PERFUSIONIST

Duties & Responsibilities:

The clinical perfusionists operate circulation equipment during medical situations when it’s necessary to temporarily and artificially replace the patient’s circulatory or the respiratory functions. This occurs when doing heart surgery and similar operations. Perfusionists also control the temperature of patients during surgery. Their duties include:

·        Operating heart-lung machines

·        Administering some types of anesthesia.

·        Administering some types of medication.

Average Salary: $50,000

Educational Requirements:

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 the students with college science work or that have experience in respiratory therapy and medical terminology. The perfusionists training programs are given at academic health centers and medical schools and universities.