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About Children's Minnesota

Children's Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children's Minnesota is one system serving kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, nine primary care clinics, multiple specialty clinics and seven rehabilitation sites. As The Kids Experts™ in our region, Children's Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children's hospital. Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.

Position Summary

Clinical perfusionists (CP) are responsible for operating extracorporeal circulation equipment, such as Cardio pulmonary bypass during an open-heart surgery or any other medical procedure in which it is necessary to artificially support or temporarily replace a patient's circulatory or respiratory function.

In addition, the clinical perfusionist functions in supportive roles for other medical specialties, including the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program to assist in long-term support of patients outside of the operation room environment. This includes providing support during eCPR and the regular maintenance of all ECMO circuits; including initiation, termination and support/troubleshooting. The CP has primary responsibility for priming all Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) including placement and maintenance of VADs, including pump changes and the ability to communicate with patients, family members and others on health care team. The CP solves problems, documents clearly and communicates effectively in writing. They perform and evaluate laboratory tests, adhering to established lab standards. The CP provides these services following all institutional, Perfusion, ECMO, Transplant and VAD protocols.

The CP maintains competency in ECMO services by completing annual and any required ECMO education, simulation and written testing. The CP remains competent in the care of heart failure/heart transplant (HFHT) patients by participating in annual HFHT mandatory education, simulation of pump priming facilitated by the VAD coordinator and any VAD vendor education when utilizing new VAD devices or models. The CP participates in vendor education provided on new devices, technology or therapies.

Qualifications

• Certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion required within first twelve (12) months of employment.
  * Once certified, certified clinical perfusionists are responsible for ongoing training to maintain certification.
  * BLS required
  
  Education:
  * Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Perfusion Technology. Master's degree preferred.
  * Graduating from an Accredited Perfusion Technology Program or
  * Approved program of Extracorporeal Technology
  
  Experience:
  * 5 years preferred
  * No previous working experience required
  
  Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
  * Ability to review patient medical records to obtain medical history and other pertinent patient data to safely provide cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery.
  * Demonstrated skills and abilities to operate a variety of extracorporeal circulation equipment, such as the heart-lung machine, cell saver, the intra-aortic balloon pump, and various ventricular-assist devices.
  * Experienced in the administration of blood products and medications via CPB and ECMO circuits
  * Demonstrated skills in the management of intravenous fluids, blood products, and electrolyte therapy
  * Competent demonstration of current perfusion techniques within the previous 12 months.
  * Demonstrated ability to work effectively under stressful and emergency conditions.
  * Ability and willingness to accommodate on-call rotations and responsibilities.
  * Demonstrated skills in the use of critical thinking to determine the best solutions and approaches to issue resolution.
  * Understanding of the regulatory requirements for this position (CMS AABA, Joint Commission, CLIA, MDH, AmSECT).
  
  All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of an occupational health assessment, drug screen, background investigation, and compliance with the U.S. Government Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Children's Minnesota requires proof of COVID-19 vaccine, and as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), immunity to vaccine preventable infectious diseases, prior to employment.
  
  Children's Minnesota is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities to all applicants. EO M/F/Disability/Vet Employer.

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