Here are the questions the perfusionists that reached out to me asked: We’re you a trained Cell Saver Tech before starting? I was not trained prior to getting my perfusion assistant/autotransfusion job. I did however have a bachelors degree and 5+ years of other medical related experience. What was the training for that like? How long did it take? The group that I work with daily had 2 perfusion assistants, I replaced #2. My training was combined with hearts responsibilities and it was fairly rigorous. I was on my own after 1 month but also had buddy call if I didn’t feel comfortable with certain things (Bone Marrow Aspiration Concentrations/PRP). I started the buddy call (going in when my preceptor was called) 3 weeks after starting the job. I am on call 15 days out of the month for both cell saver and hearts, 3 major holidays, and noted as “available” on days im ”off” in case of emergencies unless I tell my boss that will not be available. What are your responsibilities like and what percentage of your day makes up each of the responsibilities (cell saving, pump building etc.)? Depends on the day. If there are cell saver cases, that is my first priority. After I set up the cell saver and the case has begun, I typically check on it q30 minutes unless there is a lot of processing/blood loss or Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentration is to be done, then I will stay and do that. If very little blood loss is expected and no BMAC, I set up, and go check on the hearts if there are cases going, stock the cart with supplies & drugs, check on the cell saver in there, do PRP if the perfusionist hasn’t already done it, start the paperwork for cell saver or pump if the perfusionist hasn’t gotten to it yet (rare). After I know they are good in there, I go to the pump room and set up pumps, We typically have 2 always stocked in the pump room- we have 5 pumps total. If there is not a pump already built, I will build one right away so that they can have it in the room right after they get off pump in whatever case they’re doing. After the pumps are built, I will check stock on KCL and go to the pharmacy, if need be, check all the ABL machines and get new solution packs from lab if they need it. After that’s all done and Ive checked on my CS cases, I will check the file cabinet and enter any cases CS or Heart that haven’t been charted in our EMR system. After CS cases are done, I will restock the machines and put them away. If hearts are still going, I will sit in and help run gases and ACTs and anything else they may need. After the Hearts are off pump and the CS in there is processing, I will wheel in the new pump and bring clean red bin in for cleanup. I will recheck perfusion drugs and cart supplies, and then at the end, help transport the patient with anesthesia and nurse. ___________ On days where there are no cell saver cases, I do everything I mentioned pertaining to hearts, but then I normally sit in with the perfusionist at the pump, continue to do the cell saver in there, run gases and ACTs, chart or anything else I want to do or the perfusionist would like me to do. Other than that, perfusionist and I go over the drugs, what they do and give them according to what the gases suggest are needed. In emergency heart cases, I do whatever the perfusionist asks from charting to drugs to gases. If the heart case is on its way and a perfusionist is busy doing another case, I will set up the pump and get all the drugs ready so the perfusionist who is being called in has less to do when they arrive. So as far as percentages of the day, it is different every day. If we are really busy or if we have multiple heart cases/an emergent case going south anything like that, then both me and my partner will stay until things are either over or stable. One of us is still available over call tho. Other duties done as needed are cleaning Heater/cooler, quality checks on CS machines. What are your hours like and do you have any cell saver call? Since there are 2 assistants, we usually split the day in half, if cases start at 7, I normally go in early, and she normally comes in 11 or 12 depending on how many cases there are and then I leave. Sometimes CS cases start at 9 or on days where there are only hearts one of us comes in around 10 or so. If there is only one heart typically my boss gives us the day off but available. I would say I typically work 5-6 hours a day, including the weekdays that Im on call. No weekends unless we are called or if there is a case already scheduled but very often the perfusionists’ will be the ones going in. I think I mentioned before, I take call 15 days out of the month. My partner takes the other 15 days. This includes weekend call. Our call is straight call, could be for cell saver or it could be for hearts.

Thank you for this video! I have a second interview on Monday for Perfusion Tech. This video helps a lot

Im currently trying to decide between perfusionists or caa so that is what brought me here. Haven’t really been in luck with finding someone to shadow so I figured day in the life videos of both occupations would help me 😅 Thank you for all the information!

Congratulations girl!! Looking forward to more videos.

Thank you so much for this video, it’s been really tough getting info about perfusion. I am a respiratory therapist, before getting into that career work as a sterile processing technician and I’ve always get to see Sugical case I was really interested in the perfusion profession. But most of the perfusionist are always on the move or busy getting ready for a heart case so it will as difficult to get any info from them. Even tho I’m a respiratory therapist I am still interested in being a perfusionist. I just am not sure on the steps to make.

I’m here to learn more about profusion and in particular about running an ECMO system

EMT going RT and hoping to have my RRT and Perfusionist one day, you're amazing! Where are you at in your career right now?

im biomedical engineering can i be like u ¿ and how ¿ from where should i start

I’m training to become an EMT and am graduating with my bachelors this May. How were you able to become a perfusion assistant? Only way ive seen is via a medical assistant program or job. Im planning on doing a one year masters but I can’t really afford to spend the time to become a respiratory therapist. Do you suggest that EMT, MA, and Perfusion Assistang is enough medical experience?

Do you think a Bachelors of Science in Health and Behavioral Science will stand out on a Perfusion application with current career as an Echocardiologist?

Love your video! I would like to ask an in depth explanation on the process because I’m also a perfusion assistant here in the Philippines for 3yrs now. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technologist and I want to be internationally trained. I wonder how to be qualified for the program! Hope to hear from you! Thank you so much for these videos 💓

Your are awesome! I gained a lot from your video. I want that Perfusion Manual so I will try to get in touch with you. Thanks a lot this is a very informative video

I love your videos!!! How’s the perfusion path going? How do I obtain “the manual to clinical perfusion” book from you PDF wise?! You should definitely make more videos!! 😊

hey congrats on getting into a program!

Mam... Bsc Cardiovascular perfusion technology, cardiac perfusion technology, perfusion technology and cardiac pulmonary perfusion technology all are same or different pls reply pls...

Please add subtitles. I love your videos and you are the only KZfaqr who gives in-depth details about this career.❤ from 🇮🇳

Imagining hearts growing on trees thanks to you 😂

How do you become a perfusion assist? I worked briefly in an OR as a supply tech for 6 mos could I use that experience as an in?

How does one become a perfusion assistant?

What's the best bachelor degree to get before the perfusion school? I've been a certified Anesthesia tech for 8 years. Time to move on to bigger and better things. TIA

Finally find a channel i can relate ❤️

I’m from Brazil and I love your videos 🤍 I want to be a perfusionist too :)

Hey I love your videos. I was wondering if you could forward me a pdf of the manual of clinical perfusion 2nd edition if you have it

I need to shadow. Am currently in rt program and don't know what I need to even get into perfusion school

I can’t find your Instagram for some reason but interested in the blue book

Does perfusionist get paid a lot for the hours they take on?

Thank you and good luck

Hey .., wanted to ask if perfusionist assistants are usually on the ECMO teams . How are they comparable to ECMO/RTsor RNs

your so pretty.

Hey dear I'm perfusionist too...how can I contact with you?