Pre-Clinical Perfusion Roadmap

Pre-Clinical Perfusion Roadmap

Start your journey to becoming a clinical perfusionist.

Clinical perfusionists are skilled allied health professionals, qualified by academic and clinical education, who deal with all phases of regulating and controlling blood flow outside the body. The perfusionist operates life-sustaining equipment during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or temporarily replace the patient's circulatory or respiratory function.

The perfusionist has diverse responsibilities that include the mechanical support of a patient's circulation and pulmonary function during medical procedures such as open-heart surgery, transplantation, and emergency medicine. The perfusionist is an integral member of the cardiovascular surgery team involved in infant and adult cardiac surgery.

Pre-Clinical Perfusion Science icon

Pre-Clinical Perfusion Roadmap at UNL

Clinical Perfusion Prerequisite Classes

Depending on the school you plan to attend, you may need additional prerequisite courses. Meet with an advisor for more information.

 

Typical Clinical Perfusion School Requirements

Biology – 1 semester

Anatomy – 1 semester

Physiology – 1 semester

Chemistry – 1 semesters (2 semesters required to move on to organic chemistry)

Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry – 1 semester

Physics with lab – 1 semester

Statistics – 1 semester

Medical Terminology – 1 semester

What to Take at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Some classes require prerequisites. Meet with an advisor for help planning your courses.

 

Biology – BIOS 101/101L, 110/110L, or LIFE 120/120L

Anatomy – BIOS 214

Physiology – BIOS 213/213L

Chemistry – CHEM 109A/L & 110A/L or 113A/L & 114

Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry – CHEM 251/253, 252/254, 261/263, or 262/264 or BIOC 401/401L or 431

Physics with lab – PHYS 141, 151/153, or 211/221

Statistics – STAT 218, ECON 215, EDPS 459, or PSYC 350

Medical Terminology – CLAS 116

Suggested Science Sequencing

Semester 1
Math per Math Placement Exam
Biological Sciences with lab

Semester 2
Chemistry I

Semester 3
Chemistry II

Semester 4
Physics with lab
Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry

Semester 5
BIOS 213/213L
Additional Chemistry

Semester 6
BIOS 214
Additional CHEM/BIOC

Semester 7
Additional Biological Sciences or
Additional CHEM/BIOC

Semester 8
Additional Biological Sciences or
Additional BIOS

*Sequence may vary from above depending on declared major requirements

The above coursework recommendations fulfill the entrance requirements for the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions Clinical Perfusion Education program. Students should pursue a course of study that is well rounded in the biological sciences, chemistry, and math. Students who are considering Clinical Perfusion programs outside of Nebraska are encouraged to contact those programs directly for a list of entrance requirements.

Other Notes:

  • AP Credit: AP Credit is not accepted for science or math prerequisites for UNMC’s clinical perfusion program.
  • Math Requirement: Some required science courses, like chemistry, require math as a prerequisite. See a pre-health advisor for math placement information.
  • Major Selection: Students should pursue a course of study that is well rounded in the biological sciences, chemistry, and math. 

 

Extracurricular Involvement and Activities:

Pursuing Pre-Clinical Perfusion requires more than just coursework. Your extracurricular activities, employment, and healthcare experiences like shadowing and volunteering will contribute greatly to your success in this field. See a pre-health advisor in the Explore Center to plan extracurricular activities that will prepare you for this program.

Application and Admission

Application: Students applying to clinical perfusion programs will follow the specific application procedures for each program to which they wish to apply. For a list of accredited clinical perfusion programs, see www.caahep.org. To apply to UNMC’s program, see unmc.edu/alliedhealth/education/cpe/admission/apply.html.

Entrance exam: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required at some schools. Visit ets.org/gre for more information.

Additional admission requirements: To be considered for admission UNMC also requires three personal references, three verified conversations with a Perfusionist, and an interview.