Job Features

• A cardiovascular perfusionist joins the surgery team when an operation requires an artificial support or temporary replacement for the patient's circulatory or respiratory functions. The machine also is used to control the patient's temperature. In addition to working with this equipment, the perfusionist may administer blood products and medications. When they are not in surgery, some perfusionists buy equipment and supplies and supervise support technicians.
  
  

Requirements

• Prospective cardiovascular perfusionists must complete a one-year certificate program or two-year master's degree in the field after obtaining a bachelor's degree. For admission to one of these programs, the student needs to have completed coursework in anatomy and physiology, physics, calculus and several semesters of chemistry. Seventeen schools in the United States offer these programs as of 2010. Some states require licensing for perfusionists, and employers typically require professional certification. After the program graduate passes a two-part exam administered by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, he is awarded the credential of certified clinical perfusionist or CCP.
  
  

Salary Range

• The median salary for a cardiopulmonary perfusionist was $110,730 per year as of January 2011, according to Salary.com. Those in the middle 50 percent of the earnings scale were making $98,920 to $121,690 per year. The top 10 percent had salaries higher than $131,650 per year. Only the bottom 10 percent of perfusionists were earning less than $88,170 per year.
  
  

Specifics

• The job search website indeed.com lists numerous jobs for cardiovascular perfusionists throughout the United States in January 2011. Posted salaries range from about $72,000 to $111,000 per year. Full-time perfusionist positions generally include full benefits packages with health and dental insurance, short-term and long-term disability, paid vacations and holidays and a 401(k) or other company-contributed savings plan.