Lead Clinical Perfusion Scientist

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, dealing with complex situations and taking appropriate action on behalf of the Head of Perfusion and Perfusion department in conjunction with the theatre co-ordinator / theatre manager.
• 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Select and prepare under sterile conditions the appropriate cardiopulmonary bypass equipment according to the needs of the patient and the surgical procedure.
• Implement a perfusion strategy for an individual patient based on the pre-assessment of the patient records and discussion with the relevant medical groups.
• 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.
• Provide a highly skilled, reliable “out of hours” service by participation in the on-call rota.
• Perform paediatric and neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass with or without supervision depending upon experience.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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: Accredited Perfusionist registered with the Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain & Ireland.
• Skills: Leadership skills.
• Experience: Competent in standard cardiopulmonary bypass techniques for adult patients; competent in cardiopulmonary bypass techniques for paediatric patients including Neonatal, Infant & GUCH patients; experience of ECMO techniques.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.