Aspiring perfusionists can find training programs at the top colleges for perfusion technology, such as 4-year colleges and universities, as well as teaching hospitals. Bachelor's and master's degree programs -- as well as training certificates -- are available.
How to Become a Perfusionist?
Perfusionists, also known as cardio-pulmonary perfusionists, operate heart and lung machines during open-heart surgery. They also operate other necessary equipment such as the cell saver machine intra-aortic balloon pump. Perfusionists must gain cardiovascular perfusionist education to practice. High school diploma holders will want to enter a bachelor's degree program. In contrast, those with prior health care experience and degrees, such as medical assistants or nurses, may choose a certificate program or a bachelor's degree program. Perfusionist programs are highly specialized and only are available at specific colleges. All perfusionists must pass the certification exam after completing one of the top perfusion programs.
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Certification
There are two parts to certification from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. They are:
- Part I - Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE)
This exam is designed to cover basic perfusion sciences and cardiopulmonary bypass.
- Part II - Clinical Application in Perfusion Examination (CAPE)
This exam is designed to cover a series of clinical scenarios.
Both examinations are given twice a year, in the spring and the fall.
The examinations are based on topics in the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) database. There are 11 major sections of the ABCP database. They are:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Laboratory Analysis
- Quality Assurance
- Devices & Equipment
- Clinical Management
- Special Patients Groups
- ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)/ECLS (Extracorporeal Life Support)/Special Procedures and Techniques
- Catastrophic Events and Device Failure
- Monitoring
What Does a Perfusionist Do?
Perfusionist programs prepare individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to operate extracorporeal circulation and autotransfusion equipment during medical procedures and surgeries where the support or temporary replacement of a patient's own respiratory or circulatory system is required. Working in conjunction with cardiac surgeons, perfusionists:
- Adjust oxygen levels
- Change body temperatures
- Correct electrolyte imbalances
- Manipulate blood flow to meet a patient's needs
- Administer medications, blood products, and fluids
- Monitor a patient's coagulation status to prevent clotting
- Minimize the amount of blood lost during surgery
Schools with Perfusionist Programs
Some of the best perfusion schools offer perfusion training and education that may meet your academic needs. There are 18 top colleges for perfusion technology. Some of these top perfusion programs are listed below.
University of Iowa - Perfusion Technology Program
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery offer training on becoming a perfusionist. As a teaching hospital in Iowa City, the program offers students a unique experience in treating patients through perfusion. The program takes 20 months, and students earn a post-graduate degree and certification, making them ready to work in hospitals after graduation. This school is accredited by the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (AC-PE) recommendation. Graduates are eligible to take the basic science and clinical applications American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion certification exams. These, in turn, certify them to work as clinical perfusionists. Admission is limited to four to five students annually.
SUNY Upstate Medical University - Master of Science in Clinical Perfusion
SUNY is the State University of New York. Graduates in this clinical perfusion program academically have a 100% pass rate on the ABCP national certification exam. According to SUNY, students have scored 10 to 15 points above the national average on these critical examinations for the past 10 years. Admitted classes are limited to ten students. Students will earn a Master of Science in Clinical Perfusion. Students spend 650 hours in simulation and 150 to 200 clinical hours with training at a minimum of 4 clinical affiliates. Students also complete a Capstone Experience or Research Thesis. The CAAHEP also accredits this program.
Midwestern University - Cardiovascular Science Program
Midwestern University offers a Master of Science in Cardiovascular Science. Thirty-eight students are admitted annually. The program takes 21 months to complete. There are seven successive quarters of training. There are 48 weeks of clinical rotations. The graduation rate is 88%. As a cardiac perfusionist, the program begins with classroom and laboratory instruction involving professional perfusionists, anesthesiologists, cardiac surgeons, and medical educators, followed by clinical observations and hospital rotations. After completing the program, students are prepared to sit for the professional perfusion certification exams from the ABCP. This program provides cardiovascular perfusionist education and is accredited by the CAAHEP upon recommendation of the AE-CP.
For more information on perfusionist school costs, review the table below.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Tuition and Fees (2020-2021)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 4-year, Public | Post Graduate Certificate Award | $9,606 (in-state), $31,569 (out-of-state) |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | 4-year, Private | Master of Science in Perfusion | $43,575 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 4-year, Public | Master of Science in Pharmacology, Certificate in Perfusion Sciences | $12,716 (in-state), $36,743 (out-of-state) |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | Omaha, NE | 4-year, Public | Master's in Perfusion Science | $9,207 (in-state), $26,379 (out-of-state) |
| Upstate Medical University | Syracuse, NY | 4-year, Public | Master of Science in Clinical Perfusion | $11,310 (in-state), $23,100 (out-of-state) |
| Rush University | Chicago, IL | 4-year, Private | Master of Science in Perfusion Technology | $37,207 |
| University of Texas Health Science Center | Houston, TX | 4-year, Public | Post Graduate Certificate Award | $7,984 (in-state), $31,005 (out-of-state) |
| Midwestern University | Glendale, AZ | 4-year, Private | Master of Science in Cardiovascular Science | $46,825 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 4-year, Private | Post Graduate Certificate Award | $50,082 |
Sources: *NCES, school websites.
Perfusionist School Selection Criteria
Consider the following when choosing a perfusionist training program or school:
- Look for schools with the appropriate level of accreditation from the CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) upon the recommendation of the AC-PE (The Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education)
- Assess the breadth of training in the course and clinical rotation.
- Evaluate the job placement assistance opportunities as some programs may support professional connections through organizations like the American Society for Extra-Corporeal Technology.
- You may also want to give extra attention to schools with higher job placement rates.
- Look for success rates in completing the ABCP (American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion) certification examinations
Bachelor's Degree in Perfusion
A bachelor's degree in perfusion is a rare academic program offered through select 4-year schools. Clinical experiences train students in the appropriate measures used to calibrate and operate perfusion equipment. Students may also be required to complete a research project. Accredited programs will allow students to sit for the ABCP certification examination.
Master's Degree in Perfusion
A master's degree in perfusion typically requires completing a science-based bachelor's degree and prerequisites dictated by the individual schools. The program may include a final project or thesis and clinical practicums, and training in research methods.
Individuals interested in a healthcare career involving treatment of the lungs and heart may seek training as a perfusionist at the bachelor's and master's level. Research and hands-on clinical training are often incorporated into the curriculum.
Perfusionist Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't collect salary or job outlook data on perfusionists. However, according to payscale.com, the median perfusionist salary for 2020 - 2021 was $123,873. The median salary for a cardio-pulmonary perfusionist for 2020-2021 is $131,435.
Perfusionist Career Information
The typical career path of a perfusionist is into a cardio-pulmonary perfusionist position. Other areas of movement are into Medical Technologist or Training and Development Manager. Perfusionist salaries are most affected by Database Management and Reporting. Cardio-pulmonary perfusionist salaries can be affected by the following skill sets:
- Medicine/Surgery
- Clinical Supervision
- Pediatrics
- Open Heart
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control
- Machine Operation
Levels of experience will indicate different salary levels. For a perfusionist, salaries continue to grow with experience. For a cardio-pulmonary perfusionist, salaries tend to dip after nine years.
FAQ's
- What background do I need to enter a perfusion training program?
Schools that offer certificate awards or degree programs will have varying application requirements. Having a background in the sciences such as math, physics, chemistry, and biology is typically a great start.
- How long is perfusionist training?
Typically schools will have a 19 to 24-month rigorous program. These perfusionist training programs involve classroom study and clinical rotations. Multiple locations are usually required in clinical rotations to round out a student's background and understanding.
- How do I earn certification to begin clinical work?
After completing perfusionist training programs, there are two examinations from the ABCP (American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion) that must be successfully passed to become certified and eligible to work in a clinical setting.
- How many schools provide appropriate perfusionist and cardiac-perfusionist training?
There are 18 schools currently that offer perfusionist and cardiac-perfusionist training.
- How often are applications for admissions available for consideration?
Most schools offer admission opening windows twice per year. One should choose their school of choice and look at the admissions process and timing.
