Adult Perfusionist

Join Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus where research and surgery are advanced, technology is leading-edge, patient care is world class and caregivers are family. Here, you will work alongside a passionate and dedicated team, receive endless support and appreciation, and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world. 

As a Perfusionist, you play a vital role at the heart of every cardiac procedure. You are entrusted with operating and managing the heart-lung machine, ensuring precise control of blood flow, oxygenation, and circulation throughout surgery. Your expertise directly safeguards patient well-being, delivering the highest standard of care in the most critical moments.

By joining our team of dedicated caregivers, you’ll step into an environment where advanced technology meets compassionate practice. You will gain exceptional hands-on experience with cutting-edge systems and some of the most complex cardiac interventions—from transplants to minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries.

Become part of a community where your skills make life-changing differences every day.

This position provides patient care and will require some nights and weekends on a rotating basis.  

A caregiver who excels in this role will:  

• Assemble, operate and disassemble the heart lung machine within the accepted safe scope of established clinical practice. 

• Provide total patient support during cardiopulmonary bypass.  

• Set up and operate ECMO's, Cell Savers, rapid infusion devices and all available perfusion devices, sometimes involving the use of X-rays or fluoroscopy as a diagnostic aid in the procedure. 

• Manage the patient parameters within the accepted safe ranges of established clinical practice. 

• Support organ transplants, laser procedures, new surgical procedures and perioperative LVAD support. 

• Perform patient charting and sterile packs. 

• Assist in research, animal testing, product evaluation and education of staff and students. 

• Maintain current knowledge in perfusion. 

• Share on-call responsibilities and the routine staffing and operating room coverage. 

• Share the daily tasks and operation of the department functions, such as lab coverage, stocking of supplies and equipment maintenance. 

• After selection and placement into this job, complete three months of on-the-job training to become proficient with various perfusion techniques, unique equipment and with various operative procedures.  

• Complete one year of on-the-job training to become proficient with various perfusion techniques and protocols unique to Cleveland Clinic. 

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include: 

• Bachelor's Degree and completion of an accredited school of Perfusion  

• Eligible to take the certification examination of the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion and/or current CCP in good standing 

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Certification as a Clinical Perfusionist (CCPERF)

Physical Requirements:

• Requires a full range of body motion including the ability to lift and/or bear the weight of 100 pounds or more while pulling, lifting, pushing and transferring patients.

• Must be able to stand, walk or sit for extended periods.

• Good visual acuity through normal or corrected vision.

• Must be willing to rotate 24 hour coverage (on-call) and be able to work under stressful conditions.

• Must have the ability to work within guidelines of universal safety precautions, using protective gear.

• May be required to travel in ambulance, small airplanes or helicopter for organ procurement.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment (gloves, eye protection, lead gown) as required.