Lead Clinical Perfusionist, University Hospital

Details of the Service

The Clinical Perfusion Department at Cork University Hospital (CUH) provides perfusion services for elective and emergency adult cardiac surgery. The caseload is approx. 450 cases per annum across 2 theatres.

This includes perfusion cover for adult cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), autologous cell salvage, on bypass haemofiltration, blood gas management, coagulation monitoring and thromboelastograph (TEG) analysis/interpretation. The department provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week on call service for adult cardiac emergencies.

As the unit expands its advanced cardiopulmonary support capabilities through the introduction of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), the creation of an ECMO Lead Perfusionist role is essential to provide strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and operational management of the new service.

The post holder will work closely with a range of multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure the safe and effective delivery of ECMO services within the cardiothoracic unit. Key working relationships include:

• Fellow Chief Perfusionist(s) - for strategic planning, governance, and overall service development.

• Perfusion Team - for rostering, training, competency assessment, and quality assurance of ECMO practice.

• Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Anaesthetists and Intensivists - for co-ordination of ECMO initiation, management, and weaning, ensuring safe, evidence-based care.

• Intensive Care Nursing Team - for clinical support, education, and consistent management and care of ECMO patients.

• Senior Management and Service Leads - to align ECMO objectives with wider directorate and hospital strategies.

• Regional ECMO Centres - clinical liaison, patient referral or transfer processes, and shared best practice.

• Suppliers and Technical Representatives - for equipment updates, technical training, and product support.

• Clinical Governance, Education, and Risk Management Leads - for policy development, audit, incident review, and competency programmes.

• Pharmacy and Haematology Services - for anticoagulation management, drug compatibility, and blood product support.

Biomedical Engineering - for ECMO equipment maintenance, safety checks, and technical support.

Health Regions

Six Health Regions have been established within the HSE, on the basis of the geographical boundaries agreed by the Government in July 2019 and they will be operational from 2024.

Each Health Region will be tasked with population specific planning resourcing and delivery of health and social care services for the needs of its unique population. This will result in improved accountability and governance in terms of finance and performance, while also bringing decision-making closer to the frontline.

Health Regions will enable and empower staff to provide services that are:

• Integrated, locally planned and delivered

• Easier to access and navigate

• Available closer to home

Health Regions are geographically based units with clearly defined populations. They align community and hospital services within specific areas. The HSE will retain a strong but leaner central organisation, with more service provision developed at a local level.

The HSE South West health region will manage and deliver all public health and social care services in Cork and Kerry. HSE South West includes all hospital and community healthcare services in the region.

This includes:

• South /South West Hospital Group S/SWHG

• Cork Kerry Community Healthcare CKCH

• Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation

• Community Healthcare Organisation Dublin North City and County

The Department of Population and Public Health is also now aligned with this health region

Services in the South West health region:

HSE Services working within this region include:

• Acute Hospitals

• Primary care services

• Community services

• Social care services

• Health and social care professionals

• Voluntary sector services

South / South West Hospital Group and Cork Kerry Community Healthcare will become part of HSE South West health region from 3rd March 2025 and the transition to the new structures will be taking place throughout 2026.

For further information about the role, contact:

Anne-Marie Hennessy, Chief Clinical Perfusionist/Department Tutor

Email: annemarie.hennessy@hse.ie

Tel: 021 423 4142