Perfusionist

[4] Perfusionists form part of the wider cardiovascular surgical team which includes cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and residents.

[5] Their role is to conduct extracorporeal circulation as well as ensure the management of physiologic functions by monitoring the necessary variables.

[4][6] Sometimes, perfusionists are granted administrative tasks such as purchasing supplies or equipment, as well as personnel and departmental management.

[11] Proof of fulfillment of these recertification requirements must be submitted to the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion and are mandatory to maintain certified status to use the designation.

British Columbia Institute of Technology in Burnaby offers an advanced specialty certificate in cardiovascular perfusion to graduates of its two-year program.

Applicants to the Michener Institute program in Toronto must have a bachelor's degree at minimum, with or without respiratory therapy, nursing or other clinical certification.

They complete academic assessments (essays and exams), while in the workplace moving from a purely observational role to one in which they are capable of managing the patient while they are on cardiopulmonary system with minimal supervision.

For this exam, the candidate is observed by two external examiners whilst building and priming a cardiopulmonary circuit, then using it during a surgical operation.

Further didactic training is in a practical format at a hospital whilst doing a three-year course via correspondence and e-learning, with the Australian and New Zealand College of Perfusionists (ANZCP).

[clarification needed] In China, Egypt, and some South American countries, a clinical perfusionist is a medical doctor who has completed subspecialty training.

[citation needed] In Argentina, a perfusionist is a medical doctor, usually a cardiologist, who has undertaken additional sub-specialty training.

[14] In the northern countries of Europe, Scandinavia including Sweden, Denmark and Norway, perfusionists are educated at Aarhus University at the Scandinavian School of Cardiopulmonary Technology.