Clinical Perfusionist

Job overview

Staff Grade: Band 7/8A

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust seeks applications from knowledgeable, innovative, enthusiastic applicants to join a team of eight clinical perfusionists in delivering a comprehensive perfusion resource to an expanding cardiac surgical programme.

There are 1000+ adult cardiac surgical procedures per year currently being undertaken in three cardiac theatres at the SouthWest Cardiothoracic Centre with an increasing commitment to minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

The successful applicant must be Registered with the College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain & Ireland and newly or soon to be qualified individuals are most welcome.

All training required will be given and you will be expected to participate fully in Clinical Perfusion’s 24hr on-call commitment.

For further information and to arrange an informal visit please contact either Gerry Webb, Head of Clinical Perfusion or Michael Weatherall, Senior Clinical Perfusionist on 01752 438403.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

To provide a comprehensive, comprehensive, specialist and autonomous Clinical Perfusion service/resource to patients and other members of the multi-disciplinary team within the Cardiothoracic Directorate and Trust. The Clinical Perfusionist will also contribute to and participate in the development of department protocols and research. With experience the post-holder will support consultant colleagues in the application and choice of cardiopulmonary bypass and mechanical circulatory support in routine and emergency procedures/situations*.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Take, where appropriate, delegated responsibility for the delivery of a highly specialist perfusion service, ensuring the service is effective and well coordinated.

• Offer and undertake a range of highly specialised perfusion techniques during routine and emergency cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Assess the patient’s relevant medical history, pathology and diagnosis and make appropriate decisions concerning conduct of the procedure.
• Advise clinicians on the suitability of equipment and persuade clinicians on appropriate course of action.
• Set up, prime and run the cardiopulmonary bypass machine to maintain “life support” for the period of cardiopulmonary bypass according to broad occupational and clinical policies as well as recent scientific evidence seeking advice when necessary.
• Undertake, analyse, interpret and correct arterial/venous blood gases and patient coagulation status.
• Administer drugs including colloid/crystalloid fluids, vasoactive drugs, cardioplegia solution, potassium, anticoagulants, haemostatic drugs, sodium bicarbonate and osmotic diuretics as clinically indicated.
• Monitor a wide range of highly complex and routinely conflicting clinical information on a minute-to-minute basis such as the blood oximetry, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, ventilation and anticoagulation whilst monitoring renal status and blood glucose and take appropriate autonomous action.
• Manipulate on a second-to-second basis the patient’s cardiovascular system whilst on cardiopulmonary bypass.

Please refer to full JD attached for full list of responsibilities and duties.

Applicant requirements

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.