Job summary
A Clinical Perfusionist is a vital healthcare professional who operates extracorporeal circulation equipment, such as heart-lung machines, during surgical procedures, particularly in cardiac surgeries. Their primary role is to manage the patient's circulatory and respiratory functions when the heart is temporarily stopped, ensuring that oxygenated blood continues to circulate through the body.
Main duties of the job
As an accredited clinical perfusionist you will be part of a dynamic team providing extra-corporeal circulation to all patients having cardiac surgery
The post holder is expected to carry out adult cardiopulmonary bypass without direct supervision
Provide teaching, training and supervision to unqualified trainee perfusionists whilst maintaining a safe working environment
Provide teaching, training and supervision to senior clinical perfusionists whilst maintaining a safe working environment
To be flexible in the approach to the clinical area and provide perfusion services for any area specified
Support the head of perfusion in the management of the clinical area. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action on behalf of the Head of Perfusion and Perfusion department in conjunction with the theatre co-ordinator / theatre manager
To be responsible for the continuing professional development and overall performance of a particular group of staff delegated by the head of perfusion
Act as a clinical role model and leader for all members of staff and provide a high standard of care to all patients
Primarily based at the RBH but may be required to work cross-site.
About us
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Select and prepare under sterile conditions the appropriate cardiopulmonary bypass equipment according to the needs of the patient and the surgical procedure. This may involve manual handling of heavy equipment.
Implement a perfusion strategy for an individual patient based on the pre assessment of the patient records and discussion with the relevant medical groups. This will involve close working relationships with staff in a stressful working environment.
Initiate and maintain cardiopulmonary bypass, constantly monitoring, interpreting and manipulating multiple complex clinical parameters; taking autonomous corrective action including blood transfusion during adult, paediatric and neonatal procedures.
Implement evidence based best practice to maximise clinical effectiveness.
Monitor and where necessary make appropriate autonomous corrections to blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites, acid-base balance, systemic vascular resistance, cardiac output, and anticoagulation status of the patient during adult, paediatric and neonatal practice.
Advise on and perform deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in conjunction with continuous cerebral perfusion techniques in order to preserve neurological function during complex surgery or other emergency situations where the patients systemic circulation may have to be temporarily suspended.
Provide a highly skilled, reliable out of hours service by participation in the on-call rota. This requires autonomous practice without recourse to assistance or advice, and where highly complex, emotive decisions have to be made with regard to patient treatment and the employment or otherwise of particular treatment modalities.
Perform paediatric and neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass with or without supervision depending upon experience. Training and supervision will be given where necessary.
Competently perform Intra Aortic Balloon Counter Pulsation therapy in all areas of the hospital.
Ensure that stock levels are maintained at all times.
Ensure all equipment is maintained and decontaminated to the departmental standard.
Be proactive in the blood conservation programme following the better transfusion policy, by providing cell salvage to all patients.
Administer blood transfusions following the better blood transfusion policy.
Offer a blood management service to all specialties including sealants and gels.
Assist with the provision of a specialist ECMO service to patients and other multi-disciplinary teams including initial assembly and technical support throughout the ECMO period. Training and supervision will be given where necessary.
To be responsible for patient parameters whilst on cardiopulmonary bypass with the administration of drugs within set guidelines.
Familiar with all emergency procedures for equipment failure and act according to the department procedures, ensuring patient safety.
To perform quality assurance procedures and checks. Taking the appropriate action in the event of failure.
Accurately complete the data set requirements for the Trust.
Assist with the provision of a near patient testing service and provide interpretation of the results.
Deal empathetically with patients, carers and staff in difficult situations.
Provide teaching training and support of senior clinical perfusionists and trainee clinical perfusionists whilst demonstrating teaching skills.
Maintain accurate real time patient records with hard copies correctly stored.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Select and prepare under sterile conditions the appropriate cardiopulmonary bypass equipment according to the needs of the patient and the surgical procedure. This may involve manual handling of heavy equipment.
Implement a perfusion strategy for an individual patient based on the pre assessment of the patient records and discussion with the relevant medical groups. This will involve close working relationships with staff in a stressful working environment.
Initiate and maintain cardiopulmonary bypass, constantly monitoring, interpreting and manipulating multiple complex clinical parameters; taking autonomous corrective action including blood transfusion during adult, paediatric and neonatal procedures.
Implement evidence based best practice to maximise clinical effectiveness.
Monitor and where necessary make appropriate autonomous corrections to blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites, acid-base balance, systemic vascular resistance, cardiac output, and anticoagulation status of the patient during adult, paediatric and neonatal practice.
Advise on and perform deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in conjunction with continuous cerebral perfusion techniques in order to preserve neurological function during complex surgery or other emergency situations where the patients systemic circulation may have to be temporarily suspended.
Provide a highly skilled, reliable out of hours service by participation in the on-call rota. This requires autonomous practice without recourse to assistance or advice, and where highly complex, emotive decisions have to be made with regard to patient treatment and the employment or otherwise of particular treatment modalities.
Perform paediatric and neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass with or without supervision depending upon experience. Training and supervision will be given where necessary.
Competently perform Intra Aortic Balloon Counter Pulsation therapy in all areas of the hospital.
Ensure that stock levels are maintained at all times.
Ensure all equipment is maintained and decontaminated to the departmental standard.
Be proactive in the blood conservation programme following the better transfusion policy, by providing cell salvage to all patients.
Administer blood transfusions following the better blood transfusion policy.
Offer a blood management service to all specialties including sealants and gels.
Assist with the provision of a specialist ECMO service to patients and other multi-disciplinary teams including initial assembly and technical support throughout the ECMO period. Training and supervision will be given where necessary.
To be responsible for patient parameters whilst on cardiopulmonary bypass with the administration of drugs within set guidelines.
Familiar with all emergency procedures for equipment failure and act according to the department procedures, ensuring patient safety.
To perform quality assurance procedures and checks. Taking the appropriate action in the event of failure.
Accurately complete the data set requirements for the Trust.
Assist with the provision of a near patient testing service and provide interpretation of the results.
Deal empathetically with patients, carers and staff in difficult situations.
Provide teaching training and support of senior clinical perfusionists and trainee clinical perfusionists whilst demonstrating teaching skills.
Maintain accurate real time patient records with hard copies correctly stored.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- oMSc in Perfusion
- oAccredited Perfusionist registered with the Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain & Ireland
- oRegistration with the College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain & Ireland
Skills
Essential
Experience
Essential
- oCompetent in standard cardiopulmonary bypass techniques for adult patients
Desirable
- oCompetent in cardiopulmonary bypass techniques for paediatric patients including Neonatal, Infant & GUCH patients
- oExperience of ECMO techniques
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- oMSc in Perfusion
- oAccredited Perfusionist registered with the Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain & Ireland
- oRegistration with the College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain & Ireland
Skills
Essential
Experience
Essential
- oCompetent in standard cardiopulmonary bypass techniques for adult patients
Desirable
- oCompetent in cardiopulmonary bypass techniques for paediatric patients including Neonatal, Infant & GUCH patients
- oExperience of ECMO techniques
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
