Job Description
REF: TNH/HRD/HP/12/2023
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
• Recognition and assessment of patient’s and ability to intervene as required
• Ability to carry out emergent and non-emergent procedures
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Confidentiality
Skills Required
Ability to Work Efficiently and Proactively in a Team Environment
Communication Skills
Presentation Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Research Skills
Analytical Skills
Time Management Skills
Drive and Openness to Learning
Basic Counselling Skills
Decision Making Skills
Patient Care Skills
Emergent Lifesaving Skills
Attention to Details