Perfusionist

**Company**:
Waterloo Regional Health Netwoork

Home to seven regional programs and comprehensive health-care services, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) is committed to meeting the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the health-care experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered community-driven health care. At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities. By listening to patients and partners, we strive to connect communities to the right care, at the right place, and at the right time. Please Note: New employees must provide documentation/proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, a 2-step TB test, as well as proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) prior to their start date at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN). New Employees will require clearance from Employee Health, Safety and Wellness before they are able to begin any position within WRHN.

**Location**:
Kitchener, Ontario

**Duties**:
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
- 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