Advances in medical technology have made certain procedures, like open-heart surgery, a routine practice. These advances have also created some new healthcare professions. For instance, open-heart surgery would not be possible without a perfusionist, the person responsible for the heart-lung machine that keeps the patient’s blood circulating while the surgical team performs its magic.
Job Description
Besides open-heart surgery, the heart-lung machine makes many other cardiovascular operations possible, including by-pass surgery and organ transplants—and the perfusionist is a necessary member of operating team. Cardiac perfusionists assemble the equipment, make sure the heart-lung equipment is operating properly and calibrate functions as necessary for each individual surgery. They are present throughout the operation to monitor the patient’s circulation and body temperature and give necessary feedback to the surgeon. During the operation, the perfusionist may be called upon to administer drugs or supply blood products to the patient.
Therefore, a good cardiac perfusionist must have a strong attention to detail, skill with operating complex machinery, and the ability to work under pressure. You should also expect to work long hours on occasion and be on call for emergency surgeries. Trained perfusionists must be knowledgeable in chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and electronics, and are expected to stay informed about advances in their field.
If you have an interest in biomedicine and being part of a cardiac surgical team, becoming a certified clinical perfusionist (CCP) might be the right career choice. Job prospects in the healthcare industry are expected to be good, and this is a fairly high-paying specialization. Here’s how to become a perfusionist.
Educational Requirements
A good prerequisite for entering a cardiac perfusion-training program is the completion of a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, the biological sciences, or medical technology. Some universities have Bachelor’s Degree programs in cardiac technology, which is an excellent base for further training to become a perfusionist. However, you might be able to apply to a cardiac perfusion education program if you have previous healthcare work experience. Make sure the perfusion schools and educational programs you consider are professionally accredited.
Cardiac perfusion programs typically take two years to complete and involve coursework in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and electronics. You will also receive clinical training and hands-on experience under the direct supervision of accredited perfusionists. There are at least 150 specific procedures that a CCP is required to master. Depending on the program, you can complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Some programs offer a one-year certificate in cardiac perfusion.
AACP Certification
After you complete your degree, you will need to be certified as a CCP before applying for a job. This entails passing an examination given by the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion (AACP). In addition, you must be a graduate of an accredited cardiac infusion program, and have performed at least 75 clinical perfusions.
CCPs must renew their credential annually by demonstrating the number and type of perfusions they performed and fulfilling the continuing education requirements of the AACP. The AACP wants to ensure that all CCPs adhere to proper guidelines and are up to date on advances in the field.
Some states may require CCPs to be licensed to practice, as well. Check with the regional health department or facility where you want to work.
Job Prospects and Salary
Positions in the medical and healthcare field are expected to increase. It is anticipated that hospitals will need to hire more perfusionists since an older population will require more cardiac surgeries and perfusion may be incorporated in new surgical procedures. As highly skilled allied medical professionals, CCPs can expect to earn an average annual salary of $96,000.
Not everyone working in surgical jobs is a medical doctor. In fact, most of the surgical team consists of trained specialists who are responsible for a particular aspect of the procedure. Among these is the cardiac perfusionist, who is responsible for keeping a patient’s body functioning after the heart has been stopped so that it can be operated on and repaired. CCPs work under intense pressure and carry an enormous responsibility for the success of an operation. If you want to be a vital part of a surgical team, a career in cardiac perfusion could be the right career choice.