Advancement With additional education and/or experience, perfusionists can become administrators, educators, researchers and developers for product manufacturers, or move into marketing and sales. Licensure/Certification Graduates of accredited perfusion programs are eligible to sit for the national certification examination given by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. This is a two-part examination divided into the basic science written examination and the clinical applications of perfusion examination. There is also a minimum requirement of performing 75 perfusion cases in order to sit for the examination. Upon successful completion, the graduate is considered a Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP). Continuing education hours are required every three years in order to maintain certification and a clinical report is required annually. Salary The median annual salary for a perfusionist was $107,118 in 2009. Educational Programs Bachelor's Degree Barry University Professional Associations American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion American Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology

Perfusionists operate extracorporeal circulation equipment during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or temporarily replace a patient's respiratory or circulatory functions, such as in open heart surgery.

In conjunction with physicians, they are responsible for the selection of the most appropriate equipment and techniques for administration of blood products, anesthetic agents, and drugs.

Perfusionists may also perform administrative duties, such as purchasing equipment and supplies, hiring personnel, department management, and quality improvement. Perfusionists must handle very stressful situations, pay great attention to detail, be very responsible, and willing to stay on top of new developments in the profession.

Areas of Specialization
Perfusionists specialize in operating heart lung machines during cardiopulmonary bypass. Other areas of interest include ECMO, intra aortic balloon pump monitoring, ventricular assist device monitoring, isolated limb perfusion and autotransfusion.

Work Environment
Perfusionists usually work in hospitals. They may work on an on-call system including weekend and night duty. Some may be hired by individual surgeons, perfusion corporations, or companies that manufacture perfusion supplies and equipment..

Job Outlook
According to the American Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology, the job openings for perfusionists in the United States are increasing due to the growing number of people age 65 and over who are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and require open heart surgery. The utilization of coronary stents has impacted the need for perfusionists in smaller hospitals.

Length of Training/Requirements
Barry University offers a bachelor's degree in perfusion. The curriculum consists of courses in perfusion technology, perfusion devices, anatomy, physiology, physiological management of bypass, ethics, pathology, cardiology, research, and theology. Requirements for entry into the program include two years of prerequisite courses, such as English, speech, physics, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, computer science, and philosophy, as well as experience observing at least one cardiac surgical procedure requiring a cardiopulmonary bypass.