University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Basic or Senior Clinical Perfusionist

The closing date is 08 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a suitably experienced, accredited & registered Clinical Perfusion Scientist to join the team at the Sussex Cardiac Centre.

We provide all perfusion services for adult cardiac surgery in a friendly, team driven environment.

Candidates must hold current valid accreditation & registration with SCPS/CCPS. Applications which do not meet these criteria will not be considered.

Consideration will be given to flexible working. The department currently operates a 4-day week (07:30 - 17:30), which is under review.

We would like to appoint at senior grade, but consideration will be given to applicants at basic grade looking to gain experience.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years' experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of applicatio

Main duties of the job

As an experienced, accredited and registered autonomous practitioner, you will provide clinical perfusion services for adult cardiac surgery, involving the management and control of the extracorporeal circuit which temporarily replaces the patient's heart and lungs during cardiac surgery. Other duties include management of circulatory support devices (such as the intra-aortic balloon pump & CardioHelp ECLS device), management of blood conservation equipment (such as the cell saver), to work as a vital member of a multidisciplinary team during both routine and emergency cardiac surgical procedures, and to fully participate in the provision of a 24 hour on-call service.

The Sussex Cardiac Centre has a successful MICS program, and is developing a complex aortic service.

The department has recently introduced Spectrum Quantum HLM's, experience with this equipment would be advantageous but full training will be given.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details

Date posted

06 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7669758-JAN26

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Review patient notes for relevant medical history, pathology and diagnosis makingappropriate clinicaldecisionsregardingthe conduct of extracorporeal support, including perfusion technique, cannulation, type of equipment, intravenous fluid, bloodproductsand drug additions to prime, for both routine and emergency cardiac surgical procedures.

Assemble, prime, de-air and manage extracorporeal devices and circuitry for cardiac surgical procedures, thusmaintaininglife support,according to departmental perfusion procedures and protocols.

Assess,interpretand manage a wide range ofhighly complexand routinely conflicting clinical information on a continual basis and takeappropriate autonomousaction, e.g. systemic blood pressure and flow, extracorporeal circuit pressure(s), central venous pressure, anticoagulation, ECG, fluidbalanceand patient/blood/cardioplegia/thermocirculator water temperatures.

Assess,interpretand takeappropriate autonomousaction to provide adequate gas exchange andmaintainhomeostasis whilst on cardiopulmonary bypass, e.g. arterial and venous in-line monitoring, arterial and venous blood gases, electrolytes, acid base balance, haemoglobin and derivatives and blood glucose and lactate levels.

Work as an independent practitioner, taking responsibility for managinga number oftechniques during a single procedure, e.g. cardiopulmonary bypass, antegrade and retrograde blood cardioplegia, autologous cell salvage, haemoconcentration, high volumehaemofiltration, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, retrograde cerebral perfusion, selective antegrade cerebral perfusion.

Perform a range of complex myocardial preservation techniques to protect the heart from the damaging effects of ischaemia, involving the preparation and administration of blood cardioplegia into the aortic root, coronary sinus or directly into the coronary arteries, and careful control and monitoring of cardioplegia flow, pressure, dilution, temperature and final potassium concentration.

Be conversant with complex procedures and specialised perfusion techniques asdeemednecessary for individual patient requirements i.e. left heart bypass, vacuumassistedvenous drainage,femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass.

Assist with the setting up, initiation and management of complex long term extracorporeal circulation techniques i.e. ECMO and/or ventricular assist devices.

Please see attached job description for full details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Review patient notes for relevant medical history, pathology and diagnosis makingappropriate clinicaldecisionsregardingthe conduct of extracorporeal support, including perfusion technique, cannulation, type of equipment, intravenous fluid, bloodproductsand drug additions to prime, for both routine and emergency cardiac surgical procedures.

Assemble, prime, de-air and manage extracorporeal devices and circuitry for cardiac surgical procedures, thusmaintaininglife support,according to departmental perfusion procedures and protocols.

Assess,interpretand manage a wide range ofhighly complexand routinely conflicting clinical information on a continual basis and takeappropriate autonomousaction, e.g. systemic blood pressure and flow, extracorporeal circuit pressure(s), central venous pressure, anticoagulation, ECG, fluidbalanceand patient/blood/cardioplegia/thermocirculator water temperatures.

Assess,interpretand takeappropriate autonomousaction to provide adequate gas exchange andmaintainhomeostasis whilst on cardiopulmonary bypass, e.g. arterial and venous in-line monitoring, arterial and venous blood gases, electrolytes, acid base balance, haemoglobin and derivatives and blood glucose and lactate levels.

Work as an independent practitioner, taking responsibility for managinga number oftechniques during a single procedure, e.g. cardiopulmonary bypass, antegrade and retrograde blood cardioplegia, autologous cell salvage, haemoconcentration, high volumehaemofiltration, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, retrograde cerebral perfusion, selective antegrade cerebral perfusion.

Perform a range of complex myocardial preservation techniques to protect the heart from the damaging effects of ischaemia, involving the preparation and administration of blood cardioplegia into the aortic root, coronary sinus or directly into the coronary arteries, and careful control and monitoring of cardioplegia flow, pressure, dilution, temperature and final potassium concentration.

Be conversant with complex procedures and specialised perfusion techniques asdeemednecessary for individual patient requirements i.e. left heart bypass, vacuumassistedvenous drainage,femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass.

Assist with the setting up, initiation and management of complex long term extracorporeal circulation techniques i.e. ECMO and/or ventricular assist devices.

Please see attached job description for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • MSc clinical perfusion sciences
  • Accreditation with SCPS
  • Registration with CCPS

Desirable

  • 2+ years post qualification experience for senior position

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • MSc clinical perfusion sciences
  • Accreditation with SCPS
  • Registration with CCPS

Desirable

  • 2+ years post qualification experience for senior position

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Lead Perfusionist

Carl Vincent

carl.vincent1@nhs.net

01273696955

Details

Date posted

06 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7669758-JAN26

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Supporting documents

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