Description:
A Perfusionist is a person, qualified by academic and clinical education, to operate the extracorporeal circulation equipment during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or replace a person's cardiopulmonary, circulatory, or respiratory function. A perfusionist is responsible for the selection of appropriate equipment and support, treat, measure, or other conditions under an order and under the supervision of a physician.Requirements:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS.Citizenship. Be a Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g., this part.) See 38 U.S.C. § 7401 (3); 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1 )(B); 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
Education.
Candidates must hold a degree in perfusion as described below in paragraphs (1) and (2) that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or EQual™ Canada at the time the program was completed.
(1) Bachelor's or master's degree in perfusion from a program in the United States or Canada accredited by the CAAHEP or EQual™ Canada.
OR
(2) Bachelor's or master's degree in addition to a post-baccalaureate certificate in perfusion from a program accredited by CAAHEP or the EQual™ Canada.
NOTE: The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed.
Board Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to CP positions in VHA must be board-certified in the field of clinical perfusion as a Certified Clinical Perfusionist by the ABCP. The board certification must be current, and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education.
Licensure. None required, but a license or license eligibility or State required credential is strongly preferred.
Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a CP or Medical Instrument Technician (Perfusion), GS-0649 on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including education and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Ability to apply the principles of program management and oversight required to develop program goals and objectives, administer and monitor programs, evaluate program outcomes/accomplishments, set and redefine priorities and implement effective solutions as needed to present findings and recommendations to the appropriate management officials.
- Ability to provide oversight, judgement and management of the application of clinical perfusion to patient care, organization processes and/or systems and long/short range goals, with a focus on delivering patient care and achieving program outcomes.
- Expert level of knowledge of best practice in the perfusion profession.
- Ability to validate or identify barriers to safe effective care, and manage all aspects of clinical perfusion, technical, fiscal, and administrative including daily assignments and call schedule preparation.
- Ability to serve as a liaison, interfacing with other departments to incorporate the expertise of all disciplines in a comprehensive, integrated approach to patient care.
- Ability to develop, coordinate, review organizations and accrediting agencies, and manage a perfusion regulatory program including follow-up actions to ensure departmental compliance with regulatory agencies as required.
Experience, Certification and Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of CP experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and have obtained their ABCP certification as a CCP. License is preferred, but not required.
Preferred Experience:
A Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) validates his/her mastery of these clinical skills, knowledge, and abilities through certification and meets ongoing continuing education and practice requirements through recertification.
Perfusionists have multiple duties and responsibilities when assisting medical teams in operating rooms. The main responsibility of a perfusionist is ensuring the safe operation and monitoring of heart-lung machines, some of the specific duties include:
Administrative duties, including equipment monitoring and maintenance, assisting entry-level perfusionists and involvement in purchasing equipment and supplies
Assessing medical histories of patients to prepare for upcoming surgeries
Administering medications and blood products to patients during surgical procedures through heart-lung bypass machines
Operation of heart-lung machines, intra-aortic blood pumps, ventricular assistance devices and blood transfusion machines
Monitoring and assessing vital signs and physiologic functions throughout surgical procedures to ensure patient safety
Experience, Certification, and Education.
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of CP experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and have obtained their ABCP certification as a CCP.
License is preferred, but not required.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-12.
Physical Requirements: Work requires intermittent standing, walking, bending, and reaching in the operating room and clinical environments. The incumbent must be able to lift and carry light to moderate loads (generally under 25 pounds), including equipment, supplies, and components of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. Requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills for assembly, monitoring, and adjustment of perfusion equipment. Must be able to use computers and monitoring devices for documentation and real-time clinical data review. Requires visual acuity (correctable) for reading monitors and assessing perfusion parameters, and hearing (with or without assistive devices) sufficient to respond to alarms and verbal communication in a high-acuity environment. Emotional and mental stability are required to function effectively during prolonged surgical procedures, emergencies, and high-stress situations. Work involves close collaboration with surgeons, anesthesia staff, nurses, and technicians, as well as independent decision-making. Position involves exposure to blood, body fluids, biohazardous materials, and operating room conditions.
Feb 6, 2026;
from:
usajobs.gov