CV Perfusionist

Overview of Cardiac Perfusion Careers:

Cardiac Perfusionists are not doctors, or nurses. Cardiac perfusion is an allied health career. A cardiac perfusionist, also known as a Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP), is a specialized medical professional who operates what you may know as the “heart-lung” machine. The heart lung machine keeps a patient’s blood pumping, and basically takes the place of the patient’s heart, while open-heart surgery is taking place. Cardiac perfusion is needed for a variety of surgeries including organ transplant, heart bypass, and other cardiac surgeries. They also involved in ECMO (Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation).

Education: Bachelors or Masters degree awarded depending on program Perfusion Training Programs


Mayo Clinic: Cardiovascular Perfusionist Career Overview


Organizations:

The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion

The Perfusion Home Page