Certified Perfusionist

Penn State Health offers an opportunity to work with varied patient populations in a department with exposure to unique cases and where transplants are performed.    

The Perfusionist is responsible for operation and maintenance of the heart-lung machine, cardiopulmonary support devices including intra-aortic balloon pump, ventricular assist devices and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as well as blood loss management equipment such as Cell Saver and Rapid Infuser.

The Perfusionist will set up, prime, initiate and troubleshoot extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for the infant, pediatric and adult patients. The Perfusionist performs intra-operative Point-of-Care testing (ACTs, ABGs) for the cardiothoracic patient, and initiates, manages and troubleshoots ventricular assist devices.  As a leader within the department, the Perfusionist oversees the duties and performance of the Perfusion Assistants in the absence of the Chief Perfusionist.

As a Perfusionist in an academic setting, the individual assists with research activities relating to extracorporeal circulation which include data collection, evaluation and analysis on all cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. Additionally, the Perfusionist contributes their expertise by assisting faculty researchers in design of projects and preparation of proposals. Other academic support will include developing new research and clinical protocols and procedures, modifying existing protocols, and assisting in preclinical testing of new devices and techniques prior to their use in patient care areas of the Hospital.