Perfusionist

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Operating Room

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (7:00:00 AM - 3:30:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (

Pay Range: $65.45 - $109.96 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush's anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The staff perfusionist sets-up the heart-lung machine, intra-aortic balloon pump, autologous blood salvage system, other extracorporeal systems and related equipment. During a patient procedure requiring Departmental services, the staff perfusionist, under physician supervision, manages the cardiopulmonary bypass system, the intra-aortic balloon pump, isolated limb perfusion system, autologous blood salvage system and other related systems. The staff perfusionist assists implantation and monitors ventricular assist devices. They assist in the development and application of new techniques and maintain equipment and supplies. The staff perfusionist will supervise and teach perfusion technology students. The staff perfusionist is expected to provide on-call services on a regular and equitable basis. They will assist the Director in developing and revising Departmental Policies, Procedures and Guidelines. The Staff Perfusionist exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
1. The staff perfusionist must be licensed by the state of Illinois and certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. A staff perfusionist may be hired into the position if they are in the process of obtaining the appropriate credentials. However, they must obtain full credentialing within the first year of employment.

2. The staff perfusionist must have a Bachelors Degree however, the candidate will be encouraged to complete a relevant Masters program.

3. The staff perfusionist must have a broad understanding of anatomy and physiology and the interactions of the major organ systems.

4. The staff perfusionist must be able to properly select and set-up the heart-lung machine, which involves:
• Reaching to the floor intermittently for up to 1 hour to assemble the heart-lung machine.
• Moving laterally in a low position.
• Reaching to 6 feet.
• Removing 20-pound boxes from a 6-ft. shelve.
• Lifting 40 pounds from a height of 6" to 36".
• Pushing and pulling 50 pounds.
• Pushing 1/4" to 1/2" PVC tubing onto a connector up to the second bar without touching the connecting ends.
• Attaching a metal bracket with a screwing motion onto a pole at levels varying from 18 to 60 inches.
• Assembling Luer lock devices. (These are small (1/16") devices attached with a screwing action).
• Placing disposable supplies in a holder designed specifically for those devices. This involves precisely lining up the device to allow it to fit into the holder and lock into place with both screwing and lever locking actions.
• Moving various pieces of the circuit to the appropriate place. This involves moving around a machine in a 5' by 2' space to make the appropriate connections.
• Opening packages without touching interior package walls or contents.

Responsibilities:
1. Follow Departmental Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.

2. Communicate with appropriate personnel regarding work activities.

3. Review and evaluate patient charts prior to procedures in which they are involved.

4. Prepare and assemble the heart-lung machine for open-heart surgery including but not limited to, priming the system with appropriate fluid, medications, and blood derivatives.

5. Provide appropriate ancillary components and equipment to nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals.

6. Control blood flow rates and gas exchange during cardiopulmonary bypass within the limits designated by Departmental Guidelines and the attending surgeon, notifying the surgeon of any deviations from protocol.

7. Using Departmental Protocols and Guidelines to evaluate and treat patient hemodynamic and laboratory data.

8. Safely initiate and terminate cardiopulmonary bypass.

9. Provide cardioplegia delivery by preparing the proper solutions, priming the system, and ensuring the mixture is delivered at the correct temperature, pressure, ratio and volume.

10. Perform ultrafiltration and dialysis for removal of excess plasma water and electrolyte balance.

11. Set-up in a timely fashion and operate other extracorporeal systems, including but not limited to adult, pediatric, and infant ECMO; portable CPB; veno-venous bypass; and isolated limb perfusion.

12. Set-up, calibrate, and operate monitoring and diagnostic equipment used during surgery and the postoperative period.

13. Collect specimens for blood pH, pO², pCO², hematocrit, and electrolytes.
• Analyze and interpret results
• Take appropriate action

14. Operate analytical equipment for continuous monitoring of arterial and venous oxygen content.

15. Assemble and operate intra-aortic balloon assist devices.
• Adjust the intra-aortic balloon assist interval to achieve maximum assist for the patient.
• Evaluate adequacy of assist on a routine basis.

16. Assist with implantation, monitoring, and troubleshooting ventricular assist devices.

17. Keep appropriate records of techniques and procedures performed and generate the appropriate charges.

18. Maintain adequate inventories of Departmental supplies and notify the Director, Chief Perfusionist, or Assistant Director when any device does not operate within specifications.

19. Perform equipment maintenance and appropriately notify the Director, Chief Perfusionist, or Assistant Director when any shortage occurs.

20. Maintain cleanliness and sterility of equipment and supplies.

21. Assemble and operate autologous blood processing devices for use during open-heart surgery or any operative procedure requiring the use of this technology.

22. Assemble and operate equipment for procuring autologous growth factor, platelet-rich-plasma, and related services.

23. Provide the appropriate stand-by level for PTCA's (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty), OPCABs (off bypass CABG's), and other procedures requiring perfusionist stand-by.

24. Provide call for emergency or after-hours cases, equipment set-up, transport, troubleshooting, or any other situation requiring the services of a perfusionist.

25. The staff perfusionist must be able to properly select and set-up all systems outlined in the Policies, Procedure and Guidelines Manual, which involves a comprehensive understanding regarding:
• Related components
• Related equipment
• Surgical procedures relating to Departmental Services
• Fluid dynamics
• Pharmacology related to extracorporeal technology

26. The staff perfusion must have a comprehensive understanding of
• Hemodynamics
• Hemostasis related to extracorporeal technology
• Acid base management
• Gas exchange
• Electrolyte and fluid balances
• Hematology
• Hypothermia and hyperthermia
• Pathophysiology of cardiopulmonary bypass and related procedures
• Principles and practices of extracorporeal technology
• Ventricular assist devices

27. The staff perfusionist must understand the complex metabolic needs of the patient undergoing extracorporeal circulation. The perfusionist must be able to optimize patient care by coordinating system parameter changes with physicians and nurses actions and assessments.

28. The staff perfusionist must understand intra-aortic balloon pump theory, including timing and troubleshooting

29. The staff perfusionist must have an understanding of physiological monitoring, including ECGs and arterial and venous invasive monitoring.
30. The staff perfusionist must have an understanding of autotransfusion theory and practices, as well as related sequestration procedures.
31. Supervise and teach perfusion technology students in:
• patient care and Departmental activities
• the classroom, lab, or other appropriate setting as assigned.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.