The deadline for REQUESTS FOR APPLICATIONS is MAY 1, 2008.  All requirements must be met and the completed documents (new or continuing) must be on file in AmSECT National Headquarters by June 1, 2008.  Perfusionists complying with this deadline will be considered for entry into Fellowship at the annual AmSECT Pediatric Perfusion Conference.

Applicants for Pediatric Fellowship in the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology are required to have the following qualifications:

1. Graduation from an accredited perfusion or circulation technology program acceptable to the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology.  (CCPs trained on the job must meet all requirements below).
2. Certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Canadian Board of Cardiovascular perfusion, European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, or the Australian Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
3. A full and unrestricted license to practice perfusion in their respective state or province (if applicable).
4. Two years of uninterrupted service in one location after completion of formal training.  Additional practice time (usually one year) may be required if the practice situation changes.  Exceptions may be granted by the review committee.
5. A current member of AmSECT and the ABCP with no reportable actions pending.
6. A current practice that establishes the applicant as a specialist in pediatric cardiovascular perfusion.
7. Minimum accumulated pediatric cases as follows:
   1. 200 cardiopulmonary bypass cases for correction or palliation of congenital heart disease
   2. At least 40% (80) of which should be on infants ≤ 10 kg
   3. Maximum of 20% (40) may be as documented back-up perfusionist
8. Interest in pursuing professional excellence, both as an individual perfusionist and as a member of the perfusion community.  Such interest may be evidenced by membership in local and national perfusion societies and organizations; participation in teaching programs and/or local, regional or national programs; continuing education through attendance at professional meetings courses and seminars.
9. Ethical fitness as well as professional proficiency as determined by the Fellowship Review Committee.  This determination is based upon information from supplied references, colleagues, and surgeons.
10. Willingness to actively participate in maintaining, directing or supporting the advancement of pediatric perfusion.

Process of Applying for Fellowship

All properly submitted and accepted applications for Fellowship are developed and evaluated on a one-year cycle.  This year's deadline for receiving completed applications is June 1, 2008.

1. Perfusionists who fulfill all of the requirements may submit the Request for Pediatric Fellowship Application.  In response to such a request, the Fellowship Application will be mailed to the applicant.
2. Pediatric Fellows of AmSECT, as well as any member of the perfusion profession, may request that a Fellowship Application be sent to any perfusionist who, in their opinion, would qualify for Fellowship.
3. The perfusionist who wishes to apply for Pediatric Fellowship must complete and return the application to AmSECT for review and evaluation.
4. A completed formal application is required from each applicant.  In addition to providing information regarding their perfusion training and practice, applicants are requested to:
   1. Sign a statement agreeing to abide by the bylaws, rules and regulations of AmSECT and sign the Fellowship Pledge.
   2. Furnish references from a perfusion colleague or Chief Perfusionist, pediatric cardiac surgeon and cardiac anesthesiologist.
5. Each individual named as a reference will be asked by the Pediatric Fellowship Review Committee to furnish a statement about the applicant’s qualifications as a pediatric perfusionist as well as the applicant’s professional and ethical standing in the community.  The committee may also consult others it deems necessary.
6. Applicants are expected to compile and submit a list of cardiopulmonary bypass cases documenting two hundred procedures for congenital heart disease, 40% of which shall be on patients less than or equal to 10 kilograms and no more than twenty percent as the documented back-up perfusionist.  The appropriate form and instructions will be provided.  The list is intended to serve as an index to the volume, variety, and character of an applicant’s experience.
7. Applicants may be requested to present detailed case reports and related information as additional evidence of their professional proficiency.

Evaluation of Application for Fellowship

The evaluation of an applicant for Fellowship is based on comprehensive information relating to the applicant’s perfusion-related judgment and experience, professional competence, ethical conduct, professional standing in the local community, and attitude toward the basic tenets of AmSECT.  Such information is obtained from the Pediatric Fellowship Review Committee, references named by the applicants and others.

The Pediatric Fellowship Review Committee shall consist of two members from the Board of Directors, two AmSECT members at large, the current Pediatric Committee Chair, and the Selection Committee Chair.

1. AmSECT National Headquarters shall review each application for completeness and shall prepare a summary of the biographical information and other pertinent information for review by the Fellowship Review Committee.  If the applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, further processing of the application will be deferred until the applicant has met all of the requirements.
2. The Fellowship Review Committee appraises information and recommendations from all sources relating to applications and may, at its discretion, defer action on any application.
3. After review and evaluation of all information, the Fellowship Review Committee makes one of three decisions:
   1. Approval for Fellowship – In order to attain Fellowship, each applicant must receive approval of 3/5 of the Fellowship Review Committee.
   2. Postponed (for at least one year) – A postponement is not considered as an adverse action.  It is designed to give the applicant an opportunity to acquire further knowledge or additional experience or to develop professionally.  It also provides the Society with an additional period for observation, investigation and further evaluation of the applicant’s eligibility for Fellowship.
   3. Not Approved – Not approved is an adverse action.
      1. Following a “Not Approved” action, the applicant may submit a new application after a waiting period of three years.
      2. Applicants who receive an adverse action on their application may request an appeal.  Appeals are heard under the direction of the Executive Board.
      3. The executive Board may change an adverse action at its discretion.
4. No Action – no action is taken when an application is determined to be incomplete.  The application is then deferred for consideration to the following year.
5. Successful applicants are admitted into Fellowship at the annual International Conference.

• Applicants are notified by letter of their acceptance for Fellowship and are admitted to Fellowship by select committee at the convocation ceremony held during the AmSECT Pediatric Perfusion Conference.

 Fellowship Pledge

Recognizing that the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology seeks to exemplify and develop the highest traditions of our profession, I hereby pledge myself, as a condition of Fellowship within the Society, to live in strict accordance with its principles and regulations.

I pledge to pursue the practice of pediatric perfusion with honesty and integrity and to place the rights of my patient above all else.  I promise to deal with each patient, as I would wish to be dealt with if I were in the patient’s position.  I also promise to further my knowledge through research and education, and to share my knowledge and experience with others in an effort to advance the practice of pediatric perfusion.

Upon my honor, I declare that I will advance my knowledge and skills, will respect my colleagues, and I will seek their counsel when in doubt about my own abilities.  In turn, I will willingly help my colleagues when requested.

Finally, I solemnly pledge myself to cooperate in advancing and extending the art and science of pediatric perfusion by my Fellowship in the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology.