Medical perfusion has been practiced as a discipline in Australia for more than three decades. Thus far the training has been conducted on an apprenticeship basis with no formal theoretical component. The Australasian Society of Medical Perfusion (ASMP) in conjunction with the University of Melbourne, has developed an online professional development course to provide the theoretical knowledge base needed for the study and practice of medical perfusion.

Designed For

It is best that this course is studied while a student is working in a cardiac fellowship program that includes cardiac anaesthesia and transoesophageal echocardiography.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the student should have comprehensively covered the theory related to medical perfusion and have been immersed in multiple practical examples that relate this theory to the practice of the discipline. After completing the course, participants should:

1. Have a detailed knowledge of the equipment that is used in cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This includes understanding the circuits, the heat exchangers, cell savers, cannulas and monitors.
2. Understand the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on the major organ systems including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, hematological and endocrine. In addition, the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass on the pharmacology of the drugs used is included.
3. Be able to completely manage all aspects of cardiopulmonary bypass including setting up the circuits, cannulation, commencement of bypass, maintenance of bypass, separation from bypass, hemodialysis on bypass, intra-aortic balloon pump, ECMO and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.
4. Understand how to manage problems that can occur on cardiopulmonary bypass including circuit thrombosis, oxygenator failure, anaphylaxis, failure of the heart lung machine and massive air embolism among others.

Course Units

The elearning component is made up of four main subjects.

• Subject 1 – Equipment for Extracorporeal Perfusion
• Subject 2 – Pharmacology, Physiology and End Organ Effects of Extracorporeal Perfusion
• Subject 3 – Conduct of Extracorporeal Perfusion
• Subject 4 – Crisis Management, Simulation and Practicum

The objective is to provide learning material that covers the theory of each topic but then links this to real life examples and scenarios.

Assessment

Each subject requires the submission of self-assessments, case studies and exam. The Medical Perfusion course is designed to be completed in a 6 to 12 month period.

Delivery Mode

Subject completion requires approximately 60 hours of eLearning. Course materials can be accessed using a web browser. Practical component is completed on the job or with an accredited training unit.

Course Director

Dr. Gerald (Joe) Power

MBBCh FCA(SA) FFARCSI FANZCA PG Dip Echo

Authors

• A/Prof Paul Forrest, MBChB, FANZCA
• Alex Cavdarski MBBS(Qld), FANZCA, PG Dip Echo
• Andrew Jackson MBBS, FANZCA
• Andrew Van Leeuwen
• Ben Slater
• Bong Joon Huh, MBBS, PGDipCU, FANZCA
• Bruce Todd
• David Trappett, MBBCh FANZCA
• Dr Alistair Kan
• Dr Amelia Traino, MBBS, BMedSc FANZCA
• Dr Andrew Miller
• Dr Ann Ngui, MBBS FANZCA ASCeXAM PGDipEcho
• Dr Anton van Niekerk
• Dr Bradley Smith, MBBS (hons) FANZCA FCICM
• Dr Bruce Adendorff, MBChB(UFS), MMed(UFS), FCA(SA), FANZCA
• Dr Bruce Cartwright MBBS, FANZCA, PGDipEcho, AdPTEeXAM
• Dr Chris Richardson
• Dr Chris Wong, BHB, MBChB, FANZCA
• Dr Damien Boyd, MBBS FANZCA
• Dr David William McLeod
• Dr Eric Janes
• Dr James Drew
• Dr John Wynter, MBBS, BSc (Med), FFARACS, FANZCA
• Dr Karen Hungerford, B Med Sc, MBBS (Hons), FANZCA, M Clin US
• Dr Kris Skeggs, BSc, MBBS, FANZCA
• Dr Mark Schneider FANZCA
• Dr Martin Shaw, MBBS, FANZCA
• Dr Michael Wirth, MBBS, FANZCA, PGDipEcho, PTeEXAM
• Dr Paul Sadleir, MBBS (Hons, UWA), FANZCA, PGDip Periop and Crit Care Echo (Uni Melb), APTEeXAM (US NBE)
• Dr Paul Wajon, MBBS FFARACS FANZCA PGDipPeriopEchocard
• Dr Rae Duffy
• Dr Roslyn Shaw, BMedSc MBBS(Hons) FANZCA PGDipEcho
• Dr Shalini Achuthan, MBBS (Hons) FANZCA PGDipEcho MPH
• Dr Shaun Roberts, MBBS FANZCA
• Dr Simon Pattullo BSc (Hons), PG Dip Echo, FANZCA
• Dr Simon Spiers
• Dr Warren Pavey, MBBS (hons) FRCA FANZCA PTeXAM
• Dr William Soong, MBBS FANZCA FRACGP PGDip Echo DipRACOG
• Andrew Nikola, FANZCA, MBBS (USyd), B.Pharm (USyd), PG Dip.Clin US (UMelb)
• Cesar Fernandez-Cornejo, FANZCA, PGDipEcho, MCU
• Jonathan Trinh, FANZCA, BMBS Hons. (Flinders), B.Med.Sci (USYD)
• Joanne Irons
• Kenneth A. Williams, MBBS FANZCA
• Keshavan Kanesalingam
• Mark Hayman, VMO Anaesthetist, Melbourne
• Dr Norman Feist, FANZCA, MD, DESA
• Saul Judelman MBBS, FANZCA PTE

Entry Requirements

1. FOR DOMESTIC MEDICAL GRADUATES:

Option 1 – eLearning only

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following:

• Fellowship in anaesthesia (FANZCA), intensive care (FCICM) or cardiac surgery (FRACS), Advanced trainees in these disciplines may also be accepted.

Option 2 – Single Subject eLearning only

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following:

• Fellowship in anaesthesia (FANZCA), intensive care (FCICM) or cardiac surgery (FRACS), Advanced trainees in these disciplines may also be accepted.

Please include supporting documentation with your application. The supporting documentation required is an academic transcript, CV/Resume.

2. FOR INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PERFUSIONISTS:

Option 1 – eLearning only

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following:

• Enrolled or completed a clinical perfusion training course in clinical perfusion.

Please include supporting documentation with your application. The supporting documentation required is an academic transcript, CV/Resume.

3. FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL PERFUSIONISTS:

Option 1 – eLearning only

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following:

• A fellowship in a relevant specialty association such as anaesthesia, intensive care or cardiac surgery.

Please include supporting documentation with your application. The supporting documentation required is an academic transcript, CV/Resume.

Disclaimer:

• Please note this is a “Professional Development Course” only
• This course will not allow international students to “register to practice” in Australia
• This course does not give international students entitlement to work in Australia.

Course Fees

FOR DOMESTIC MEDICAL GRADUATES:

• Option 1 Course Fee: Four eLearning subjects only, no practical component - AUD $5,500 (incl. GST).
• Option 2 Course Fee: Single eLearning subject, no practical component - AUD $1,485 (incl. GST).

FOR INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PERFUSIONISTS:

• Course Fee: Four eLearning subjects only, no practical component - AUD $6,600 (incl. GST).

FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL PERFUSIONISTS:

• Course Fee: Four eLearning subjects only, no practical component - AUD $6,600 (incl. GST).

GROUP DISCOUNT PRICING:

• Group discount pricing available, please contact us by using the Contact Us form or email at mobile-learning@unimelb.edu.au

Application Procedure

Click on the ‘Enrol now’ button to be guided to the application form.

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Contact Us



E: mobile-learning@unimelb.edu.au

T: +61 3 8344 5673