Lead Perfusionist

About the position

MedStar Health is seeking a Lead Perfusionist to join our team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. The Lead Perfusionist is a critical role within our cardiothoracic surgery team, requiring a clinician with at least 5 years of experience or an equivalent number of completed cases. This position involves operating and maintaining the heart-lung machine and other related equipment during various surgical procedures, including cardiothoracic surgeries and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). The Lead Perfusionist must exhibit strong critical thinking skills to monitor, interpret, and maintain various parameters while on extracorporeal circulation, ensuring adequate perfusion for patients. In this role, the Lead Perfusionist will provide leadership within the Perfusion Department, working closely with the Chief Perfusionist and the Director of Perfusion Services. The position requires proficiency in selecting appropriate circuits based on patient needs, as well as the ability to prime, calibrate, assemble, and perform quality control on devices associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. The Lead Perfusionist will also demonstrate expertise in complex surgical procedures, including CABG, valve repairs/replacements, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), and heart transplantation, among others. The Lead Perfusionist will be responsible for setting up, operating, and disassembling autotransfusion equipment for cardiac surgical procedures and will participate as a member of the ECMO team. This includes setting up, initiating, monitoring, and troubleshooting ECMO circuits, as well as documenting parameters related to ECMO care. The role also involves training and educating hospital colleagues as directed by the Perfusion Department Leadership, preparing perfusion records, and administering medications and blood products as needed. In addition to clinical responsibilities, the Lead Perfusionist will provide department leadership and operational decisions in the absence of the Chief Perfusionist and Director of Perfusion Services. This includes leading team meetings, maintaining competencies for equipment and procedures, and participating in the education and precepting of perfusion students. The Lead Perfusionist will also engage in professional development by attending meetings, seminars, and conferences related to perfusion and cardiac surgery.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the heart-lung machine and related equipment during cardiothoracic surgeries and ECMO procedures.
• Select appropriate circuits based on patient needs and perform quality control on devices associated with cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Demonstrate proficiency in CABG, valve repair/replacements, LVADs, heart transplantation, and complex aortic surgical procedures.
• Set up, operate, and disassemble autotransfusion equipment for cardiac surgical procedures.
• Participate as a member of the ECMO team, including setup, initiation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of circuits.
• Document parameters related to ECMO circuit and work in a multi-disciplinary team to optimize ECMO care.
• Assist in training and educating hospital colleagues as directed by Perfusion Department Leadership.
• Prepare perfusion records, including medical history, lab results, and medication interactions.
• Administer medications, blood products, and anesthetic agents as directed by a physician.
• Provide department leadership and operational decisions in the absence of the Chief Perfusionist and Director of Perfusion Services.
• Lead department team meetings and in-services as directed by department leadership.
• Participate in routine responsibilities related to daily operations in the department.
• Mentor Perfusionist 1, 2, and 3 teammates and assist in evaluating new perfusion equipment.

Requirements

• Associate degree or higher-level degree from an accredited school of perfusion technology.
• Certified Perfusionist or certification-eligible by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
• 5+ years of experience or equivalent case volumes preferred.