Job Description:

• Fitzroy Location

• 2 Full Time / Fixed Term positions until June 2028

• Ongoing Training and Development Opportunities

• Excellent Career Progression

About the Role

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne has been selected to participate in the Pilot Perfusion Training Program and is seeking motivated candidates to train as Clinical Perfusionists.

This unique opportunity offers a structured pathway into a highly specialised profession, supporting patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery and critical care procedures.

As a Clinical Perfusionist Trainee, you will:

• Provide specialised extracorporeal circulatory and respiratory support for patients undergoing cardiac surgery and critical care procedures.

• Assist in the safe delivery of cardiopulmonary bypass and related perfusion services in accordance with Australian and New Zealand College of Perfusionists (ANZCP) clinical standards.

• Contribute to the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care and outcomes.

• Participate in a comprehensive training program combining academic study and supervised clinical practice.

Classification: Grade 1 Year 1
Salary: $53 per hour

Your Contribution

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Enrolment in the Master of Cardiovascular Perfusion (M6050) at Monash University (mandatory).

• Registration as a Clinical Perfusion Trainee through the Australian and New Zealand College of Perfusionists (ANZCP) trainee pathway (mandatory).

• A strong foundation in health and science through a relevant undergraduate qualification, such as:

  • Biomedical Science

  • Medical Science

  • Biological Science

  • Clinical Science

  • Health Science

• Current National Criminal History Check, or willingness to obtain.

• Current NDIS Worker Screening Check, or willingness to obtain.

What We Offer

At St Vincent's, we are committed to supporting our people to thrive both professionally and personally.

• Ongoing professional development and career advancement opportunities.

• Salary packaging benefits to increase your take-home pay.

• Access to wellbeing initiatives, programs and events.

• Confidential, solutions-focused employee counselling services.

• Discounts and promotions through the St Vincent's Foundation.

• A culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

• Convenient Fitzroy location, close to Melbourne CBD, public transport, cafes and parking options.

About the Perfusion Service

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne has 12 operating suites and performs more than 12,000 procedures annually.

The Cardiac Surgery Service undertakes approximately 450 procedures each year, including:

• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery

• Valve repair and replacement procedures

• Adult congenital cardiac surgery

• Complex aortic surgery

As part of this service, the Perfusion Team plays a critical role in supporting patients through some of the most complex cardiac procedures performed at St Vincent's.

Working at St Vincent's

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research and tertiary health service.

Driven by our values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence, we provide a diverse range of adult clinical services and are committed to delivering outstanding patient care, education and research.

Application

Please attach your resume and cover letter as part of your application. Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. We encourage you to apply promptly, as the advertisement may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is central to our mission, and we value a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. Please visit our website for further information regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment at SVHM.

SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in healthcare settings. Successful applicants may therefore be required to undergo mandatory immunisations and vaccinations, including annual influenza vaccination. Please contact us if you would like further information.

Contact

Craig Moir craig.moir@svha.org.au

Position Description

St Vincent's Operating Suite houses 12 theatres, 12 anaesthetic rooms and a Post Anaesthetic Care Area. We undertake over 12,000 procedures per year in a vast range of highly specialised and complex specialities over a 24-hour period, 7 days per week. Cardiac procedures make up about 450 of these and include Coronary Bypass Grafting Surgeries, valvular repairs and replacement, congenital adult surgeries, and complex aorta procedures.

St Vincent’s Melbourne has been selected to participate in the Pilot Perfusion Training Program and is seeking suitable candidates to train as a Clinical Perfusionist.

• The role is designed to develop a Clinical Perfusionist through structured training and supervised practice.

• Training and performance must align with the standards and guidelines of the Australian and New Zealand Board of Perfusion (ANZBP).

ROLE CONTEXT

This role supports the delivery of total body perfusion services for adult cardiac surgery patients at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. It includes cardiopulmonary bypass and other integrated extracorporeal life-support techniques within the Cardiac Surgery Unit.

ROLE PURPOSE

• Provide specialised extracorporeal circulatory and respiratory support for patients undergoing cardiac surgery or critical care procedures.

• Ensure the safe delivery of cardiopulmonary bypass and related perfusion services in line with ANZCP clinical standards.

• Support safe, high-quality patient outcomes through expert technical practice, effective risk management, equipment oversight, and close collaboration with the multidisciplinary cardiac team.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Perfusion

• Prepare and maintain a sterile, patient-appropriate perfusion circuit for each procedure.

• Set up and appropriately prime cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits.

• Provide intra-operative haemodynamic, biochemical, and physiological support for patients undergoing cardiac surgery using CPB, while maintaining effective communication with surgeons and anaesthetists.

• Contribute to the provision of a 24-hour on-call perfusion service to ensure continuous coverage of these responsibilities.

• Provide haemodynamic and physiological support using intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) for patients requiring cardiac or cardiopulmonary support, as directed by the cardiac surgeon.

BLOOD SALVAGING

• Provide blood salvaging services for cardiac and other surgical procedures where required.

RESEARCH, COMMUNICATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

• Maintain printed and electronic records related to these accountabilities in accordance with St Vincent’s policies and retention requirements.

• Contribute to departmental research projects, including method development and the evaluation of new equipment.

• Prepare and deliver oral and written presentations on behalf of the Perfusion Unit.

• Attend scientific meetings and visit other cardiac centres on behalf of the hospital where required, then share relevant insights with appropriate hospital departments.

• Keep up to date with current developments through professional reading and ongoing learning.

• Participate in lectures and continuing education activities as a participant or presenter, as required.

• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and cardiac surgical audit meetings.

RECORDS AND EQUIPMENT

• Support the safe and efficient operation of Perfusion Unit equipment, devices, and machinery.

• Liaise with the Biomedical Engineering Department regarding equipment testing, maintenance, and electrical safety.

• Maintain complete equipment records and maintenance schedules, including asset age, servicing history, rotation, usage, and any other required details.

4.INCUMBENT OBLIGATIONS

General

• Perform the duties of the position to the best of your ability and to a standard acceptable to SVHM.

• Ensure all staff within your area comply with SVHM policies, procedures, by-laws, and directions.

• Ensure confidential information is accessed only when necessary for legitimate business purposes and remains protected at all times.

• Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in response to changing operational needs.

Person Centred Care

• Ensure that consumers receive information in an appropriate and accessible format

• Actively support consumers to make informed decisions about their treatment and ongoing care

• Ensure consumers are aware of their rights responsibilities and how to provide feedback

Health and Safety

• Ensure all health and safety related policies, procedures and directions are complied with in the area they manage

• Ensure all in the area they manage undertake annual Fire and Emergency Training and comply with fire and emergency procedures

• Ensure all those in the area they manage, treat others with respect, behaving professionally and in accordance with the SVHM Code of Conduct and undertaking annual Workplace Culture and Equity Training

• Conduct regular safety audits with Health and Safety Representatives and implement required improvements

• Minimise Work Cover costs by actively assisting the return to work of any employee injured in the area they manage.

• Riskman/PITSTOP management and completion of associated paperwork and investigations

Human Resource Management

• Ensure that workforce planning is regularly undertaken and implemented to provide for the ongoing resource needs of the area they manage

• Ensure recruitment and rostering practices comply with applicable Enterprise Bargaining Agreement and cost effectively support delivery of quality service

• Ensure new employees are properly inducted to their local work environment and attend the General Hospital Orientation program

• Ensure all those who work in the area managed, undertake an annual performance review and are continually developed to reach their full potential

• Ensure leave is rostered fairly and that employees in the area managed, regularly take leave and do not accumulate excessive leave except where a plan is in place as to when that leave will be taken.

• Actively manage individual and team performance to maximise performance and minimise workplace problems and conflict.

• Continuously seek individual and team improvement and take responsibility for the introduction of any changes required to bring about such improvements.

Applicants must meet the academic and trainee registration requirements for entry to the role and progression through the recognised perfusion training pathway.

• Enrolment in the Master of Cardiovascular Perfusion (M6050) at Monash University is mandatory as the academic component of the recognised training pathway.

• Applicants should review the Monash University course information and entry requirements for the Master of Cardiovascular Perfusion (M6050).

• Registration as a clinical perfusion trainee through the Australian and New Zealand College of Perfusionists trainee pathway is compulsory.

Applicants are expected to have a strong foundation in health and science. Relevant undergraduate qualifications may include:

• Biomedical Science

• Medical Science

• Biological Science

• Clinical Science

• Health Science

The following experience and attributes would be advantageous:

• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team within a complex and often challenging environment.

• Initiative, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills.

• An understanding of the healthcare sector.

• Experience working in health or a related field.

• Research experience.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Excellent professional, interprofessional, communication, and self-reflection skills.

• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and with different working styles.

• Ability to advocate for patients and their families.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively in a dynamic environment.

• Strong computer literacy skills.

Closing Date:

Reconciliation Action Plan:

At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au