Position overview

The Division of Surgery is responsible for supporting inpatient and outpatient surgical services to the ACT and surrounding region. This includes supporting the Surgical Bookings and Pre-Admission Clinic, Peri-operative Services, Day Surgery Unit and Extended Day Surgery Unit, specialist surgical ward areas, Pain Management Unit, medical and nursing outpatient services, ACT Trauma Service, Intensive Care Unit, Capital Region Retrieval Service and the Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Unit.

An exciting opportunity exists for a qualified perfusionist to join the Cardiothoracic Surgery unit at Canberra Health Services. The individual will have a key role in supporting the Cardiothoracic Surgery Service to achieve our strategic priorities and provide exceptional health care to our patients from the ACT and surrounding regions.

The Cardiothoracic Surgery Service is comprised of a dedicated team of surgeons, anaesthetists, allied health professionals, nursing staff, and administrative staff. Surgeons working in this service perform both cardiac and thoracic surgery. This team works in close collaboration with cardiologists, cardiac rehabilitation teams and medical oncologists.

Under general direction of the Managing Perfusionist, the Perfusionist role is responsible for the provision of life support for patients undergoing elective and/or emergency cardiac surgery at Canberra Hospital.

The Perfusionist role is required to participate in the Perfusion Close Call Roster, aiding to ensure that perfusion services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Conduct safe cardiopulmonary perfusion under the direction of the Managing Perfusionist, and maintain a requisite record of these operational duties.
2. Participate in the maintenance of supplies and equipment, within the Perfusion work area.
3. Be responsible for testing and calibration of cardiopulmonary systems and associated equipment; including anticoagulation measurement, physiological monitoring, pharmacological agent administration.
4. Manage, operate and assist with Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, Ventricular Assist, and blood salvage devices within the critical care areas.
5. Participate in continuing education programs, quality improvement activities, research relevant to the work area and complete mandatory training.
6. Provide a commitment to high quality customer service principles, practices and attributes.
7. Participate in Perfusion close call 24hr 7days a week.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification and within the approved scope of clinical practice which contribute to the operations of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Adaptable and flexible to accommodate change in an acute environment.
• Ability to work and function within a multi-disciplinary team often within a high stress environment.
• Conduct safe perfusion practice adhering to ANZCP standards and  guidelines.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant tertiary qualifications including:
  • Diploma or Masters of Perfusion as administered by the Australian and New Zealand Board of Perfusion (ANZBP).
  • Currently certified as a Perfusionist with Australian New Zealand College of Perfusion. (ANZCP).

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Experienced Perfusionist with the required qualifications and able to demonstrate key selection criteria listed in the Position Description.
• Demonstrated experience working independently, with a high degree of autonomy Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Desirable

• Experience with complex urgent and emergent Aortic surgeries.
• Prior experience in conducting or participating in research projects.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
• Be available for weekend and/or after-hours work.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience and must be addressed in your application:

1. Demonstrated clinical knowledge and skill in cardiopulmonary bypass and related fields.
2. Demonstrated commitment and ability to maintain a requisite record of operational duties.
3. Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, including problem solving, clear communication with other members of the team and taking directions from Surgeons and the managing Perfusionist.
4. Demonstrated commitment and participation in undertaking education programs, relevant research and mandatory training.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.