Cleveland Clinic School of Cardiovascular Perfusion
Perfusionists are allied health technologists who use heart-lung machines and other devices to support and protect patients during surgery or following injury or disease affecting the lungs, heart or other organs.
Perfusionists work closely in small surgical or intensive care teams under demanding circumstances. It is a challenging profession requiring continual learning.
Although normally scheduled for day or evening shifts, perfusionists can work all hours of the day or night and frequently are “on call” for emergencies.
Perfusionists are individually certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, and must have graduated from an approved perfusion program such as ours. Some states also require licensing.
Since 1981, the Cleveland Clinic School of Cardiovascular Perfusion has graduated outstanding clinical perfusionists for hospitals in the USA and other nations.
Ours is a post-graduate clinical program. The Cleveland Clinic accepts only well qualified individuals. Students must have a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree, and will need to have taken specific prerequisite courses.
CLick here for Prerequisites for the School of Cardiovascular Perfusion
Applicants should have at least a 3.0 GPA in science classes. Candidates will be interviewed in person and may be required to complete physical, written or verbal exercises. The interview may include questions of a scientific nature or having to do with personal experience and responsibility. Drug screening is conducted prior to admission.
Because of physical and communication requirements, applicants should be able to lift and move 40 lbs, have good manual dexterity, vision correctable to 20-20 and the ability to communicate well verbally in English. Persons with difficulties of attention, alertness, patience, compassion or ethical behavior are not suited to this career.
Classes start the first week in January each year and are conducted continuously through that year (with short breaks) and for 6 months of the following year. Students should plan on approximately 50 hours of instruction per week over the 18 months. Class size is usually limited to 5, and students receive one-on-one instruction in the operating room and educational laboratory. The course focuses on clinical abilities from the very first day.
All instruction is completed at the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute, the nation's #1 cardiac program since 1995 according to U.S. News & World Report.
Because our Heart and Vascular Institute treats patients with the broadest range of conditions, our students will have the most complete perfusion experience without the need for relocation during clinical education.
The Greater Cleveland area is blessed with extensive scenic parks, exciting sports and stage performances, and the many exciting recreational opportunities of the North Coast.
We look forward to your questions and appreciate your interest in our rewarding profession.
For more information, contact: Clifford Ball
Cleveland Clinic (G-33)
9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland OH 44195
Telephone: 216-444-3895 or 216-444-9215
Email: ballc@ccf.org
Click here for an application to the Cleveland Clinic School of Cardiovascular Perfusion
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