How to Start a Career in Perfusion
You never hear a kid say: When I grow up, I want to become a perfusionist!
This page outlines the steps needed to begin your career as a perfusionist.
Step 1: Obtain a Baccalaureate Degree
The first step is earning a bachelor’s degree. Basically, any Bachelor of Science (BS) will work, but you must complete the prerequisite courses each perfusion school requires. Prerequisites are perfusion school dependent, but most are similar to medical school or other advanced medical degree programs.
Step 2: Apply to Perfusion School or Schools
Once you graduate from college, you may apply for perfusion school. There are 19 schools in the USA . Applications to schools have increased in number significantly over the past few years. Consider applying to several schools at the same time to augment your chances of getting in. Visit Perfusion.com’s list of perfusion training programs to narrow your search!
Applying to perfusion school typically involves:
- Paying a fee.
- Submitting all your course work.
- Including references.
- Writing an essay or motivation letter.
- Engaging in job shadowing and have conversations with perfusionists. Medical experience as a perfusion assistant, nurse, respiratory therapist, etc. increases your chances of acceptance to any program
Perfusion programs are approximately two years in length, with a more didactic oriented first year, including simulation courses in some programs. The second year is focused on clinical rotations and ‘pumping’ cases to meet the requirements for graduation: a minimum of 75 adult/pediatric clinical perfusion cases performed during the education program.
Choosing a Bachelors or Masters in Perfusion?
Of the 19 schools, 11 offer a masters in perfusion degree. Currently both provide a pathway to perfusion. However, a masters degree will allow greater flexibility in career choice such as management, teaching, research, or sales. Within the next few years all perfusion programs will be geared towards a masters degree.
Step 3: Take the ABCP (American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion) Exam and Earn the Certificate of Cardiovascular Perfusion (CCP)
After you graduate from perfusion school, you can start working as a perfusionist. Perfusion is very unique in that you must be the primary perfusionist for 50 cases prior to taking the clinical portion of the ABCP examination.
This examination process consists of two parts:
- Part I is the Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE) and is a 220-item, multiple choice examination designed to cover perfusion basic sciences and cardiopulmonary bypass.
- Part II, the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (CAPE), also follows a multiple-choice format and covers a series of clinical scenarios, each with a series of questions. The number of items on the Part II examination may vary from 200 to 230, depending on the scenarios used.
The CCP is the final step in becoming a certified perfusionist (though some states require licensure as well).
Step 3a. Find your Dream Job!
There are a lot of perfusionist jobs out there and the starting wage is quite high with many benefits. Stay in tune with the job board to see what perfusionjobs are available in your area. You may also contact our team at Epic Cardivascular Staffing to help!
A Lifetime of Learning
Final note: Perfusion means lifelong learning. Continuing education (CEU’s) are required to keep your certification. There are many different options to obtain CEU’s and Perfusion.com is a great resource to find those alternatives. Including our Sanibel Perfusion Meeting!
Useful Sources
- Indeed Editorial Team (2022) Guide to Becoming a Perfusionist. Indeed Career Guides
- The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (2022) Find an Accredited Program. CAAHEP (click on ‘Profession’ and choose ‘Perfusion’)
- The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (2022) Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Perfusion. CAAHEP
- The Accreditation Committee – Perfusion Education (AC-PE) (2022) AC-PE Approved
- Cardiovascular Perfusion Curriculum AC-PE
- The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) (2022) Certification Information ABCP
Types of Perfusion
