Overview
The cardiovascular perfusionist operates extracorporeal circulation equipment during any medical procedure in which it is necessary to artificially support or temporarily replace a patient\'s circulatory or respiratory functions, such as in open-heart surgery or other heart procedures.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the management of the physiological and metabolic needs of the cardiac surgical patient so that the cardiac surgeon may operate on a still, unbeating heart.
- Utilizes heart-lung machine, as well as its associated components of an oxygenator, filters, reservoirs, and tubing.
- Manages the circulatory and respiratory functions of the patient.
- Other responsibilities include autologous blood collection and processing, implementation and management of the intra-aortic balloon pump, adult, and infant extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as well as monitoring of anticoagulation, electrolyte, acid-base balance, and blood-gas composition.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor\u2019s degree in science or related field; Graduate of an accredited cardiovascular perfusion education program.
- Experience: 1 year as a perfusionist.
- Licensure/Certification: BLS; Preferred: Certification from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.