Aligned with the mission of The Texas Heart Institute, the School of Perfusion Technology promotes excellence in perfusion education and trains knowledgeable, skilled, and professional clinical perfusionists.
Program Goals
Program Information
The Texas Heart Institute (THI) School of Perfusion Technology offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in perfusion technology. The 18-month course trains students to use the cardiopulmonary bypass machine and other equipment associated with open-heart surgery. In addition, students receive extensive instruction in cardiopulmonary function and vast experience in the operating room. The Texas Heart Institute School of Perfusion is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (ACPE), and graduates are eligible to become a Certified Clinical Perfusionist after they take the national certification examination, which the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion gives.
Perfusion Licensure
Prospective applicants for The Texas Heart Institute School of Perfusion Technology should consult the licensing boards for states in which they may apply for licensure before attendance and are responsible for confirming that The Texas Heart Institute program meets perfusion licensing requirements for that state.
Design of Program
Academic courses and clinical rotations are held concurrently. THI staff, clinical affiliate perfusionists, and various guest lecturers teach lectures. Scheduled lectures and exams are subject to change based on the needs of the hospital’s surgical schedule. Lectures can be scheduled Monday through Friday during the morning or afternoon. Clinical responsibilities require students to be present evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Students are also required to take call-in week-long segments multiple times during the year.
Students spend more than 60 hours per week at the hospital between academic classes and clinical rotations. Classes and exams may begin as early as 6:00 am, and a student might be at the hospital until 9 pm or longer for clinical procedures.
The graduates from the Classes of 2018-2025 had a 99.5% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation. (Source: AC-PE Graduation Survey Annual Report)
Tuition is $30,000, payable in three $10,000 installments invoiced at the beginning of each semester due in full by October 15 or March 15. In addition, students will need approximately $40,000 – $45,000 to cover living expenses for the 18-month period. The nature of our program makes it impossible for students to have jobs while in the program.
As we are a non-degree/non-credit bearing post-baccalaureate certificate program, federal financial aid is not available. This includes most student loans, grants, scholarships, funds, and any other kind of assistance that would typically be available.
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