Admissions Information

Prerequisites
Required prerequisites can be found here.

Admissions criteria

• A minimum of two years (60 semester hours) at an accredited college or university
• Competitive SAT or ACT scores
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above in all college work
• Current CPR Certification
• Have shadowed a perfusionist

FAQs
FAQs about the program can be found here.

Application checklist

1. Confirm prerequisites
2. Complete university application
3. Submit completed application and references
4. Be sure to include the following:
    - Supplemental materials
    - Application fee
    - Official transcripts of all college work

NOTE: All above information must be received before an admission decision can be made.

Application deadlines
Regular: January 1
Late: July 1
Late applications will be processed on a space-available basis

Interview dates
February

After the application process is completed, qualified applicants may be invited for a personal interview and tour of the facilities.

Acceptances offered
Regular: March/April
Late: August

Admissions
Cardiovascular Perfusion
Phone: (843) 792-3326
Fax: (843) 792-0253
E-mail: chpstusv@musc.edu

Admissions Coordinator
Office of Enrollment Services
Phone: (843) 792-8712
Fax: (843) 792-6615
E-mail: stuckey@musc.edu

The Profession
The cardiovascular perfusionist is a highly-trained member of the open heart surgery team who is responsible for the operation of the heart-lung machine. A perfusionist employs a number of highly technical, mechanical, and electronic devices, which monitor, support, or replace the functions of the patient's cardiovascular and/or pulmonary systems.

The perfusionist must command extensive knowledge in human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and surgical technique. Hospitals in most moderate-to-large cities have active open heart surgery programs which require perfusion support.

Heart disease is one of the most prominent debilitating diseases in this country. With heart transplant programs and specialty techniques, as well as routine cardiac surgery procedures, the demand for well-trained perfusionists will continue.

Salaries and benefits in this field are very good.

Career Options

• Hospitals which perform open-heart surgery, chemotherapy, long-term respiratory or cardiac support, dialysis, blood salvaging during surgery, and heart/lung/liver transplants
• Private perfusion groups and physician groups 

Skills Needed

• Proficiency in applied clinical mathematics, chemistry, physics, pharmacology, and physiology
• Exceptional manual dexterity and coordination; well-practiced psychomotor skills
• Lifelong self-learner and self-starter

Curriculum
Students participate in the following basic science courses which are part of the core curriculum of the College of Health Professions:

• anatomy
• physiology
• pathology
• pharmacology

Specific extracorporeal circulation technology courses incorporated into the curriculum include:

• pathophysiology
• perfusion devices
• clinical instrumentation & monitoring
• perfusion research curriculum

The curriculum is heavily focused on science, physics, perfusion technology, and research methodology with extensive classroom instruction. Students are required to complete a research project and present at a national meeting. Each student acts as the primary perfusionist on a minimum of 75 cases. In the senior year, students are required to complete two, seven-week outside clinical rotations to gain additional clinical experience. Students are responsible for any costs associated with outside rotations.

Clinical training consists of:

• operation of the heart-lung machine during open heart surgery
• management of related support devices
• hemodynamic monitoring.

Course descriptions:
Descriptions of required coursework can be found here.

Clinical Opportunities
The diverse caseload at the Medical University Hospital, Ashley River Tower, the Charleston Veterans Administration Hospital, and clinical affiliates provides the student experience in the following:

• infant, pediatric, and adult perfusion
• heart and liver transplantation
• cardiopulmonary support
• cancer and neuro surgery treatments
• ECMO
• hemodialysis, hemoconcentration
• ventricular assist devices
• blood salvaging (autotransfusion)

New technology or new applications of existing technology are considered integral to the training program.

Accreditation
The MUSC Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is accredited by the Commission of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (ACPE).

Commission of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, Fl 33756 (727) 210-2350

About Our Students
Find out more about current CardiovascularPerfusion Students and our graduates:

• Class of 2010
• Class for 2011
• Graduates

Valuable Links
The Division of Cardiovascular Perfusion has compiled a list of valuable links.

Publications and Presentations
The Division of Cardiovascular Perfusion is dedicated to promoting the the advancement of knowledge in the field of cardiovascular perfusion. View a list of the Division's presentations and publications from 2002-2010.

Perfusion Devices Conference
The next Perfusion Devices Conference will be held October 21 – 23, 2010.