Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

The Work

Perfusionists set up and control the heart-lung bypass equipment that takes over the functions of the heart and lungs during open-heart surgery and also monitor the patient's condition. This equipment physically pumps blood around the body and oxygenates the blood, keeping a patient alive.  
 
During an operation, perfusionists are required to monitor a patient's condition. They operate autotransfusion units to replace massive blood loss. They also set up and monitor intra-aortic balloon pumps that provide temporary mechanical support for a patient's heart and lungs.  
 
Perfusionists work very closely with surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre nurses.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialised electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
• Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
• Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
• Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
• Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
• Prepare and position patients for testing.
• Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.
• Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.
• Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
• Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Becoming a perfusionist involves becoming a trainee in a clinical cardiac unit where practical training will take place. Trainees are required to hold a degree in a relevant science subject.

The following entry requirements apply for students wishing to commence the MSc Perfusion Science course at the University of Bristol who are currently employed in a clinical environment as a Trainee Clinical Perfusion Scientist within Great Britain and Ireland:

• An honours degree or postgraduate degree in an appropriate scientific discipline awarded by a British/ HE Higher education Institution (minimum results 2.1)

• Graduate Membership of the Institute of Biology, or similar professional qualifications, accompanied by relevant industrial and/or Biomedical/Clinical experience.

• A degree in Medicine, Dental Surgery or Veterinary Science.

Professional Development

There are two grades of Perfusionist in HSE Hospitals: 

Basic Grade 1-3; Senior grade 1-4:

1 Must be accreditted by College of clinical perfusion GB & Ireland 

2 possess an equivelant qualification 

3 be registered with the college of clinical perfusionists GB & Ireland as a practicising clinical perfusionist 

4 have 5 years post qualification experience 

Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland The MSc in Perfusion Science course Bristol addresses both academic and professional needs by integrating academic knowledge and understanding with the practical requirements of the working professional Clinical Perfusion Scientist. Students attend university on block release each academic year. They are awarded the MSc provided that they also pass the Society’s professional accreditation examination.

The certificate of accreditation is awarded once the knowledge and practical ability to be a competent practising Clinical Perfusion Scientist has been established and the ability to work independently and participate in an "on-call" rota dealing with emergency and out of hours operations has been agreed. This is supported by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Senate of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland who have ratified the following statement:

• The two Associations: "Wish the National Health Service Management Executive to know that they unanimously expect that any mechanical perfusion used in the management of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure in the United Kingdom or Ireland should only be undertaken by a clinical perfusion scientist who has been accredited by the Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland, or by a trainee under the direct supervision of an accredited Clinical Perfusion Scientist."
• Attainment of the Accreditation certificate allows registration as a Clinical Perfusion Scientist with the College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €59k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Payscale

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was strong for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022. Census data shows that employment grew across all roles in this group between 2016 and 2022, with the strongest growth for pharmaceutical technicans.

The number of online job adverts for pharmaceutical technicians grew strongly in 2022 (+14%); skills in demand included, among others pharmaceutical knowledge, the ability to provide customer service & advice, and business skills, such as product sales.

A small number of employment permits were issued in 2022 for cardiac physiologists and paramedics. The available data sources do not signal any issues in relation to supply and demand for health associate professional occupations; however, if employment was to continue to increase, recruitment issues may emerge.

• Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of GB and Ireland

  • The Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Field, London W2CA 3PN, UK
  • + 44 207 869 6891
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here