We provide a rigorous and innovative academic program designed to prepare you for engagement in a 21st-century global health care environment. You’ll learn from expert faculty, state-of-the-art simulation technology, hands-on clinical training, and research opportunities. The full-time, immersive format provides targeted coursework and hands-on experience, preparing you for the demands of operating advanced life support technologies in modern surgical and critical care settings.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will:

• Apply perfusion techniques in clinical settings, including cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machines), extracorporeal life support (ECLS), hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), cell salvage, and other advanced perfusion services.
• Leverage cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology expertise to assess, monitor, and adjust perfusion techniques for optimal patient outcomes.
• Utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make informed decisions in complex and emergent perfusion scenarios.
• Exhibit professional behavior and adhere to ethical principles in all clinical and academic activities.
• Communicate effectively with the health care team, patients, and families, ensuring a clear and accurate exchange of information through oral formats.
• Demonstrate proficiency in written communication by accurately documenting patient information, clinical decisions, and procedural outcomes according to professional and legal standards; and by producing a written thesis and other academic assignments that reflect clarity, coherence, and depth of knowledge.
• Integrate research and evidence-based practice to make informed decisions within clinical contexts. 
• Advance the field of cardiovascular perfusion by conducting original research, sharing findings in professional forums, and contributing to evidence-based practices that enhance patient care and clinical outcomes.
• Implement safety protocols and quality assurance measures to minimize risks and ensure the highest standards of patient care in perfusion scenarios.

The following information delineates the essential, non-academic attributes that individuals must possess to participate in and complete entry-to-practice programs at VCU successfully.

This information is presented so that persons interested in applying for a graduate program in the Department of Nurse Anesthesia will have a better understanding of the physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral requirements necessary to function as an advanced health care provider. The Department of Nurse Anesthesia acknowledges the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The faculty recognizes that the practice of cardiovascular perfusion is physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. The provision of safe, competent perfusion services requires that practitioners demonstrate cognitive, technical, observational, and behavioral skills. Students need to have the physical and emotional endurance to adapt to a demanding graduate program.

Successful progression through the cardiovascular perfusion program requires the following abilities:

Sensory

• Discriminate variations in human responses to disease using visual, auditory, tactile, and other sensory cues.
• Discriminate changes in monitoring devices and alarms using visual and auditory senses.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in English through oral and written methods to communicate with other health care providers and patients of all ages.
• Comprehend written and verbal communications in English.

Motor

• Coordinate gross and fine motor movements and the senses of touch and vision to operate complex biomedical devices, run point-of-care serum laboratory tests, and administer medications.  
• Demonstrate sufficient strength to lift approximately 30 pounds and to move and position patients and equipment. 
• Possess sufficient stamina to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Safely maneuver throughout the operating room and other locations where extracorporeal procedures are done.
• Respond appropriately to monitor and equipment alarms and changes in patient conditions that require physical interventions.

Cognitive

• Use reason, analysis, calculations, problem solving, critical thinking, self-evaluation and other cognitive and learning skills to acquire knowledge and comprehend and synthesize complex concepts.
• Interpret information derived from auditory, written, and other visual and sensory data to determine appropriate patient management plans.
• Apply theoretical knowledge to practice to provide safe perfusion care.

Behavioral

• Demonstrate personal and professional self-control as well as tactfulness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect.
• Work flexibly and effectively in stressful and rapidly changing situations.
• Cooperate with other members of the health care team to provide a therapeutic environment and safe patient care.

Questions about admissions and the curriculum for this program option should be directed to: 

Keith Pelletier, PhD, MBA, MHS, CCP
Director of Cardiovascular Perfusion
Department of Nurse Anesthesia
pelletierk@vcu.edu

The proposed Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion (MSCP) program is a rigorous, 58-credit, five-semester program that includes a three-semester clinical practicum.

Please visit the VCU Bulletin for the most up-to-date course offerings. The VCU Bulletin is the official source for academic course and program information.

The curriculum has been developed to meet the professional standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and its Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (AC-PE).

The curriculum will provide students with in-depth knowledge of how blood functions and interacts within the body, with a focus on the cardiovascular and circulatory systems. Core coursework provides students with an understanding of advanced anatomy, functional changes that arise in the body due to disease or injury, and the principles and technologies used in perfusion practice. Students will learn to operate life-support technologies such as cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machines), oxygenators, and blood conservation systems.

Students will be trained in perfusion techniques used during surgery and critical care, such as myocardial preservation, systemic hypothermia, and autotransfusion. The coursework will also emphasize care for diverse patient populations, including those with specific blood conservation needs. Students will be educated in mechanical circulatory support systems, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs), and ventricular assist devices (VADs).

The three clinical practicum courses will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities in operating room and critical care unit settings. Students will participate in cardiac surgery operations and learn how to operate the cardiopulmonary bypass machine under the guidance of a Certified Clinical Perfusionist.

The thesis project will prepare students to research trends in cardiovascular perfusion, write a scholarly paper, and present their findings to stakeholders.

Year 1 - Spring Semester

Year 1 - Summer Semester

Year 1 - Fall Semester

Year 2 - Spring Semester

Year 2 - Summer Semester

Total Hours: 58

Core Courses: 29 credit hours

IPEC 501 Foundations of Interprofessional Practice (1 credit)
IPEC 502 Interprofessional Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (1 credit)
MSCP 504 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology for Perfusionists (4 credits)
MSCP 505 Pathophysiology and Surgical Repair of Cardiovascular Disorders (4 credits)
MSCP 506 Pharmacology for Perfusionists (3 credits)
MSCP 510 Biomedical Devices and Patient Safety (2 credits)
MSCP 511 Foundations of Perfusion Technology (3 credits)
MSCP 531 Professional Aspects of Perfusion Practice (2 credits)
MSCP 534 Introduction to Evidence-Based Decision-Making (1 credit)
MSCP 601 Perfusion Theory (5 credits)
MSCP 615 Special Populations and Crisis Management (3 credits)

Technique Courses: 8 credit hours

MSCP 611 Techniques in Perfusion I (4 credits)
MSCP 612 Techniques in Perfusion II (4 credits)

Clinical Practicum: 16 credit hours

MSCP 621 Clinical Practicum I (4 credits)
MSCP 622 Clinical Practicum II (6 credits)
MSCP 623 Clinical Practicum III (6 credits)

Thesis: 5 credit hours

MSCP 699 Cardiovascular Perfusion Graduate Thesis (5 credits)

Total: 58 credit hours

Admission to the proposed M.S. in Cardiovascular Perfusion program will require additional requirements beyond the general admission policies of Virginia Commonwealth University graduate school. 

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be admitted to the proposed Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion (MSCP) degree program:

• Have a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree*
• Provide three (3) professional recommendations, at least one (1) of which is from a currently Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP). Recommendations will be submitted via the VCU Graduate School application system.
• Attend a personal interview with members of the admissions committee (by invitation only)
• Hold current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers© American Heart Association, Inc. certification
• Complete at least two (2) shadow experiences with a currently Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP)
• Submit academic transcripts that demonstrate the completion of courses in the following subject areas within the past seven (7) years:
  • Human anatomy (four (4) credit hours, with lab)
  • Human physiology (four (4) credit hours, with lab)
  • Chemistry (four (4) credit hours, with lab)
  • Organic chemistry (four (4) credit hours, with lab)
  • Physics (four (4) credit hours, with lab)
  • Statistics (three (3) credit hours)
  • Medical terminology (three (3) credit hours; will consider courses of less than 3 credit hours)

*If the applicant has received college credit hours for Advanced Placement® courses or exams listed on the university transcript, those credit hours will be accepted. A grade of ‘D’ in any required prerequisite course will not be accepted.

No transfer credits from other institutions will be accepted toward the fulfillment of the VCU MSCP degree program requirements.

Applications for the proposed MSCP degree program are submitted through the VCU Graduate School portal. The Department of Nurse Anesthesia Director of Admissions and Student Support Services conducts an initial screening to verify application completeness and adherence to admission criteria.

Candidates to be considered for admission will be required to complete an in-person panel interview with the members of the admission committee before being offered admission to the program.