Perfusion Assistant

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Health in Nashville is seeking a Perfusion Technician to support setup, priming and ongoing calibration of heart-lung machines for open heart procedures under the supervision of a licensed perfusionist. The role includes assisting during elective or emergent cardiac surgeries, serving as a reference for perfusion personnel, and contributing to intraoperative autotransfusion services as needed.

1 year experience preferred, with Associate's degree.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of all stages (pre-, peri-, and post-) of Cardiopulmonary bypass assistance.
• Provides independent clinical services for cardiac and/or non‑cardiac intraoperative autotransfusion blood salvage.
• Teaches, mentors and/or acts as a resource to the Cardiovascular Perfusion Technology (CVPT) students during their clinical rotations and/or instructs the students didactically.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of all stages (pre-, peri-, and post-) of Cardiopulmonary bypass assistance.
• Provides independent clinical services for cardiac and/or non‑cardiac intraoperative autotransfusion blood salvage.
• Teaches, mentors and/or acts as a resource to the Cardiovascular Perfusion Technology (CVPT) students during their clinical rotations and/or instructs the students didactically.
• Participates in inventory management of perfusion supplies and other ancillary perfusion service responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Perfusionist.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Education

Associate's

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world‑class care to the people of the Mid‑South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization

Perioperative Service Perfusion

Job Summary

Responsible for setup, priming and overall preparation, calibration and troubleshooting of heart/lung machine and extracorporeal circuitry for open heart procedures. Under direct supervision of a licensed perfusionist, provides assistance during elective or emergent cardiac procedures as prescribed by the attending cardiovascular surgeon. Acts as a resource person for perfusion and medical personnel during clinical procedures requiring clinical perfusion support.

Department Summary

• One of the nation’s busiest critical care centers
• Home to the world’s busiest heart, lung and liver transplant program
• Successful NRP program for organ procurement
• Established ECMO program that supports all areas of the hospital and transports to VUMC
• A hub for cutting-edge biomedical research
• A record-breaking 918 solid organ transplants in FY25 across adult and pediatric programs

Join a team where your expertise is valued, your growth is supported, and your impact is felt every day!

Preferred Qualifications

• Perioperative Blood Management Technologist (PBMT) Certification

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of all stages (pre-, peri-, and post-) of Cardiopulmonary bypass assistance.
• Provides independent clinical services for cardiac and/or non‑cardiac intraoperative autotransfusion blood salvage.
• Teaches, mentors and/or acts as a resource to the Cardiovascular Perfusion Technology (CVPT) students during their clinical rotations and/or instructs the students didactically.
• Participates in inventory management of perfusion supplies and other ancillary perfusion service responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Perfusionist.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

• Equipment Maintenance (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the ability to maintain equipment, products, or systems in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Assures that parts inventory is sufficient.
• Medical Terminology & Documentation (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate medical terminology and documentation in practical applications of moderate difficulty.
• Procedures Knowledge (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate procedures knowledge in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid‑South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job. * Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.

Core Capabilities

Supporting Colleagues : Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively : - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation : - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Experience Level

1 year

Education

Associate's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.