Steps to Follow to Become a Perfusionist

The initial step to becoming a perfusionist is that he should be good at biology. There are some more steps to be followed to become a perfusionist.

Decision Making

The decision for becoming a perfusionist must be taken from the school level itself. They must give special concentration in the science subjects biology, chemistry, etc. The students must prepare themselves from the school level itself. 

He must have a clear concept of all topics of biology and chemistry in particular, but also in other science subjects. They must consult their teachers or professionals in this field for a clearer review of this career. He must have a clear view of the prospect of the career. He must be clear of the pros and cons that may arrive in the career of a perfusionist.

Subject Choices

Once they decide to pursue Perfusionist as a career, the students must choose their subjects wisely. In order to become a perfusionist, the students must take up subjects like biology, physics, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, math, or pre-med, for their higher studies. 

To get these subjects in his higher studies, he must have a high score in the examinations, particularly in science subjects. The concepts of all these subjects must be clear. Their mathematics base must be strong. They can consult the experienced for choosing the subjects.

Selecting Correct Colleges

One must choose the correct college for becoming a perfusionist. They must choose the college based on the factors like how is the department of perfusionist, how are the faculty members, cost of the course, etc. They attend the counseling process, where the students choose the colleges according to their preferences. They must choose the college wisely, where the department of a perfusionist is popular.

Types of Perfusionists

There are few types of perfusionist, they are as follows:

Radiology Technicians

• The work of radiology technicians is to assist the radiologist while diagnosing, treating the patient with diagnostic images of X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. 
• Their job also includes the preparation of the equipment for radiological procedures, the performance of the test, and also maintaining the equipment.

Registered Nurse

• A registered nurse has a duty in the hospital, physician's office, healthcare home services, etc. 
• They have the job of looking after the patients, educating the patient or the family member about the health condition of the patients, coordinating with them, etc.

Cytotechnologist

• Cytotechnologists are the ones who study the cells and cellular anomalies. 
• They do the work of preparing and analyzing samples like Papanicolaou (PAP) smear body fluids and fine needle aspirants (FNAs), to detect abnormal conditions. 
• They study the slides of the human cell to diagnose the abnormalities present in the patient cell. 

Respiratory Therapist

• A respiratory therapist is a medical professional whose task is to provide healthcare to the lungs. 
• They have advanced knowledge about high-tech equipment and advanced types of machinery. The average annual income of a radiology technicians is about $ 59000

How to Become a Perfusionist

A student willing to become a perfusionist needs to have science subjects like Biology, chemistry, mathematics, anatomy, physiology, etc. in his/her 10+2 level.

After 12th

The student willing to become a perfusionist must have a good score in their 10+2 level examination. He/she must be good in science subjects especially biology, chemistry, Mathematics, etc. 

They can even have subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, etc. Their concepts must be clear. They can take tuitions that provide guidance for the science subjects or may enroll themselves in the online websites that provide the same guidance.

UG Preparation

After the 10+2 level, the candidates must prepare to get into a college that offers a 4 years course in perfusionist, with courses in Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, Physiology. They must have a clear concept about the subject they study. Also, they must meet the minimum marks requirement of the colleges. Besides, they must also have a certificate of specialized training. The students don't need to be from a science background.

PG preparation

After the completion of the Bachelor's course in Biology/ Chemistry/ Anatomy/ Physiology, the candidates willing to pursue the master's course in Perfusionist must have done the training course of the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP). The training course is for two-three years. where the candidates need to be employed in an accredited hospital, as a trainee They must have passed the examination of ABCP to receive the course certificate. 

Subsequently, the candidate also needs to complete the Continuing Professional Development and meet continuously the profession's ethical and standard requirements. The certificate is given based on the performance of the examination test conducted by ABCP. 

The topics from which questions are given are Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, Laboratory Analysis, Quality Assurance, Device and Equipment, Clinical Management, Special Patient Groups, ECMO, Catastrophic agent and device failure, and monitoring.

Courses to Become a Perfusionist

A perfusionist must have a trainee certificate from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP).

Bachelor of Perfusion

The candidates need to have a bachelor's degree in Perfusion. In order to get the chance of taking admission in the bachelor's degree in Perfusion, the candidate may have Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, etc. in his/ her 10+2 level. They also need to maintain the minimum marks criteria in the last qualified examination.

Masters in Perfusion

The candidates willing to take up a master's degree in Perfusion may do so only if they have the minimum marks in their Bachelors and have a trainee certificate from the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP). 

And the candidate needs to be employed as a trainee in a reputed hospital. This certificate is issued based on the performance of the candidates in the examination conducted by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP).

Doctorate in Perfusion

Candidates can opt for a doctorate course in Perfusion. They can conduct research with topics related to Veno-VenousBypass (eg During Liver Transplants), Coronary Artery Bypass, Aortic Valve Replacements, Mitral Valve Repair/Mitral Valve Replacement, Aortic Root Replacements, Renal Cell Carcinoma/Obstructive Vena Cava, Cardiac/Lung Transplants, Implants Of Ventricular Assist Device And ECMOAtrial Myxomas.

Colleges in Australia Offering Perfusion Courses

Students willing to become a perfusionist may take up their studies in Australian colleges as it provides a marvelous opportunity in this stream.

Admission Process

• The admission process is online and students are admitted solely based on the entrance examination conducted by the colleges and universities. 
• The aspirants of becoming a perfusionist must keep a track of the dates of releasing the admission form, payment of the first instalment, etc.

Eligibility Requirement

 The eligibility requirement that the students must meet are - 

• They must have a GPA of 3.0-3.5 on a scale-out of 4.0 or equivalent
• Two reference letters are required from the academic professors.
• Candidates must clear TOEFL and IELTS etc.
• They must have valid citizenship certificates and valid ID proof.

Benefits of Career as a Perfusionist

• Salary: A Perfusion earns quite well in their service. Their annual income ranges from INR 60,00,000 and INR 99,40,000. Their family can live a very luxurious life. The Salary largely depends on the skills, experience, certifications, etc.
• Job Security: They have a high level of job securities. There are no uncertainties about their job. They mainly work as permanent doctors. No one can dismiss them from their position without a valid reason. They enjoy high security.
• Positive Impact of the Career: Perfusionist is one of the rarest courses. There are very few colleges in Australia that provide this course. But perfusionists are high on demand, as there is a need for perfusionists in every heart surgery. And nowadays, the number of heart surgeries have increased, therefore there is an increasing demand for perfusionists.
• Highest Studies: Doctoral degree in Perfusion is the highest studies one can do in this discipline. They can research with the human body, with the vein and arteries of a human heart. There are presently eight PH. D project on Perfusion going on.
• Unique Experience: Perfusionists always have a unique experience as they work with different human bodies. They get into a different situation every time they assist a heart surgeon. They play a very important role in the operation theatre, as well as in Laboratories. They have a unique experience with Dissections/Aneurysms/Trauma Of The Aorta (Ascending, Arch & Descending), Tricuspid Valve Repair, Veno-Venous Bypass (eg During Liver Transplants), Coronary Artery Bypass, Aortic Valve Replacements, etc.

Skills Required to Be a Perfusionist

There are few skills that a perfusionist must-have. They are:

• Patience: A perfusionist must have enough patience so that when they face a critical situation, they might be able to make the correct decision, as their decision is an important factor in a patient's future. They assist the heart surgeon and are an important part of a surgery team. They try to keep critically ill patients alive. In these kinds of situations, they need to be calm and level-headed.
• Physical Strength: A perfusionist needs to have a very strong mental focus and stamina, they are required to keep fit and stay healthy. At times, they need to be in the OT for 6-8 hours. They will not be able to focus on their work and give the required treatment unless they have mental stamina and irresistible focus.
• Communication Skills: A perfusionist must be able to communicate properly, as it is one of the most necessary skills required in their duties. The team in the operating theatre can only work properly if they have a well-knit team. Therefore to achieve success in their duties, they must have strong communication skills. In a high- stake environment, communicating effectively becomes important.
• Science Skills: A good science skill is very much required to become a good perfusionist, besides having an excelling career. The candidate must have ample interest in science and technology. A candidate will have a good academic background, which is at the top of the requirement list for being a perfusionist, is only possible when he has a deep interest in science and technology.
• Attention to Detail: A perfusionist must know to pay high attention to the smallest thing, as that can make a huge difference in the human body. Therefore, they are required to give meticulous attention to minor details even in high tension situations.
• Critical Skills: A perfusionist must have sharp critical thinking that involves logic and reasoning to determine the strength and weakness of alternative solutions, problems, and conclusions. Thus in a tough situation, a perfusionist must be able to think critically and apply analytical skills.
• Learning Skills: A perfusionist must have the learning skills, in order to perform learning tasks like conducting tests and inspections of equipment, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance, adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. These are required to determine the kind of tools needed to perform a task, control operations of equipment, and selecting and using instructional methods. They must be always open to new things, must have a mind to learn new things.

Salary of a Perfusionist

The salary of a perfusionist in Australia is around $12000 to $ 22000. The salary varies with experience, skills, degree, etc. A freshers perfusionist will earn an annual salary of $ 121483. Similarly, an average and senior perfusionist will earn $175325 and $218670 respectively.

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