Perfusionist - Cardiovascular

Position: Perfusionist - Cardiovascular #3869

Discipline: Fulltime

Location: Kitchener

For more than 90 years St. Mary’s General Hospital has fostered a culture of innovation, compassion and respect. With this vision, St. Mary’s has developed an environment that inspires people to perform to the best of their ability. Passion, excellence and innovation are deeply embedded in all we do. St. Mary’s uses these principles to foster a healthy, supportive work environment that cares for the well-being of our community - mind, body and spirit. When you join St. Mary’s, your contribution will make a positive impact to the quality of life for patients and families. In addition, you will join a team dedicated to making St. Mary’s the safest and most effective hospital in Canada.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Perfusionist functions in a highly specialized adult cardiac surgical environment at St. Mary's General Hospital. The Perfusionist contributes to clinical, education and research-based practice within the scope of perfusion science and the Cardiac Program. The Perfusionist provides patients with extracorporeal life support, during open-heart and major vascular surgery in the operating room/critical care settings. Working in collaboration with the multidisciplinary health care team, the Perfusionist integrates new knowledge and research into clinical practice. The Perfusionist operates extracorporeal circulation equipment during medical procedures requiring support or temporary replacement of patient's circulatory and respiratory functions. This position performs technical work in the selection, preparation, operation, and maintenance of the heart-lung machine and accessory equipment. The staff Perfusionist prepares and administers blood products and prescription solutions through extracorporeal circuitry.

Additionally, the perfusionist provides patients with extracorporeal life support, during open-heart and major vascular surgery in the operating room and in critical care settings. The perfusion specialist acts as a resource in non-cardiac service areas including orthopedic and general surgery. Working in collaboration with the multidisciplinary health care team, the perfusionist integrates new knowledge and research into clinical practice. Clinical expertise is provided to patients and families, the public, and other professionals internal and external to St. Mary’s General Hospital.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITES

Primary Responsibilities

• The objectives of Perfusion Services and the Cardiac Program will be promoted within the scope of practice of perfusion science.
• Operates the perfusion system and all integrated circuitry providing continuous support for the patient's cardiac, respiratory, and metabolic systems for short and/or long-term cardiopulmonary support.
• Maintains the patient's physiologic parameters during cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Collects, interprets, records and manages physiologic parameters.
• Selects, assembles, and operates extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems, left ventricular assist devices, right ventricular assist devices, selective perfusion circuits and intra-aortic balloon pumps.
• Transports patients on extracorporeal devices as required.
• Provides a comprehensive blood conservation program utilizing blood salvage, autologous blood component sequestration, hemoconcentration, hemodialysis, rapid transfusion, modified ultrafiltration and emerging technologies as required.
• Orthopaedic, general and other surgical services are supported and collaborated with in development of blood conservation techniques and emerging technologies.
• Emergency patient situations are responded to twenty-four hours a day throughout the year.
• Assesses, evaluates and revises cardiovascular perfusion standards according to evidence based practice.
• Develops and maintains resource and reference material in relation to current practice.
• Operates the perfusion system and all integrated circuitry providing continuous support for the patient's cardiac, respiratory, and metabolic systems for short and/or long-term cardiopulmonary support (i.e., ECMO)

Assess Plan Of Care

• Assesses, plans and implements interventions by selecting appropriate support equipment and extracorpeal circuitry based on patient age, weight, pathology and planned procedure in consultation with the cardiac surgeon.
• Utilizes perfusion knowledge and expertise to meet the physiologic needs of the patient.
• Collaborates and liaises with members of the health care team to achieve excellence in patient care.
• Develops departmental objectives that reflect the philosophy and direction of the mission statements of the department and hospital

Educational Activities

• Promotes the objectives of Perfusion Services and the Cardiac Program
• Disseminates perfusion knowledge and clinical expertise to the multidisciplinary team.
• Participates in the didactic, laboratory and clinical training of multidisciplinary staff in training.
• Participates in continuing education by attending scientific perfusion seminars, presenting and publishing new discoveries, thereby sharing and acquiring new knowledge (requirement for annual ongoing recertification).
• Provides rounds and presentations for St. Mary’s colleagues. Liaises with national and international peers regarding perfusion practice at St. Mary’s General Hospital.

Research Activities

• Identifies cardiovascular perfusion research opportunities by questioning current practice and experience.
• Engages in evidence-based practice by initiating changes to clinical protocols based on research outcomes.
• Evaluates new technology released by industry to assess its effectiveness and/or improvements to patient care.
• Disseminates research and clinical findings through publications and presentations.
• Assesses, evaluates and revises cardiovascular perfusion standards according to evidence based practice

Administrative Responsibilities

• Participates in the daily organization and preparation of patient care plans and departmental workflow.
• Participates in the departmental preventative maintenance program.
• Assess and provide the daily inventory requirements that are determined by the patient needs.
• Assists in ensuring a safe, clean and organized working environment.
• Assists in the collection of patient data by participating in the departmental workload system.
• Accountable to align activities and performance with strategic goals and objectives of the perfusion department, cardiac program and St. Mary’s General Hospital.
• Adheres to hospital standards, policies, and procedures.
• Actively participates in the departmental/hospital quality management program.
• Participates in a performance-planning program.
• Participates in hospital/departmental committees.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of an Accredited Cardiovascular Perfusion Science Program.
• Current certification, and ability to maintain annual re-certification with The Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion.
• Continuing education is achieved by attending scientific perfusion conferences and reviewing current perfusion science journals. Continuing education units (CEU’s) are obtained by attending scientific perfusion meetings, presenting and publishing necessary to maintain annual re-certification with above organizations.
• Demonstrates the ability to function with confidence in medical emergencies.
• Successfully able to perform their function in accordance with prescribed standards that focuses on the priority of People Safety and the delivery of the highest standard of Quality Care.
• Demonstrate the physical and mental capabilities necessary for proper and efficient performance of the essential duties of the position.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• University Degree in a related field.
• Previous clinical experience as a Clinical Perfusionist.
• Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Demonstrates the ability to function effectively and with confidence under stress (i.e., when making critical, independent decisions and in emergency situations).