A cardiovascular perfusionist is an essential member of the cardiac surgical team who specializes in operating extracorporeal circulation equipment to support the patient during an open-heart surgery or other medical procedures that necessitate artificial circulatory support. You will learn how to safely operate and maintain patient circulatory and respiratory functions with the use of the heart lung machine and other cardiopulmonary assist devices. You will learn how to safely monitor patient diagnostics, maintain homeostasis during surgery, introduce proper cardiovascular support medications, and manage blood loss and anticoagulation.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE) and the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (CAPE) through the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) after completing 40 clinical cases as a primary perfusionist post-graduation. Students will complete a minimum of 75 cardiopulmonary bypass cases, 10 pediatric procedures, and 5 extracorporeal circulatory support or ventricular support procedures prior to graduation.
Northern Kentucky University’s cardiovascular perfusion program is accredited by the Committee of Accreditation of Allied Health and Education Programs (CAAHEP) through the Accreditation Committee-Perfusion Education (AC-PE).
1415 Walnut Street
Western Springs, Illinois 60558
Phone #: 708-822-0013
Email: office@ac-pe.org
Immunization records, health screen, and health insurance are tracked through PreCheck/Student Check. Students must upload current proof of immunizations, health insurance, and health physical to PreCheck before starting clinical. Students will not be allowed to begin their clinical rotations until all the required documents are completed and submitted.
Students are required to use PreCheck/Student Check to purchase a criminal background check and drug screen. Documented proof of the background check and drug screen must be uploaded to PreCheck/StudentCheck before the start of clinicals.
Background check for Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, KY, must be started no earlier than August 1st and completed before August 15th. All other background check requirements do not begin until the spring semester.
Drug screening is time sensitive and clinical site specific. Drug screening must not be completed until spring semester or when directed to do so.
To be considered for admission into the cardiovascular perfusion program, students must meet the following requirements. All required documents must be submitted to ClearApply.us.com.
Note: Minimum total credits for prerequisites is 38 cr. hours within 10 years of applying. Face-to-face courses and labs are highly recommended; however, online courses and labs are accepted.
INTERVIEW: Once all requirements are met within the application deadline, qualified applicants may be invited for an interview with the director and clinical coordinator prior to final decision of admission.
The application cycle begins September 15th. To be considered for admission, the completed application and all admission requirements must be submitted to ClearApply.us.com by February 1st the subsequent year. The application review and interview process are conducted in February and March, with final decisions made in March.
The MS Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is a five-semester program consisting of two semesters of in-class instructional learning and three semesters of clinical hands-on training at various clinical affiliation sites. Each clinical rotation is 13 to 15 weeks in duration coinciding with NKU Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters.
· CVP 600 Anatomy and Physiology in Perfusion (4cr)
· CVP 602 Fundamentals in Perfusion Management I (2cr)
· CVP 610 Extracorporeal Technology I (3cr)
· CVP 620 Physiological Monitoring (5cr)
· CVP 621 Pathophysiology in Perfusion (3cr)
· CVP 630 Perfusion Simulation I (5cr)
· CVP 601 Anatomy and Physiology in Perfusion II (3cr)
· CVP 603 Fundamentals in Perfusion Management II (2cr)
· CVP 611 Extracorporeal Technology II (3cr)
· CVP 622 Surgical Technique (2cr)
· CVP 623 Perfusion Pharmacological Intervention (4cr)
· CVP 624 Pediatric Perfusion (3cr)
· CVP 631 Perfusion Simulation II (5cr)
· CVP 680 Research Methods in Perfusion (2cr)
· CVP 640 Special Considerations in Perfusion (2cr)
· CVP 676 Clinical Practicum I (6cr)
· CVP 686 Clinical Practicum II (6cr)
· CVP 691 Perfusion Capstone I (2cr)
· CVP 696 Clinical Practicum III (6cr)
· CVP 693 Perfusion Capstone II (2cr)
Developer and Director, Clinical Assistant Professor
MS Cardiovascular Perfusion Program
Founders Hall | FH 395 M
Academic Specialist
MS Cardiovascular Perfusion Program
Founders Hall | FH 395 L
859-572-5925
sterretta1@nku.edu
Perfusionists are in high demand with only 23 perfusion programs in the country. The advancement in medical technology and the perfusionists role outside of the operating room increases the demand for perfusionists across the country. Graduates will enter a highly specialized career field with excellent job placement, job security, and competitive salary. Certified perfusionists are employed in adult medical centers, pediatric medical centers, education, medical sales, private contract groups, and as travel perfusionists throughout the country.
100% Postitive Job Placement
It is important for students to have clinical experience at various institutions in order to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to be a proficient entry level perfusionist upon graduation. Clinical experience enables the students to integrate perfusion theory to clinical practice. Students will have three semesters of clinical practice at various medical centers throughout the U.S. Students will complete at least 75 adult cardiopulmonary bypass cases and observe or conduct at least 10 pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass cases before graduation.
