Cardiac Perfusion Program
The BCIT Cardiovascular Perfusion program is one of only three of its kind in Canada. A cardiac perfusionist is a key member of a highly specialized surgical team. Program Information. The Texas Heart Institute (THI) School of Perfusion Technology offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in perfusion technology.
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The BCIT Cardiovascular Perfusion program is one of only three of its kind in Canada. A cardiac perfusionist is a key member of a highly specialized surgical team. Cardiovascular perfusionists work in operating rooms, providing life-saving support to patients undergoing heart surgery. It's a serious job, and our graduates are ready.
At BCIT, we believe in real life experience and provide practical, hands-on training. Our students come from the cardiac field with the passion and work experience to succeed at this intensive program. Entrance requirements Competitive Entry: Three-step process Obtaining a seat in the Cardiovascular Perfusion program is competitive. The program mandate is to select those applicants deemed to have the best opportunity for success. BCIT does not guarantee admission to applicants who meet the minimum program entry requirements. Clinical requirements Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.
As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times through the flu season prior to being placed in your clinical studies. Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Immunization Review to be completed prior to start of clinical practicum year. Note: CPR C and AED is the minimum level of CPR certification acceptable. Face Respirator Fit Testing: Respirator Fit Testing with a N95 respirator (1860, 1860s or 1870) is required and must be performed, in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit Testing must also include inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions on how to access FIT testing by the program prior to the first clinical. Students are responsible for paying for the annual FIT test while in the program and carrying their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.
This course is an overview of the major physiological changes that occur to humans from utero to adulthood including the embryologic development of the heart, common cardiovascular lesions as well as the coagulation and inflammation systems. Pediatric perfusion techniques and practices and the differences in pharmacological and anticoagulation management in children will be explored. Myocardial protection, long-term mechanical support and major adverse outcomes will also be covered. A thorough understanding of the content of this course will be essential for developing a career in Pediatric Perfusion in the future. Prerequisites: BHSC 6110 and PERF 7110 and PERF 7210.
PERF 8100 will concentrate on observational rotations in all areas of the hospital related to the cardiac patient. These observations will help orientate the students to all the staff and areas with which a Cardiovascular Perfusionist may be involved. This course is an introduction to the operating room environment; sterility, scrub techniques and infection control. It will also put emphasize on the foundations of professionalism, communication, ethics, legal aspects and the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion (CSCP) Standards of Practice and Mission Statement. Prerequisites: PERF 7220 and PERF 7300 and PERF 7400.
Cardiovascular Perfusion Clinical 2 is a continuation of PERF 8100. In this clinical course students will gain hands on experience in the preparation and application of the Cardiovascular Bypass System (CPB). Learning objectives will be taught through lectures, wet lab simulations and under observation in the operating room (OR). This course contains the foundation of learning that must be understood in order for the Cardiovascular Perfusionist to provide effective and safe treatment options to patients. Prerequisites: PERF 8100.
Cardiovascular Perfusion Clinical 3 is a continuation of PERF 8200. The students are expected to improve upon the level of competency gained during PERF 8100 and PERF 8200. In this clinical course, students will gain experience with ancillary devices used in Perfusion, as well as expand their knowledge in the safe conduct of Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
Modes of learning for each device will include lectures, wet lab simulations and clinical application. Special CPB cases, scenarios and advanced Perfusion techniques will also be discussed. Prerequisites: PERF 8200. Cardiovascular Perfusion Clinical 4 is a continuation of PERF 8300.
The students are expected to improve upon the level of competency gained in previous clinical courses. In this clinical course, students will continue to review and apply the objectives introduced in previous rotations, as well as prepare and apply advanced Perfusion techniques and technologies. Review of CPB case studies will assist the students in understanding various clinical scenarios and conditions that have presented in the past and how they were managed. Prerequisites: PERF 8300. Cardiovascular Perfusion Clinical 5 is a focused rotation in Pediatric Perfusion to take place at pediatric acute care hospital.
Students will review concepts of fetal development and gain an expanded knowledge of most common congenital heart defects and their surgical corrections. Students will assist in the preparation and application of safe Cardiopulmonary Bypass in the pediatric patient. A thorough knowledge will be gained in the concept and application of Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation.
Prerequisites: PERF 8200. The Advanced Certificate in Cardiovascular Perfusion program is two years in length, consisting of a first year of online learning, followed by a second year of full-time clinical rotations.
The first academic year consists of three semesters of online distance courses. During this year students gain the fundamental knowledge required for entry to the clinical rotations. A strong understanding of cardiothoracic anatomy, physiology and pharmacology is essential knowledge in order to grasp the physical principles of perfusion science.
An emphasis on cardiothoracic pathophysiology, as well as surgical techniques, is introduced early in order to prepare for clinical. Students are expected to spend approximately 9-12 hours/week completing coursework, including online group discussions, instructor-directed problem solving/quizzes, and peer-reviewed lectures.
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Upon successful completion of the first year, students enter an intensive, full-time, 44-week clinical rotation where they train alongside qualified clinical perfusionists in the hospital setting, using the experience to complete clearly defined clinical year objectives. The majority of this clinical year is spent learning the theoretical and practical application of safe cardiopulmonary bypass, as well as taking part in class days, wet lab work, lectures and student presentations. Students are taught to communicate effectively with members of the health care team, patients and their families. Students learn to use reason, analysis, calculations, problem solving, critical thinking, and other learning skills to acquire knowledge, and to comprehend and synthesize complex situations. Students must be prepared for achieving and maintaining a high level of knowledge and clinical competence, as well as having a distinct awareness of the consequence of error in judgment and/or skill.
Under supervision, students are assessed on how safely and effectively they work in often stressful situations. Clinical site rotations are assigned to students by BCIT faculty. Although student input is used for site assignments, there is no guarantee that all learners will receive their preferred placements. Site assignments require that students travel and make arrangements for accommodation in out of town sites according to the length of each rotation. The duration of the clinical courses are two and three weeks (two courses) and 14 weeks (three courses). Complete clinical schedules will be available to students three months prior to beginning the clinical year. The hospitals listed below will provide clinical placements: Clinical site partners BC Children's Hospital Foothills Medical Centre Kelowna General Hospital Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute Royal Columbian Hospital Royal Jubilee Hospital St.
Boniface Hospital St. Paul's Hospital Vancouver General Hospital. Our graduates get work As the need for cardiovascular and open-heart surgeries increases, jobs are opening up across Canada for cardiovascular perfusionists. Many of our grads are offered work in their sponsored hospitals after they graduate. Career opportunities Students graduate as cardiovascular perfusionists ready to work as members of cardiac surgical teams in hospital operating rooms. Positions start at approximately $42 per hour.
Visit the professional association website to learn more about the work perfusionists do and to find career opportunities:. Program Details FAQ. Program Admission FAQ. Program Details FAQ What are the working conditions and physical requirements of a career in Cardiovascular Perfusion? Being a perfusionist involves:. Shift work, including work on weekends, holidays, and overtime. Being able to work long hours.
Managing stressful situations during cardiac procedures by utilizing a high level of skill and decision-making whilst monitoring and operating complex mechanical devices. Heavy lifting at times to move equipment or transfer patients.
Good manual dexterity and eye/hand coordination to operate extracorporeal and blood-related equipment. Can I work during the program? This is a very demanding program. Whilst it is possible to work during the didactic year, working during the clinical year is unlikely to be feasible. Any work hours must accommodate mandatory labs and full-time clinical rotations. Where will lab classes take place?
The Perfusion lab is located at the BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus (ATC), on Sea Island, in Richmond, BC. I do not live in the Greater Vancouver area. Will I be expected to come to the lab classes? All students must attend lab classes. Full-time lab classes are scheduled at the end of didactic terms 1 and 2, and at the beginning of each clinical practicum rotation. May I choose where my clinical placements are located?
BCIT arranges clinical training for the student. Students will be asked to provide their preferences for clinical placements, but there is no guarantee that they will be assigned to their preferences. Am I responsible for costs throughout the clinical placements? You are responsible for all personal expenses, including food, accommodation, and transportation throughout the clinical practicum. No stipend is available for any portion of this program. What is the approximate cost of tuition for the whole program?
Note: This is an estimate only based on the tuition fees paid by students from the last intake of the program. If all tuition costs and fees are added up over the whole two-year program, the cost would be approximately $20,000.
Perfusion students pay tuition fees one term at a time. Course registration and tuition payments occur on a course-by-course basis. Are there any breaks in the program?
In addition to the Christmas and spring breaks between didactic terms, there will be two, one week, breaks scheduled between clinical rotations. Program Admission FAQ How competitive is the selection process? How many applications do you receive? Admission to the program is highly competitive. We expect to receive 60-80 complete applications.
That means that for every seat in the program, there are more than six applicants who have met all the entrance requirements. Meeting minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee you will be selected for the second, Multiple-Mini Interview (MMI), stage of the competitive entry process.
Only a portion of interviewees are then selected for admission. How can I make my application more competitive? The questionnaire that is included with the application should exhibit thoughtful, articulate answers to all questions, as these are carefully reviewed in the selection of candidates for interview. In addition to completing all of the required prerequisites, successful applicants typically have the following profile:. Post-secondary education with a focus on human anatomy and physiology and/or health. Strong and consistent academic performance.
Recent work or volunteer experience involving direct patient care. Demonstration of a clear understanding of the profession and the program.
Excellent communication skills Can I apply to the program while I’m working on meeting the prerequisites, or do I need to wait until all are complete? You should only apply to the program when you have fully met all the academic requirements. An application cannot compete in the selection process with incomplete admissions prerequisites. What if I have the prerequisites but they are from more than five years ago? With the exception of English, it is highly recommended (but not required) for course work to have been completed within five years of the program start date. Remember that the selection process is extremely competitive. Do you consider GPA within the selection process? A strong GPA is preferred in that it shows an aptitude for post-secondary course work, but numerical grades are just one piece of the larger picture.
Successful candidates are well-rounded. Selected applicants often possess consistently strong marks, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis on human anatomy and physiology, a demonstrated interest in the field, and relevant recent volunteer or work experience. What can I do to prepare myself for success in the selection process? Read the program website completely and carefully, paying particular attention to the 'Program Entry' page. This webpage sets out what is required to put together a complete application package. Ensure that you have researched what it means to be a perfusionist and are aware of the scope of the work involved. The program looks for well-rounded individuals who will be successful both as students and as future cardiovascular perfusionists.
What constitutes patient care experience? How can I fulfill this requirement? Direct patient care experience includes the application of the following types of skills:. Assessing patients and collecting relevant patient information prior to a procedure. Assisting patients with mobility, and transporting patients.
Taking vital signs. The use of standard precautions and surgical asepsis If you do not have patient care experience, you can take CARD 1186 or submit official transcripts proving you have completed an equivalent post-secondary course focusing on patient care. The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the College and Institute Act (RSBC 1996, Ch.52). BCIT will use this information to communicate with you regarding relevant BCIT programs, courses and services. This information is only used by authorized BCIT staff.
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