This page provides recommendations for selecting educational programs for perfusionists and ECMO specialists, an overview of available courses in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and options for international training.

Training in KazakhstanCertification and Specialized Courses
In Kazakhstan, continuing professional education programs and certification courses are available for specialists working in perfusion and ECMO. These programs are aimed at improving competencies in extracorporeal life support.
One example is the ECMO team training course (including perfusionists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensivists) implemented through specialized certification platforms and educational resources at the Heartt Center UMC National Research Cardiac Surgery Center.

Continuing and Lifelong Education
Medical institutions and educational centers conduct advanced training cycles, seminars, and workshops for healthcare professionals. These formats may be useful for perfusionists seeking to expand their professional competencies.
Examples of formats include:

• advanced training cycles in relevant disciplines;
• certification courses within continuing education programs;
• seminars and workshops on related clinical topics
• (e.g., Kulager Medicine).

Training AbroadSpecialized Perfusion Programs
Abroad, there are academic programs and courses focused on in-depth education in perfusion and extracorporeal sciences. Although relatively limited in number, these programs provide fundamental knowledge of perfusion theory and the structure of clinical practice.
Examples of educational programs include:

• Master of Science in Extracorporeal Science — an online master’s program covering theoretical foundations of extracorporeal technologies and perfusion practice, aimed at an international audience (College of Health Sciences**).
• Perfusion School Directory — a registry of perfusion education programs and schools in the United States and Europe, useful for training planning (Perfusion School Directory**).
• European perfusion programs — educational pathways and schools in Europe, including those coordinated through the European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.

Short Courses and Specializations
In addition to academic programs, specialized short courses and training programs in ECMO, perfusion, and related fields are available internationally. These can be found through international organizations:

• ELSO Endorsed ECMO Courses — ECMO courses endorsed by the ELSO, offered worldwide;
• Comprehensive Adult ECMO Training Course — an intensive ECMO training program for clinical specialists, including hands-on sessions (Procirca**);
• Royal Papworth ECMO Courses — specialized three-day ECMO courses delivered by a leading UK center (Royal Papworth Hospital**).

Tips for Choosing a Training Program
When selecting a training program, consider the following factors:

• Program content — whether it includes both theoretical foundations and practical components;
• Affiliation with professional societies — programs recognized by AmSECT, ELSO, or European organizations are generally of higher quality;
• Recognition of competencies — international acceptance of certificates or diplomas;
• Local relevance — alignment of the training with your clinical environment and professional goals.

The optimal choice of training depends on your professional objectives, current level of preparation, and available resources. Education may be built on local certification courses as well as international programs and training sessions, which complement theoretical knowledge with practical skills and internationally recognized expertise.