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 occurs during heart surgery and similar operations.  Perfusionists also control the temperature of patients during surgery.

Salary:  $50,000

Education: A high school diploma with a strong background in biology and chemistry is required to be accepted in perfusionist training programs.  Admissions preference is given to students with college science work or experience in respiratory therapy and medical terminology. 

Perfusionist training programs are given at academic health centers and medical schools and 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.