusion Education program. Degree requirement may be waived for applicants who were admitted to the examination process before April 15, 1981, or have been previously certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP).

Experience

Cardiovascular Perfusionist experience in a fast‑paced academic hospital is preferred.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required

Certification in Cardiovascular Perfusion by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion or eligible to take the examination for certification. Current license issued by the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision as a Perfusionist. Out‑of‑state licensed perfusionists must obtain state licensure within 90 days of employment. Current Basic Life Support issued by the American Heart Association required upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Basic knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Pathology and Mathematics. Work requires knowledge of perfusion equipment and its operation; basic knowledge of the circuitry and operation of ventricular assist devices and of clinical physiology necessary to conduct the best possible perfusion for any given patient. Must have the ability to exercise appropriate judgment to respond immediately to unexpected events, especially in crisis situations when preparation time is a factor in successful treatment. Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to work smoothly and effectively as a member of a close functioning team; and to interact effectively with the medical staff, nursing staff and various departments throughout the hospital. Ability to use considerable mental and visual strain during procedures when constant attention must be paid to monitoring signals and machine function.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more.
• We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.

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OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.

OU Health is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and Edmond Medical Center in the heart of the Edmond Community. Becker’s Hospital Review named University of Oklahoma Medical Center one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America for 2020. OU Health’s oncology program at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center was named Oklahoma’s top facility for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020-21 rankings. OU Health also was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in these specialties: Colon Surgery, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. Experts in prevention, treatment and cures, our team works to improve lives through innovation in medical care, education and research, while investing in the people, technologies and facilities that will enable us to achieve our goals. We are seeking individuals who have a passion and talent for caring for others. By joining our team, you will provide quality health care to our community through the work you do every day. We provide clinical and non‑clinical opportunities to further your career and we invite you to explore our available positions.

Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or protected veteran status in accordance with applicable federal laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Reasonable accommodations are made to the known physical and mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities.