Clinical Perfusionist

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education. Candidates must hold a degree in perfusion as described below in paragraphs (1) and (2) that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or EQualTM 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 EQualTM 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 EQualTM 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. The degree is to be verified by submitting a request to [email protected]. The request must include the name of the school, city, state and graduation date of individual.
• 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations: See additional information section for GS 12:

Clinical Perfusionist, GS-7
Experience and Education. None beyond basic requirements. This level is used for CPs who are provisionally certified and/or board-certified CPs who meet the basic requirements listed and have less than one year of experience and possess one of the following for advanced entry level placement below:
i. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by at least one of the following:
a. Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
b. Grade-Point Average (GPA): Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
(1) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on four years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; or
(2) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of general anatomy, physiology and pathology with a detailed knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy, physiology and pathology.
ii. Ability to formulate, modify and execute the perfusion plan as needed throughout the procedure while applying all safety precautions and equipment to minimize and mitigate risks and ensure environmental maintenance using judgement to ensure patient safety.
iii. Ability to select proper equipment and circuit after a pre-procedure assessment of the patient's medical history.

Clinical Perfusionist, GS-9
Experience, Certification and Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have:
i. Graduated from an accredited program and met the clinical requirements; and,
ii. Obtained their provisional certification and have at least one year of CP experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level; or
iii. Obtained their provisional certification and met one of the options under advance entry level placement in paragraph 4a(2) above with at least one year of CP experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level; or
iv. Have obtained ABCP certification as a CCP.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of general anatomy, physiology and pathology with a detailed knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy, physiology and pathology.
ii. Knowledge of extracorporeal circulation technology including adjunctive techniques.
iii. Ability to formulate, modify and execute the perfusion plan as needed throughout the procedure while applying all safety precautions and equipment
to minimize and mitigate risks and ensure environmental maintenance using a high degree of discretion and judgement to ensure patient safety.
iv. Ability to select proper equipment and circuit after a pre-procedure assessment of the patient's medical history.
v. Ability to precisely document pre-bypass checklist(s) and official perfusion record(s).

Clinical Perfusionist, GS-11

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 and have obtained ABCP certification as a CCP. License is preferred, but not required.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. Ability to independently provide effective care to patients characterized by using sound judgement in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting and evaluating perfusion applications for assigned patients.
ii. Ability to apply in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and specialized clinical procedures consistent with updated standard of care in the profession.
iii. Ability to independently practice perfusion utilizing a collaborative team concept of perfusion care, providing clinicians and professional staff with consultation.
iv. Ability to perform, under administrative direction, with wide latitude and independent judgment, work of clinical difficulty and responsibility.
v. Knowledge of associated specialized procedures to assist in independently developing the perfusion treatment strategies for specialty populations to assist the surgeon.
vi. Knowledge of specialized perfusion services.
vii. Ability to anticipate and respond appropriately to potentially serious situations involving the patient and/or equipment that may arise with the ability to use a high degree of discretion and judgement.
viii. Ability to apply expert in-depth knowledge of the principles and operation of all equipment to provide stat troubleshooting assistance.

Clinical Perfusionist, GS-12 (See additional information section for GS 12 qualification standards)

Preferred Experience: Must be Board certified in the field of clinical perfusion as a certified clinical perfusionist by the ABCP. Board certification must be current and applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education. Must meet the qualification standards for Clinical Perfusionist.

References: VA Handbook 5005/131 Part II Appendix G63

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 7 to GS 12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Clinical Perfusionist, GS-12
(a) 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. 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.
ii. 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.
iii. Expert level of knowledge of best practice in the perfusion profession.
iv. 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.
v. 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.
vi. 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.

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.