Trainee Clinical Perfusionist

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust seeks applications from knowledgeable, dynamic, enthusiastic, forward thinking applicants wishing to train as a Clinical Perfusionist. As part of your training you will help support a team of seven Clinical Perfusionists in delivering the provision of a comprehensive perfusion resource to an expanding regional cardiac surgical programme.

There are 1000+ adult cardiac surgical procedures per year currently being undertaken in three cardiac theatres at the Southwest Cardiothoracic Centre.

Successful applicants are required to attend several one-week blocks at Bristol University throughout the academic year to obtain an MSc in Clinical Perfusion Science. You will need to have a minimum of a 2(i) in a relevant biomedical or life science Honours Degree to be eligible to undertake the Clinical Perfusion Science training programme.

Successful applicants who are overseas qualified Perfusionists with a minimum of one-year clinical post qualification employment will be required to complete the Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Perfusion Science at Bristol University.

Successful candidates will need to demonstrate their interest and commitment to this training post.

As part of your training, you will be expected to participate in the 24 hour on-call commitment.

The successful applicant will be expected to commence employment as soon as possible, pending reference and DBS checks. The post is a fixed-term training contract until Autumn 2027.

Main duties of the job

• To train as a Clinical Perfusionist acquiring all the necessary skills and attributes to work as a registered autonomous practitioner.
• Complete all the necessary and relevant exams - MSc degree in Clinical Perfusion Science and professional exams to attain accreditation certification and registration.
• Design, plan and carry out research as part of MSc degree.
• Maintain stock and stock control.
• Administer prescription only drugs and blood products to patients during their care under direct supervision.
• Participate in on call rota to gain experience of emergency and out of hours working.
• Set up and run autologous blood cell salvage and intra-aortic balloon pumps.
• Maintain accurate records and patient databases.
• Maintain cleaning and disinfection of heater-cooler units as directed.

About us We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

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We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

CLINICAL PRACTICE

• Assist in the delivery of the perfusion service acting as an integral member of the department in a supernumerary capacity.
• Under direct supervision by a qualified Clinical Perfusionist undertake a range of perfusion techniques during routine and emergency Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
• Develop skills and build on knowledge base to assess the patients relevant medical history, pathology and diagnosis to enable appropriate decisions concerning conduct of the procedure.
• Inspect, prepare, assemble, prime and calibrate the cardiopulmonary bypass machine and extracorporeal circuit to maintain life support for the period of Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) and related equipment.
• Undertake, analyse and interpret arterial/venous blood gases and patient coagulation status.
• Interpret oxygen delivery status to make informed decisions to optimise patient care.
• Monitor and make corrections to blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites, acid-base balance, systemic vascular resistance, cardiac output and anticoagulation status of the patient.
• Administer drugs including colloid/crystalloid fluids, vasoactive drugs, cardioplegia solution, potassium, anticoagulants, haemostatic drugs under the direct supervision of a Clinical Perfusionist.
• Manipulate on a second-to-second basis the patients cardiovascular system whilst on CPB.
• Undertake haemofiltration and blood transfusion as required under direct supervision.
• Perform and understand myocardial preservation and cardiac venting techniques to protect the myocardium from damage due to ischaemia, over distension and minimise cerebral injury.
• Assist in the quality control, calibration and maintenance of expensive, complex medical equipment in Clinical Perfusion and their safe use in compliance with near patient testing policies.
• Acquire an understanding and assist in the running of intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation and learn trouble-shooting skills.
• Ensure that all data acquisition and other patient related records are complete, and appropriately filed/stored in line with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and professional body guidelines.
• Participate in specialised, skilled and reliable out of hours service by participation in the on-call rota to gain experience of emergency work and situations.
• Some flexible working is required to complete bypass cases in full when operating lists over run in order to be eligible to count towards accreditation numbers.
• Clean and maintain heater cooler units, carry out water sampling for microbiology following national guidance.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain accurate records of personal caseload required for training records.
• Ensure the potassium stock check is complete and up to date.
• Ensure that all perfusion cases are recorded on the SCTS database.
• Collate any necessary perfusion information for monthly M&M meetings.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

• Complete the MSc in Clinical Perfusion Sciences, organising work around clinical activity and on-call responsibility.
• Ensure that all practical training opportunities are undertaken to develop the skills required as a Clinical Perfusionist and keep an accurate training log.
• Present audit and perfusion topics to the Perfusion Department and other MDT when required.
• Promote reflective practice within the team and record the learning outcomes.
• Develop problem solving skills to critically evaluate and rectify difficult clinical situations.
• Regularly trawl through monthly scientific journals to keep abreast of the latest research and current thinking.
• Participate in student exchanges and placements to learn perfusion techniques and other disciplines such as paediatric perfusion in other cardiac centres.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

• Critically review current literature to reflect current thinking of principles and practices in CPB.
• Ensure that all duties are carried out in accordance with policies, practices and procedures of UHP NHS Trust.

FREEDOM TO ACT

• Under direct supervision of a qualified Clinical Perfusionist work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct; administer selective cardiovascular and controlled drugs as clinically indicated and determined.

KNOWLEDGE & TRAINING EXPERIENCE

• 2(i) or above BSc (Hons) Degree in a relevant biomedical or life science or equivalent.
• Apply current principals of clinical governance to professional practice and conduct.
• Develop and maintain a current knowledge base of condition and disease processes relevant to the conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Identify, assess, discuss and mitigate risks, effecting change in practice accordingly.

ANALYTICAL & JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS

• Monitor a wide range of highly complex clinical information and act within own limitations.
• Discuss and evaluate options for best practice with colleagues and supervising Clinical Perfusionist to optimise patient management.
• Develop skills to adapt to meet individual patient needs often in highly charged difficult critical clinical circumstances.
• Develop reflection on practice.

INFORMATION RESOURCES

• Create own clinical reports by employing clinical perfusion data acquisition software and manage own data acquisition.
• Maintain SCTS database.
• Ensure that all information is handled according to UHP NHS Trust Policy.

FINANCIAL & PHYSICAL RESOURCES

• Responsible for careful use of all aspects of perfusion equipment . click apply for full job details