How To Become A Perfusionist | SkillsAndTech

Welcome to the world of perfusion! It is one of the most exciting and fast-paced careers in healthcare! If you’re someone who thrives on adrenaline, loves working in a team environment, and has a passion for saving lives, then becoming a perfusionist is your calling.

We’ll take you through everything you need to know about how to become a perfusionist – from education and training requirements to job outlook and salary expectations.

What is a Perfusionist?

A perfusionist is a highly trained medical professional who operates the heart-lung machine and other complex equipment during cardiac surgery. He is an essential surgical team member and works closely with surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and nurses. He ensures the patients receive the best possible care.

Becoming a perfusionist requires completing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field, such as biology or chemistry, and completing an accredited perfusion education program. Upon graduation, he must obtain certification from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion before they can begin practicing.

What Does a Perfusionist Do?

A perfusionist is a highly trained medical professional. They operate the heart-lung machine during open heart surgery. He ensures patient’s blood is adequately oxygenated and circulated during surgery.

In addition to operating the heart-lung machine, the perfusionist monitors the patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs. He works closely with the surgeon and anaesthesiologist to ensure the surgery proceeds safely and according to plan.

If you want to become a perfusionist, you must complete a four-year college degree program in Allied Health or a related field. Once you have completed your degree, you must pass a national certification exam to practice as a perfusionist.

How to Become a Perfusionist

There are a few steps you must take to become a perfusionist:

1. You must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
2. You must complete an accredited perfusion education program.
3. You must pass the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion Certification Examination.

Perfusionist Certification Process

To become a certified perfusionist, you must complete an accredited education program. You should have a degree accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (ACPE). Once you have completed an accredited program, you must pass the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) certification examination.

To be eligible for the ABCP certification examination, you must have graduated from an accredited perfusion education program and completed at least 12 months of clinical training within the past five years. You must submit a completed application, and all required documentation and fees to the ABCP. Your application will be reviewed and approved. Then you can register for the examination.

The ABCP certification examination is a computer-based exam consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers anatomy and physiology, cardiovascular disease, cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal circulation, circulating blood volume and hemostasis, oxygenators, and ventilators, myocardial protection, pacemakers and defibrillators, autotransfusion, and more. You will have 4 hours to complete the exam.

After passing the ABCP certification examination, you must maintain your certification through continuing medical education.

Salary and Job Outlook

The median salary for a perfusionist in the United States is $116,800 annually, with the top 10% earning more than $174,000 annually. Job growth is much faster than average, at 22% between 2018 and 2028. It is an excellent choice if you are interested in helping and working in the medical field.

Conclusion

Becoming a perfusionist is a challenging and rewarding career path. It requires the right combination of education, skills, experience, and dedication. We have provided valuable insights into the qualifications and the steps you should take to get there.

It takes hard work and determination to succeed in this field, but it is a gratifying job if you persevere. Good luck!