Hospital Perfusionist at The Nairobi Hospital

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

•  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 counselling 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

Deadline: 22nd December, 2023.