Cardiovascular Perfusion Program

Overview

Cardiovascular perfusion is an allied health profession that involves providing extracorporeal circulation in order to artificially support and temporarily replace a patient’s respiratory and circulatory systems.

Perfusionists use heart-lung machines and other technologies to maintain the health of patients during heart surgery and other medical procedures, working with and under the direction of anesthesiologists and surgeons.

The Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular, & Thoracic Institute offers a certificate in Cardiovascular Perfusion. Students successfully completing the program are eligible to become certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. (Note: Some states require perfusionists to be licensed - graduates are eligible for licensure in all states except New York)

Mission

Cleveland Clinic’s mission is to provide better care of the sick, investigation into their problems, and further education of those who serve.

The mission of the Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is to develop highly trained, professional perfusionists capable of successfully performing clinical perfusion techniques to meet the specialized needs of Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular, & Thoracic Institute, to perform clinical research to advance the field of perfusion and to contribute to the education of others.

Accreditation/Approval

The Cleveland Clinic - Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon recommendation of the Accreditation Committee – Perfusion Education (AC-PE).

The Cleveland Clinic School of Cardiovascular Perfusion certificate program is approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools (School Registration No. 2165). For questions related to the State Board approval, please contact Cleveland Clinic Center for Health Profession Education, 9500 Euclid Ave./JJ21., Cleveland OH 44195, 216.444.5678 option 4.

For program and accreditation inquiries, please contact:

Christopher Koehler, CCP, Program Director
Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Ave. J4-604
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.444.3895 or 216.444.9215
Email: koehlec@ccf.org

Program Description

Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is an intensive, full-time, 17-month (4 semester) program consisting of a rigorous academic schedule and intense clinical education.

Classes start each year during spring semester.

All program face-to-face classes are held at Cleveland Clinic's main campus hospital located at 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, in the Sydell and Miller Family Heart, Vascular, & Thoracic Institute, building J.

Students completing the program will graduate with a certificate in Cardiovascular Perfusion and will be eligible for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion certification examination.

Program Goals

To prepare competent entry-level perfusionists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

To provide a base knowledge of perfusion theory, the skill to implement that knowledge and proficiency in its application in accordance with the needs of healthcare providers and employers.

To provide students with the knowledge, skills and experience to work cooperatively and safely with a healthcare team to perform perfusion techniques to ensure quality patient outcomes.

To prepare students to assess perfusion related patient and clinical situations accurately and act appropriately.

To prepare students to qualify for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion certification examination.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of Cleveland Clinic's School of Cardiovascular Perfusion, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate clinical skills in cardiopulmonary bypass and mechanical circulatory devices.
2. Demonstrate clinical skills in autotransfusion, blood conservation, and blood product management.
3. Demonstrate clinical skills in laboratory analysis of blood gases, hematocrit, and coagulation.
4. Integrate perfusion theory to clinical applications.
5. Demonstrate acquired knowledge of various perfusion equipment and supplies used in the healthcare setting.
6. Demonstrate acquired perfusion knowledge and general medical knowledge.
7. Respond appropriately during crisis management.
8. Effectively manage a catastrophic event such as device failure or air emboli.
9. Conduct themselves in a professional manner and function effectively as a member of the healthcare team.
10. Pass the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion's Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE) and Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (CAPE) meeting AB-CP outcome thresholds.

Application & Requirements

Application Form

Cleveland Clinic School of Cardiovascular Perfusion Application

Application Fee

The application fee is $75.

Application Deadline

To be considered for spring admission, all applications must be recovered by September 1.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is a selective process. Applicants must submit evidence of the following:

1. Completion of a bachelor’s level or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university
2. Completion of the following prerequisite coursework:
   • Biology: First full year, 8 credit hrs, 2 semesters with labs
   • Chemistry: First full year, 8 credit hrs, 2 semesters with labs
   • Physics: First full year, 8 credit hrs, 2 semesters with labs
   • Human Anatomy and Physiology: 8 credit hrs, 2 semesters with labs
   • Biochemistry: 4 credit hrs, with lab
   • Statistics: 3 credit hrs
   • Pharmacology: 1 credit hr
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite courses, with “B” letter grade or higher preferred for each course

International Students

International students are not eligible for admission. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Technical Standards

Perfusionists require certain physical requirements to meet the demands of the profession. They require a full range of body motion including the ability to lift and/or bear the weight of 100 pounds or more while pulling, lifting, pushing and transferring patients. Perfusionists must be able to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods. Good visual acuity through normal or corrected vision to normal range. They must have the ability to work within guidelines of universal safety precautions, using protective gear. In the workplace, they must be willing to rotate 24 hour coverage (on-call) and be able to work under stressful conditions. They may be required to travel in ambulance, small airplanes or helicopter for organ procurement.

In addition, students must possess the integrity, intelligence and personal and emotional characteristics to become an effective healthcare professional. The following represent a more detailed description of the physical requirements to succeed in the program.

1. Sensory and Motor Skills- Students and candidates for program admission should be able to:
   • Lift, pull, push and transfer patients in a safe manner.
   • Lift, pull, push and carry clinical equipment in a safe and controlled manner.
   • Demonstrate basic clinical skills related to the use of extracorporeal equipment, circuitry, and ancillary clinical patient care devices and equipment.
   • Execute quick and purposeful movements during emergency treatment of patients.
2. Communication- Students and candidates for program admission should be able to:
   • Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English.
   • Speak clearly.
   • Hear sufficiently.
   • Produce and transmit patient information in oral and written format to members of the healthcare team.
   • Communicate with patients effectively with compassion and empathy.
   • Possess demonstrated reading skills at a sufficient grade level to accomplish curricular requirements.
   • Provide effective care to patients.
3. Intellectual- Students and candidates for program admission should be able to:
   • Measure, calculate, interpret, analyze, question, compile and evaluate information from various modalities to effectively evaluate extracorporeal equipment and treat patients.
   • Comprehend spatial relationships of structures and models.
   • Comprehend relationships between patient care parameters and anticipate cause and effect responses based on their actions and inactions.
   • Learn through a variety of teaching modalities including classroom lecture, cooperative learning, small group activities, medical simulation and laboratory exercises, individual and group presentations, and the use of technology assisted learning.
   • Make rapid decisions in life threatening situations where problem solving and critical thinking are required.
4. Behavioral and Social Attributes- Students and candidates for program admission should be able to:
   • Demonstrate emotional stability.
   • Exercise good judgment, prompt completion of all responsibilities related to care of patients and participation on a patient care team.
   • Develop mature and effective relationships with co-workers and patients.
   • Perform problem solving skills in a timely manner.
   • Tolerate physically demanding workloads.
   • Function effectively under stress.
   • Adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in an environment of uncertainty inherent in the clinical practice of cardiovascular perfusion.
   • Practice in a safe manner.
   • Respond appropriately to emergencies.
   • Treat all patients, families, colleagues, and other members of the health care team with dignity and respect.
   • Demonstrate honesty, integrity, dedication, compassion and motivation.
   • Accept constructive criticism and respond appropriately with an acceptable modification of behavior.
5. Observation- Students and candidates for program admission should be able to:
   • Visualize information presented in images from paper and projections such as PowerPoint slides and video.
   • Observe laboratory, lecture and clinical demonstrations.
   • Observe patients and members of the healthcare team accurately at a distance and close.

Additional Information

Tuition

• $32,000 - $8.000/semester
• Students are not eligible for Federal Student Aid

Student handbook

View our student handbook for more program details.

Accreditation

Cleveland Clinic hospitals are accredited by:
The Joint Commission
Website: www.jointcommission.org
Address: One Renaissance Blvd, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Phone: 630.792.5800

The Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is accredited by:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Website: www.caahep.org
Address: 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
Phone: 727.210.2350
Fax: 727.210.2354

Resources

• American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion | www.abcp.org
• Accreditation Committee – Perfusion Education | www.ac-pe.org
• The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion | www.theaacp.com
• The American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology | www.amsect.org

More information

For more program information, please contact:

Christopher Koehler, CCP, Program Director
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue/J4-604
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.444.3895 or 216.444.9215
Email: koehlec@ccf.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer shadowing opportunities?

Yes. Shadowing opportunities are based on availability and require onboarding through Clinician Nexus. Please email koehlec@ccf.org for onboarding instructions.

When does the application cycle start and end?

Applications can be made from January 1^st to August 1^st for matriculation the following January.

What is the admissions timeline?

Interviews in September with admissions decisions made by the end of September.

If I have a course in progress that exceeds the deadline, is that acceptable?

All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to the application deadline.

Are international applicants eligible to apply?

No, all candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States of America.

What degree is needed at the time of application?

Bachelor’s degree in any subject, so long as prerequisites are satisfied.

What are the prerequisites?

See the Applications & Requirements tab.

Do prerequisite courses expire?

No, however, we recommend that courses be completed within the past 10 years to be a more competitive candidate.

Does your program offer a certificate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree?

Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded a certificate in cardiovascular perfusion.

Are students eligible for federal financial aid?

As a hospital-based certificate program, students are not eligible to fill out a FAFSA for federal financial aid.

Is it possible to work while enrolled in the program?

Due to time commitments and variable scheduling, we recommend that students do not work while enrolled.

Do students travel for clinical rotations?

The entire program takes place in the greater Cleveland area. Students must live in the greater Cleveland area for the program's duration.

Program Outcomes

3-Year Program (2020 – 2023)