Degree Programs for Those Interested in Becoming a Cardioplumonary Perfusionist
Higher Education Articles October 27, 2015A cardiac perfusionist is someone who operates the heart to lung machines during an operation of the heart. If you want to learn about the education requirements for this career, the skills you are expected to learn, job opportunities or even the salary outlook for a cardiopulmonary technician, stick with me for the next few minutes.
Important Details about Cardiopulmonary Perfusionists
To join this profession, you do not have to have a bachelor’s degree. Training is done in accredited medical schools around the country, which may include a post baccalaureate certificate program. The program is often accompanied by training in how to operate the heart to lung machine. In the 1-2 years of schooling that cardiopulmonary perfusionists attend, training involves both classroom and out of class lectures, where students are able to learn adequately in areas such as surgical suites.
In addition, one can easily gain certification in this profession once you understand how to monitor patients’ oxygen levels, how to measure cell counts and learn how to monitor blood circulation during operations. These skills are often gained by attending clinical training in medical schools. Note that your job description may vary from one organization to another since you may not be aware of what duties you may be expected to perform in every organization, learning most or all of the above mentioned skills can help you a lot.
In a nutshell, you can easily become a certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) by attending a prerequisite college program such as a bachelor’s degree in Biology, then acquire a letter of recommendation from a recognized practitioner in this profession before you can submit a Graduate admissions essay. These programs only take an average of one to two years before you are through.
Acquiring a Certificate to Become a Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist
Once you register for a certificate program in this field, expect to spend your class hours doing clinical practicum experiments and sometimes attending some seminars in cardiopulmonary bypass techniques or biology. Some of these classes, which are listed below, may still be done in the class. The major topics in this program are:
•Perfusion Instrumentation and equipment
•Physiology and anatomy
•Pharmacology
•Blood conservation techniques
•Cardiopulmonary bypass techniques
•Myocardial preservation
Job Availability and Salary details
On average, Payscale.com estimates that an average cardiopulmonary perfusionist earns $101,449 per year. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have any details concerning the payment or job growth rate for cardiopulmonary perfusionists.
Getting Licensed and Higher Education opportunities
Certification is often done by states. However, the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion does give certificates to qualified students specializing in clinical perfusion. On the other hand, for general cardiopulmonary perfusion learners, you have to first pass an examination that test your knowledge in basic medical science and technical cardiopulmonary perfusion. Most states will also ask cardiopulmonary perfusionists to renew their certificates every three years, and this includes continuing learners.
