Clinical Perfusionist

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education Requirement: Bachelor's or master's degree in perfusion from a program in the United States or Canada accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or EQual Canada; OR Bachelor's or master's degree in addition to a post-baccalaureate certificate in perfusion from a program accredited by CAAHEP or the EQual Canada.

NOTE: The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed.

Board Certification Requirement - You must be board-certified in the field of clinical perfusion as a Certified Clinical Perfusionist by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP).

The board certification must be current, and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: Requirements for GS-12. You must have at least one year of CP experience (post-bachelor's degree) equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: (a) Ability to apply the principles of program management and oversight required to develop program goals and objectives, administer and monitor programs, evaluate program outcomes/accomplishments, set and redefine priorities and implement effective solutions as needed to present findings and recommendations to the appropriate management officials; (b) Ability to provide oversight, judgement and management of the application of clinical perfusion to patient care, organization processes and/or systems and long/short range goals, with a focus on delivering patient care and achieving program outcomes; (c) Expert level of knowledge of best practice in the perfusion profession (d) Ability to validate or identify barriers to safe effective care, and manage all aspects of clinical perfusion, technical, fiscal, and administrative including daily assignments and call schedule preparation; (e) Ability to serve as a liaison, interfacing with other departments to incorporate the expertise of all disciplines in a comprehensive, integrated approach to patient care; and (f) Ability to develop, coordinate, review organizations and accrediting agencies, and manage a perfusion regulatory program including follow-up actions to ensure departmental compliance with regulatory agencies as required.

Requirements for GS-11.

In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of (post-bachelor's degree) CP experience equivalent to GS-9 and have obtained ABCP certification as a CCP.

License is preferred, but not required.

In addition to meeting the experience and educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and abilities: (a) Ability to independently provide effective care to patients characterized by using sound judgement in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting and evaluating perfusion applications for assigned patients; (b) Ability to apply in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and specialized clinical procedures consistent with updated standard of care in the profession; (c) Ability to independently practice perfusion utilizing a collaborative team concept of perfusion care, providing clinicians and professional staff with consultation; (d) Ability to perform, under administrative direction, with wide latitude and independent judgment, work of clinical difficulty and responsibility; (e) Knowledge of associated specialized procedures to assist in independently developing the perfusion treatment strategies for specialty populations to assist the surgeon; (f) Knowledge of specialized perfusion services; (g) Ability to anticipate and respond appropriately to potentially serious situations involving the patient and/or equipment that may arise with the ability to use a high degree of discretion and judgement; and (h) Ability to apply expert in-depth knowledge of the principles and operation of all equipment to provide stat troubleshooting assistance.

Requirements for GS-9.

In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have: Graduated from an accredited program and met the clinical requirements; and obtained their provisional certification and have at least one year of CP experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level; or obtained their provisional certification and met one of the options under advance entry level placement in paragraph 4a(2) above with at least one year of (post-bachelor's degree) CP experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level; or have obtained ABCP certification as a CCP.

In addition to meeting the experience and educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and abilities: (a) Knowledge of general anatomy, physiology and pathology with a detailed knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy, physiology and pathology; (b) Knowledge of extracorporeal circulation technology including adjunctive techniques; (c) Ability to formulate, modify and execute the perfusion plan as needed throughout the procedure while applying all safety precautions and equipment to minimize and mitigate risks and ensure environmental maintenance using a high degree of discretion and judgement to ensure patient safety; (d) Ability to select proper equipment and circuit after a pre-procedure assessment of the patient's medical history; (e) Ability to precisely document pre-bypass checklist(s) and official perfusion record(s).

Requirements for GS-7. None beyond basic requirements.

This level is used for CPs who are provisionally certified and/or board-certified CPs who meet the basic requirements listed, have less than one year of experience and are eligible for advanced entry level placement.

Candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and abilities: (a) Knowledge of general anatomy, physiology and pathology with a detailed knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy, physiology and pathology; (b) Ability to formulate, modify and execute the perfusion plan as needed throughout the procedure while applying all safety precautions and equipment to minimize and mitigate risks and ensure environmental maintenance using judgement to ensure patient safety; and (c)Ability to select proper equipment and circuit after a pre-procedure assessment of the patient's medical history Requirements for GS-5.

None beyond the basic requirements. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-12. Major Duties:

The Perfusionist is responsible for a wide range of mechanical life support systems.

These systems range from partially to completely doing the work of the heart and lungs in order to assure that all functions of the patient's body are maintained, especially the brain, kidneys, liver, and other vital organs.

Conducts cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) independently, but in close conjunction with and in constant communication with the surgeons, anesthesiologist and nursing staff in order to tailor the perfusion to the needs of each patient.

Monitors and maintains many patient parameters during CPB; including the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, urinary output, arterial and venous blood gasses, acid/base status, blood coagulation, temperature and myocardial protection.

Independently operates intraoperative autotransfusion during procedures when significant amounts of blood loss are expected.

Assists with intra-aortic blood pump insertion procedures and provides monitoring and trouble-shooting, as needed, to ensure proper equipment functioning.

Assists with ventricular assist device equipment changes, and provides monitoring and trouble shooting, as needed, to ensure proper equipment functioning. Provides patient/family education.

Independently operates, assembles, maintains, troubleshoots, and ensures proper functioning of all equipment used in clinical functions.

Investigates malfunctioning equipment intraoperatively and postoperatively. Ensures repairs and replacements are made as necessary and that annual preventive maintenance is completed.

Collects, examines, and discusses amongst the cardiothoracic team members perfusion related data for the purpose of identifying areas for improvement.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 630 am to 330 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact visn15edrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized