Perfusionist

The Perfusionist is a skilled professional, qualified by academic and clinical education, training and experience, who sets up, operates and managers extracorporeal circulation equipment and ensures the proper management of physiologic functions. The incumbent is knowledgeable concerning the variety of equipment available to perform extracorporeal circulation functions and is responsible, in consultation with the attending physician, for selecting the appropriate equipment and techniques to be used. Knowledge, skills and abilities to operate all ancillary equipment needed to complete procedures and necessary. Perfusion Services are provided and utilized for Baptist Health Care at Baptist Hospital and Gulf Breeze Hospital in various capacities. Education and research are a fundamental part of the perfusionist scope of practice. The person in this position works under general supervision of the attending physician and Chief of Perfusion and Autotransfusion Services.

• Performs, assesses, and manages perfusion procedures.
• Responsible for interpretation of physician medication orders for accuracy and appropriateness, informing them of any errors, omissions, or discrepancies and, based on an evaluation of the patient's condition, suggests appropriate or alternate drug therapy to the physician.
• Maintains, monitors, and ensures aseptic techniques as related to perfusion and autotransfusion services throughout procedures, and in addition aseptic technique utilization throughout the institution where appropriate.
• Reviews and assesses the patient's medical history/chart and consults with the surgeon and/or anesthesiologist to obtain patient information needed to set up the heart-lung machine and associated equipment for procedure and patient specific care.
• Ensures proper device selection, appropriate patient specific equipment selection, set up, and operation of perfusion, autotransfusion, and ancillary machines as required by physician orders/recommendations and procedures.
• Selects, assembles, sets up, and tests the heart-lung machine to ensure that the machine and associated equipment functions according to specifications.
• Operates the heart-lung machine to regulate blood circulation and composition, to administer drugs and anesthetic agents, and to control body temperature during surgery or respiratory failure of the patient.
• Administers myocardial preservation solutions (crystalloid/blood/temperature specific) antegrade, retrograde, ostia delivery per physician orders/direction.
• Controls body temperature according to written protocols or physician instructions during surgical procedures utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Monitors, observes, and manipulates operation of the heart-lung machine and the patient's physiologic variable such as blood temperature, blood composition, and the flow rate, and adjusts equipment to maintain body functions or anticipated physician requirements.
• Administers drugs and anesthetic agents via extracorporeal circuit according to protocols and physician instructions/guidance.
• Cleans, performs operator maintenance, and adjusts calibration/parts of equipment used for procedures, as necessary or scheduled.
• Assists in other duties as assigned to support the operational needs of the department and organization.
• May be required to remain on campus immediately before, during, and after severe weather and/or disasters.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's Degree Nursing, Perfusion/circulation technology, Allied Health Required or
• Master's Degree Nursing, Perfusion/circulation technology, Allied Health Required

Minimum Work Experience

• Experience as a perfusionist Required

Licenses and Certifications

• Cardiovascular Perfusionists (ABCP) Upon Hire Required

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated competency and comprehensive knowledge of all ancillary procedures as per departmental standards.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge of all associated equipment and devices.

Baptist Health Care is a not-for-profit health care system committed to improving the quality of life for people and communities in northwest Florida and south Alabama. The organization includes three hospitals, four medical parks, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine, and an extensive primary and specialty care provider network. With more than 4,000 team members, Baptist Health Care is one of the largest non-governmental employers in northwest Florida.

Baptist Health Care, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. BHC maintains and enforces a policy that prohibits discrimination against any workforce members or applicants for employment because of sex, race, age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, religion, genetic information, or other category protected by federal, state or local law. Certain positions may require a Level 2 Background check through AHCA. Additional information about this requirement can be found here: Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse