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Perfusionist Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

CT Assist

Locum Tenens CRNA

Duluth, MN · On-site

CT Assist Healthcare Staffing is the only staffing company that exclusively serves: · CVOR · CVICU & ICU · Perfusion · Advanced Practice Why only cardiac and critical care? We were founded and ...

Specialy Care

ECMO Specialist

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

Duties and Responsibilities: * Assist the physician, perfusionist and/or other clinical staff members with initiation of ECMO, the course and conduct of ECMO, and the conclusion of ECMO and any ...

Specialtycare

ECMO Specialist

Minneapolis, MN

Duties and Responsibilities: * Assist the physician, perfusionist and/or other clinical staff members with initiation of ECMO, the course and conduct of ECMO, and the conclusion of ECMO and any ...

TNAA TotalMed RN

Travel Nurse RN - ECMO ICU

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$2.1K - $2.9K/wk

Duties and Responsibilities: Assist the physician, RN at the bedside and/or other clinical staff members, including perfusionist, with: initiation of ECMO, day to day maintenance of ECMO ...

TNAA TotalMed RN

Travel Nurse RN - ECMO ICU

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$2.1K - $2.9K/wk

Duties and Responsibilities: Assist the physician, RN at the bedside and/or other clinical staff members, including perfusionist, with: initiation of ECMO, day to day maintenance of ECMO ...

TNAA TotalMed RN

Travel Nurse RN - ECMO ICU

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$2.1K - $2.9K/wk

Duties and Responsibilities: Assist the physician, RN at the bedside and/or other clinical staff members, including perfusionist, with: initiation of ECMO, day to day maintenance of ECMO ...

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Perfusionist Assistant information

See Minnesota salary details

$32

$84

$151

How much do perfusionist assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for perfusionist assistant in Minnesota is $84.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65.67 and $92.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a perfusionist assistant?

Perfusionist Assistants are healthcare professionals who support perfusionists in operating heart-lung machines and other equipment during cardiac surgeries. They help set up, monitor, and maintain extracorporeal circulation equipment, ensuring the proper oxygenation and circulation of a patient's blood while the heart is stopped. Their responsibilities may include preparing equipment, managing supplies, and assisting with patient care under supervision. Perfusionist Assistants play a vital role in the surgical team, contributing to patient safety and the smooth operation of cardiovascular procedures.

What does a perfusionist assistant do?

A perfusionist assistant works alongside a clinical perfusionist during cardiac surgery to ensure the procedure goes smoothly and allow the perfusionist to focus on the patient. In this career, you perform the setup of equipment, assist the perfusionist by handling supplies, monitor the patient, and perform cleanup and waste disposal at the end. Your responsibilities focus on the health of the patient's heart and lungs during the surgery. Your duties also include sterilizing the machine and equipment, ordering supplies, loading the cart with essential gear before the procedure, checking vitals, maintaining medical records, and helping the perfusionist in any way necessary.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a perfusionist assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Perfusionist Assistant, you need foundational knowledge in biological sciences, familiarity with cardiovascular procedures, and often an associate degree or relevant certification. Proficiency in using heart-lung machines, blood gas analyzers, and electronic medical records is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills. These abilities are essential for supporting perfusionists in critical surgical settings and ensuring patient safety during complex procedures.

What are some typical responsibilities of a perfusionist assistant during cardiac surgery procedures?

Perfusionist Assistants play a crucial supporting role during cardiac surgeries by preparing and managing equipment such as heart-lung machines, setting up sterile workstations, and ensuring all necessary disposables and solutions are readily available. They monitor equipment performance, assist with circuit assembly, and help troubleshoot technical issues under the supervision of a certified perfusionist. This collaboration allows the surgical team to focus on patient care, while the assistant ensures the smooth operation of life-support devices, making attention to detail and strong communication skills essential in this dynamic environment.

What is the difference between Perfusionist Assistant vs Perfusionist?

AspectPerfusionist AssistantPerfusionist
CredentialsTypically requires a certificate or associate degree, some states may require certificationRequires a bachelor's degree, advanced certification (e.g., CCRP), and licensure in many states
Work EnvironmentAssists perfusionists in operating heart-lung machines during surgeriesLeads perfusion procedures, manages complex equipment, and makes clinical decisions
Employer & IndustryHospitals, surgical centers, cardiac unitsHospitals, specialized cardiac centers, research institutions

The main difference between a Perfusionist Assistant and a Perfusionist lies in their level of responsibility and required credentials. Perfusionist Assistants support perfusionists during surgeries, often with less formal education, while Perfusionists independently manage complex procedures and require advanced certifications and licensure. Both roles are vital in cardiac surgery settings, but Perfusionists hold more advanced clinical responsibilities.

Are perfusionist assistants still in demand?

Perfusionist assistants are in steady demand due to the ongoing need for cardiac surgeries and the specialized skills required for assisting perfusionists. Employment opportunities are often available in hospitals and surgical centers, especially for those with relevant certifications and experience working with extracorporeal circulation equipment.
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Perfusionist Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Perfusionist Assistant job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $175,071 per year, or $84.2 per hour.

Board Certified Clinical Perfusionist

Posterity Group LLC

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Perform clinical perfusion services including cardiopulmonary bypass, Cell Saver, Platelet Gel Production, Pacer, and IABP monitoring in collaboration with surgical and anesthesia teams.

  • Manage extracorporeal support and physiologic monitoring during complex cardiac surgical procedures to ensure patient stability and safety.

  • Provide specialized support such as ventricular assist device management, blood management services, and organ perfusion, adhering to all relevant policies and regulations.

Job description

Description:

Posterity Group LLC is a veteran owned, service-disabled small business, headquartered in Rockville, MD, that specializes in federal government contracting and staffing. We are tasked with staffing the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System with a Board Certified Perfusionist. The Perfusionist is expected to perform the following:   


The MVAHCS requires the services of Clinical Perfusionists an estimated 40 hours per week on-site and on-call coverage, in a rotation among 3 providers - Perfusionists (CCPs).  

  •  Clinical perfusion services for cardiopulmonary bypass, Cell Saver, Platelet Gel  Production, Pacer, and Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) monitoring. 
  • Perfusionist must  stay in-house when providing IABP monitoring. Services shall be provided in  collaboration with the Cardio/Thoracic Surgeon and Anesthesiologist.  
  • Plan, organize, coordinate and evaluate the clinical perfusion requirements for each  patient’s cardiopulmonary surgical procedure and are responsible for the physiologic  monitoring, analysis, intervention and hemodynamic stability of patients in the most  complex types of surgical procedures. 
  • Perfusionist shall have expert knowledge of cardio-pulmonary bypass methods,  equipment and procedures. 
  • Provides a comprehensive understanding of anatomy, physiology, physics and  mechanics of pacemakers in support of procedures for temporary pacemaker and Maze  management.  
  • Providing extracorporeal support: The Clinical Perfusionist is responsible for the  management of the physiologic and metabolic needs of the cardiac surgical patient.  
  • They  are responsible for conducting extracorporeal circulation and ensuring the safe  management of cardio-respiratory functions during any medical situation where it is  necessary to support the patient’s cardio-respiratory function including but not limited to:  cardiopulmonary bypass; extracorporeal resuscitation; and extracorporeal circulation for  long term support of failing respiratory and/or cardiac function.
  •  Associated extracorporeal support functions provided by the Clinical Perfusionist for  maintaining the patient’s homeostasis as dictated by specific patient physiological status  will include: myocardial protection through administration of prescribed cardioplegia  solutions via the coronary blood supply anatomical systems;  hemofiltration/renal  replacement therapy; anticoagulation and hemostasis management, analysis and  intervention; thermal regulation; blood gas and blood chemistry monitoring; physiologic  monitoring, analysis and intervention; administration of blood components,  pharmaceuticals and anesthetic agents.   
  •  Heart failure therapy and clinical support services to include: ventricular assist device  management; external counter pulsation and intra-aortic counter pulsation device  oversight and management including device insertion and monitoring for patient  balloon pump operation in the Intensive Care Units; temporary pacemaker  management; external counter pulsation; management of transportation of  extracorporeal supported patients for safe transport; hemofiltration and aqua pheresis;  periodic flow augmentation therapy. 
  •  Provision of  blood management services to include: autotransfusion oversight for  autologous blood and cell salvage techniques;  platelet gel therapies; non-differential  progenitor cell harvest; acute normovolemia hemodilution; phlebotomy; hemostasis  monitoring and analysis with an advanced working knowledge of anticoagulation  therapies, blood component therapy (including platelet gel and sequestration),  physiological implications of disease processes on hemostasis, blood banking  procedures, blood storage and administration.    
  •  Other clinical responsibilities include: Isolated limb/organ perfusion; isolated limb/  organ delivery of chemotherapeutics, progenitor cells, gene therapy vectors; organ  procurement and preservation; thermogenic lavage; renal replacement therapy;  electrophysiological analysis; therapeutic hyperthermia and therapeutic hypothermia.  
  •  Complies with all appropriate and applicable patient care policies, procedures and  regulations of the VHA and MVAHCS to ensure compliance with Joint Commission  guidelines.  


Requirements:
  •  Be certified with at least a minimum of five (5) years of experience 
  •  All Perfusionists shall be a graduate of an accredited Allied Health Education Program School of Perfusion Technology and shall be certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, demonstrate evidence of meeting continuing education requirements and shall have performed a minimum of 1000 clinical cases 
  •  Experience shall be demonstrated in the following areas: Open heart surgery, autotransfusion, heart lung machine, membrane oxygenation, left/right heart bypass, intra-aortic balloon pumping and centrifugal ventricular assist device