Perfusionist

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. 

Responsibilities

%  

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

25

Yes

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.