Perfusion Certification

Cardiac surgery requires a team of medical experts. Perfusionists assist the cardiac surgeon. Perfusionists keep patients alive during surgery by operating a heart and lung machine. This device circulates oxygenated blood while surgeons repair the heart. These professionals keep watch over patients' vital signs. The perfusionist is responsible for keeping patients' circulation at proper levels during and after surgery.

Certification

• The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) administers an exam for certification in clinical perfusion. According to the organization, certification demonstrates evidence of a perfusionist's qualifications to operate specific and appropriate medical equipment related to perfusion.

Certification Exams

• The ABCP exam comprises two parts. Part one is the perfusion basic science examination. According to the ABCP, the 220-question multiple choice exam tests knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. Part two, the clinical applications in perfusion examination, tests pharmacology, pathology, lab analysis, quality assurance, devices and equipment. Qualification for examination requires graduation for an accredited perfusion program or current enrollment in an accredited program with graduation prior to the testing date.

Salary

• According to PayScale.com, medical perfusionists with the title of certified clinical perfusionist (CCP) earned, on average, between $78,290 and $114,051 annually. Cardiopulmonary perfusionists earned slightly more with a pay range between $78,348 and $117,231 (as of October 2010).