Welcome to the University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program
If you are exploring careers in healthcare, perfusion offers a unique opportunity to combine science, technology, critical thinking, and patient care in a highly specialized clinical environment. Many students discover the profession while exploring careers in healthcare and are drawn to the combination of advanced technology, hands-on clinical practice, and meaningful patient care.
What Is a Perfusionist?
Perfusionists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who play a vital role in the care of patients undergoing complex cardiothoracic, vascular, and transplant procedures. Their primary responsibility is operating the heart-lung machine, which temporarily performs the functions of the heart and lungs during surgery.
Perfusionists also manage advanced life-support technologies that support circulation, oxygen delivery, and organ function during surgical procedures and critical care situations when a patient's heart or lungs are unable to function independently. Their responsibilities may include blood conservation, mechanical circulatory support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and artificial heart systems.
The profession combines science, technology, and patient care in a fast-paced clinical environment. Successful perfusionists are critical thinkers who are detail-oriented, technologically proficient, adaptable, and able to make important decisions under pressure.
About the Program
The University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program is a 21-month, five-semester post-baccalaureate certificate program designed to prepare students for entry into the perfusion profession.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (AC-PE). Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) examinations in Basic Science and Clinical Applications, the pathway toward becoming a certified clinical perfusionist.
Admission to the program is highly competitive. Four to five students are admitted each year and begin the program in the fall semester. The Admissions Committee considers multiple factors when evaluating applicants, including academic achievement, professional and clinical experience, references, personal essays, and interview performance.
Education and Clinical Training
The first year of the program provides students with a rigorous scientific and clinical foundation in perfusion. The final three semesters emphasize advanced clinical education, extensive hands-on training, and completion of an independent research project.
Students gain experience operating the heart-lung machine and learn to manage the technologies and procedures used in modern perfusion practice. Clinical education includes blood conservation techniques, mechanical circulatory support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and artificial heart systems.
As cardiovascular technologies and clinical practices continue to evolve, our curriculum evolves alongside them to prepare graduates for the changing demands of the profession.
Explore the Program
The pages throughout this website provide detailed information about the University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program, including:
- Admission Requirements
- Prerequisite Coursework
- Curriculum
- Tuition and Fees
- Clinical Education
- Application Process
- Frequently Asked Questions
We encourage prospective students to review the information provided throughout the site as they consider whether perfusion and the University of Iowa program are a good fit for their educational and professional goals.
2026 Application Cycle
The University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program is transitioning to an online application process. Information regarding the application, instructions, and requirements will be available on this website before the application cycle opens.
The 2026 application cycle will open November 1, 2026, and close December 1, 2026.
Applicants should review all admission requirements and application information before submitting an application.
For questions or additional information, contact the University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program at (319) 356-8496 or perfusion@uiowa.edu.