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Cardiac perfusionists are responsible for setting up and operating heart-lung machines which provide the patient with heart and lung functions during heart surgery.
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Perfusionist SalaryThe job of a cardiac perfusionist involves operating the heart-lung machines while a patient is having heart surgery. The machine helps take over the function of the patient's lungs and heart during the surgery. "Perfusion" means pumping liquid into an organ or tissue through blood vessels, and in this case, the liquid that is being pumped is blood. Cardiac perfusionists must look over the patient's medical history and also set up the heart-lung machine and any other related equipment. Perfusionists must operate the machine that regulates the patient's blood circulation and composition, control the patient's body temperature, as well as administer drugs that are necessary. They must be sure to communicate to the doctors performing surgery how the patient is doing.
 In order to become employed as s cardiac perfusionist, a person must be credentialed from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. This means that the applicant must have graduated from an accredited training program in the area of cardiovascular perfusion when the examination occurs. The applicant must have also performed at minimum seventy-five clinical perfusions during the training and must have a letter that details the clinical competency of the clinic. Each year, the perfusionist must recertify by meeting requirements for continuing education.
To get into a perfusionist training program, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree in nursing or science as well as a number of undergraduate credits. The programs are not available everywhere, are usually particular about who they choose, and the programs are often rigorous. Salaries for perfusionists are between $87,569 and $105,609 annually. The median annual salary is $96,144. Most perfusionists have health care, paid vacations, retirement plans, and disability insurance.
Within three to five years of experience, a perfusionist may become a chief perfusionist who is responsible for supervising other perfusionists as well as overseeing a budget. The employment opportunities in this field are excellent, and this may be due to the increasing number of people who have heart disease in the U.S. Perfusionists need to be able to stand for six to eight hours a day and lift equipment at times. They need to be able to communicate with nurses and doctors.
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