Sr. Perfusionist

UCLA Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 149,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health in Los Angeles seeks a Perfusionist to support a world-class cardiac program and heart/lung transplant services. You will assist with extracorporeal circulation, organ protection, and management of perfusion equipment in a highly specialized team.

You will work under the Director and Attending Cardiac Surgeon, ensuring patient safety across diverse surgical cases inside UCLA Health’s renowned transplant program. Strong technical and collaborative skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited perfusion program.
• BCLS certification from ARC or AHA.
• CCP from the ABCP required 24 months after graduation.
• For Senior Perfusionist: 24 months of adult and 6 months pediatric experience.
• Experience with heart-lung machines, centrifugal pumps, IABP, VAD, ECMO, and related devices.
• Advanced knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, including cardiac diseases and congenital anomalies.
• Knowledge of sterile and perfusion supplies and components.
• Ability to learn and apply JCAHO, CDC, and AABB standards and protocols.
• Ability to work flexible hours and lift/move up to 350 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Provide critical patient care supporting extracorporeal circulation and organ protection.
• Operate heart-lung machine, circuits, and related equipment.
• Support a range of devices including IABP, VAD, and ECMO under Director supervision.

Skills

Adaptability

Communication skills

Teaching/training

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher; accredited perfusion program

Tools

Heart-lung machines

IABP

ECMO

VAD devices

Job description

Work Schedule

variable shifts with holidays, weekends, and call assigned by the director

Posted Date

09/30/2026

Salary Range: $108.13 - 142.57 Hourly

Employment Type

Duration

indefinite

Job #

33171

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Play a key role within a world-class care, award-winning health system. You can help ensure the delivery of outstanding cardiac surgical care and take your career in an exciting new direction. As a perfusionist, you’ll be an important contributor to the nation’s largest and most advanced heart and lung transplant program. Our exceptional team of clinical professionals combined with leading-edge technology makes UCLA Health the trusted destination for the most diverse and complex cardiac cases.

The Perfusionist is daily supervised and given routine work assignment and responsibilities by the Director. Routine patient care is under the direction of the Director and the Attending Cardiac Surgeon. Under the order of the Attending physician. You will provide critical patient care as you support extracorporeal circulation and/or oxygenation, myocardial and/or organ protection and preservation, blood component and drug/fluid administration. This includes assembly and operation of the heart-lung machine and extracorporeal circuits, operation of heater, coolers and cardioplegia delivery system, also blood concentrators, coagulation monitors, and long -tern assist devices, etc. This may include operation of devices such as Heart lung machine, IABP, VAD and ECMO.

Salary Range:

Senior Perfusionist: $108.13- $142.57/hourly

Perfusionist: $97.34- $107.49/hourly

Job Qualifications

We’re seeking a highly-motivated, flexible individual with :

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher, with graduation from an accredited perfusion program.
• BCLS certification from ARC or AHA.
• CCP from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) required 24 months after graduation.
• For Senior Perfusionist: 24 months of adult and 6 months pediatric experience required
• Experience with a variety of heart-lung machines, centrifugal pumps, IABP, implantable ventricular assist devices, intraoperative auto transfusion devices, blood saturation monitors, hemodynamic pressure transducers, ECMO, anticoagulation monitors, etc.
• Advanced knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, including cardiac diseases, defects and congenital anomalies.
• Knowledge of sterile and perfusion supplies, including extracorporeal oxygenators, tubing circuits, and cannulae for all patient populations.
• Understanding of a variety of organ preservations.
• Knowledge of blood products/components and plasma composition of the human body.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, prioritizing and teaching skills.
• Ability to learn and apply JCAHO, CDC, and AABB standards and protocols.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques in the delivery of patient care.
• Ability to work flexible hours as well as lift and move objects/equipment weighing up to 350 lbs.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. Current/former UC employees are subject to a personnel file review.