UnityPoint Health·Des Moines, Iowa
Operate and manage cardiopulmonary bypass equipment and other life-support systems during complex cardiac surgeries. Collaborate with surgical teams to monitor patient circulation and respiratory functions while ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols.
Overview 💙 Join Our Life-Saving Team as a Perfusionist!
Are you ready to play a vital role in life-saving cardiovascular care?
We’re looking for a skilled and passionate Perfusionist to join our high-performing surgical team and make a real difference every single day.
Why This Role Matters As a Perfusionist, you are at the heart of the operating room, ensuring patients safely undergo complex cardiac procedures.
Your expertise keeps life flowing—literally—while surgeons focus on healing.
What You’ll Do Operate and manage cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung) equipment during surgical procedures Monitor and regulate patient circulation and respiratory function throughout surgery Ensure all perfusion equipment is properly set up, tested, and compliant with regulatory and manufacturer standards Collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and OR teams to deliver exceptional patient outcomes Support clinical excellence through staff education and continuous professional development Maintain strict adherence to patient safety protocols and best practices Why UnityPoint Health?
At UnityPoint Health, you matter.
We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.
Here are just a few: Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more.
We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Performs Cardiopulmonary Bypass and related extracorporeal functions as ordered by physicians Assembles, calibrates, operates, monitors and maintains heart-lung machines, blood pumps, oxygenators, water heater/coolers and related life-support equipment for patients requiring extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support. Related equipment includes (but is not limited to): cardioplegia delivery systems, blood-gas and electrolyte monitors, flow monitors, anti-coagulation monitors, temporary external pacemakers, intra-aortic balloon pumps, blood salvage machines, VAD/ECMO circuits and portable CPB apparatus. Maintains legible, precise, accurate and timely documentation of all procedures performed utlilizing standard departmental and perfusion team forms. Properly handles and disposes of waste and/or contaminated materials and substances. Cleans, disassembles and stores equipment at the end of each procedure. Monitors and restocks the operating room’s perfusion cart, storeroom and office. Provides input for the ongoing development, selection and usage of new life-support equipment, supplies, techniques and protocols by meeting with other perfusionists, physicians, administrators, medical/technical staff, nursing personnel and sales representatives. Utilizes critical thinking in making independent judgment, and maintains responsibility for the knowledge of conditions of assigned patients. Consistently utilizes a holistic approach, considering physical, psych/social, spiritual, educational, safety and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned service area. Consistently delivers high quality care demonstrating knowledge and clinical skills of the specialty required in accordance with established policies and procedures and within the scope of practice for clinical perfusionists set forth by the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT). Practice reflects knowledge of HIPAA, JCAHO, DNV, OSHA, AAMI and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare. Demonstrates the ability to meet the department work schedule. Demonstrates the knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.
Bachelor of Science degree in Perfusion Technology, Circulation Technology, or acceptable healthcare sciences equivalent. Successful completion of accredited perfusion training program. Eligible to sit for CCP or CCT certification and become certified within 1 year of employment BCLS within 90 days Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.
Requires a Bachelor of Science in Perfusion Technology or an equivalent healthcare science degree and completion of an accredited perfusion training program. Candidates must be eligible for CCP or CCT certification and hold a BCLS certification within 90 days.
Market context
Perfusionist roles in Iowa are typically tied to cardiac surgery programs and can be competitive because employers look for accredited perfusion training, certification eligibility, and current life-support credentials. This role category often favors candidates who can work closely with surgical teams and adapt to high-acuity procedures. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then confirm your certification timeline and BCLS plan before applying.