Perfusionists (ECMO nurses)

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Specializes in ICU and Dialysis.

Hello everyone,

I am a ITU nurse in London with dialysis experience as well and I would like to know what is necessary to become a perfusionist. I have been reading on this website ( https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/physiological-sciences/clinical-perfusion-science ) but it does not say clearly. It seems to be only very few people working on that field and since my hospital does not use those therapies in the ITU and we do not have cardiac surgery, I could not find anyone to ask.

Is there any perfusionist in here? What did you do in order to become one from a nursing role?

Thanks a lot! :-)

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Specializes in Critical care.

Are you addressing your question to ECMO nurses, or is it working with ECMO patient's that interests you, as a perfusionist is a separate role to nursing.

To become a perfusionist you need to apply for a role as a trainee perfusionist, the role is trained on the job with you completing a PGDip or MSc in clinical perfusion.

The NHS careers site is pretty poor on information, this site seems to have a little bit more information: Perfusion

From what I've heard, it can be quite a competitive role to get into.

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Specializes in ICU and Dialysis.

Hi spacemonkey15,

Thanks for the info. I was trying to find out how to start a career on that. I know they are separate roles but I have met a couple of perfusionists who used to work as ITU or theatre nurses in the past.

I have also read about the level of competition to get one of those trainee positions. Apparently there are about 200 candidates for just one post :-/

Thanks again.

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