Overview

Perfusionist

Qualification: 12th PCM + B / 12th PCB
salary: Rs 3,60,000 /year

Who is a Perfusionist?

A Perfusionist is also known as a CCP or a Certified Clinical Perfusionist, who is a professionally trained health care worker and is part of a surgical team, especially pertaining to the heart and respiratory surgeries.

What does a Perfusionist do?

A perfusionist works on heart-lung machinery during surgeries and keeps oxygenated blood flowing through the patient's heart and body. The surgeon actively operates on the patient, while the perfusionist examines the patient's body temperature. The perfusionist maintains the physiological plus metabolic requirements of the patient while the surgeon is operating on the patient's heart.

What are the skills required?

The role of a perfusionist requires them to be constantly alert, attentive and patient. A perfusionist is responsible for the patient's life by maintaining the right temperature, metabolic activity, and homeostasis, so he or she has to be very attentive and calm. The skills required by a Perfusionist are:

Extremely Detail Oriented
Calm under Pressure
Strong organizational skills
Ability to remain calm under pressure
Patience
Problem-Solving Capacity
Technical Knowledge related to surgical equipment and the ability to troubleshoot when required.

We have covered the role of a perfusionist extensively, to give you the right career guide, so that you can make an informed decision about your higher education.

Top colleges offering courses on Perfusionist.

To pursue a career as a Perfusionist, the aspirant should complete their 10+2 in science, preferably Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Zoology as their main subject and then they can pursue a BSc in Perfusion. Paramedical Institutes, Private Colleges, Hospitals, and Government Colleges are some of the leading platforms where a course in Perfusion is offered. The top colleges offering a course on Perfusionist are:

Narayana Health
Amrita Center for Allied Health Sciences
School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University

The BSc course in Perfusion will teach you about the Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry of a human being. There will be both on the job training as well as practical exposure to the field of perfusion. Perfusionists are in high demand as growing innovation in the healthcare field and the increasing aged population, we have given extensive career counselling so that you can excel at that.

Career Scope

Essentially part of the operational team, a perfusionist has to be informed with the patient's medical records and current health scenario. The perfusionist will be in close association with the surgeon in determining the circulations and the techniques which are to be used. In the operating chamber, the perfusionist adjusts the necessary heart-lung equipment and other crucial equipment needed for the procedure.

Hospitals both government and private as well as outsourced perfusion companies often hire perfusionists. A perfusionist is scheduled to serve 40 hours a week but also can be called upon on any nights and holidays. In big hospitals, perfusionist works in schedules so that a qualified perfusionist can be accessible 24 hours a day. Apart from technical work a perfusionist can teach in certified courses and conduct research for perfusion related equipment.

How much does a Perfusionist make?

An entry-level perfusionist with less than a year of experience makes an average of 30,000 per month including tips, overtime, and bonuses. An early perfusionist with more than 2 years of experience earns around 39,000 per month. A perfusionist with more than 9 years of experience earns an average of 50,000 per month. The figures mentioned are according to the estimates given on payscale.

What are the books and study materials available?

The role of a perfusionist requires thorough knowledge of hospital equipment and emergency procedures. We have listed important books that will guide you through the career of a perfusionist and help you build a strong foundation: