THE IMPORTANCE OF RE-CERTIFICATION

The need for a common certification exam for Perfusionists arose due to the fact that
there is no autonomous body or council to bring about standardization, as is the case in the fields of Medicine and Nursing. The students of Perfusion Technology complete the requirements by attending the courses conducted by any of the affiliated colleges and appear for the exam conducted by the University to which the college is affiliated. But, the eligibility, syllabus, duration of training and availability of faculty and facilities varies from centre to centre. The title of Certified Cardiovascular Perfusionist – India {C.C.P. (Ind)} given by BCP-I signifies that the candidate has a minimum level of competency and skills set, irrespective of his/her training and background.
(For full details, please see the section “CERTIFICATION“)

However, certification cannot be a one-time event, like getting membership to a society or organization. The Perfusionist has to keep up with the changing scenario in healthcare by keeping abreast of the advances in Surgery, Anaesthesia and Perfusion. So, recertification at regular intervals becomes essential. The Certified Perfusionists will demonstrate their active involvement in Perfusion by several means — minimum number of ‘pump runs’, attendance in CMEs, conferences, updates and refresher courses; publication in national and international journals; teaching and management — each of which will carry weightage according to its importance and value addition.

The C.C.P. (India) certification issued by BCP-I is valid for a period of five years. All Certified Clinical Perfusionists (CCP) must re-certify annually. The aim of re-certification is to en¬sure that the CCP is currently employed as a Perfusionist, continues to meet certain minimum standards and possesses current and adequate knowledge in the field of Perfusion Technology. This is done through Clinical Activity and Professional Activity or Continuing Education. The renewed certificate will be valid for a further period of five years.

Recertification consists of two components:

1. Clinical activity to be reported every year.
2. Professional activity / Continuing Education to be reported  for at least any 2 out of 5 years.

I CLINICAL ACTIVITY
A Certified Clinical Perfusionist is required to perform a minimum of forty (40) clinical activities annually. Clinical activities are defined as follows:

1. CPB, Primary OR Supervised
2. Instructor
3. ECC for non-cardiac surgeries or combined procedures
4. Pump Assisted Coronary and/or Organ Perfusion (PADCAB / isolated limb perfusion)
5. ECMO
6. VAD
7. Documented intra-operative pump standby
8. ECC in research

II PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
During any two years of the five-year period every CCP must earn twenty Continuing Education Units (20 CEUs). Documentation is based on the Continuing Education Unit (CEU). One CEU or contact hour activity is defined as fifty (50) minutes spent in an organized, structured learning experience.

Please refer to the section “Recertification Guide” for detailed info.