Perfusionist II

Kaiser Permanente; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, CA, seeks a Perfusionist to operate heart-lung machines and related equipment, coordinate with OR teams, and support CVICU operations. The role requires independent setup, drug administration, and patient monitoring during surgery or respiratory failure.

The ideal candidate has perfusion training, B.S. in a science field, and a valid Clinical Perfusionist Certificate, with at least two years of experience. Basic Life Support is required at hire.

Qualifications

• Graduate from a Perfusion program.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience as a Perfusionist.
• Bachelor's degree in a science or health-related discipline or a related field AND minimum two (2) years of experience in field of specialty OR Minimum five (5) years of experience in field of specialty.
• Basic Life Support required at hire.
• Clinical Perfusionist Certificate required at hire.

Responsibilities

• Pursues effective relationships by mentoring and supporting others.
• Completes work autonomously with up-to-date expertise to generate solutions and follow policies.
• Coordinates with Medical Facility staff to schedule patients and provide access to clinics or procedure areas.
• Operates heart-lung machine and related equipment during surgeries or respiratory failure independently.
• Maintains supplies and supports OR and CVICU operations.

Skills

Ambiguity/Uncertainty Management

Attention to Detail

Communication

Critical Thinking

Teamwork

Time Management

Problem Solving

Patient Safety

Education

Perfusion program graduate

Bachelor's degree in science/health-related discipline

Clinical Perfusionist Certificate

Tools

Perfusion Equipment

ECMO/MCS devices

Medical device testing

Job description

Job Summary:

In addition to the responsibilities listed below, this position is also responsible for troubleshooting perfusion equipment, escalating issues to senior leaders, and utilizing resources in conjunction with Information Technology (IT) and Clinical Technology, including but not limited to all operating room (OR), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), ventricular assist device (VAD), and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices; selecting, assembling, setting up, and testing heart-lung machine to ensure that machine and associated equipment function according to specifications independently; participating and assisting in necessary trainings; identifying opportunities for cost savings and providing input on capital request needs of the perfusion service; participating in continuous quality improvement initiatives; signing off on clinical competencies for other certified perfusionists; providing organizational support to the department by orienting perfusion students when necessary; reviewing patients medical history and chart and consulting with surgeon or physician to obtain patient information necessary to set up heart-lung machine and associated equipment independently; operating heart-lung machine to regulate blood circulation and composition, administer drugs and anesthetic agents, and control body temperature during surgery or respiratory failure of patient independently; gathering quality metrics to measure patient and staff safety; and supporting operating room (OR) and cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) operations by maintaining supplies.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Pursues effective relationships with others by proactively providing resources, information, advice, and expertise with coworkers and members. Listens to, seeks, and addresses performance feedback; provides mentoring to team members. Pursues self-development; creates plans and takes action to capitalize on strengths and develop weaknesses; influences others through technical explanations and examples. Adapts to and learns from change, challenges, and feedback; demonstrates flexibility in approaches to work; helps others adapt to new tasks and processes. Supports and responds to the needs of others to support a business outcome.
• Completes work assignments autonomously by applying up-to-date expertise in subject area to generate creative solutions; ensures all procedures and policies are followed; leverages an understanding of data and resources to support projects or initiatives. Collaborates cross-functionally to solve business problems; escalates issues or risks as appropriate; communicates progress and information. Supports, identifies, and monitors priorities, deadlines, and expectations. Identifies, speaks up, and implements ways to address improvement opportunities for team.
• Contributes to clinical administration and improvement by: coordinating with Medical Facility staff to schedule appointments with patients and provide access to the clinic or procedure area; aligning own work with quality assurance measures for treatment, such as the area of expertise as per department protocol, practices and policies; and engaging in opportunities to leverage new or changing techniques in specialty areas, such as keeping informed of new products and protocols through membership in professional societies and/or attending professional seminars.
• Prepares patients for testing or treatment procedures by: explaining testing or treatment procedures to patient in order to improve their experience during the process and increase cooperation independently; leveraging knowledge to answer patient questions regarding steps of and rationale behind the procedure; safely and comfortably positioning patient in area for testing or treatment and preparing area for testing independently; and applying testing or treatment equipment (e.g., recording electrodes) to patient procedures independently.
• Manages medical equipment by: assembling, setting up, and independently monitoring medical equipment specific to the areas of specialty (e.g., diagnostic, therapeutic).
• Handles patient medical information and records by: obtaining and reviewing patients medical history and chart, including consulting with surgeon or physician to obtain all patient information needed; maintaining a computer database of patients related to area of expertise as per department protocol, practices and policies; and documenting the clinical conditions of patient to ensure results of testing and treatment are captured related to area of expertise as per department protocol, practices and policies.
• Assisting physicians with treatments and diagnostics by: operating equipment and anticipating provider needs or supplies for physician including, as well as maintain a clean and sterile area as appropriate; and identifying and flagging complex or critical patient readings that deviate from normal or standard readings.
• Performs testing and monitoring of patients and equipment by: performing testing, monitoring, and adjustment of patients by monitoring applicable systems and physiological values based on treatment plan and area of specialty.
• Provides direct patient care by: independently operating specific equipment related to area of expertise; preparing patients for procedures and equipment related to area of expertise; and following minimal guidance to perform procedures using medical equipment specific to the areas of specialty (e.g., electroencephalogram [EEG], diagnostic, therapeutic) and other procedures as ordered by physicians.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (Core)

• Ambiguity/Uncertainty Management
• Attention to Detail
• Business Knowledge
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Cross-Group Collaboration
• Decision Making
• Dependability
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Support
• Drives Results
• Facilitation Skills
• Health Care Industry
• Influencing Others
• Integrity
• Learning Agility
• Organizational Savvy
• Problem Solving
• Short- and Long-term Learning & Recall
• Teamwork
• Topic-Specific Communication

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (Functional)

• Blood Gas Lab Interpretation
• Hemodynamic Monitoring
• Patient Safety
• Perfusion Operating Room Devices
• Perfusion Procedures
• Perfusion Regulations
• Adaptability
• Health Information Systems
• Health Records
• Managing Diverse Relationships
• Medical Sanitation and Infection Control
• Medical Terminology
• Member Service
• Quality Assurance and Effectiveness
• Relationship Building
• Safety and Environmental Health Management
• Time Management

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate from a Perfusion program.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience as a Perfusionist.
• Bachelors degree in a science or health-related discipline or a related field AND minimum two (2) years of experience in field of specialty OR Minimum five (5) years of experience in field of specialty.

• Basic Life Support required at hire

• Clinical Perfusionist Certificate required at hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• N/A