Perfusionist
THIS WEBSITE IS FOR CSU STUDENTS PURSUING CAREERS AS PERFUSIONISTS – CSU DOES NOT HAVE A PERFUSIONIST PROGRAM
Overview
During cardiac surgery, a perfusionist operates a heart-lung machine to propel oxygenated blood to the patient’s tissues while the surgeon operates on the heart. The perfusionist manages the physiological and metabolic demands of the patient while the cardiac surgeon operates on the heart. It is also the perfusionist’s responsibility to deliver the drug that stops the heart.
A perfusionist generally spends 90% of their time in the Operating Room (OR) suite for cardiac cases, but now may also find their responsibilities extending to areas such as the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CIVICU) and catheterization laboratory. A perfusionist must have a thorough understanding of both the respiratory and circulatory system and be able to operate complex equipment.
CSU Recommended Coursework
| These courses are provided as GENERAL pre-requisites and may not represent a complete list of requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to check with each professional school in order to determine specific pre-requisites courses and equivalencies for each institution. | |
| Requirement | Recommended CSU Course(s) |
| General Biology (2 semesters w/ labs) | LIFE102 and one additional lab-based biology class |
| General Chemistry (2 semesters w/ labs) | CHEM111/112 and CHEM113/114 |
| Human Anatomy (1 semester) | BMS 301 |
| Physiology (1 semester) | BMS 300/302 OR BMS 360/302 |
| Physics (2 semesters) | PH121 & PH122 OR PH141 & pH142 |
| Behavioral Science (2 semesters) | PSY, SOC, HDFS or ANTH course codes |
| Mathematics (1 semester) | STAT301, STAT307 or MATH155 or 3 credits of PACE courses |
| English Composition (2 semesters) | CO150, Advanced Writing, English |
| Recommended Courses | SPCM200, CHEM245/246 OR CHEM341/343/344, BC351, BZ310 OR LIFE210/212 |
Programs and Preparation
Find perfusion programs here!
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Admissions Tests
Graduate-level programs typically require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Bachelor-level programs typically do not require an entrance exam
Application Services
Apply to accredited programs individually