Education · 1 of 5
The path
A science degree first, then a small, competitive clinical program.
- 1
High school diploma
Grade 12
Biology, chemistry, physics and as much math as you can take.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Biology, chemistry, biomedical science or nursing. Programs want anatomy, physiology, chemistry and statistics on your transcript.
- 3
Health care experience
1 to 2 years, often
Most successful applicants worked first as a respiratory therapist, nurse, surgical technologist or cardiovascular technologist. Shadow a perfusionist before you apply.
- 4
Accredited perfusion program
About 2 years
About two years, usually ending in a master's degree. Classroom first, then clinical rotations where you run real cases under supervision.
- 5
Board certification
During and after the program
Log the required minimum number of clinical cases, then pass the Perfusion Basic Science Examination and the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination to become a Certified Clinical Perfusionist.