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Clinical perfusion scientist

A clinical perfusion scientist is a person who operates the heart-lung machine during surgery so that the patient's breathing and circulation continue while the heart does not. The perfusionist works as part of the surgical team, connects the patient to the machine while the operation is being prepared, monitors their condition throughout, reports it to the team, and selects the techniques each patient's state requires.

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Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate breathing equipment

conduct routine blood testing

perform transcranial magnetic stimulation

comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice

comply with legislation related to health care

About clinical perfusion scientist

The machine is the patient's circulation for the duration of the operation. Flow, pressure, temperature, oxygenation and anticoagulation are all controlled by the perfusionist at the console. Clinical perfusion is the body of knowledge the role rests on, and operating the breathing support equipment is the practical skill at its centre.

Measurement runs alongside. The perfusionist performs routine blood tests through the procedure, which show whether the support is adequate, and reports what the numbers show to the surgical team as the operation proceeds.

Everything here sits inside the rules of the operating theatre. The perfusionist works to the healthcare regulations and to the quality standards healthcare practice requires, follows the hygiene rules that apply in a healthcare facility, and ensures the safety of the person receiving care.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.clinical perfusionclinical perfusionThe health science related to the artificial pumping of blood and oxygen in a person's body, also known as extra-corporeal circulation.resuscitationresuscitationThe emergency procedure applied to individuals with no pulse to restore them to consciousness.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...operate breathing equipmentoperate breathing equipmentOperate breathing equipment and machines to ensure the patient is administred oxygen during surgery.conduct routine blood testingconduct routine blood testingPerform routine tests on blood gases, electrolytes and metabolites.perform transcranial magnetic stimulationperform transcranial magnetic stimulationPerform non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation of the brain using a rapidly changing magnetic field, in order to cause activity in specific or general parts of the brain and study the brain`s functi...communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Optional (23) — show
emergency surgeryemergency surgeryThe characteristics and methods of a surgical intervention performed in emergency cases.electroencephalographyelectroencephalographyThe situations where electroencephalography or EEG is needed, the techniques that may need to be specified, the preparation the patient needs, and the way to use the results in diagnosis and patient f...surgerysurgeryThe essential procedures in surgical practice such as the principle of safe surgery, the pathophysiology of wound healing, knot tying, tissue handling, retraction and any other instruments and procedu...rehabilitation of all organ systemsrehabilitation of all organ systemsThe principles of physical medicine and rehabilitation of all organ systems as related to physiotherapy.medical informaticsmedical informaticsThe processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.transplantationtransplantationThe principles of organ and tissue transplantation, the principles of transplant immunology, immunosuppression, donation and procurement of tissue, and indications for organ transplantation.clinical imaging techniquesclinical imaging techniquesThe techniques to evaluate image information for clinical manifestations and technical accuracy.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.provide pre-treatment informationprovide pre-treatment informationExplain treatment options and possibilities, informing the patients in order to help them make well-balanced decisions.operate patients with thoracic diseasesoperate patients with thoracic diseasesPerform thoracic surgery on patients with diseases such as lung cancer, severe emphysema, cancer of the oesophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernias, swallowing disorders such as achala...explain types of coagulation disordersexplain types of coagulation disordersExplain to patients the types of coagulation disorders and the risks involved, such as thrombosis, strokes, and hemorrhage.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.interpret medical imagesinterpret medical imagesAnalyse medical images in order to diagnose illnesses and injuries.perform bronchoscopyperform bronchoscopyConduct bronchoscopy to visualise the tracheobronchial tree for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.provide comprehensive care for patients with surgical conditionsprovide comprehensive care for patients with surgical conditionsProvide comprehensive care of critically ill patients with underlying surgical conditions.promote health and safetypromote health and safetyPromote the importance of a safe working environment. Coach and support staff to participate actively in the continuous development of a safe working environment.assist in kidney transplantassist in kidney transplantManage patient care before and after the transplant of kidneys, striving to maximise the likelihood of a successful outcome.perform VATSperform VATSPerform video assisted thoracoscopic surgery or VATS, during which a lung is collapsed and the thoracoscope and surgical instruments are inserted into the thorax through any of three to four small inc...develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.conduct radiotherapy computer planningconduct radiotherapy computer planningProduce a three-dimensional plan of the distribution of radiation across the anatomical area to be treated.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a clinical perfusion scientist do?

Clinical perfusion scientists operate heart-lung equipment during surgical operations to ensure breathing and blood circulation. They work as part of the surgical team, connect patients to the heart-lung machines in preparation for surgery, monitor their condition during surgery, report to the team on the patients' status and determine the necessary techniques according to their needs.

What skills does a clinical perfusion scientist need?

A clinical perfusion scientist needs 15 essential skills, including hygiene in a health care setting, health care legislation, medical terminology, clinical perfusion, resuscitation.

Will AI replace clinical perfusion scientist jobs?

The AI disruption score for clinical perfusion scientist is 14/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: medical terminology, manage healthcare users' data, comply with legislation related to health care. Most resilient: resuscitation, develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship, human anatomy.

Quick Facts

SectorHealthcare
ISCO GroupHealth associate professionals
Essential Skills15

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