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.

NOTE: THESE GUIDELINES BECAME EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 2021
INTRODUCTION:
The C.C.P. (India) certification issued by the Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion-India (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 en­sure 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 Continuing Education.
Recertification consists of two components:

• Clinical activity (40 points per year) (to be reported every year)

2. Professional activity / Continuing Education (20 points / year) (to be reported  for at least any 2 out of 5 years)

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

• CPB, Primary OR Supervised
• 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    (For 1 – 6 above award 1 point per case)
7. Documented intra-operative pump standby (1/2 point per case)
8. ECC in research (1/2 point per case)

Of the 40 points, a maximum of 10 points can be intra-operative pump standbys. The standbys must be documentable in an audit. NOTE: each standby carries only ½ a point.

For each ECMO or VAD case, one point will be awarded for initiating and maintaining one shift (4 hours minimum), or managing one shift (8 hours minimum), or the duration of the case. Any case performed as the Clinical Instructor is considered primary perfusion and may be included for credit.
NOTE: a maximum of two (2) CCP can claim credit for the same case.

I B.  Clinical Activity Report:
Each CCP must file an annual Clinical Activity Report (for each of the 5 years), which contains the following:
Clinical Activity (case summary) (Form 2)
NOTE: Employment as clinical Perfusionist has to be confirmed by signature and stamp by the hospital personnel department (Space has been provided in Form 1 – Personal Details)

II. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
II A.  Requirements:
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. (See Category description given below for more information)

II B. Professional Activity Report:
Each CCP must file a Professional Activity Report during any 2 out of 5 years, which contains the following:
Documentation of continuing education (Forms 3 A & 3 B)

CATEGORY DESCRIPTION:
Continuing education units are categorized according to type of educational activity. The following is a description of the various continuing education categories.

Perfusion Meetings and Other Perfusion Related Activity:
Perfusion meetings are those programs and seminars in which a minimum of 75% of the contact hours consists of perfusion related material.  Only those meetings approved by BCP-I will qualify for CEUs.   Approximately one CEU is awarded for each hour of perfusion related activity in the meetings.
Activities under this category include:

• Attending international, national, regional and state perfusion meetings.
• Publication of perfusion related book chapter or paper in a professional journal.
• Presentation of a talk at an international, national, regional or state perfusion meeting.
• Presentation of a Poster or other exhibit at an international, national, regional or state Perfusion meeting
• In-house training programs

Points for various activities are as follows:
Passive attendance

NOTE: Active points will be additional; e.g. a moderator or presenter can claim both passive points (for attending) and active points for presenting or moderating in the same workshop.

Publications

INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS (Note: This is not an exhaustive or complete list)
AACP                          American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion
AATS                          American Academy of Thoracic Surgeons
AHA                            American Heart Association
AmSECT                     American Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology
ASAIO                        American Society of Artificial Organs
DOHS                         Dept. of Health Services, Dubai
EACTA                        European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiologists
EACTS                        European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons
EBCP                          European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion
ESAO                          European Society of Artificial Organs
ESCS                           European Society for Cardiovascular Surgery
FECECT                      Foundation European Circulation Extra-Corporeal Technology
HAAD                         Health Authority of Abu Dhabi
IACTA                         Indian Association of Cardiovascular Thoracic Anaesthesia
IACTS                           Indian Association of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgeons
ISECT                          Indian Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology
ISAO                           International Society of Artificial Organs
ISCTS                          International Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Medscape CME        Medscape CME program
MOH, UAE                 Ministry of Health, UAE
PCSI                            Paediatric Cardiac Society of India
SCA                             Society of Cardiovascular Anaesthesiologists
STS                              Society Thoracic Surgeons
Hammersmith Workshop
Mechanisms of Perfusion
Pathophysiology and Techniques CREF/ San Diego
DOCUMENTATION:
MEETINGS:  An official document is required from the meeting organizer documenting attendance, with number of CEUs. If no CEU is shown, BCP-I will decide the number of CEUs to be awarded for each meeting.

PERFUSION PUBLICATIONS: Complete reference of book or article (authors, title, journal and date/volume of journal).

PERFUSION PRESENTATION / POSTER: Attendance certificate showing that a presentation has been made / poster was displayed.

LOCAL PERFUSION MEETINGS:

• Any perfusion meeting including manufacturer-specific and company-sponsored educational activities
• All in-house Medical Meetings (e.g. hospital based grand-rounds, M&M, Cath conferences etc.)
• ACLS
• Participation in a journal club
• Participation in degree-oriented, professionally related course work
• Presentation of perfusion topic at a non-perfusion meeting

DOCUMENTATION:  A certificate of attendance issued by the organizing committee.
NOTE: Passive attendance will carry 1 point and active participation 2 points for each of the above per activity or lecture

CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR IN AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL OF PERFUSION: (5 points)
DOCUMENTATION: Clinical instructors in accredited programs must provide a letter of confirmation of their status from the Program Director. This should include course title and contact hours.

APPLYING FOR RECERTIFICATION:
Application forms for re-certification and formats for Clinical Activity and Professional Activity are available on BCP-I web site. Please download the forms and send the completed form with all relevant documents to the email address given in the form. PLEASE DO NOT SEND HARD COPIES

DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THE RECERTIFICATION PROCESS:
The reporting period for the Clinical Activity / Professional Activity Report will be from January 1st to December 31st of each year (calendar year).
THE REPORTS ARE DUE ON 1ST FEBRUARY OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
E.g. if you have received your CCP in year 2008, then the first report for the period Jan-Dec 2009 will be due on February 1, 2010 and so on.

FEES FOR RE-CERTIFICATION: (Fee structure is effective Jan 1, 2023)
INR 1500 (Rupees One Thousand Five Hundred only) for Indian Perfusionists working in India)
INR 3000 (Rupees Three Thousand only) for all others (including Indian Perfusionists working overseas)

LATE FEES
NOTE: The Board has not yet started charging late fees for those filing their reports after the deadline. However, this is likely to take effect soon.

NOTIFICATION OF RECERTIFICATION
For the recertification process to start, all reports and forms should be completed, filed on time and accompanied by the appropriate fee. After verification, once the board is satisfied that the CCP has met the requirements, a fresh certificate will be issued which will be valid for a further period of 5 years.
The certificates issued by the BCP-I are the sole property of the BCP-I and may be cancelled at its discretion. A certificate may be displayed or used only when it is current and valid.

Loss of Certification:
A CCP will lose certification if he/she:

• Is found guilty of unethical conduct by BCP-I; or
• Falsifies any portion of a recertification application.

The decision of the Board of Directors of BCP-I shall be final and binding. The Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion-India is registered in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat and hence any disputes will be under the jurisdiction of the Ahmedabad High Court.

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT AND OTHER INFORMATION:
Certified Clinical Perfusionists are responsible for updating the BCP-I Office regarding their E-mail id, telephone number, work status, address for communication etc. All information will be sent to the last known address maintained in the register of the board as per information given by the CCP.

BEST WISHES AND HAPPY RE-CERTIFICATION!!
For and On Behalf of the Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion-India

GUIDELINES REGARDING THE APPLICATION FOR RE-CERTIFICATION
THESE GUIDELINES BECAME APPLICABLE FROM 1st JANUARY, 2021

1. The application form and all relevant documents have to be sent via email to recertify.bcpi@gmail.com
2. Do not send any hard copies!
3. Download the form, fill it completely, take signatures where necessary and then scan the entire form.
4. All fields are compulsory unless it is not applicable to you.
5. Write your BCP-I certification number on each page in the space provided on the top.

• Mention the period of re-certification. Re-certification starts from the next year from the year of certification. e.g. if you were certified in the year 2015, then period of re-certification is 2016-2020 (both years included). You need to provide details for all 5 years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020). If you were certified in 2009, then re-certification period is from 2010-2014. So, you need to provide documents for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 NOTE: Year refers to calendar year Jan-Dec

Form 1: PERSONAL DETAILS:

• • Fill out all personal details and sign along with date and place
  • Indicate where you want your certificate (hard copy) to be sent (residence or hospital)

NOTE: A soft copy will be sent to your email address

• • Mention the hospital(s) where you have worked in the last five years, current one first
  • Take signature and stamp of HOD or HR (where you are working now) and fill out their full name and designation

Form 2: CLINICAL ACTIVITY DETAILS:

• • Fill out Clinical Activity (CPB) details in the format provided. Use a separate form for each year of re-certification and mention the year on the top of the page.

NOTE: Year is as per calendar year Jan-Dec

• • You need a minimum of 40 points from this activity. If you need additional space, make a copy of the blank format and fill it out. (Remember that standby carries only half a point)

Form 3A: PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY: conference, seminar, refresher course and in-
house training
a)  You need to submit details for at least any 2 out of the 5 re-certification years

• Fill out a separate form for each of the 2 years and mention the year on the top of the page. NOTE: Year is as per calendar year Jan-Dec
• Fill out all details completely
  • Upload the attendance certificate; credit will not be given if certificate is not uploaded
  • Credit will be given only for the activity indicated – passive or active attendance
  • For in-house training, if there is no certificate or letter issued, take sign of the organizer / HOD for each activity. (This is only for in-house training)

Form 3B: PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY: oral presentations, posters & written publications
a)   Fill out the complete details as indicated
b)   For Publications: Upload a copy of published abstract or article as it appeared, or
provide a link. Credit will be given only if there is proper documentation
c)   For Presentations: Attendance certificate should specify that a presentation was made

• Fill out a separate form for each of the 2 years and mention the year on the top of the page. NOTE: Year is as per calendar year Jan-Dec

Form 4: SUMMARY OF POINTS EARNED:

• • Fill out the summary of points earned for each re-certification year in the appropriate column
  • You need 40 clinical activity points per year for each of the 5 years
  • You need 20 professional activity points per year for at least any two out of the 5 years

Form 5: VERIFICATION AND FEE DETAILS:
a) Full details of Self, Chief Perfusionist & HOD (name, designation, sign & stamp as indicated). If you are the senior most Perfusionist, then mention SELF under Chief Perfusionist

• FEES:  (Fee structure is effective Jan 1, 2023)

For Indians residing and working in India – INR 1500/- (Rupees One Thousand Five Hundred Only)
For all others – INR 3000/- (Rupees Three Thousand Only)

• ONLINE PAYMENT:

Application fees have to be paid online directly into BCP-I bank account

• Upload a copy of transaction receipt and also mention all details in the space provided in the application form. Please mention your name in transaction details

 NOTE: Please send a copy of your current BCP-I certificate
HOW TO SCAN AND LABEL YOUR DOCUMENTS
Please follow this method to scan and label the documents that you will be sending via email.
Scan the entire application form and all supporting documents as a single document.

The order of the documents should be:

• Application form in sequence i.e. Form 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 5
• Supporting Documents (Scan all the attendance certificates and other documents in the same order in which you have mentioned them in Forms 3A & 3B)
• Still Working Certificate and Work Experience Certificate(s) covering the 5-year period
• Recertification Fees Receipt
• Your current BCP-I certificate (the one which is being renewed)

Label this file using the format ”Your Name _Your BCP-I Number_Recertification”                (Write your full name as it appears on your BCP-I certificate)
E.g.  If I am sending my application: ”Ravinath Swami_A009/0830_ BCP-I Recertification”

NOTE: As your documents will be stored virtually, the board needs to be able to track them.

APPLICATION FORM AND ALL DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT TO: recertify.bcpi@gmail.com    

BEST WISHES FOR A REWARDING AND SUCCESSFUL CAREER