Outline for departments regarding education of perfusionist

To the persons responsible for hiring and educating perfusionists at the heart centres.

The next class of perfusionist students will start at the Scandinavian School of Cardiovascular Technology (School of perfusion) in September 2022. 
The centres expecting to hire a student before start should have in mind the demands for both theory and practice.
It must be kept in mind that the future employee will be not only a future perfusionist, but also a university student. On the other hand, there are also certain requirements for the training in practice in order for the student to obtain the title of perfusionist.
The following is an outline of the demands of the school to the departments and the future student. 

Structure of the education

The perfusionist education is comprised of a theoretical and a practical part. The major part of the theory will take place within the education in Cardiovascular Technology offered by Aarhus University Hospital, but certain theoretical lectures must be carried out at the place of employment.

The education is equal to one year of full time study and gives 60 ECTS points (please refer to brochure). The classes at the education are conducted in English and have academic as well as professional aims. They are comprised of three different parts: Biomedical Technology and research, Physiology and Treatment and Perfusion Techniques. The classes are compressed and intensive and for the most part in the form of normal class lectures.

The practical training will take place at the employing hospital and an exchange hospital. 
The practice is an indispensable part of the perfusionist education and a prerequisite for obtaining the certification. 
Apart from the actual training certain demands for the local lectures must be met. The practice is described in detail in the Logbook which is available here (link)

Certification as a qualified perfusionist (CBP) is obtained when: 

1. The exams of the education has been passed and the thesis has been accepted
2. The Logbook has been approved and the practical examination passed successfully

The school recommends the following:

Employment:

• Employment should be planned so as to start the practical education at the latest three months before start of the theoretical education at the school.
• Employment start more than a year before start of school is not recommended.
• The position of a perfusionist student/trainee should be a full time employment in order to make the best possible use of the practice periods for training and practice.

Qualifications in relation to the education:

• The applicant must have an education which corresponds to a bachelor degree + two years of relevant professional experience.
• The applicant must have a good command of the English language.
• The applicant must have skills in mathematics and physics corresponding to at least High School (Gymnasium) level B.
• The applicant must have knowledge in anatomy and physiology corresponding to first semester of the Nursing study.
• The applicant must be able to travel and stay in Aarhus several times during the education.
• The applicant must be ready to use time and energy on studies outside of normal working hours.

The School's expectations to the department:

• At employment the student must be appointed a supervisor who is also the formal contact to the school.
• Introduction and supervision should take place according to the Logbook.
• The Logbook must be used actively in the practical training from the start of the employment.
• The supervisor is responsible for the organization of the internal education and teaching, as described in the Logbook.
• The employee is a full time student and away from the department 4 x 6 weeks. Of these the student is at the school for three of the periods, while the last six weeks will be used for writing the thesis. Furthermore, 2 weeks of practice at another hospital are required.
• The department must provide support for the student in connection with the thesis, i.e. scientific and practical support for the choice of a relevant scientific project and guidance in the practical implementation. The 6 weeks for the writing must be placed at a suitable time.
• Examination and evaluation of the project will take place locally in collaboration with the affiliated university.

Expected expenses apart from the practice:

• School fee
• Travel and lodging expenses in connection with the three periods of theoretical education at the school in Aarhus and the following graduation ceremony (i.e. 4 return trips and a total of approximately 110 days).
• Travel and lodging expenses in connection with the study period at the exchange hospital, at least 2 weeks.

Please refer any questions and comments to:

Re. the education:

Principal J. Michael Hasenkam
michael.hasenkam@rm.dk

Re. practical matters in connection with the school:

Secretary Jette Breiner
jettbrei@rm.dk
Tel.: +45 7845 3080

Re. Practice and Logbook:

Perfusionist Peter Fast Nielsen
petniels@rm.dk