Friction Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Just curious if anyone who is a current PA ever looked into becoming a perfusionist either before or after PA school? If not, do any of the CT PA's (or anyone else for that matter) have any experience or insight into the profession and its workings? I just found out there is a program in Phoenix (at Midwestern) and it sounded pretty interesting. I found a couple people online who were both PAs and perfusionists. Thanks, Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterallsummer Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 I don't know much about the profession (perfusionist) but I would assume one big deciding factor is if you would enjoy the majority of your time in the OR or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamRRT Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Hey, I know a little about perfusionist, as it is one of the branches a RRT can go into.(I'm a RRT) I know the pay is better than PAs but the Job outlook isnt as good bc they are in less demand. I could be wrong but I think yo have to have a 4 yr medical degree already and the program is 1 yr, hands on training. I know Mayo Clinic has a program. I plan on looking into it also once I am closer to completing my chemistry's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friction Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 The Midwestern program is a 24-month Master's program, not sure about the rest of them. I think PA is still a much better option since it offers much more lateral movement, however, this was just something that peaked my interest and sounded interesting. I was, more or less, just hoping to find out a little more about the profession since I haven't really heard much about it. The Army offers an 18-month program for PA's with 3 years experience at Walter Reed Medical Center which I think would be pretty interesting. Thanks for all the input so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmtappan Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Hey Joel, I'm an RRT as well as an ECMO Specialist. I'm not sure if you're familiar with ECMO but it stands for ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and it is basically a long term form of cardio-pulmonary bypass that RRT's and RN's are allowed to manage in an ICU. It is a single pump and is intended to still allow the heart to maintain a minimal cardiac index. I've looked into both paths and have chosen to apply for PA school. Having exposure to perfusion and working in a pediatric ICU, I have learned that future seems brighter for PA's than Perfusionists. Our hospital is starting to do more and more major prcedures in the Cath Lab as opposed to the OR with bypass. There is a push to start trying to move away from bypass. Obviously there will always be a need of some sort for bypass, but it may start to diminish. Also the jobs posted for Perfusionists are only a handful in the country. Most programs only accept a handful of students, and usually they know somebody or have some sort of background in ECMO or Resp. Therapy. I can only speak for what I see here, but I hope this helps. Trent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH_7.40 Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Another RT chiming in. From those I've talked to Perfusionist is on it's way out and those who already are Perfusionists are having a heck of a time finding jobs. In every hospital I've worked at that had ECMO, it was ran by an RT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted May 13, 2012 Moderator Share Posted May 13, 2012 More and more cabg surgeries are being done off pump as well. I wouldn't say perfusionist are on their way out, because a perfusionist with bypass always need to be on standby, but usually 2 perfusionist can cover most hospitals ( the few that actually do cardiac surgery). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friction Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 Thanks, for the input guys. That actually really helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemon Bars Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 ECMO. How fascinating. I'm going to RT school if I can't get into PA school. It's nice to know there are a few options for RTs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamRRT Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 RRT for life! lol only we we got paid more and didnt always get thrown under the bus. Yet we are always the ones they call in an emergency whether its a respiratory problem or big toe pain lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.