Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Perfusionist
Job description
A perfusionist is trained to operate special equipment that temporarily takes over a patient's respiratory (breathing) and/or circulatory (blood movement) functions. This ensures that oxygen reaches the patient's body through the blood even when the patient's lungs and heart are temporarily not functioning. A perfusionist is part of the surgical team for operations such as open heart surgery.
Activities may include
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under surgeon's supervision, administer blood products, anesthetic agents, or drugs through extra corporeal circuits
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involved with blood salvaging (conservation)
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work in the operating room (during open heart surgery or transplants, liver transplants, orthopedic or cancer surgeries, etc.)
Salaries and benefits*
Salaries start at about $40,000 and can go up to $120,000 per year. Those earning the higher salaries are generally employed by a physician directly or are self-employed. Full benefits are usually offered by the hospital or clinic in which the perfusionist works. Perfusionists nearly always work in operating rooms of hospitals. They are located adjacent to the operating table among the surgical team. They frequently must spend long hours in operating rooms, under much stress. The average number of procedures performed per year is 125 and may occur at odd hours, can be lengthy, and may be under emergency conditions.
Training and requirements
The closest programs are in Arizona, at Midwestern University in Glendale, and at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Perfusionist educational programs vary in length from one year to 44 months, depending on program design, its objectives, prerequisites, and students' qualifications and prior experience. Because there are so few perfusionist educational programs, admission is highly competitive. All programs require a minimum of a high school diploma with high marks in biology and chemistry; most programs prefer some college credit in science or some experience in an allied health field; several programs require backgrounds in medical technology, respiratory therapy, or nursing. A complete list of accredited perfusion schools in the USA can be found at the Perfusion Education Forum.
Necessary skills
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ability to learn quickly
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ability to concentrate for long periods of time
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good eye/hand coordination and precision
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manual dexterity and mechanical aptitude
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ability to work with all types of people
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ability to work correctly and quickly in emergency situations and under stress
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aptitude for science course work
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emotional stability especially in handling long hours of work
Licensure/Certification
Though voluntary, certification is highly recommended and available through the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion Association.
Helpful high school courses
Includes extensive math, biology, chemistry and science courses.
Outlook*
The job outlook for perfusionists is good and expected to grow faster than average. Advancements in technology will help contribute to the need for workers in this field. Currently, there are about 3,000 perfusionists nationwide.
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 8/15/04