Perfusionist in Kitchener

Welcome to health care that soars above. Home to seven regional programs and comprehensive healthcare services, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) is committed to meeting the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the healthcare experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered community-driven health care.

At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities. By listening to patients and partners, we strive to connect communities to the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.

Please Note: New employees must provide documentation/proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, a 2-step TB test, as well as proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) prior to their start date at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN). New Employees will require clearance from Employee Health, Safety and Wellness before they are able to begin any position within WRHN.

The Perfusionist functions in a highly specialized adult cardiac surgical environment at WRHN. The Perfusionist contributes to clinical, education and research-based practice within the scope of perfusion science and the Cardiac Program. The Perfusionist provides patients with extracorporeal life support during open-heart and major vascular surgery in the operating room/critical care settings. Working in collaboration with the multidisciplinary health care team, the Perfusionist integrates new knowledge and research into clinical practice. The Perfusionist operates extracorporeal circulation equipment during medical procedures requiring support or temporary replacement of patient's circulatory and respiratory functions. This position performs technical work in the selection, preparation, operation, and maintenance of the heart-lung machine and accessory equipment. The staff Perfusionist prepares and administers blood products and prescription solutions through extracorporeal circuitry.

Responsibilities:

• Operates the perfusion system and all integrated circuitry providing continuous support for the patient's cardiac, respiratory, and metabolic systems for short and/or long-term cardiopulmonary support.
• Maintains the patient's physiologic parameters during cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Collects, interprets, records and manages physiologic parameters.
• Selects, assembles, and operates extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems, left ventricular assist devices, right ventricular assist devices, selective perfusion circuits and intra-aortic balloon pumps.
• Transports patients on extracorporeal devices as required.
• Provides a comprehensive blood conservation program utilizing blood salvage, autologous blood component sequestration, hemoconcentration, hemodialysis, rapid transfusion, modified ultrafiltration and emerging technologies as required.
• Emergency patient situations are responded to twenty-four hours a day throughout the year.
• Assesses, evaluates and revises cardiovascular perfusion standards according to evidence based practice.
• Develops and maintains resource and reference material in relation to current practice.

Assess Plan Of Care:

• Assesses, plans and implements interventions by selecting appropriate support equipment and extracorporeal circuitry based on patient age, weight, pathology and planned procedure in consultation with clinical staff.
• Utilizes perfusion knowledge and expertise to meet the physiologic needs of the patient.
• Collaborates and liaises with members of the health care team to achieve excellence in patient care.
• Develops departmental objectives that reflect the philosophy and direction of the mission statements of the department and hospital.

Educational Activities:

• Promotes the objectives of Perfusion Services and the Cardiac Program.
• Disseminates perfusion knowledge and clinical expertise to the multidisciplinary team.
• Participates in the didactic, laboratory and clinical training of multidisciplinary staff in training.
• Participates in continuing education by attending scientific perfusion seminars, presenting and publishing new discoveries, thereby sharing and acquiring new knowledge.
• Provides rounds and presentations for WRHN’s colleagues.

Research Activities:

• Identifies cardiovascular perfusion research opportunities by questioning current practice and experience.
• Engages in evidence-based practice by initiating changes to clinical protocols based on research outcomes.
• Evaluates new technology released by industry to assess its effectiveness and/or improvements to patient care.
• Disseminates research and clinical findings through publications and presentations.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Participates in the daily organization and preparation of patient care plans and departmental workflow.
• Participates in the departmental preventative maintenance program.
• Assesses and provides the daily inventory requirements that are determined by patient needs.
• Assists in ensuring a safe, clean and organized working environment.
• Assists in the collection of patient data by participating in the departmental workload system.
• Accountable to align activities and performance with strategic goals and objectives of the perfusion department, cardiac program and WRHN.
• Adheres to hospital standards, policies, and procedures.
• Actively participates in the departmental/hospital quality management program.
• Participates in a performance-planning program.
• Participates in hospital/departmental committees.

Position Requirements:

• Graduate of an Accredited Cardiovascular Perfusion Science Program.
• Current certification, and ability to maintain annual re-certification with The Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion.
• Demonstrates the ability to function with confidence in medical emergencies.
• Previous clinical experience as a Clinical Perfusionist.
• Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Preferred Requirements:

• University Degree in a related field.
• Demonstrates the ability to function effectively and with confidence under stress.

Location: WRHN @ Queen’s Blvd (formerly St. Mary’s General Hospital)

Employment Type: Employee

Workplace: Onsite

Closing Date: 10/23/2026

EEO / Diversity: WRHN is committed to fair and equitable employment and in our recruitment and selection practices. We strongly believe in inclusion and diversity within our organization, and welcome all applicants including, but not limited to racialized communities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, Indigenous people, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community.

Accessibility: Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code. WRHN is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to provide an inclusive, barrier free workplace.