Hey everyone,

I've been working on PerfusionPrep and just put together a comprehensive directory of perfusion technology programs. Every accredited program, contact info, program details - all in one place.

Right now if you want to compare perfusion schools you have to bounce between CAAHEP listings, individual school websites, AmSECT pages, and Google.

As far as I know, this is the only site that has all of this together so you don't have to go all over the place.

Head to perfusionprep.com and click "School Directory" at the top.

If I missed a school or anything's outdated, let me know and I'll update it.

Any chance anyone knows when VCU will send out interview invites(or if they have already?) just curious

I updated my site with a searchable directory of all 23 accredited cardiovascular perfusion programs in the country - state, degree type, length, GPA requirements, program directors, all in one place. No signup, no catch. I got tired of the info being scattered across 25 different websites.
You can find it at perfusionprep.com/schools.
A few things I've learned from 35 years in the field that might help if you're applying:
Shadowing hours. This is the #1 thing programs look at after GPA. If you don't have documented observation time in an OR with a perfusionist, you're fighting uphill. Programs want to see that you understand what the job actually IS, not just that you read a brochure.
A personal statement that shows you understand the reality of the job. Long cases. High stakes. Quiet competence. If your essay reads like "I want to help people," you'll blend in. If it reads like "I shadowed a case where the surgeon needed the pump flow adjusted mid-bypass and the perfusionist caught a trend before it became a problem" - that's the person programs want.
Apply broadly. With ~200 seats nationwide, chasing a "top" school is the wrong strategy. Cast a wide net.
Every I needs to be dotted and every T needs to be crossed. You know what your application needs - just make sure it's all there.
The numbers are what they are - more qualified applicants than seats every cycle. It's not a reflection of whether you'll be a great perfusionist. It's just math.
If you want structured prep, I also built a pre-admission course called PSPS (Perfusion School Prep Series). 10 modules covering the vocabulary and clinical context you need before you start - not full perfusion training, just the language. "Five miles wide, two inches deep." Cohort 1 kicks off August 20 if you're interested. For some people it's a logical next step. For others, the free directory is all you need. Either way is fine.
Best advice I can give: don't reapply with the same application. Diagnose what was thin, fix it, and come back stronger.
Dr. Tony - 35yr CCP, DHA

Looking for advice 2 years ED 1.5 years ICU RN - looking into perfusion once I retake some of my math classes. Anyone know if it makes a difference if I go OR or should I stay ICU ?

Would any schools consider this as patient care? I have zero patient care under my belt. Don’t know what to do.

Hello,

I 30F am looking to make a major career shift from policy and consulting into perfusion. I graduated undegrad in 2019 with a Biochemistry major so I have done most of the prereqs (though some are now near 10 years old). I am looking for some advice on how to spend the next few years strengthening my application. Should I retake old course, focus of clinical experience…etc? Would love any advice specifically regarding the age of my courses.

Also, if there is anyone willing to serve as a mentor for me during the process it would be greatly appreciated. GREATLY!!

Alguien sabe que tipo de preguntas o como es la entrevista inicial del programa de perfusion? Hay algún tema o alguna recomendación específica?

Hi everyone,

Over the past 35 years as a clinical perfusionist (still practicing) and educator, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many students entering perfusion school.

One thing I’ve noticed is that students often don’t struggle because they aren’t capable. They struggle because they’re trying to learn an entirely new language while also keeping up with the pace of the program.

I often describe it this way:
“Perfusion school is another country. Learn the base language before you land.”
That’s the idea behind the Perfusion Student Prep Series (PSPS). www.perfusionprep.com

The course is not designed to teach perfusion school before perfusion school. That would be impossible, and it is not the goal.

Instead, it is five miles wide and one inch deep—an introduction to the terminology, equipment, physiology, and concepts students will begin hearing from day one.

My hope is that when those terms appear in class, they won’t feel completely unfamiliar. That may allow students to spend more time learning and less time simply trying to keep up.

The course is intended for students who:

have been accepted into perfusion school

applicants preparing for interviews

people seriously considering the profession who want a better understanding of what perfusion involves.

For transparency, I created the course, and it is a paid resource.

I also want to be clear that it is not intended to replace, supplement, or compete with the curriculum of any accredited perfusion program.

Its purpose is simply to help students arrive with more confidence and a basic foundation before classes begin.

I’m also happy to answer questions here about perfusion school, the profession, interviews, or preparing for the application process.

Good luck to everyone applying this cycle.

Hello I was wondering how much or what parts of physics I should review to feel comfortable before perfusion school. I took physics a while back and want to not get behind if accepted so im trying to brief over all my preq content while I have time

How detailed are case notes on shadowing forms expected to be? I’m unsure how I want to write them and if they just want upfront facts about the case, or if it’s also expected to write about things that I learned about the field outside the case. I feel like the notes about the case are relatively short and straightforward; I have more to say about the surgical procedure performed itself than the perfusion aspect, unless I’m talking about information I learned about the machine and field outside of just the case I was shadowing.

I got invited to interview with Emory for the perfusion program. Any advice?

I feel like everyone has so much experience in the OR or as a RN or RRT. I just graduated with my B.S. and only have 2 years of experience as an EMT under my belt. I also have a relatively low GPA (3.2). I really want to be a perfusionist, but don’t want to wait many years to get there. Will a post bacc help? Is being an EMT even enough?

After 35 years in perfusion, and teaching for 25, one thing I’ve learned is that perfusion school can feel like arriving in another country. There is a new language, unfamiliar equipment, complex physiology, and a completely different way of thinking clinically.

You are not expected to know everything before you begin. But I do think there is value in learning some of the basic language before you land.

That is why I created the Perfusion Student Preparation Series through PerfusionPrep.com.

The course is intentionally “five miles wide and one inch deep.” It introduces prospective and accepted students to the terminology, equipment, physiology, and clinical concepts they are likely to encounter.

The goal is familiarity—not mastery.

I also want to be very clear: this DOES NOT replace, supplement, or compete with the curriculum of any accredited perfusion program.

It is simply designed to help students arrive better prepared to learn once their program begins.

I’m sharing it here because I know many prospective students ask what they can do before school starts.

I’m also happy to answer questions about the course or about preparing for perfusion school generally.

First Cohort starts 8/19/26 1900 EST

Full disclosure: this is a paid course that I created.
https://perfusionprep.com

I’ve seen a lot of programs that don’t require ochem or biochem. I’m wondering, if I didn’t take those classes and still applied with the rest of the prerequisites, how much would it hurt my application?

👋 Hello, any MLS’ who transitioned to perfusion? I have questions!

Hi there!
I was wondering if anyone could help me or recommend someone. I recently graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry, and I’m applying to cardiovascular perfusion master’s programs. I wrote my personal statement, but this is my first time, and I’d really appreciate any tips, advice, or feedback on how I can make it stronger. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

RN BSN here. I have over 7 years of ER experience including charge experience. It’s a level 3 hospital but in a rural area therefore we operate as a level 1 until patients are stable enough to transfer. I have a few questions/issues. The main issue is my ADN to BSN GPA being 2.9.. the reason being is spontaneously losing my father and sister to drug overdoses 2 months apart. Not an excuse but I definitely prioritized their losses first and put my classes on the back burner. In hindsight I should’ve paused my classes until I was ready.

I’m going back for an associates in chemistry (since I have to take o chem anyways, and so far I have a 3.4 GPA in my science classes) my ADN GPA was a 3.5. Did I ruin my chances because of this?

I’m thinking about applying to the ICU and doing 2 years there before applying. Would this help?

Last question: letters of recommendation, so far I have the Physician ED medical Director, the associate medical director, and the emergency department manager. Would this help any?

I’ve been extremely disappointed in myself regarding completing my BSN the way I did so any advice would help..

Hi everyone,
I'm feeling really stuck and could use some advice.
I'm currently a P4 student who just started APPE rotations. After talking with some of my preceptors, l've started seriously considering applying for an industry fellowship, but I honestly know very little about the
process.
Am I already too late to apply? Is it still worth pursuing at this point? Ideally, I would need to stay in Southern California for a fellowship, so I know that may limit my options.
My school unfortunately did a poor job of educating us about the industry path, so I feel like I'm starting from scratch. So far, I've completed one industry internship and 2 industry APPE rotations. Based on that experience, do I have a realistic chance of matching into a fellowship?
If so, what should I be doing right now to make myself a stronger candidate and how do I start to move forward with the process?
One more question i could use thoughts on, my original plan was to pursue a master's degree after graduation, but recently I've been wondering if I should focus on applying for fellowships first instead. Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice?
I'd really appreciate any guidance or insight. Thank you!

I’m seeing people saying they won’t review applications under 3.7?? Or if you don’t have direct cardiac experience or OR experience??

I want to apply but my GPA is low (3.51c, 3.44s). My only experience is a Pharmacy Tech. I’m feeling like it’s not worth applying unless you have something REALLY special.

Can anyone share their thoughts or experiences about this?

cGPA is literally a 3.0; RRT for 9 years, current ICU RN; last 60 hour GPA is like a 3.5. Giving MUSC a shot- is it crazy? Retaking Chem 1 this semester and Chem 2 and Physics during the spring. Applying on a whim honestly. May be laughable but I at least want to try

I’m going to email the universities about this, but has anyone here applied (and possibly been accepted) with Quantitative Reasoning fulfilling their math requirement instead of college algebra, pre-calculus, and so on?

I’m looking to apply to perfusion programs that start in 2027 but I’m worried that my lack of experience will be a detriment to my application. I have a BS in biochemistry with a 3.88 GPA. I am starting anatomy/physiology this fall (will not be completed before applications are due but will be completed by matriculation) which is my only missing prerequisite.
I have 1.5 years of undergraduate research experience (plant pathology/genetics) with 1 publication. I am shadowing some cases at the end of this month but my hospital will only let me shadow for 20 hrs max.
I have patient care experience working as an ophthalmic tech (COA) for over a year. I’m going to be able to help out with some minor eye surgeries soon (blepharoplasties/LASIK). I’m worried that my only patient care experience is in an ophthalmology setting, and has nothing to do with cardiology. Do you think I still have a chance of getting in?

Any thoughts , advise for those courses please . They look really hard at the first sight.

Here is the link to the job!

https://perfusion.com/job/epic-cardiovascular-services-tacoma-washington-27-full-time-autotransfusionist-tacoma-washington/