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What does a Perfusionist do?

L. Hepfer
L. Hepfer

A perfusionist assists cardiothoracic surgical teams during cardiac and pulmonary surgeries. Their primary responsibility is to operate a heart/lung machine that artificially replaces a person's heart or lung functions during the surgery. If a patient's heart or lung functions need to be manually stopped at any time during the surgery, the perfusionist is responsible for this task. The machine that the perfusionist uses pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body and ensures that proper circulation continues throughout the surgery. The same piece of equipment can be used in cases of respiratory failure.

Other responsibilities of a perfusionist may include administering various blood products to the patient, regulating different medications, and observing and controlling the patient's temperature during surgery. Their job description may include various administrative duties such as purchasing supplies and equipment, managing the department they work in, and hiring support technicians when needed. A perfusionist should be a people-oriented person as they will not only be working with patients, but they will also be working directly with the nursing staff, anesthesiologists, cardiac and pulmonary surgeons, and surgical technicians.

A perfusionist assists surgical teams during cardiac surgeries.
A perfusionist assists surgical teams during cardiac surgeries.

A perfusionist is required to concentrate for long periods of time while keeping a record of the patient's vital signs throughout surgery. They must notify the surgeon immediately of any changes, and be prepared to respond quickly to the surgeon's requests. They must be detail-oriented, follow instructions thoroughly, and respond well to emergency situations. Perfusionists are required to work well under pressure, be able to work well independently, and may be needed for post-operative support concerning the patient.

A perfusionist is responsible for operating the heart-lung machine that artificially replaces a person's heart or lung functions during surgery.
A perfusionist is responsible for operating the heart-lung machine that artificially replaces a person's heart or lung functions during surgery.

Studies show with the increase of cardiac surgeries, the demand for this occupation is growing rapidly. New procedures being performed with heart disease creates the need for more perfusion services worldwide. Most perfusionists work in hospitals, or large surgical centers; however, job openings may be found in research facilities along with sales and marketing positions.

Perfusionists must be trained to work closely with other members of the patient's health care team.
Perfusionists must be trained to work closely with other members of the patient's health care team.

There may be prerequisites when hiring a person in this field that requires them to have a Bachelor's degree in nursing, biological sciences or respiratory therapy. Programs providing education for this line of work range from one to four years in length. Once the student completes college, oral and written examinations must be passed through the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP). Students in high school that are interested in this job field can get a head start on their education by taking classes associated with biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, computer skills, algebra and geometry.

Discussion Comments

Sinbad

@Speechie - This does seem like quite the career path for someone who likes the pressure of surgery! I have heard of things like 9 hour surgeries before, it seems like someone would definitely have to be ready for long work days if they were thinking about this as a career.

Anyway as far as schools, there are special perfusionist schools, and I have seen them as a degree in both medical schools and engineering schools, but I have no idea how difficult these programs are to get into.

The salary is said to be from 68,000 a year to 98,000 a year, but I am with you - I was curious to learn about it because of the neat name that I had seen somewhere and wanted to know more about it, but now that I know more about it I am stressed just thinking about it!

Speechie

I had not heard of a perfusionist ever! But after reading the article, all I can say is what a job for a detail oriented person. Just thinking about the concentration and vital data taking this person must do scares me to death (as me and details have never been fond of each other).

However, I have a friend who gets along remarkably well with details and seems to freakishly thrive under pressure, and she even seems to do better with number details than other details.

Is there a special perfusionist school and what is a perfusionist's salary?

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    • A perfusionist assists surgical teams during cardiac surgeries.
      By: uwimages
      A perfusionist assists surgical teams during cardiac surgeries.
    • A perfusionist is responsible for operating the heart-lung machine that artificially replaces a person's heart or lung functions during surgery.
      By: Arkady Chubykin
      A perfusionist is responsible for operating the heart-lung machine that artificially replaces a person's heart or lung functions during surgery.
    • Perfusionists must be trained to work closely with other members of the patient's health care team.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Perfusionists must be trained to work closely with other members of the patient's health care team.
    • Perfusionists play a key role during heart bypass surgery, allowing the patient to survive while also stopping the heart from beating.
      By: sudok1
      Perfusionists play a key role during heart bypass surgery, allowing the patient to survive while also stopping the heart from beating.
    • New procedures being performed with heart disease creates the need for perfusion services worldwide.
      By: pankajstock123
      New procedures being performed with heart disease creates the need for perfusion services worldwide.
    • Perfusionists operate heart/lung bypass machines.
      By: snapgalleria
      Perfusionists operate heart/lung bypass machines.