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Sleep technician vs perfusionist

The differences between sleep technicians and perfusionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a perfusionist has an average salary of $118,459, which is higher than the $50,458 average annual salary of a sleep technician.

The top three skills for a sleep technician include patients, patient care and RPSGT. The most important skills for a perfusionist are patients, patient care, and heart-lung machine.

Sleep technician vs perfusionist overview

Sleep TechnicianPerfusionist
Yearly salary$50,458$118,459
Hourly rate$24.26$56.95
Growth rate1%6%
Number of jobs25,50222,339
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does a sleep technician do?

The sleep technician is someone who works with a physician to ensure the optimal sleep experience of people. The sleep technician's goal is to assist the physician in diagnosing the type of sleep problem of a patient. The sleep technician will help monitor the patient's vital signs, determine sleep patterns, and help execute all prescriptions and instructions of a physician. The sleep technician also works in various laboratory roles, especially in studies concerning people's sleep patterns and problems.

What does a perfusionist do?

A perfusionist is a healthcare expert who specializes in operating machinery that helps patients maintain blood flow during cardiac surgeries. As a member of a cardiothoracic surgical team, their duties also include monitoring the patient's vital signs, preparing cardiopulmonary bypass machines, meeting with team members before the surgery to identify the patient's needs, and developing strategies with the surgeons. Moreover, as a perfusionist, it is vital to maintain an active communication line with team members to ensure the surgery's success and the patients' safety.

Sleep technician vs perfusionist salary

Sleep technicians and perfusionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sleep TechnicianPerfusionist
Average salary$50,458$118,459
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $70,000Between $67,000 And $209,000
Highest paying City-Rochester, MN
Highest paying state-Minnesota
Best paying company-Essentia Health
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between sleep technician and perfusionist education

There are a few differences between a sleep technician and a perfusionist in terms of educational background:

Sleep TechnicianPerfusionist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut

Sleep technician vs perfusionist demographics

Here are the differences between sleep technicians' and perfusionists' demographics:

Sleep TechnicianPerfusionist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 36.9% Female, 63.1%Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 10.5% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between sleep technician and perfusionist duties and responsibilities

Sleep technician example responsibilities.

  • Administer CPAP and BiPAP devices and educate patients the effective way of using and trouble shooting operate clinical devices.
  • Perform mask fitting, CPAP and BiPap set ups and titration through modification of modes and settings base on patient response.
  • Identify and troubleshoot artifact (EEG, EMG, ECG, and respiratory channels as well as the environment).
  • Have experience with running research, in hospital patient's, pediatrics and set ups for MSLT's and MWT's.
  • general floors, PFT lab and perform ECG's.
  • Maintain current CPR, a certification.
  • Show more

Perfusionist example responsibilities.

  • Manage floor, ICU and rehab in-patients as well as respond to ER and hospital consultation.
  • Manage patients who suffer respiratory/cardiac arrest per ACLS protocol.
  • Operate centrifugal ventricular assist devices, intra-aortic balloon pump, and cell saver devices.
  • Assist surgical team by passing instruments sutures, sponges, holding retractors and suctioning patient.
  • Monitor and assist during general, gyn, plastic, ortho, and peds cases.
  • Monitor pet's pulse and oxygen rates during surgical procedures for their safety and post surgery supportive care.
  • Show more

Sleep technician vs perfusionist skills

Common sleep technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • RPSGT, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Patient Safety, 3%
  • Sleep Disorders, 3%
Common perfusionist skills
  • Patients, 32%
  • Patient Care, 12%
  • Heart-Lung Machine, 8%
  • ECMO, 8%
  • Life Support, 4%
  • Blood Products, 4%

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