Travel Perfusionist Jobs
Make a Difference as a Travel Perfusionist
Perfusionists are an essential part of the cardiac surgical team. They operate the equipment that temporarily takes over the function of the patient's heart and lungs, allowing the surgeon to operate on a still heart - pretty important, right? Perfusion professionals are in demand around the country, and you can embark on a travel career that takes you wherever you want to go.
Interested in traveling as a perfusionist? Browse travel perfusionist jobs at outstanding facilities across the country and find your fit.
What does a perfusionist do?
The main role of the perfusionist is to operate the cardiopulmonary bypass machine, or heart-lung machine, which takes over the patient’s heart function during cardiac surgery, including open heart surgery and heart transplant. With this machine, the perfusionist can monitor lab values, regulate blood oxygen levels and body temperature, and administer medications. Their expertise is crucial in complex cardiac procedures, and they work closely with cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing professionals, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
Typical Perfusionist Job Responsibilities
- Continuously monitor and adjust the heart-lung machine throughout surgery to ensure it's working properly and the patient's blood flow and oxygen levels are maintained at appropriate levels
- Set up, test, operate, and manage various other surgical devices besides the heart-lung machine
- Manage blood components during transfusions, autotransfusion, and hemodilution procedures
- Participate in preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation
- Assess patients' physical condition to estimate their tolerance to the stress of extracorporeal circulation
Choose where you go
With opportunities for travelers all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Advantages & Perks for Travel Perfusionist Jobs
Competitive pay
Travel perfusionists are in demand. The travel industry offers competitive compensation for jobs that allow you to work in and explore your new location.
Per diem
As a travel perfusion professional, you can receive a per diem each week. It’s tax-free and helps you cover daily expenses, like transportation and meals.
Certifications
Certifications & CEU's are a must, why not help get that cost covered while being a medical traveler!
Travel life
When you’re a travel perfusionist you get the best of both worlds. Traveling to new places and working where you want to work allows you to combine your passions and learn new skills.Medical Traveler Compliance & Licensure
Being a travel perfusionist is a great way to gain experience in the career you’re aspiring to, but what if your dream travel assignment is asking for certifications you don’t have? Fusion wants to help! We’ll find you the training you need and the financial assistance to cover the cost of licensing and certifications.
Degrees and Certifications
Licensing and certification info… where do you even start? Since degrees and certifications and compact license depend on your modality and specialty, compliance experts work with your dedicated recruiter, employer and agencies to make sure that you have all relevant credentials required before your start date.
Compliance Requirements
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty.
The three parts of compliance
- Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
- Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
- Testing: Certifications, online trainings, and workplace safety exams
FAQs
What is the average salary for travel perfusionist jobs?
The average salary for a perfusionist can vary greatly depending on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, education, and the specific healthcare facility. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was about $57,720 in May 2019. However, as perfusionists have specialized training and perform complex tasks during cardiovascular surgeries, their average salary is generally higher.
How do you become a travel perfusionist?
You must first obtain a bachelor's degree in a science-related field. The specific prerequisites may vary by program, so it's important to research different perfusion programs to understand their requirements. Then you should enroll in a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited perfusion program. These programs typically culminate in a master's degree and involve coursework in cardiovascular science, perfusion technology, and other relevant subjects. As part of your graduate program, you will complete a clinical practicum where you'll gain hands-on experience in operating the heart-lung machine and other perfusion technology.
Depending on your state, you may need to obtain permanent license to practice as a perfusionist. The requirements for licensure vary by state, so be sure to check with your state's health department or licensing board for specific regulations.
Are there any certifications I should consider?
Earning cardiovascular perfusion certification can help with your marketability in the field and ensure that you have high job security. The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) offers the Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) certification. Qualified applicants must pass both the Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE) and the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (CAPE) to obtain current board certification. Perfusionist licensure requirements vary extensively from state to state.
Where are travel perfusionist jobs available?
A licensed perfusionist generally spends 90% of their time in hospitals in the OR suite for cardiac cases, but may also find their responsibilities as a clinical resource extending to areas such as the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) and catheterization laboratory. Because of the nature of their work in the hospital, perfusionists work all shifts, weekends, and on-call.
As an ever-evolving medical profession, cardiac perfusion offers practitioners the means to specialize in specific procedures or populations. Some perfusionists may opt to work in pediatric cardiothoracic surgical units or in medical centers specializing in heart, lung, or liver transplants.
Will taking travel nursing jobs help my career?
Taking travel perfusionist jobs has many benefits because it exposes you to different regional procedures and patient populations, provides the opportunity to explore new specialties, and helps you gain experience learning a new clinical environment quickly. Search the Fusion Medical Staffing website to find travel assignments in cities across the nation that support your career path.