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PERFUSION ASSISTANT
Job Title: PERFUSION ASSISTANT
Job Code: 4639
FLSA: N
Job Level: B2
Revised Date: 09/01/2023
Supervisory Responsibility:
General Description of the Job Class
Perform a variety of nonprofessional duties to assist the certified and licensed perfusionist in the care of patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, mechanical circulatory support, extracorporeal support, or autotransfusion.
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
Consult operating room schedule to determine supply and equipment needs for perfusion procedures; prepare perioperative locations for indicated perfusion procedure to include setting up, calibrating, and performing quality assurance of monitoring and point of care devices; routing needed equipment and supplies to requested locations and non-functional equipment to clinical engineering for repair following departmental processes.
Round daily on status of perfusion equipment and supplies, documenting and communicating findings and resolving issues per departmental policy. Completes monthly safety rounds and associated tasks to maintain safe environment of care.
Clean perfusion department machines, monitors, and equipment routinely and following procedures established by Infection Control.
Work collaboratively with perfusion department, supply chain, and clinical engineering teams to maintain necessary supplies and equipment readily available for perfusionist use in all perfusion and ECMO locations.
Assist the perioperative team by helping move or position patients with mechanical circulatory support under the direct supervision of the CCP/LP. Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.
Anticoagulation monitoring and hematological analysis of patient samples collected by the CCP/LP, RN, or MD in the perioperative setting and immediate reporting of results to the perioperative team. Performance of associated quality control tests and documentation of results. Cleaning of point of care monitoring devices.
Obtain and prepare equipment and supplies for specific procedures as trained, requested, and supervised by the CCP/LP and provide manual assistance as required. Set up and operation of autotransfusion devices under the supervision of the CCP/LP. May, after thorough training and experience, under direct supervision of the CCP/LP, set up but not clinically operate cardiopulmonary bypass machines and mechanical circulatory support devices.
Assists with additional departmental duties including delivery of ordered medications and fluids from the perioperative pharmacy to the CCP/LP for patient administration; interdepartmental file transfer and collaboration; charge capture and data reporting.
Participate in own professional development by maintaining required skills validation and attending educational offerings. Support the development of other staff and learners.
Perform other related duties incidental to work described herein.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education
High School diploma or equivalent required.
Completion of, or active enrollment in, an Associate's or Bachelor's degree program in allied health, healthcare, and/or basic sciences. For actively enrolled students, successful completion of the first semester of coursework is required prior to hire.
Experience
Prior hospital or healthcare exposure in the form of clinical shadowing/rotations, internships, or employment strongly preferred.
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
AHA BLS certification must be maintained/completed by the end of new hire orientation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure in a stressful environment, and often without relief.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge relating to the cardiopulmonary procedures in order to effectively anticipate the needs of the perfusionist.
Ability to set priorities and respond appropriately to actual and/or potential life threatening situations.
Establish and maintain good working relationships with other members of the health care team.
Working knowledge of sterile techniques and special procedures that are applicable to work performed.
Working knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene and basic health and safety precautions applicable to work in a hospital.
Working knowledge of the organization and physical layout of the hospital.
Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions.
Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking.
Heavy lifting and the ability to transport equipment and patients to various hospital locations may be required.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and/or paper documentation tools.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with hospital staff.
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.
