Perfusionist

Duties and Responsibilities: Clinical perfusionists operate circulation equipment during medical situations when it is necessary to temporarily and artificially replace the patient’s circulatory or respiratory functions.  This occurs during heart surgery and similar operations.  Perfusionists also control the temperature of patients during surgery.  Their duties include: 

• Operating heart-lung machines
• Administering some types of anesthesia
• Administering some types of medication

Salary: $50,000

Education: Clinical perfusionists operate circulation equipment during medical situations when it is necessary to temporarily and artificially replace the patient’s circulatory or respiratory functions.  This occurs during heart surgery and similar operations.  Perfusionists also control the temperature of patients during surgery.  Their duties include: 

• Operating heart-lung machines
• Administering some types of anesthesia
• Administering some types of medication

Reflection:  I would like to have this career because you get to work in the actual surgery.