Welcome to the University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program  

Thank you for your interest in the University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program. If you are exploring careers in healthcare, perfusion offers a unique and rewarding opportunity that many students discover only after learning more about the profession. 

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 assumes the functions of the heart and lungs during surgery. In addition, perfusionists 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.

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 capable of making important decisions under pressure.

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 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) Basic Science and Clinical Applications examinations, 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 coursework in the fall semester. The Admissions Committee evaluates applicants based on multiple factors, including academic achievement, references, personal essays, and interview performance.

During the first year of the program, students complete a rigorous curriculum that establishes a strong scientific and clinical foundation. The remaining three semesters emphasize advanced clinical education, extensive hands-on training in perfusion practice, and completion of an independent research project. Students gain experience operating the heart-lung machine and learn related technologies and procedures, including blood conservation techniques, mechanical circulatory support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and artificial heart systems. As cardiovascular technologies continue to evolve, our curriculum evolves alongside them to prepare graduates for the future of the profession.

This website provides detailed information about our program, including admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, curriculum, tuition and fees, clinical experiences, and the application process.

Applications must be postmarked by December 1.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact us by telephone at (319) 356-8496 or by email at perfusion@uiowa.edu.