The Perfusionist operates the heart-lung machine to propel oxygenated blood to patient's tissues during heart surgery, and to manage the physiological status of the patient during pre-surgery, surgery and post-operative stages in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements. This position prepares, sets up, sterilizes, adjusts, operates, and monitors perfusion and related equipment, and maintains and repairs or makes arrangements for repairs and electronic adjustments to the pump oxygenator, and maintains adequate inventory. The Perfusionist may provide training and leadership to new members of the Perfusion staff, house staff, nurses and technicians.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares operating room by setting up equipment for extra-corporeal pump for open-heart surgery and other medical procedures, including bringing in solutions or blood, medical supplies, filters, and tubes.
• Sets up extra-corporeal pump for particular case depending on age, weight, type of heart problem.
• Selects and assembles ancillary supplies and equipment including auto-transfusion, ultrafiltration, potassium and calcium analyzer, anticoagulation assay equipment, in-line blood gases, and chemistry monitoring.
• Operates the equipment during clinical open-heart surgery and related procedures, i.e. long-term circulatory and/or respiratory support, left and right heart support.
• Checks the proper operation of the extra-corporeal pump, such as proper adjustment of pump heads to prevent destruction of blood cells, the proper functioning of component parts and connectors and the proper electrical functioning of pump accessories.
• Obtains blood, checks as type, identification for patient, prepares blood, solutions and components for use in the extra-corporeal pump, including sterile tubing, priming of all lines and bubble-free lines.
• Monitors operation of extra-corporeal pump during open-heart surgery for proper functioning, blood, proper drug dilution levels, patients temperature and control of hot and cold water to maintain temperature of blood per surgeons instructions.
• Adjusts drugs in order to correct imbalance of chemistry of blood; Calibrates pump flows and occlusion of pump head; Makes the necessary corrections during the malfunction of the machine by manual methods.
• Maintains continuous oral communication with the surgeon and anesthesiologist.
• Controls the temperature of the patient by controlling the mechanism for cooling or rewarming the blood.
• Receives the blood for perfusion from the Blood Bank, or donor, checks, labels and infuses properly.
• Monitors and adjusts drugs during the procedure.
• Annotates records of patient during surgical procedure in relation to perfusion rate, oxygenation flow rate, temperature, blood chemistries and time of perfusion.
• Disassembles and cleans equipment at conclusion of surgery.
• Trains house staff, technicians and nursing personnel in the use of the pump oxygenator and relation to open heart surgery.
• Performs Lab Testing.

QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS:

Certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion preferred. Must be eligible for or have New York State Perfusionist license.

EDUCATION:

Prior experience as a clinical perfusionist preferred. Graduation from a CAAHEP accredited school of cardiovascular perfusion, or certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion required.

OTHER:

If applicable, the individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control

About Us:

Good Samaritan Hospital

Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY, is a 286-bed hospital providing emergency, medical, surgical, obstetrical/gynecological and acute-care services to residents of Rockland and southern Orange counties in New York; and northern Bergen County, NJ. The hospital is home to a recognized cardiovascular program, comprehensive cancer-treatment services, the area's leading Wound and Hyperbaric Institute and outstanding maternal/child services that includes a Children's Diagnostic Center. Good Samaritan Hospital also provides social, psychiatric and substance-abuse services and its certified home-care agency supports residents of the Hudson Valley and beyond.