Cardiovascular Perfusionist (Perfusion) - UI Heart and Vascular Center

The UI Heart and Vascular Center (HVC) is seeking a full-time Cardiovascular Perfusionist to operate the heart-lung machine during surgeries that require cardiopulmonary bypass; support the physiological and metabolic needs of the cardiac surgical patient; and maintain knowledge of circulatory assist devices, in point of care testing devices (blood gas analyzers and clotting time devices), blood conservation techniques, Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Extracorporeal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).
Percent of Time: 100% Schedule: 40-hours per week scheduled between the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:30 PM On-Call assignment (includes Weeknight/Weekend/University Holidays) The university is located along the picturesque Iowa River in Iowa City, a city of some 77,000 people (170,000+ in the metro area) regularly ranked as one of the nation’s best places to live.
Iowa City is less than four hours from Chicago and within five hours of Minneapolis, St.
Louis, and Kansas City, readily accessible via interstate highways and a regional airport 30 minutes away.
UI Heart and Vascular Center information can be found at https://uihc.
org/primary-and-specialty-care/heart-and-vascular-center Position Responsibilities: Operate cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and other life support equipment during cardiac, transplant, and vascular surgical procedures.
Operate cardiopulmonary bypass circuit; monitor oxygenator and adjust gas flow as needed; operate centrifugal and roller pumps to maintain adequate cardiac output; monitor blood temperature, O2, CO2, pH, and venous saturations – adjust as needed Monitor blood electrolytes, potassium, sodium, and calcium; monitor heparin management of patient while on bypass; cool and rewarm patient as directed by surgeon.
Set-up and utilize hemoconcentrators on bypass circuits as needed.
Chart patient vitals on the perfusion record at regular intervals.
Immediately communicate to the surgeon and anesthesiologist – any/all patient changes, unusual occurrences and/or deviations which may affect the patient while on bypass.
Operate cell salvaging system in the Operating Room (OR) to retrieve, process, and return shed blood back to the patient.
Set-up and operate intra-aortic balloon pump in the OR and during patient transport to the inpatient unit.
Set-up and operate cardiac assist devices (LVAD's, Abiomed) while patient is in the OR.
Set-up and calibrate CDI blood management system prior to initiating bypass.
Set-up, initiate and operate Portable Bypass System anywhere in the hospital.
Assess each surgical case and assists the nursing staff in making appropriate choices of perfusion supplies needed at the OR tables.
Assess each surgical case and makes recommendations to the primary surgeon concerning cannula selection.
Assure regulatory requirements are met and continuous quality improvement occurs as evidenced by performing monthly audits of quality control data, quality improvement indicators/thresholds, and documentation of improvements for all aspects of care relating to perfusion.
Assure daily, adequate supply stock and equipment are ready for use in an emergency.
In accordance with established protocol, set-up and prime heart lung machine and cardioplegia circuits according to the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AMSECT) perfusion scope of practice.
Process all remaining blood from the CPB circuit with autologous blood recovery equipment as requested.
Appropriately label transfusion packs and complete required paperwork.
Routinely monitor acid-base, hemodynamic and hemostatic parameters.
Maintain parameters within normal ranges.
Perform other duties as assigned.
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center.
Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients.
Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine.
Changing Lives.
® Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree in Perfusion Technology; OR Bachelor’s degree with Certification in Perfusion Technology from a CAAHEP cardiovascular perfusion education training program; OR Combination education and experience with Certification in Perfusion Technology from a CAAHEP cardiovascular perfusion education training program.
Experience Requirement: Demonstrated knowledge of perfusion theory and associated patient care.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills required.
Ability to respond to on-call requirements within 30 minutes.
Certification/Licensure Requirement: Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) or board eligible in good standing with the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) required.
If board-eligible, must obtain CCP within 6-mos.
of start.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) required by start.
Desired Qualifications: Previous clinical perfusion experience and/or training in an academic medical setting.
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission: Resume Cover Letter Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact Cassandra Lacina at cassandra-lacina@uiowa.
edu or 319-353-7947.