Job Information
Tufts Medicine Per Diem Perfusionist in Boston, Massachusetts
We’re saving lives, building careers, and reimagining healthcare. We can’t wait to grow alongside you.
Job Profile Summary
This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Surgical Services duties: Responsible for medical services involving the excision or incision of a patient's body, such as interventional pain management and other procedures. This position also works to provide a safe environment for patients undergoing invasive procedures or surgery. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. An experienced level role that applies practical knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Works independently with general supervision, problems faced are difficult but typically not complex, and may influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practices.
Job Overview
This position under general supervision and according to established procedures, professional standards, experience, judgment, and analysis, operates a heart-lung machine and associated equipment to provide extracorporeal circulation and respiration for patients undergoing cardiac surgery and associated procedures.
Job Description
Minimum Qualifications :
Bachelor’s degree.
Completion Perfusion program.
Eligible for American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion examination.
Perfusionist license.
Three (3) years of experience in a cardiac clinical practice.
Duties and Responsibilities : The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
Operates heart-lung machine and its ancillary equipment under supervision of the professional staff, at all times monitoring and maintaining continuous blood flow and respiration to the patient.
Maintains thorough perfusion records before, during and after pump run, recording pump data, laboratory values and activated clotting times.
Provides for maximization of blood conservation techniques.
Determines heparin/protamine dosages for anticoagulation and reversal.
Adjusts system so that patient's respiratory and/or circulatory systems gradually perform independently of the pump.
Disassembles equipment, inspects, cleans, and reassembles equipment and ensures that it is properly stored.
Reviews patient’s records and consults with surgeon, anesthesiologist and/or nursing staff to ascertain physical parameters of patient for appropriate selection of perfusion equipment.
Prepares appropriate equipment for each case using accepted sterile technique.
Assembles solutions and drugs to be used during bypass.
Performs, or arranges for, preventative maintenance of perfusion equipment.
Orders, inventories, and stores standard supplies and equipment.
Assists in the training of new perfusion personnel.
Participates in continuing education of group by preparing discussions and talks as assigned.
Performs quality assurance tests as indicated by hospital and JCAHO protocol and records such data for review and audit.
Supplies yearly verification of completion of OSHA mandated safety modules.
Assists with the set-up/placement of intra-aortic balloon catheter in the cardiac operating room.
Sets up and assists with the preparation of ventricular assists devices in the operating room.
Assists perfusion leadership with researching, writing and implementing standard procedures and protocols of perfusion.
Oversees the continuing education of staff members by organizing seminars/discussions on pertinent perfusion issues and current events.
Under chiefs' direction, sets up quality assurance assessments in areas such as laboratory control data, medical record charting, research data, and information collection for database and safety checks.
Assists in the development and running of research projects directly and indirectly involving cardiopulmonary bypass and perfusion.
With the chief, acts as resource person, handling perfusion inquiries from outside hospitals, manufacturers, physicians and perfusionists as well as in-house groups.
Maintains complete and accurate perfusion records.
Evaluates new products and techniques as they develop.
Implements all aspects of orientation/training for new employees and affiliated students.
Participates in training observational and clinical perfusion students with affiliated accredited academic perfusion program.
Participates in equitable call coverage with the team.
Alters the system to adapt to changes in the patient condition or operative technique.
Monitors and records patient’s vital signs such as blood flow rates, blood volume, gas flow rates, oxygenation, EKG and temperature during bypass.
Completes safety checklists and records other data forms when relevant.
Assembles and operates Cell Saver and other intraoperative blood salvage systems, including hemoconcentrators.
Assesses patient’s eligibility for autologous pre-bypass blood donation and if eligible performs collection for post bypass re-transfusion.
May add blood or blood products to the bypass system when necessary.
Monitors patient’s coagulation status through use of activated clotting times and if necessary, other laboratory tests.
Continues to monitor physiological parameters until patient is independent of mechanical assistance.
Operates/monitors timing of IABP console during cardiac operative procedure and transport if necessary.
Presents perfusion lectures to cardiothoracic surgery and anesthesia groups.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to work within the semi-restricted and restricted environment of the Operating Room and other Perioperative support areas.
Stands under hot surgical lights for prolonged periods of time.
Possibility of muscle strain from lifting patients and heavy equipment, shocks and burns from cautery units and autoclaves.
Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, blood and bodily fluids, extreme noise levels, radiation, lasers, drastic fluctuations in ambient temperature, etc.
Ability to wear a protective lead apron for extended periods of time and exposure to radioactivity, harmful anesthesia gases and septic infections.
Requires frequent lifting and positioning of patients, materials, equipment, instruments, etc.
Possibility of cuts from sharp instruments.
Skills & Abilities:
Advanced knowledge of aseptic technique and infection prevention practices.
Intermediate knowledge of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, microbiology, and pharmacology to ensure that optimal patient care is provided.
Intermediate knowledge of computers, surgical equipment, and infrastructure.
Intermediate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span.
Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively interact with staff, patients, physicians, vendors, and other departments within the hospital.
Demonstrated ability to act quickly and authoritatively under extremely stressful and potentially life-threatening situations.
Current knowledge of clinical best-practices through an ongoing review of industry-specific literature and research to ensure continuous clinical advancements.
Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at careers@tuftsmedicine.org .