Perfusion Assistant

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Assists certified Perfusionists in all aspects of care rendered, consistent with hospital specific and SpecialtyCare policies and procedures. Provides patient care through autotranfusion and other patient care services for cardiac and non-cardiac surgical procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Open heart surgery support assistance under the direct supervision of a Certified Clinical Perfusionist, the Cardiovascular Surgeon and/or Anesthesiologist:
• Chart on the patient's cardiopulmonary bypass clinical record any monitoring values, event descriptions or laboratory test results
• Act as a courier for the perfusionist during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures by transporting blood samples for laboratory evaluation, obtaining additional supplies and or equipment for the perfusionist including blood products, as ordered, from the blood bank.
• Set up and prime extracorporeal circuits under the supervision of a Certified Clinical Perfusionist.

• Cleaning of equipment, following manufacturer Instructions for Use and SpecialtyCare Policy.

• Perform other surgical procedures requiring autotransfusion services including platelet rich plasma processing:

• Set up the autotransfusion and or platelet rich plasma equipment
• Prepare the anticoagulation solution
• Process the patient’s shed blood per protocol and return patient’s processed blood to the anesthesia provider

• Prepare Platelet Rich Plasma per protocol

• Perform procedures under the direct supervision of the attending physician for those patients requiring an Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) as directed by the physician:

• Gather equipment and disposables needed to place a patient on an intra-aortic balloon pump.
• Prime the pressure transducer tubing circuit for use with the intra-aortic balloon pump including preparation of the anticoagulation solution for the transducer's flush device
• Set up the intra-aortic balloon pump per protocol
• Assist in the transportation of a patient requiring continuous intra-aortic balloon pump augmentation
• Monitoring of the intra-aortic balloon pump including adjustments in timing, arterial pressure waveform interpretation during augmentation, and ECG acquisition for intra-aortic balloon pump operation

• Charting IABP status per policy

• Perform electronic physiological monitoring

• Manage laboratory services/lab analysis equipment.
• Reads, understands, and implements all policies and procedure guidelines.
• Collects and reports quality indicator data as requested.
• Demonstrates quality improvement.
• Ensures that all required documentation is done according to protocol established by the customer, SpecialtyCare and/or region.
• Notifies appropriate person(s)/department(s) when problems develop with equipment and/or personnel as established in SpecialtyCare’s protocols and policies.
• Cleans equipment at end of each case, prepares equipment for next case and appropriately disposes of all refuse.
• Informs appropriate individuals of inventory level, equipment condition, and general needs.
• Assists physician, perfusionist and other clinical staff members as requested.
• Ensures that supplies are ordered, stocked and available as needed.
• Establishes and maintains procedures to communicate and document potential or real equipment problems to all members of the clinical team.
• May participate in appropriate hospital committees for demonstration of quality (e.g. blood management and process/outcome improvement). Presents data to these committees and the surgeons on at least a quarterly basis.
• May be required to competently support surgical procedures outside core service line duties by means of cross training and in-services.
• Lives the SpecialtyCare Values – Integrity, Care, Urgency, and Improvement.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.
Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

Experience:

Previous experience in a similar role preferred.

SpecialtyCare is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.