Perfusionist

Perfusionist

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical perfusionists operate circulation equipment during medical situations when it is necessary to temporarily and artificially replace the patient’s circulatory or respiratory functions. This usually occurs during heart surgery and other similar operations. Perfusionists also control the temperature of patients during surgery. Their duties involve:

·        Operating heart-lung machines

·        Applying several types of anesthesia

·        Apply several types of medication

Average Salary: $50,000

Educational Requirements:

A high school diploma with a thorough background in biology and chemistry is required to be accepted into and perfusionist training program. Admissions prefer students with college science work or experience in respiratory therapy and medical terminology.

Perfusionist training programs are given at academic health centers, medical schools, and several universities. They emphasize hands-on, practical training. Course length varies, but for the school to be recognized by the American Academy of Cardiac Perfusionists, the curriculum must include the supervised performance of 150 procedures to include 20 pediatric and infant cases.

I would like to become a perfusionist but sadly I do not have a strong background in biology or chemistry.