Principal Perfusionist - Peds

The Principal Perfusionist serves as the highest‑level clinical and technical expert within UCSF Perfusion Services, providing advanced patient care for the most complex cardiac cases.

Under the direction of the attending physician and departmental leadership, the Principal Perfusionist provides advanced patient care services requiring extracorporeal circulation and/or oxygenation while serving as a recognized subject matter expert in perfusion practice, mechanical circulatory support, quality improvement, clinical program development, and staff development while also mentoring staff and supporting departmental operations across multiple UCSF locations.

The Principal Perfusionist performs all duties of the Senior Perfusionist classification and is responsible for the most complex adult, pediatric, neonatal, transplant, and mechanical circulatory support cases. The incumbent provides expert consultation to physicians, nursing leadership, perfusion staff, and hospital administration regarding clinical practice, technology assessment, protocol development, quality initiatives, and strategic program growth.

The Principal Perfusionist functions as a department-wide resource and contributes to the advancement of perfusion practice through education, research, innovation, and performance improvement activities.

The main operating room delivers patient care through provision and management of capital supplies, instrumentation and technological support as well human resources in collaboration with medical and paramedical staff to effectively manage patients undergoing elective, urgent, and emergent surgical intervention.

Clinical perfusionists are members of the open-heart surgery team, working primarily in cardiac operating theatres, as part of a team which includes cardio-thoracic surgeons, anesthetists, cardiologists, healthcare scientists working in cardiac sciences, theatre nurses and operating department practitioners. 

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of time

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

Advanced Clinical Practice and Complex Case Management

• Independently manages the most complex adult, pediatric, neonatal, transplant, mechanical circulatory support, and specialty cardiac procedures.
• Serves as the lead perfusion resource during high-risk, unusual, or emergent clinical situations.
• Provides expert consultation regarding perfusion strategies, circulatory support modalities, myocardial protection techniques, and organ preservation approaches.
• Evaluates emerging technologies and advanced perfusion techniques for clinical application.
• Assists physicians and multidisciplinary teams in developing individualized patient support strategies.

Program Leadership and Clinical Consultation

• Serves as a departmental expert for extracorporeal circulation, ECMO, ventricular assist devices, and advanced perfusion technologies.
• Provides consultation to physicians, nursing leadership, and interdisciplinary teams regarding clinical practice and operational considerations.
• Advises leadership regarding program development opportunities, clinical resource allocation, and strategic planning.
• Assists with accreditation, regulatory readiness, and compliance activities.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

• Leads departmental quality improvement initiatives.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates evidence-based protocols and clinical practice guidelines.
• Monitors clinical outcomes and identifies opportunities for process improvement.
• Leads root cause analyses, corrective action planning, and patient safety initiatives as appropriate.
• Supports regulatory compliance and performance improvement requirements.

Education, Mentorship, and Professional Development

• Serves as a mentor to Perfusionists and Senior Perfusionists.
• Develops educational programs, competency assessments, and continuing education initiatives.
• Coordinates clinical training experiences for staff, students, residents, fellows, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Provides formal lectures, in-services, and educational presentations.
• Promotes professional development and succession planning within Perfusion Services.

Research, Innovation, and Evidence-Based Practice

• Leads or coordinates clinical research projects and protocol development.
• Participates in publication, presentation, and dissemination of clinical findings.
• Evaluates emerging technologies, devices, and evidence-based practices.
• Collaborates with physicians and researchers on innovation initiatives.
• Assists with implementation of new technologies and clinical programs.

Department Operations and Resource Management

• Participates in strategic planning and operational initiatives.
• Assists with equipment evaluation, selection, procurement, and implementation.
• Provides recommendations regarding staffing models, workflow optimization, and resource utilization.
• Assists with capital equipment planning and budget development.
• Supports departmental goals and organizational priorities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful completion of an accredited perfusion education program.
• Current Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) credential from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
• BLS certification.
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible clinical perfusion experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in adult, pediatric, neonatal, transplant, and mechanical circulatory support services.
• Demonstrated experience leading quality improvement, program development, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring staff and serving as a clinical resource.
• Advanced knowledge of extracorporeal circulation, hemodynamics, cardiovascular physiology, and perfusion technologies.
• Ability to independently manage highly complex clinical situations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Advanced knowledge, skills, and ability to operate all routine equipment, special devices, monitors.
• Advanced knowledge of sterile and perfusion supplies including extracorporeal oxygenators, tubing circuits, and cannulae for adult, pediatric and infants.
• Advanced knowledge of blood components, plasma composition of the human body and use of blood products in association of support by extracorporeal circuits and devices.
• Advanced knowledge of human anatomy, disease processes, physiology, and biochemistry. 
• Advanced knowledge of arteries, veins, organs and specific paths of blood flow throughout the body, of pressures and gas exchange within the body for all patient populations.
• Ability to work variable shifts including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English
• Ability to maintain flexibility and work well in a fast paced, constantly changing environment
• Advanced knowledge of sterile techniques in the delivery of patient care.
• Ability to independently initiate bypass for adult, pediatric and neonatal patient population. 
• Ability to follow orders, take directions, and implement written perfusion protocols. 
• Utilize formulas and applied mathematics in associated application of perfusion protocols.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Understanding of applicable regulatory requirements

• Knowledge of EPIC medical record system

• Experience in an academic medical center.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary quality or operational initiatives.

• Experience with clinical research, publication, or presentation activities.

• Advanced degree in a related discipline.

• National committee, professional society, or specialty leadership experience.

• Experience implementing new clinical programs or technologies.

• Certificate of Completion from a CAHEAP accredited School of Perfusion

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

• BLS

• Certified Cardiac Perfusionist (CCP)