THE VA MARYLAND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (VAMHCS) DESIRES TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT TO PROVIDE PERFUSIONIST SERVICES. THE PERSONS IN THIS POSITION WILL OPERATE THE HEART-LUNG MACHINE, INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON PUMP, CELL SAVER AND BLOOD SALVAGING EQUIPMENT, AND VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES DURING OPEN HEART AND CORONARY BY-PASS SURGERY FOR PATIENTS REPRESENTING THE MOST COMPLEX AND CRITICAL CASES.  THEY ANALYZE BLOOD GASES AND LABORATORY RESULTS IN PREPARATION FOR CARDIOPULMONARY BY-PASS OR WHILE CONDUCTING CARDIOPULMONARY BY-PASS. THESE SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE

WASHINGTON DC VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER.