Job Description
The Nairobi Hospital, a leading health care institution in Eastern Africa has an excellent career
opportunity for an individual who possesses a passion for excellence, strong work ethic, results
oriented and committed to continuous improvement. The successful candidate will be a team
player with the ability to effectively add value to enabling good patient outcomes and shape
best clinical and non-clinical practice in line with our Strategic Plan (2019-2024).
HOSPITAL PERFUSIONIST REF: TNH/HRD/HP/05/2023
The overall purpose of this job is to attend to patients through clinical diagnosis acumen in line
established protocols and the hospital’s patient care objectives.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Performs duties to support cardiopulmonary bypass; maintains and demonstrates
competency in the performance of all responsibilities.
• Appropriate choice and use of disposable and heart-lung machine equipment and safety
devices for the performance of CPB.
• Appropriate maintenance, according to hospital practice guidelines, of the patient's
physiological parameters/variables during CPB.
• Prepares for surgery by assembling extracorporeal circuit, including connecting tubing,
oxygenators, pumps and filters. Primes and de-bubbles circuit.
• Prepares, administers and monitors flow of prescribed solutions and medications including
circuit prime, cardioplegia, and blood products used during procedures requiring
extracorporeal support.
• Develops perfusion care plan and calculates appropriate perfusion formulae to be
communicated during preoperative briefing.
• Manages extracorporeal circuits to achieve conditions ordered by surgeon, including CPB,
deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), coronary perfusion, veno-venous bypass, or
partial bypass.
• Maintains supply of blood in system and makes any adjustments needed to achieve
conditions specified by surgeon or anaesthesiologist, such as changes in blood temperature,
oxygen/carbon dioxide ratio in blood, or patients’ electrolytes.
• Receives and interprets blood gas values and assesses adequacy of perfusion. Adjusts and
monitors heart-lung machine settings according to clinical practice guidelines for CPB.
• Monitors and maintains anticoagulation according to clinical practice guidelines for CPB.
• Disassembles extracorporeal circuits and mechanical components of the heart/lung machine
and cleans all non-disposable items and disposes of contaminated materials.
• Records, updates and maintains permanent records of all cardiovascular bypass procedures.
• Participates in emergency operation of intra-aortic balloon pump during cardiac
procedures.
• Prepares and manages extracorporeal support for complex vascular surgery, including
descending aortic aneurysm repair.
• Prepares and manages blood conservation systems.
• Prepares and manages extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuits for veno-arterial and
veno-venous support.
• Maintains a working knowledge of appropriate equipment and strategies utilized for
complex cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.
• Prepares and manages para-corporeal ventricular assist devices for patients requiring
temporary ventricular support.
• Should be ready to support the hospitals’ ECMO service as required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor degree from a recognized institution.
• Diploma from a Medical training College (basic)
• Certificate/Diploma in Perfusion Technology (Sub-speciality)
• Certificate in Basic Life Support (BLS)
• (Two) 2 years on the job perfusion training experience in a university teaching hospital.
• Certificates in: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Intra-aortic balloon pump, Biomedical
pump, Auto transfusion
• Demonstrates expert knowledge in normal heart function and the various diseases that
afflict the heart.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Emergent lifesaving skills
• Recognition and assessment of patient’s and ability to intervene as required
• Ability to carry out emergent and non-emergent procedures
• Patient care skills
• Effective decision-making and judgement skills
• Basic counseling skills
• Ability to work for long hours under pressure
• Drive and openness to learning
• Time management skills
• Analytical skills
• Research skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Planning and organising skills
• Communication skills including presentation and facilitation skills
• Team working skills
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Confidentiality