General Description of the Job Class

Perfusionists are highly trained, certified, and licensed medical professionals responsible for the planning, preparation, and operation of cardiopulmonary bypass, mechanical circulatory support, extracorporeal support technologies, and blood conservation strategies as well as the hematologic, hemodynamic, physiologic, anesthetic, and biochemical monitoring and treatment of patients and organs during such procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

I. Job Responsibility: Clinical Perfusionist

Appropriately assess patient profile to plan and prepare perfusion technology and techniques including:

- cardiopulmonary bypass

- ventricular assist devices

- mechanical circulatory support

- total artificial hearts

- intra-aortic balloon pumps

- extracorporeal life support

- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

- extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal

- left heart bypass

- veno-venous bypass

- targeted chemotherapy delivery

- autotransfusion

- autologous normovolemic hemodilution

- apheresis

- blood conservation and separation

- exchange transfusion

- hemofiltration/dialysis/modified ultrafiltration

- organ procurement, perfusion, and revitalization

- regional perfusion

- the operation and performance of other technology and techniques as assigned including investigational and research devices and techniques

Provide perfusion services to all patient populations from neonate to adult as trained and assigned

Monitor data based on patient profile (age, condition, procedure) to maintain goals of perfusion including hemodynamics, blood gases, chemistry, anticoagulation, depth of anesthesia, per policy, protocol, or verbal or written order

Appropriately communicate with multidisciplinary team during procedures all relevant data

Troubleshoot and resolve variances and abnormal situations that may arise; recognize when situations are critical, notify appropriate personnel and assist as needed

Utilize all available safety devices per departmental policy demonstrate appropriate clinical vigilance and awareness before, during and after procedures

Create and maintain accurate and complete electronic records and database information entry

Timely documentation and reporting according to departmental standards

Maintain patient confidentiality

Demonstrate continuous current knowledge of Duke Health Perfusion Services policy and procedure as well as all associated institutional policies and procedures

Complete tasks as assigned

II. Job Responsibility: Clinical Instructor/Preceptor/Super User

Within one year of hire for new graduates and upon completion of orientation for experienced perfusionists, the Perfusionist will be able to act as a Clinical Instructor, Preceptor, or Super User as assigned.

Teach, monitor, endorse and verify the daily detailed work and skills of students, trainees, and peers

- Model, monitor, and document mastery of competence

- Act as a clinical consultant, mentor, and role model to students, trainees, and peers

- Give students, trainees, and peers informal and formal feedback by completing and submitting daily case, interim, and final rotation evaluation forms, peer feedback, or formal evaluations as requested

- Complete tasks as assigned

III. Job Responsibility: Charge Perfusionist/Perfusionist Lead

Within two years of hire for new graduates and upon completion of orientation for experienced perfusionists, the Perfusionist will be able to act as a Charge Perfusionist or Perfusionist Lead as assigned.

- As a Charge Perfusionist:

- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to coordinate and triage daily schedules, staffing assignments, and resources for optimal and timely patient care per departmental policy

- Support and professionally communicate with all members of the multidisciplinary team in delivering high quality patient care per institutional and departmental guidelines and policies

- Act as a clinical consultant, mentor, and role model to perfusion staff, students, and trainees

- Escalate all quality, operational, patient safety, or staffing concerns per departmental policy

- Complete tasks as requested/assigned

- As a Perfusionist Lead:

- Lead an assigned area of perfusion services operations, quality/performance initiative, research, project, or task force

- Collaborate with members of team or committee to complete tasks, deliver assigned objectives or reports by requested deadlines

- Support and professionally communicate with all members of the team in assigned area(s) to achieve desired results

- Provide coverage, act as a consultant, mentor, and role model in assigned area of expertise

- Assess, organize, and maintain the resources necessary for operations in assigned area

- Escalate all quality, operational, patient safety, or staffing concerns as needed

- Complete tasks as requested/assigned

IV. Job Responsibility: Other Roles, Responsibilities, Tasks as Assigned

The roles and responsibilities of a Perfusionist as well as the associated technology operated by and available to care for patients is rapidly evolving. The perfusionist may be requested to perform duties, operate devices, travel, and/or care for patients not currently described.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level

N/A

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.